23 apr 2016
Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers on Saturday morning in the southern Gaza Strip, locals said.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces stationed near the borderline along Khan Yunis opened fire on agricultural lands where the farmers were working. No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports.
Israeli military forces routinely enter the Gaza Strip near the “buffer zone,” which lies on the border between the besieged enclave and Israel.
Israeli military activities, which have become almost daily occurrences, often interfere with Palestinian farmers whose land lies in the area.
Approximately 35 percent of Palestinian agricultural land in Gaza is inaccessible without high personal risk, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.
The Israeli army says the use of live fire is necessary to deter potential "security threats." However, the practice has destroyed much of both the agricultural and fishing sectors of the impoverished coastal enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade for nearly a decade.
Witnesses told Ma'an that Israeli forces stationed near the borderline along Khan Yunis opened fire on agricultural lands where the farmers were working. No injuries were reported.
An Israeli army spokesperson said they were looking into reports.
Israeli military forces routinely enter the Gaza Strip near the “buffer zone,” which lies on the border between the besieged enclave and Israel.
Israeli military activities, which have become almost daily occurrences, often interfere with Palestinian farmers whose land lies in the area.
Approximately 35 percent of Palestinian agricultural land in Gaza is inaccessible without high personal risk, according to the Palestinian Center for Human Rights.
The Israeli army says the use of live fire is necessary to deter potential "security threats." However, the practice has destroyed much of both the agricultural and fishing sectors of the impoverished coastal enclave, which has been under Israeli blockade for nearly a decade.
Five Palestinians were injured when clashes broke out across the Gaza Strip on Friday night after Israeli forces attempted to suppress weekly protests, Gaza’s Ministry of Health said.
One Palestinian was injured with live fire, and two suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation near the Nahal Oz crossing in the northeastern Gaza Strip.
Near the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, two Palestinians suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces attempted to suppress a protest there.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an they did not have information on clashes in the Gaza Strip Friday evening.
Also on Friday, a Palestinian teenager was wounded by a rubber-coated steel bullet and dozens others suffered excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces dispersed weekly protests across the occupied West Bank.
The clashes came amidst tightened security measures implemented by the Israeli authorities for the Jewish holiday of Passover. All crossings in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank were closed to Palestinians beginning midnight Thursday, in effect until midnight Saturday.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip crowd near the borders with Israel every Friday to show solidarity with what Palestinians in besieged coastal enclave have termed the “Jerusalem Intifada” taking place in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Nearly 30 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the unrest spread in October, the majority shot dead during clashes on the Gaza-Israel border.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces since the start of this year, the majority during clashes that broke out with the Israeli military during protests in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Earlier this month, the US accused Israel of an "excessive use of force" against Palestinians, amounting to a violation of human rights, in its annual report of global human rights abuses.
One Palestinian was injured with live fire, and two suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation near the Nahal Oz crossing in the northeastern Gaza Strip.
Near the Erez crossing in the northern Gaza Strip, two Palestinians suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces attempted to suppress a protest there.
An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an they did not have information on clashes in the Gaza Strip Friday evening.
Also on Friday, a Palestinian teenager was wounded by a rubber-coated steel bullet and dozens others suffered excessive tear gas inhalation when Israeli forces dispersed weekly protests across the occupied West Bank.
The clashes came amidst tightened security measures implemented by the Israeli authorities for the Jewish holiday of Passover. All crossings in the Gaza Strip and occupied West Bank were closed to Palestinians beginning midnight Thursday, in effect until midnight Saturday.
Palestinians in the Gaza Strip crowd near the borders with Israel every Friday to show solidarity with what Palestinians in besieged coastal enclave have termed the “Jerusalem Intifada” taking place in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Nearly 30 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the unrest spread in October, the majority shot dead during clashes on the Gaza-Israel border.
More than 1,300 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces since the start of this year, the majority during clashes that broke out with the Israeli military during protests in the occupied West Bank, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Earlier this month, the US accused Israel of an "excessive use of force" against Palestinians, amounting to a violation of human rights, in its annual report of global human rights abuses.
22 apr 2016
Israeli naval forces opened fire on Friday at Palestinian fishermen while sailing off Beit Lahiya shores, north of Gaza Strip. Local sources affirmed that no injuries were reported during the attack.
The attack is the second of its kind within 48 hours, as Palestinian fishing boats were targeted Wednesday by Israeli forces also off Beit Lahiya shores.
