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Use of human shields by terrorists (view source)
Revision as of 14:59, September 10, 2021
, 14:59, September 10, 2021no edit summary
Among documented noted terror entities<ref>Orde Kittrie, 'Time to Act on Human Shields.' FDD, October 15, 2020. https://www.fdd.org/2020/10/15/time-to-act-on-human-shields/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-111635</ref><ref>Orde Kittrie: "Help NATO by Holding Hamas Accountable for Terrorist War Crimes." May 19, 2021. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/help-nato-holding-hamas-accountable-terrorist-war-crimes-185581</ref> using this method:
Among documented noted terror entities<ref>Orde Kittrie, 'Time to Act on Human Shields.' FDD, October 15, 2020. https://www.fdd.org/2020/10/15/time-to-act-on-human-shields/#easy-footnote-bottom-39-111635</ref><ref>Orde Kittrie: "Help NATO by Holding Hamas Accountable for Terrorist War Crimes." May 19, 2021. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/help-nato-holding-hamas-accountable-terrorist-war-crimes-185581</ref> using this method:
* [[Taliban]]<ref>'Taliban using human shields, says Afghan army general.' The Guardian, Feb 17, 2010. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/taliban-human-shields</ref><ref>Civilians say Taliban use of human shields shows weakness, cruelty.' Dec. 12, 2018. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2018/12/12/feature-02</ref>
* [[Taliban]] In 2007, <ref>[https://www.nysun.com/foreign/taliban-used-children-as-human-shields/63045/ Taliban Used Children as Human Shields] Associated Press, September 20, 2007.
<i>
KABUL, Afghanistan — Taliban fighters carrying machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades used children as human shields during a battle in southern Afghanistan yesterday, forcing American-led coalition soldiers to hold their fire for a time, the coalition said.</i></ref> in 2009, <ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1177516/Taliban-fighters-use-civilians-human-shields-battle-Pakistan-tears-Swat-Valley-apart.html Taliban fighters use civilians as 'human shields' as battle for Pakistan tears Swat Valley apart] Liz Hazelton for MailOnline 10:40 BST 05 May 2009 , updated 11:08 BST 08 May 2009</ref> in 2010,<ref>'Taliban using human shields, says Afghan army general.' The Guardian, Feb 17, 2010. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/17/taliban-human-shields</ref> in 2015,<ref>[https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/amp/msna573361 Afghanistan fights to retake Kunduz from Taliban fighters] Cassandra Vinograd and Fazul Rahim, MSNBC, Sep 29, 2015.
<i>"Our main problem is that the enemy is using civilians as shields," he said in a televised address...</i></ref> in 2017, <ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/mattis-afghanistan/index.html Mattis target of failed Kabul airport rocket attack, Taliban says] Euan McKirdy, Keith Allen and Ryan Browne, CNN, September 27, 2017.
<i>A statement released by the international coalition in Afghanistan, Resolute Support, accused insurgents of "using civilians as shield and cover."</i></ref> in 2018,<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46398620 Afghanistan war: US strike in Helmand killed 23 civilians, UN says] BBC News, Nov 30, 2018.
<i>Nato said the Taliban had been using the building that was hit "as a fighting position", and accused the militants of continuously using civi as human shields.</i></ref> and in 2019.<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49970353.amp Asim Umar: Al-Qaeda's South Asia chief 'killed in Afghanistan'] BBC News, Aug 8, 2019.
<i>Both US and Afghan forces often accuse the Taliban of using civilians as shields.</i></ref>
<ref>Civilians say Taliban use of human shields shows weakness, cruelty.' Dec. 12, 2018. https://afghanistan.asia-news.com/en_GB/articles/cnmi_st/features/2018/12/12/feature-02</ref>
* [[ISIS]]<ref>Islamic State use of human shields slows final assault on ISIS . ABC News, Mar 4, 2019. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/islamic-state-human-shields-slows-final-assault-isis/story?id=61456501 ''The final assault on the last Islamic State enclave in Syria has slowed down after the discovery that ISIS was using civilians as human shields.''</ref><ref>'ISIS Using Mosul Civilians as Human Shields Amid Offensive.' Time, Mar 30, 2017.
