I am a Palestinian from Gaza. I am a journalist. I am a mother. I am a Muslim. This blog is about the trials of raising my children between spaces and identities; displacement and occupation; and everything that entails from potty training to border crossings. My husband is a Palestinian refugee denied his right of return to Palestine, and thus OUR right to family life. Together, we endure a lot, and the personal becomes political. This is our story.
Journalist, mom, occupied Palestinian-all packed into one.
Knesset Member Yuval Steinitz, head of the Knesset Defense Readiness and Fighting Terrorism Committee, tells Aljazeera's Imran Garda they had planned the Gaza invasion for 8-9 months.
posted by Laila @ Thursday, January 08, 2009
24 Comments:
Don't forget that your people have been firing rockets at schools and sending people with bombs strapped to them into busy malls and busses, terrorizing the Jewish people - the same Jewish people that keep your economy going and provide you with food that your Hamas government withholds, and provides medical care for the children of your people, and fuel for your electric plants - and in return your people have been continuously committing terror acts with almost no repercussion for 8 to 9 YEARS.
It is about time that the government of Israel decided to fight back and the fact that it took them 8 to 9 months to plan this out you should be so thankful that you are alive! If I ran the Israeli government, I would send one missile for every missile that your people fire and I wouldn't aim. I would feel this to be the appropriate response to put a stop to rocket fire. But I'm not in charge...
Rather, the IDF is being sent in and Jewish soldiers are being killed! For only one reason - to protect you and your family and everybody in Gaza who they think might be "good" and might not support terror openly. They are risking their lives to help civilians despite all of the international pressure that is telling them to stop. They are trying sooo hard to differentiate between the Hamas militants and the civilians who voted them in.
Have you thought about why the Israeli government hasn't just carpet bombed the whole region? It would make a lot of Jews much safer if they did, but they don't do it. It is because they care to not hurt anybody who might be innocent. And so here you are alive today and blogging...
I really think that if you use this blog for positivity - to renounce the acts of terror that your government does - to stand up to the daily rocket barrages and homicide bombers, you can have a profound effect on those around you. You may make a few enemies, but ultimately you or anybody reading this always has the opportunity to change. Even Ishmael, the person in the Torah who is often attributed to being the great-great-great-...-grandfather of the modern Muslim population repented at the end of his life and he died a righteous person. He didn't die as a martyr, but as a good complete person, just because he turned around from his ways. So too, the entire Muslim nation can renounce terrorism and learn to love life and love their Jewish neighbors who want so much to befriend them and help them.
We took 8 years of almost daily rocket fire to finally fight back! And only because we want to stop the rocket fire - not for the purpose to G-d forbid hurt another precious person. What does that tell you? Please open your heart to the goodness that is around you. It may be hard to see past the smoke and debris, but you have Jewish neighbors who want to help you and you can really make a difference!
Jeff basically sums up Exactly what is going on.
The Palestinian people should thank the Israeli gov't for not just setting ALL of Gaza on fire and bulldozing the rubble into the sea.
What illogical, immoral, and inhumane line of reasoning is that?
Sadly it's the ideology of the Israelis' and it couldn't have been said any better.
Thanks for showing the true colors of israel JEFF
I just wanted to add that Gaza has one and a half Million people living there, that's almost as many people as are in the States of North Dakota and Vermont combined and only in a space almost as large as the City of Chicago.
genocide anyone?
dear laila,
I am an italian journalist, my name is Eleonora Bianchini. I work for Blogosfere, the biggest italian blog network owed by Il Sole 24 ore (daily newspaper). I have been reading your blog and I have some questions for you. Please contact me by email: eleonorabianchini@blogosfere.it
Thanks!
Jeff ,My friend ... reality is not the lies you believe ... the reality is what has happened and still happening... during 1940s a group of people from all around the world under the name Zionism gathered in the country called Palestine and the next day established a state called Israel...can u tell a name for this act? it is occupation...does Israel have the right to exist?... Muslims don't have any problem with Jews,We all love Moses and Judism but Israelis are just Zionists who have forgot the ten commandments ,You shall not kill but they kill civilians with excusing Hamas rocketing... You shall not steal... but you stole the palestinian Land and it is the cause of Hamas rocketing.
For a very good historical overview and assessment of the current situation by Professor of International Relations Avi Shlaim at the University of Oxford that was published in the Guardian yesterday (entitled "How Israel brought Gaza to the brink of humanitarian catastrophe"), go to:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/07/gaza-israel-palestine
Jeff - take note of this one, please. Learn something.