The Israeli naval forces regularly open fire at fishermen, force them to take off their clothes, and swim in cold seawater before arresting them. In addition, their boats and equipment are either destroyed or confiscated and taken to Ashdod seaport.
Al-Mezan center for human rights stressed in a recent report that the fisherman’s right to work is an inherent human right, and that the Israeli forces are committing systematic violations of International Human Rights Law by repeatedly targeting fishermen often resulting in death, injury, and arbitrary arrest in a degrading manner, as well as depriving fishermen of their livelihoods and the right to work.
The attack is the second of its kind within 48 hours, as Palestinian fishing boats were targeted Wednesday by Israeli forces also off Beit Lahiya shores.
The Israeli naval forces regularly open fire at fishermen, force them to take off their clothes, and swim in cold seawater before arresting them. In addition, their boats and equipment are either destroyed or confiscated and taken to Ashdod seaport.
Al-Mezan center for human rights stressed in a recent report that the fisherman’s right to work is an inherent human right, and that the Israeli forces are committing systematic violations of International Human Rights Law by repeatedly targeting fishermen often resulting in death, injury, and arbitrary arrest in a degrading manner, as well as depriving fishermen of their livelihoods and the right to work.
The National Anti-Siege and Reconstruction Movement Commission has warned that the Israeli premier's recent decision to prevent the entry of cement shipments to the besieged Gaza Strip would increase the population's humanitarian suffering.
In a press release on Thursday, the commission also affirmed that Netanyahu's decision to ban cement entry to Gaza and his refusal to allow the construction of its seaport would lead to very dire consequences and add fuel to the fire.
The Palestinian organization stressed that Israel's blockade on Gaza violates the international law and threatens the current truce. It appealed to the international community to assume its responsibility towards the besieged enclave and move to end Israel's mass punishment policy against its population.
In a press release on Thursday, the commission also affirmed that Netanyahu's decision to ban cement entry to Gaza and his refusal to allow the construction of its seaport would lead to very dire consequences and add fuel to the fire.
The Palestinian organization stressed that Israel's blockade on Gaza violates the international law and threatens the current truce. It appealed to the international community to assume its responsibility towards the besieged enclave and move to end Israel's mass punishment policy against its population.
19 apr 2016
Israeli naval forces shot and injured a Palestinian fisherman and detained three others off the Gaza coast early Tuesday, the Palestinian fishermen union said.
Head of the fishermen’s union Nizar Ayyash affirmed that Israeli forces opened fire on the fishermen while sailing within the nine-mile fishing zone designated by the Israeli authorities.
The injured fisherman was taken to hospital for treatment of a rubber bullet injury, while the three others were detained and taken to Ashdod military seaport, Ayyash explained.
Israel early this month loosened severe fishing restrictions on Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave, extending the military-enforced designated fishing zone by three additional nautical miles. Palestinian fishermen are often targeted by Israeli naval forces despite posing no threat.
Nearly 100 fishermen were arrested since the ceasefire agreement in Gaza was signed on Aug. 26, 2014. Five of them are still held by Israel.
Head of the fishermen’s union Nizar Ayyash affirmed that Israeli forces opened fire on the fishermen while sailing within the nine-mile fishing zone designated by the Israeli authorities.
The injured fisherman was taken to hospital for treatment of a rubber bullet injury, while the three others were detained and taken to Ashdod military seaport, Ayyash explained.
Israel early this month loosened severe fishing restrictions on Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave, extending the military-enforced designated fishing zone by three additional nautical miles. Palestinian fishermen are often targeted by Israeli naval forces despite posing no threat.
Nearly 100 fishermen were arrested since the ceasefire agreement in Gaza was signed on Aug. 26, 2014. Five of them are still held by Israel.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas Movement, said that the Israeli Occupation Authorities will not dare to expose all details and facts on the resistance tunnel which was discovered near Gaza border on Monday.
Al-Qassam admitted, in its statement on Monday, its responsibility for digging the tunnel to the east of Rafah city and undertook to expose all details hidden by the Israeli forces at the convenient time.
Israeli sources declared Monday morning the discovery and destruction of a resistance tunnel in the vicinity of the settlements in Gaza two weeks ago. The IOA alleged that the tunnel aims at facilitating the entry of dozens of al-Qassam’s elite fighters to carry out attacks inside Israel.