* [[ISIS]]<ref>Islamic State use of human shields slows final assault on ISIS . ABC News, Mar 4, 2019. https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/islamic-state-human-shields-slows-final-assault-isis/story?id=61456501 ''The final assault on the last Islamic State enclave in Syria has slowed down after the discovery that ISIS was using civilians as human shields.''</ref><ref>'ISIS Using Mosul Civilians as Human Shields Amid Offensive.' Time, Mar 30, 2017.
https://time.com/4717319/mosul-iraq-offensive-civilians-human-shields/</ref>
https://time.com/4717319/mosul-iraq-offensive-civilians-human-shields/</ref>
Abdul Hadi criticised the oppressive regime under which the local Arab populace was suffering, and said that when men came to Arrabeh and killed five innocent villagers, he and his men took arms and shot dead ten of the attackers. The souls of all these ascended to complain to Allah of your deeds, as such acts are apparently desirable in your eyes. We can only do to others as you are trying to do to us, he wrote. He revealed also that his men had made an attempt to capture Yussef Abu Darra "who escaped by '''hiding among the women'''." Abdul Hadi vehemently denied Darwuza's accusations that he was a traitor, and concluded by saying that the Palestine "revolt" had ceased to be directed against the Government and the Jews — the latter were now safe — but was a war of blind hatred amongst the Arabs themselves. He warned that this could no longer be tolerated .</blockquote></ref>
Abdul Hadi criticised the oppressive regime under which the local Arab populace was suffering, and said that when men came to Arrabeh and killed five innocent villagers, he and his men took arms and shot dead ten of the attackers. The souls of all these ascended to complain to Allah of your deeds, as such acts are apparently desirable in your eyes. We can only do to others as you are trying to do to us, he wrote. He revealed also that his men had made an attempt to capture Yussef Abu Darra "who escaped by '''hiding among the women'''." Abdul Hadi vehemently denied Darwuza's accusations that he was a traitor, and concluded by saying that the Palestine "revolt" had ceased to be directed against the Government and the Jews — the latter were now safe — but was a war of blind hatred amongst the Arabs themselves. He warned that this could no longer be tolerated .</blockquote></ref>
==Terror states, dictators==
* [[Saddam]]'s [[Iraqi]] loyalists, Islamists 2003-2004. <ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2003/US/03/24/sprj.irq.pentagon/index.html Pentagon: Iraqi forces engaged in 'deadly deception']
Pentagon calls deaths of Syrian civilians 'regrettable'. CNN, Tuesday, March 25, 2003.
Video.
The Pentagon says Iraqis have engaged in 'deadly deception' by feigning surrender and using human shields. CNN's Jamie McIntyre reports.</i></ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2003/03/27/fedayeen-ferrets-dirty-band-dubbed-war-criminals-2/ Fedayeen Ferrets: Dirty Band Dubbed ‘War Criminals ’] Aly Sujo, NYPost, March 27, 2003.
<i>
Angry U.S. officials accused the Iraqis yesterday of committing war crimes and using an arsenal of dirty tricks on the battlefield.
They charged Saddam Hussein’s troops had feigned surrender and then shot at American forces, and had used hospitals and other civilian sites as staging areas for military operations.
“This band of war criminals has been put on notice,” President Bush said ...
“[Their] idea of courage is to brutalize unarmed prisoners. They wage attacks while posing as civilians. They use real civilians as human shields. They pretend to surrender, then fire upon those who show them mercy.”
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld earlier this week accused the Iraqis of “acts of treachery.”
“They are dressing their forces as liberated civilians and sending soldiers out waving white flags … with the goal of drawing coalition forces into the ambushes,” he said.</i></ref><ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0411/14/le.01.html CNN.com - Transcripts.
CNN LATE EDITION WITH WOLF BLITZER]
<i>
Interview With Lynne Cheney; Interview With Saeb Erakat.
Aired November 14, 2004 -
BLITZER: General Grange, there are reports out there in the papers over the past couple of days that the insurgents are actually pretty sophisticated, learning the U.S. tactics, how the U.S. operates, even stealing uniforms, Iraqi army uniforms, and then going out and killing U.S. military personnel. If you saw a story yesterday, one Marine was killed point-blank by insurgents wearing regular Iraqi army uniforms.
How do you deal with that kind of insurgency?
GRANGE: Well, every enemy we've fought, they've learned from fighting us. I mean, it's just something that happens in the military. We do the same thing. We learn from fighting insurgents or other armies.
And the enemy are going to do anything they can, using civilians as camouflage and cover, the techniques that they use that violate the rules of land warfare, to get an advantage over a superior force.
And what you've had is, after the maneuver phase, when Saddam's regime fell, which was an excellent campaign, and then now, in fact, now, in the country with the counterinsurgency efforts, excellent work being done by our military, but the transition between maneuver combat and counterinsurgency today gave some breathing time to these internal insurgents and external foreign fighters that now put those things together and are being used against our forces and others today in Iraq, because they had too much time to breathe and get reorganized.</i></ref>
* [[Gadhafi]] [Qaddafi, Khadafy] [[Libya]]n dictator (2011)
<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/africa/04/10/libya.war/index.html S. African president: Gadhafi accepts terms of agreement] - CNN, Apr 10, 2011.