And for another hard hitting commentary, see Robert Fisk's story published in the in the Independent yesterday entitled "Why do they hate the West so much, we will ask" at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-why-do-they-hate-the-west-so-much-we-will-ask-1230046.html
Laila, I have been coming to your site everyday since I saw you and your dad interviewed on CNN last week. I want you to know that I am keeping you and the Palestinian people, in Gaza particularly and throughout the Arab states, in my prayers. I am donating to relief funds and telling everyone I can about the real plight of the people of Gaza. I'm asking them to help when they are receptive. Also, I've joined the boycott against products from Israel and joined others who are writing to our Reps in Congress to ask that they join Rep Kucinich and the UN in calling for an investigation and indictment of Israel for war crimes.
I just wanted to encourage you and your family to stay strong and to let you know that the tide of public opinion gradually turning in America against Israel's occupation and its atrocities against the people of Palestine.
Poor little Jeff and all the others like him living in Israel. Subjected to rocket fire for 8 years . . . Jeff do you ever hear anything in the news that is not censored by your own government? Do you believe in the tooth fairy too? Do you REALLY BELIEVE what you are saying about how caring and paternalistic Israel is towards Palestine? Do you really believe if that is the case that Hamas and suicide bombers would be doing what they are doing? Get real Jeff. Open your eyes and take off the Israeli blinkers. Come on, you can do it. Look at what your wonderful country has REALLY been doing in Palestine. Open your eyes, mind and heart, if you're brave enough because you will not like what you see. You will realise that you have been duped. I feel sorry for people like you who haven't got a clue. It's right to be loyal to your country. It's not right to be so loyal that you become blind to the atrocities they have inflicted on Palestine for decades. Open your eyes and your heart Jeff. All is not what it seems if you allow yourself to know the truth.
Hi Laila
we’ve spotted your blog here at Amnesty International UK and we wanted to feature your stories on our blog for a day or two - you can see it on our homepage at http://blogs.amnesty.org.uk
we’d like to feature various bloggers reporting from/or about Gaza, so I hope you are ok with us linking to your blog. we are thinking of you and the Palestinian people in Gaza.
Veronique from Amnesty International UK.
My name is María Orfila and I'm a journalist from Uruguay. I work in El Observador newspaper (www.observa.com.uy, www.elobservador.com.uy). I would like to contact you to know your personal view and experience in Gaza and what do you believe is the most difficult thing to face living in Gaza on a day to day basis. I hope you can answer me to my e-mail: mariaorfila@gmail.com.
Best reguards.
Actually I heard this early on in the invasion from of all people, Pat Buchanon! He had said that this incursion was planned since before the ceasefire began.
Everyone needs to see this war from the Palestinian viewpoint. Thank you for your blog. In the United States, our media is all owned by a few large conglomerates. They all support the United States govt., for various reasons. Since our current administration unequivocally supports Israel, our media also does.
When Americans try to blog about the Palestinian issue, we can only imagine the horror you must feel.
Blogs like yours bring the Palestinian situation to life, and are the only way that Americans can find out the truth. Thank you.
I would argue that the plan to invade Gaza existed from the moment Hamas was elected as a majority in the Palestinian elections in January 2006. The Israelis have always benefited from Hamas' presence because it created disunity among the Palestinians and helped justify continued military action against the Palestinians. What seems difficult to understand however is whether this current savagery in Gaza is meant to significantly lower the population census of the Gazans from 1.5 million to ___ (?) The death of 700, 7,000 or even 70,000 Gazan civilians does not create that population loss. So what is the goal of the invasion? I would argue that the goals are to ignite additional radicalism both in and out of Palestine and thereby bait the Iranians and Hizbullah into the conflict so that the United States will have no option to but to turn course from Iraq and Afghanistan and widen the war to Iran and Hizbullah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSWcgEREfOE
salam alaykom,
i`m from Iran it`s really hard for me to see what happening in Gaza. We are trying to help you any way and want all palestinian to know we are with you. please stand for Islam. Allah helps are near…
Good evening from Germany
Excuse that I disturb a little bit your dialogue.
But I am frightened over this war, over these propaganda and abouit the fact that people this day believe still the lies of the government. I am frightened over the silence of the people, over that unconditional faith that the governments do the correct. I had hoped the world from history learned. It does not have…
We must not discuss whether the rockets of the Hamas were correct or not. They were not it, because they met the civilian population… a crime. But it is not the right way to judge a crime with a greater crime and with a much larger number at civilian and innocent victims.
Correct me please if my informations does not about the rocket bombardment of the Hamas does not correct, I have it from the website from the israelian gouverment. There it was illustrated that it give between June and November nearly no rocket bombardment by the Hamas. The cessation of hostilities held and in this time the Hamas was obviously interested in a peace. If my research is right it give since november a blockade of the Gaza Strip and there was a military action of the Israeli army within the Gaza Strip. At this time fly Qassam again and threaten Israeli civilians.
Can someone answer me why the month of the cessation of hostilities for a new start were not used? There was a little stone and at these stone both sites could have built. Build for a durable peace …
In the Bible is writtn: If someone strikes you on the right cheek, then delay to it also the left. My thoughts to these lines: If someone strikes you, then it does that perhaps inconsiderately. Give him the chance to think about it again and in the few cases he will strike you a second time.