The tunnel discovered was dug deeply into 30 meters under the ground. No weapons or fighting equipment were found which made Israelis believe that it was not prepared for immediate usage.
They opined that it would be used for conducting a quality future attack and considered it a new proof for the development of Palestinian resistance methods.
Al-Qassam admitted, in its statement on Monday, its responsibility for digging the tunnel to the east of Rafah city and undertook to expose all details hidden by the Israeli forces at the convenient time.
Israeli sources declared Monday morning the discovery and destruction of a resistance tunnel in the vicinity of the settlements in Gaza two weeks ago. The IOA alleged that the tunnel aims at facilitating the entry of dozens of al-Qassam’s elite fighters to carry out attacks inside Israel.
The tunnel discovered was dug deeply into 30 meters under the ground. No weapons or fighting equipment were found which made Israelis believe that it was not prepared for immediate usage.
They opined that it would be used for conducting a quality future attack and considered it a new proof for the development of Palestinian resistance methods.
A 32-year-old Palestinian woman was moderately injured Monday morning in an explosion of an ordnance in al-Shujaiya area to the east of Gaza Strip.
The spokesman of the Palestinian police in Gaza, Ayman al-Batniji, described the woman's condition as moderate, saying that she was transferred to al-Shifa hospital.
Israeli army remnants have caused death to many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the last Israeli aggression on the besieged enclave in August, 2014.
The spokesman of the Palestinian police in Gaza, Ayman al-Batniji, described the woman's condition as moderate, saying that she was transferred to al-Shifa hospital.
Israeli army remnants have caused death to many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since the last Israeli aggression on the besieged enclave in August, 2014.
18 apr 2016
General Eyal Zamir, Head of the IDF Southern Command
GOC Southern Command says IDF ready for any scenario; residents of the area say nothing has changed since the end of Operation Protective Edge.
Following the IDF discovery of an attack tunnel burrowing from Gaza into Israel, the GOC Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned Hamas on Monday that it will pay a heavy price if war breaks out again.
"Hamas is attempting to restore its military capabilities - capabilities which were hit hard during the last operation - and is also preparing for war. However, the organization is aware of the heavy price it will pay if war breaks out again," he told Ynet after the news of the tunnel broke.
"The IDF is deployed to the area, trained for any scenario, and we will work according to situational reports to defend the residents of the south," the general vowed.
"Our forces are working continuously and tirelessly with a variety of the most advanced equipment and techniques, which I can't elaborate on at this time, to locate any additional tunnels if there are any," Zamir said.
Meanwhile, Hamas claimed that the tunnel found was "nothing more than a drop in the bucket of what the resistance has prepared to defend the people and liberate our holy sites, land, and prisoners."
An additional high ranking IDF officer said "this is a violation of Israeli sovereignty. Although the tunnel was neutralized, it will still be dealt with."
He also warned that "the IDF has enough firepower for other situations."
'This is what we're living with every day'
The GOC Southern Command claimed that "after Operation Protective Edge, the residents of the Gaza border area have experienced their quietest period in the past decade," but residents say much more remains to be done in order to improve their sense of security in their homes.
Adi Hamawi of Kibbutz Nirim said that the residents of the area knew about the tunnels "for a while now. We also know about other tunnels in the area, so we aren't very surprised. The Israeli public was a little bit more surprised because they learned something new, but here, nothing has really changed since Protective Edge - neither our sense of security nor our actual security. The tunnels were being dug during and even after the last war. This only shows what we've been living with every day."
Despite this, Hamawi says that "we don't live in fear that one day people will emerge out of the tunnel. We can't live in fear every day; we have to continue and enjoy the good this area of the country brings. However, it's important that the government put the problems in the Gaza border area on the table, deal with it once and for all and not to leave the situation as it is."
"This is what happened after Pillar of Defense and Protective Edge," he continued. "Nothing has changed on the ground."
Gadi Yarkoni, head of the Eshkol Regional Council where the tunnel opening was found, thanked the IDF and the Israeli security forces for their "intensive efforts in destroying these terror tunnels," adding that "The early finding of the tunnel is evidence of the many advanced techniques and groundbreaking technologies that the security services and the IDF are using."
With that in mind, he added, "I'm sorry to say that the tunnel threat isn't new to us, and we've gotten used to this threat since the end of Operation Protective Edge. We expect the IDF to continue to work with all of the means available to it to provide protection to the residents of the communities here."