<blockquote>NATO says Gadhafi's forces are using civilians as human shields.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.today.com/video/gadhafi-forces-continue-to-attack-rebels-45142595719 Gadhafi forces continue to attack rebels] Today, NBC, March 20, 2011.
<i>NBC’s Jim Maceda, reporting from Tripoli, says that the Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is desperate to take control of Misurata, the largest rebel-controlled city near Tripoli, possibly using civilians as human shields.</i></ref><ref>[https://nypost.com/2011/03/22/khadafy-forces-civilians-into-target-city-as-attacks-devastate-hq/amp/ Khadafy forces civilians into target city as attacks devastate HQ] New York Post, Mar 22, 2011.
<i>The erratic ruler has threatened to use civilians as human shields against attack. (REUTERS).</i></ref>
*[[Syria]], [[Basher al- Assad]].<ref>[https://www.hrw.org/news/2012/03/25/syria-local-residents-used-human-shields Syria: Local Residents Used as Human Shields], HRW, Mar 25, 2012.
<i>Reports of Residents Forced to March in Front of Soldiers in Idlib – Syrian government forces have endangered local residents by forcing them to march in front of the army during recent arrest operations, troop movements, and attacks on towns and villages in northern Syria.
Witnesses from the towns of al-Janoudyah, Kafr Nabl, Kafr Rouma, and Ayn Larouz in the Idlib governorate in northern Syria told Human Rights Watch that they saw the army and pro-government armed men, referred to locally as shabeeha, force people to march in front of the advancing army during the March 2012 offensive to retake control of areas that had fallen into the hands of the opposition. From the circumstances of these incidents, it was clear to the witnesses that the purpose of this was to protect the army from attack.
“By using civilians as human shields, the Syrian army is showing blatant disregard for their safety,” said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The Syrian army should immediately stop this abhorrent practice.”</i>
*[https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4207431,00.html Syria forces accused of using civilians as shields] Ynet, Mar 25, 2012.
<i>
Human Rights Watch has accused Syrian government forces of using civilians as human shields during recent military operations.
The international watchdog said Sunday that the army and pro-regime gunmen forced residents to march in front of them as they advanced on opposition-held areas in the northern Idlib province. (AP)</i></ref><ref>[https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18405800.amp Syrian children used as human shields, says UN report] BBC, June 12, 2012.
<i>
The Syrian government is accused of using heavy weapons in residential areas.
Syrian troops have tortured children and used them as human shields on tanks to prevent attacks by opposition forces, a UN report says.
The UN's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict said children were being tortured in detention and slaughtered in massacres.
The report said rebel forces were also using children on the front line.
Separately the US has accused Syria of planning another massacre, while the UN chief condemned the rising violence.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4424180,00.html Report: Assad moving inmates to military targets] Roi Kais, Ynet, Aug 30, 2013.
<i>
Buses filled with prisoners moved to military targets to be used as human shields against Western airstrikes, British paper reports.
Thousands of Syrian prisoners have been moved to military targets to be used as human shields against Western air strikes, Britain's Daily Mirror reported Friday.
According to the report, Damascus residents said they saw buses filled with inmates being taken from their cells to sites the regime believes could be targets.
The opposition Syrian National Coalition said: "Assad’s fascist regime is amassing activists and civilians in prisons in military locations that may be targets for foreign forces."</i></ref>
* [[Turkey]]'s (dictator<ref>[https://www.jacobinmag.com/2016/11/turkey-erdogan-coup-hdp-pkk-syria-gulen-ypg Turkey's Fascist Slide] Güney Işıkara, Alp Kayserilioğlu, Max Zirngast, Jacobin, Nov 10, 2016.
<i>Turkish president Erdoğan is wielding the state to attack anyone who won't capitulate to his authoritarian rule.</i></ref><ref>[https://m.imdb.com/title/tt7054718/ Erdogan: The Dictator's Republic], Imbd,
2017</ref><ref>[https://stockholmcf.org/turkish-journalist-goes-on-trial-for-insulting-erdogan-in-fascist-dictatorship-column/ Turkish journalist goes on trial for insulting Erdoğan in ‘fascist dictatorship’ column] SCF, June 28, 2018</ref><ref>[https://euobserver.com/political/147624 What does Erdoğan want?] Robert Debeuf, EU Observer, Mar 4, 2020.
<i>
"Shameful...unacceptable....blackmail...dictator." European leaders didn't spare their words to condemn Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan after his decision on Friday (28 February) to open its border with Greece and let refugees enter into Europe.