I write this, because that seems to me here momentarily both sides be represented Palestinians and Israelis and I would like that you of the future of your children… A living worth future, without fear, without frights.
You are normal and thinking humans, no politicians those of their power think must or want therfore make the first step and find a way for a dialog at this place… show the world that it is possible…
Peace and a long life for each from you and greetings from Germany
It would not matter if Hamas and every Palestinian in occupied or strangled territories laid down their arms and rolled over.
The Zionists would keep the pissy little rockets firing "by way of deception".
Israel does not want peace, it never has - Zionism cannot thrive without an "existential threat" real or concocted.
The rockets are what allow the Zionists to undertake an acceleration of the already occurring genocide.
For Zionists and their apologists to self righteously blame the victims in this case just displays the twisted and pathological nature of their souls.
More Israelis die from traffic accidents and organized crime then from those shitty little rockets.
Why oh why don't they carpet bomb organized criminals organizations in Tel Aviv?
Excuse youngfox, but I am sure at this way it will never give a real chance for a dialogue. Don’t believe the propaganda from both sites… It is not the reality and no gouverment is better than else.
Explain please the different of the Israeli in the south of Israel and a Palästinenser in Gaza. It give one? I don’t believe!
You are Canadian? I have read in the blog from Eva Bartlett... she blogs live from Gaza... a courageous woman...
Now even more disgusting news that isn't being broadcast on American media...
The UN and Red Cross have had to suspend aid after both have been fired upon. One UN driver was killed by IDF as he was crossing over from Israel into Gaza during the three hours where they were not supposed to be firing upon anyone. This was also after they got a clearance from Israel to be driving that aid in there.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7818577.stm
This is the most heartbreaking thing in the entire world to watch! How many more people will have to die before it will stop? It makes me sick that the US will not speak out against this. Why does it have to be who is right and who is wrong? This is wrong. I wish there was something I could do.
I am an American. I am a patriot of my country. This is why I have so much empathy for the people of Gaza. Because of the privileged life I have been blessed with, I wish it for all people… Of all races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, etc. The bottom line in life is that we are all human beings. We all wake up everyday wanting the same things… safety, the right exist, travel, and to put food on our tables to share with the people we love. I am realizing more and more each day how naivety comes with those privileges. I am appalled at my countries support of Israel and the US’s lack of ability to see this conflict from the other side. We are the land of the free and the brave, but we are denying freedom to Gaza by giving these weapons to Israel, and in such a cowardly way. I do not support Hamas, or any other leadership that fires rockets into another country. However, when a group of people, such as the Palestinians, live in poverty struggling for: safety, the right to exist, travel, and put food on our tables to share with the people we love… What does my western world really expect? The Palestinians have been treated like animals in a cage. I keep hearing people around me saying that none of this would have happened if Hamas never fired those rockets. To those of you who feel that way, let me ask you: If someone surrounded the well landscaped neighborhood you live in and wouldn’t allow you to leave, only gave you electricity every few days, and then said they were doing you a favor… What would you do? I know what I would do: I’d fight with everything in me to take back my neighborhood.
I e mailed all my representatives in Congress and the Senate asking them not to use my tax dollars to supply weapons to Israel. I told them it was no different than Iran or Syria giving weapons to Palestinians. Just imagine, if no one gave either of these people weapons what a different situation this could be. Only one Senator returned my e mail, saying Israel had a right to defend itself. So I replied asking why that was the case, and told him I would not be voting for him again. I urge all Americans to do the same. Every night we Americans sit in our living rooms comfortably watching the crisis in Gaza on TV. And I truly believe on some level everyone has empathy for the Palestinian people, politics aside. I urge you to do write your Representatives. Get up off the couch, go to your computer, and take ten minutes to e mail them. It is the very LEAST that any of us can do. God bless all people.
In response to Nasibeh the Iranian above, I recently discovered on this webs site Arabs for Israel, that being a Muslim doesn't automatically make you anti-Israel. Though this is the first and only website of its kind that I've come across.
assalamualaikum laila
i m hisham fm malaysia.
i know how hard it is 4 u to live like this. We malaysian muslim will always pray for palestinians. be strong. our donation in form of medical supplies and food will continue to arrive for our belove muslim brothers and sisters in palestine gaza.
Assalamualaikum laila
This is laili fm malaysia. I'm a mother of three and also a career women. Everytime I drive to work, I cry for the children in Gaza. For me, they're like mine to. Be strong and I believe those children who survive will grow strong and will have a warrior spirit in their heart.We Malaysians will always and keep praying for Palestinians. That is the least help we could do beside continuing our donations. AllahhuAkbar!AllahuAkbar..Allah will help our Muslims and our friends.
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