GOC Southern Command says IDF ready for any scenario; residents of the area say nothing has changed since the end of Operation Protective Edge.
Following the IDF discovery of an attack tunnel burrowing from Gaza into Israel, the GOC Southern Command, Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, warned Hamas on Monday that it will pay a heavy price if war breaks out again.
"Hamas is attempting to restore its military capabilities - capabilities which were hit hard during the last operation - and is also preparing for war. However, the organization is aware of the heavy price it will pay if war breaks out again," he told Ynet after the news of the tunnel broke.
"The IDF is deployed to the area, trained for any scenario, and we will work according to situational reports to defend the residents of the south," the general vowed.
"Our forces are working continuously and tirelessly with a variety of the most advanced equipment and techniques, which I can't elaborate on at this time, to locate any additional tunnels if there are any," Zamir said.
Meanwhile, Hamas claimed that the tunnel found was "nothing more than a drop in the bucket of what the resistance has prepared to defend the people and liberate our holy sites, land, and prisoners."
An additional high ranking IDF officer said "this is a violation of Israeli sovereignty. Although the tunnel was neutralized, it will still be dealt with."
He also warned that "the IDF has enough firepower for other situations."
'This is what we're living with every day'
The GOC Southern Command claimed that "after Operation Protective Edge, the residents of the Gaza border area have experienced their quietest period in the past decade," but residents say much more remains to be done in order to improve their sense of security in their homes.
Adi Hamawi of Kibbutz Nirim said that the residents of the area knew about the tunnels "for a while now. We also know about other tunnels in the area, so we aren't very surprised. The Israeli public was a little bit more surprised because they learned something new, but here, nothing has really changed since Protective Edge - neither our sense of security nor our actual security. The tunnels were being dug during and even after the last war. This only shows what we've been living with every day."
Despite this, Hamawi says that "we don't live in fear that one day people will emerge out of the tunnel. We can't live in fear every day; we have to continue and enjoy the good this area of the country brings. However, it's important that the government put the problems in the Gaza border area on the table, deal with it once and for all and not to leave the situation as it is."
"This is what happened after Pillar of Defense and Protective Edge," he continued. "Nothing has changed on the ground."
Gadi Yarkoni, head of the Eshkol Regional Council where the tunnel opening was found, thanked the IDF and the Israeli security forces for their "intensive efforts in destroying these terror tunnels," adding that "The early finding of the tunnel is evidence of the many advanced techniques and groundbreaking technologies that the security services and the IDF are using."
With that in mind, he added, "I'm sorry to say that the tunnel threat isn't new to us, and we've gotten used to this threat since the end of Operation Protective Edge. We expect the IDF to continue to work with all of the means available to it to provide protection to the residents of the communities here."
Israeli forces have uncovered and destroyed a tunnel passing from the Gaza Strip into Israel -- the first to be found since Israel's devastating military offensive on the coastal enclave in 2014.
The Israeli army on Monday lifted a gag order on the discovery of the tunnel earlier this week. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma'an the tunnel had been found and destroyed on both sides of the border.
Reaching 30 meters deep at certain points, the tunnel reportedly extended from the southeast of the Gaza Strip, crossing the border to where Israeli military bases and towns are located.
Israeli army spokesperson Peter Lerner said in a statement: "The ugly truth is that Hamas continues to invest millions of dollars to build tunnels of terror and death. The tunnel uncovered in Israel demonstrates once more Hamas' warped priorities and continued commitment and investment in tools of violence."
The Coordinator of Israeli Government's Activities in the Palestinian Territory Yoav Mordechai also confirmed the tunnel's discovery, saying: "Hamas continues to dig tunnels ignoring Gaza citizens' rights to live in dignity."
There have been reports in recent months that Hamas has expanded its tunnel network -- used mainly for military purposes in the northern Gaza Strip and smuggling in the south -- since Israel's 2014 offensive on Gaza left much of it destroyed.
Israeli officials have accused Hamas of "preparing" for another war with Israel and have threatened retaliatory measures against the Gaza Strip as a whole. However, despite Hamas' inflammatory rhetoric against Israel, the movement has not claimed responsibility for any military action against Israel since the 2014 war.
The movement has been pitched against a number of smaller armed groups inside the territory that have made a name for themselves as unafraid to challenge Hamas -- seeking to outbid them in the fight against Israel and the defense of Islam.