On Monday, Erdoğan stepped up his game warning that "millions" of refugees would come to Europe.
He also said he refused €1m in extra cash, saying "we don't want this money".
Despite this statement, former Nato secretary-general Willy Claes said on Belgian television that Erdogan is "a dictator" and that "all he wants is money".</i></ref><ref>[https://greekcitytimes.com/2020/11/16/biden-action-against-erdogan/amp/ Will Biden Turn His Words Against Dictator Erdoğan Into Action?]Adulrahman Taleb, Greek City Times, Nov 16, 2020.
<i>Furthermore, Biden openly attacked dictator Erdoğan and called him an “autocrat” and promised that he will work with the opposition parties.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/12/31/what-the-biden-presidency-means-for-turkey-and-erdogan-post-trump.html Erdogan should be very, very worried': What the Biden presidency means for Turkey] Natasha Turak, CNBC, Dec 31, 2020.
<i>In an interview last January, Biden called Erdogan an “autocrat,” criticized his actions toward the Kurds..</i></ref><ref>[https://amp.france24.com/en/20190313-netanyahu-hits-back-turkeys-dictator-erdogan Netanyahu hits back at 'Turkey's dictator Erdogan'], France 24, Mar 13, 2019.
<i>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as a "dictator" and "a joke"...</i></ref> ethnic-cleanser, oppressor, Islamist<ref>[https://www.theglobalist.com/turkey-recep-tayyip-erdogan-eu-nato-kurds-islamism/ J’Accuse Erdogan] Alon Ben-Meir, Globalist, July 9, 2020.
<i>
The weaker Recep Tayyip Erdogan is at home politically, the longer the list of the Turkish President’s transgressions gets.</i>
<blockquote>
A preliminary list of Erdogan’s transgressions
For evidence, it is useful to assemble the list of transgressions that seem to be the only category Erdogan still seems to “excel” in.
Most fundamentally, Erdogan is violating every article of human rights in his own country, while being keen on destabilizing other countries by exploiting their weaknesses and resources in order to promote his nationalist agenda.
I count altogether 13 specific major transgressions:
1.Erdogan continues to commit gross human rights violations in Turkey by using the failed 2016 military coup as an excuse to silence the media.
Based on a judiciary that, for the most part, barely deserves that name, Erdogan has jailed over 150 journalists, incarcerated around 80,000 suspected of affiliation with the Gülen movement and purged 150,000 military officers and civil servants.
2.Erdogan engages in a systematic operation of ethnic cleansing against minorities in Turkey and northern Syria.
He invaded Syria to both prevent the Syrian Kurdish community from establishing autonomous rule, and to entrench for Turkey a permanent foothold in the country, which is bound to only prolong the conflict and further destabilize the region.
3.Erdogan systematically persecutes his own Kurdish community and continues a 50-year-old war against the PKK, which he views as a terrorist organization.
He also steadfastly refuses to resume negotiations with the Kurds — which account for as much as 20% of Turkey’s population — and end the carnage that has taken the lives of approximately 40,000 on both sides.
4.Erdogan purchased Russia’s S-400 air defense system which, once operational, NATO fears would seriously compromise the alliance’s intelligence sharing and technology — apart from being fully incompatible with NATO systems.
5.Erdogan invested heavily in promoting his Islamic agenda by supporting anti-Western Islamist extremist groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas and even ISIS.
6.Erdogan uses Islam as a political tool by building mosques and other Islamic theological institutions. He also sends his imams to teach and preach his brand of religious nationalism in many countries in the Middle East and the Balkans.
7.Erdogan violated U.S. sanctions against Iran by laundering up to $20 billion in an oil-for-gold scheme from 2012-2018, and he continues to cooperate and trade with Tehran in defiance of Western interests.
8.Erdogan made a deal with Putin in late 2019 to patrol northern Syria while working closely with Moscow and Tehran to delineate their spheres of influence in the country. He is thus leaving Syria de facto a divided state under their control, while significantly diminishing what’s left of Western influence.
9.Erdogan sent troops to support Libya’s Government of National Accord in an effort to establish a strong foothold in the country, exploiting its oil and gas and threatening the free flow of energy from the Eastern Mediterranean.
10.Erdogan violated a UN arms embargo while resisting NATO’s peace plans in Libya, including exercising extreme aggression against NATO ally France’s warship enforcing the embargo.
11.Erdogan blocked a NATO defense plan for the Baltics and Poland and regularly intimidates Greece, a NATO member state, violating the country’s airspace with Turkish military jets.