Israel began its 2014 offensive on Gaza with the declared aim of ending all rocket fire from the coastal enclave. However, as the conflict wore on, with no end in sight to the rocket fire, Israel sought in part to redefine its aims, with the destruction of' tunnels Israel Gaza given as one of its key targets.
According to Israeli army figures, Israeli forces destroyed 32 tunnels during the 50-day war, 14 of which crossed the border into Israel.
The Israeli army on Monday lifted a gag order on the discovery of the tunnel earlier this week. An Israeli army spokesperson confirmed to Ma'an the tunnel had been found and destroyed on both sides of the border.
Reaching 30 meters deep at certain points, the tunnel reportedly extended from the southeast of the Gaza Strip, crossing the border to where Israeli military bases and towns are located.
Israeli army spokesperson Peter Lerner said in a statement: "The ugly truth is that Hamas continues to invest millions of dollars to build tunnels of terror and death. The tunnel uncovered in Israel demonstrates once more Hamas' warped priorities and continued commitment and investment in tools of violence."
The Coordinator of Israeli Government's Activities in the Palestinian Territory Yoav Mordechai also confirmed the tunnel's discovery, saying: "Hamas continues to dig tunnels ignoring Gaza citizens' rights to live in dignity."
There have been reports in recent months that Hamas has expanded its tunnel network -- used mainly for military purposes in the northern Gaza Strip and smuggling in the south -- since Israel's 2014 offensive on Gaza left much of it destroyed.
Israeli officials have accused Hamas of "preparing" for another war with Israel and have threatened retaliatory measures against the Gaza Strip as a whole. However, despite Hamas' inflammatory rhetoric against Israel, the movement has not claimed responsibility for any military action against Israel since the 2014 war.
The movement has been pitched against a number of smaller armed groups inside the territory that have made a name for themselves as unafraid to challenge Hamas -- seeking to outbid them in the fight against Israel and the defense of Islam.
Israel began its 2014 offensive on Gaza with the declared aim of ending all rocket fire from the coastal enclave. However, as the conflict wore on, with no end in sight to the rocket fire, Israel sought in part to redefine its aims, with the destruction of' tunnels Israel Gaza given as one of its key targets.
According to Israeli army figures, Israeli forces destroyed 32 tunnels during the 50-day war, 14 of which crossed the border into Israel.
16 apr 2016
The Israeli occupation army on Saturday started anew its digging activities along the eastern borderline of the Gaza Strip to search for underground tunnels.
According to Quds Press, seven big excavators were used in the search operation, which started on the eastern border of Rafah area, south of Gaza.
During the operation, Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian citizens and farmers in different border areas, especially east of Gaza City.
The border tunnels, which were built by al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, played an important role in launching abrupt counterattacks on Israeli military targets during the 2014 war.
According to Quds Press, seven big excavators were used in the search operation, which started on the eastern border of Rafah area, south of Gaza.
During the operation, Israeli soldiers opened fire at Palestinian citizens and farmers in different border areas, especially east of Gaza City.
The border tunnels, which were built by al-Qassam Brigades of Hamas, played an important role in launching abrupt counterattacks on Israeli military targets during the 2014 war.
15 apr 2016
Palestinian medical sources have reported, Friday, that Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinians, protesting in different parts of the Gaza Strip wounding eleven, while many others fired the effects of tear gas inhalation.
The sources said that the eleven wounded Palestinians suffered mild-to-moderate injuries.
Ten of them were shot by Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border fence, east of Gaza City, and one was shot in the northern part of the coastal region.
In addition, many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after the soldiers attacked protesters east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza.
The sources said that the eleven wounded Palestinians suffered mild-to-moderate injuries.
Ten of them were shot by Israeli soldiers, stationed across the border fence, east of Gaza City, and one was shot in the northern part of the coastal region.
In addition, many Palestinians suffered the effects of tear gas inhalation, after the soldiers attacked protesters east of the al-Boreij refugee camp, in central Gaza.
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders upheld his previous comments condemning Israel for its disproportionate killing of Palestinian civilians in Israel’s offensive on the Gaza Strip in 2014, while rival candidate Hillary Clinton maintained unwavering support for Israel at the Democratic debate in New York on Thursday.
“As somebody who is 100% pro-Israel, in the long run [...] if we are ever going to bring peace to that region which has seen so much hatred and so much war, we are going to have to treat the Palestinian people with respect and dignity,” Sanders said.
He pointed to the some “10,000 civilians who were wounded and 1,500 who were killed,” correcting his former assertion in a recent, widely-criticized interview with the New York Daily News that misrepresented the death toll as “over 10,000” innocent Palestinians.
When asked if Israel should end its disproportionate response to Palestinian attacks, Clinton first flaunted her involvement with cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in 2012 and said: “I can tell you right now... (Israel) do not seek this kind of attacks. They do not invite the rockets raining down on their towns and villages.”
Sanders criticized her for evading the question, and Clinton responded by saying, “of course there have to be precautions taken but even the most independent analyst will say the way that Hamas places its weapons, the way that it often has its fighters in civilian garb, it is terrible.”
She went on to condemn Hamas for turning the Gaza Strip into a terrorist haven after “Israel left Gaza” and “turned the keys over to the Palestinian people.”
Sanders also took Clinton to task for her speech before AIPAC when she said she would "vigorously oppose" any attempts by outside parties to "impose" a peaceful solution between Israel and Palestinians if elected president.
“I heard virtually no discussion at all about the needs of the Palestinian people. Almost none in that speech,” Sanders said. “Long term there will never be peace in that region unless the United States plays an even-handed role trying to bring people together and recognizing the serious problems that exist among the Palestinian people.”
To this Clinton responded saying, “describing the problem is a lot easier than trying to solve it,” again crediting her diplomatic experience in her roles as first lady, senator, and secretary of state.
Sanders also spoke out against the Israeli Prime Minister: “There comes a time when if we pursue justice and peace, we are going to have to say that Netanyahu is not right all of the time.”
During Clinton’s AIPAC speech, she said that inviting Netanyahu to the White House would be "one of the first things I'll do in office."
Analysts have said that Sanders comments mark a distinct seachange in mainstream American political discourse that typically shies away from any criticism of Israel.
However, a recent public opinion poll conducted by Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Survey and Research shows that the majority of Palestinians believe the political affiliation of the future US president “makes no difference” when it comes to advancing the peace process.
“As somebody who is 100% pro-Israel, in the long run [...] if we are ever going to bring peace to that region which has seen so much hatred and so much war, we are going to have to treat the Palestinian people with respect and dignity,” Sanders said.
He pointed to the some “10,000 civilians who were wounded and 1,500 who were killed,” correcting his former assertion in a recent, widely-criticized interview with the New York Daily News that misrepresented the death toll as “over 10,000” innocent Palestinians.
When asked if Israel should end its disproportionate response to Palestinian attacks, Clinton first flaunted her involvement with cease-fire negotiations between Israel and Hamas in 2012 and said: “I can tell you right now... (Israel) do not seek this kind of attacks. They do not invite the rockets raining down on their towns and villages.”
Sanders criticized her for evading the question, and Clinton responded by saying, “of course there have to be precautions taken but even the most independent analyst will say the way that Hamas places its weapons, the way that it often has its fighters in civilian garb, it is terrible.”
She went on to condemn Hamas for turning the Gaza Strip into a terrorist haven after “Israel left Gaza” and “turned the keys over to the Palestinian people.”
Sanders also took Clinton to task for her speech before AIPAC when she said she would "vigorously oppose" any attempts by outside parties to "impose" a peaceful solution between Israel and Palestinians if elected president.
“I heard virtually no discussion at all about the needs of the Palestinian people. Almost none in that speech,” Sanders said. “Long term there will never be peace in that region unless the United States plays an even-handed role trying to bring people together and recognizing the serious problems that exist among the Palestinian people.”
To this Clinton responded saying, “describing the problem is a lot easier than trying to solve it,” again crediting her diplomatic experience in her roles as first lady, senator, and secretary of state.
Sanders also spoke out against the Israeli Prime Minister: “There comes a time when if we pursue justice and peace, we are going to have to say that Netanyahu is not right all of the time.”
During Clinton’s AIPAC speech, she said that inviting Netanyahu to the White House would be "one of the first things I'll do in office."
Analysts have said that Sanders comments mark a distinct seachange in mainstream American political discourse that typically shies away from any criticism of Israel.
However, a recent public opinion poll conducted by Ramallah-based Palestinian Center for Survey and Research shows that the majority of Palestinians believe the political affiliation of the future US president “makes no difference” when it comes to advancing the peace process.
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