12.Erdogan is adamant about drilling for gas in the territorial waters of Cyprus and has begun plans to expand drilling off the coast of the Greek island of Crete.
In that pursuit, he remains at odds with Greece, Cyprus, Egypt and Israel over ownership of natural resources, threatening to use force to secure “his share” which could burgeon into a violent conflict.
13.Last but not least, Erdogan perpetuated the heated conflict with Cyprus over his demand that his puppet — the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus — enjoy equal political power to the Republic of Cyprus, which is four times larger in population and territory and is an EU member state.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.politico.eu/article/mario-draghi-dictator-recep-tayyip-erdogan-sofagate/ Italy’s Draghi slams Erdoğan as a ‘dictator’ after Sofagate] Giorgio Leali, Politico, April 8, 2021.
<i>
Italy's Prime Minister Mario Draghi slammed Turkish Presiden Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref> fascist<ref>[https://turkeypurge.com/exiled-novelist-asli-erdogan-turkey-has-a-fascist-regime-it-is-not-yet-1940s-germany-but-1930s Exiled novelist Aslı Erdoğan: Turkey has a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s] TurkeyPurge, Aug 6, 2018</ref><ref>[https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/news/article/turkey-turning-into-fascist-dictatorship-meps-told Turkey turning into "fascist dictatorship", MEPs told] Martin Banks, The Parliament Magazine,, Nov 8, 2016
<i>
A leading Turkish opposition parliamentarian says that Turkey has been turned into a "fascist dictatorship" under its President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.</i></ref><ref>[https://amp2.handelsblatt.com/recep-tayyip-erdogan-birth-of-a-dictator/23540062.html Recep Tayyip Erdogan: Birth of a Dictator] von John Blau, Handelsblatt, Dec 8, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jan/19/jailed-turkish-editor-can-dundar-slams-eu-deal-with-erdogans-fascist-governmentJailed Turkish Editor slams EU deal with Erdogan's fascist government], Kareem Shaheen, Guardian, January 19, 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/theworldpost/wp/2018/06/25/erdogan/ Opinion: Turkey takes a big step toward nationalist fascism] Omer Taspinar, Washington Post, June 25, 2018</ref>) Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, (2020).<ref>[https://redpilledreality.com/turkey-caught-using-children-as-human-shields-at-border-with-greece-as-greece-fights-erdogans-violent-migrant-army/ Turkey Caught Using Children as Human Shields at Border With Greece as Greece Fights Erdogan’s Violent Migrant Army] March 2, 2020.
<i>
Turkey has for a number of days now been using a violent migrant army of military age men to attack Greece because they did not support his regime change war in Syria. The Turkish regime has armed these military age men with weapons such as gas canisters and Molotov cocktails to attack Greek police, army, navy, and Greek locals.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.martenscentre.eu/blog/turkish-bazaar-an-asymmetrical-threat-to-the-eu/ Turkish Bazaar: An asymmetrical threat to the EU] Panos Tasiopoulos, Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies, March 3, 2020.
<i>
... It is not the first time that Turkey is using civilians as human shields and tools of its foreign policy. During the Great War, the Ottoman Empire deported and exterminated a large part of its Christian population. In 1938, the Kemalist Republic followed a similar policy in Alexandretta. In September 1955, the Turkish state was behind the brutal “pogrom” against the Greek-Orthodox population of Istanbul. Two decades later, Turkey invaded the Republic of Cyprus and forced thousands of Cypriots into exile.
The same strategy is being used today on the Greek-Turkish border. Greece is facing an ongoing hybrid attack on land, sea and air by a so-called NATO ally. Recently, reports of cyber-attacks towards the Greek government and other sensitive sectors of the Greek state by Turkish hackers were published in the international press. In the first months of 2020, the violation and infringement of Greek airspace – with armed planes flying even over inhabited Greek islands in the Aegean – has reached new records.
The recent decision by Erdogan and his authoritarian regime to encourage and push thousands of desperate people towards the north-east Greek sea and land borders comes as a natural continuation to a series of aggressive actions taken against Greece and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean. These actions include illegal exploration activities in the Economic Exclusive Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus and the illegal Turkish-Libyan Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that openly violates Greek territorial sovereignty. In addition, reports and footage show that the movement of immigrants -including criminals detained in Turkish prisons- is being implemented with the active participation of the Turkish armed forces, police and the Turkish intelligence services (MIT).
Turkey has become a state “trafficker” that does not recoil from politicising human pain and misery, in order to make political gains. The Greek government’s rightful decision to increase the level of deterrence at its borders and temporarily suspend the asylum applications is the only possible reaction for any state intent on protecting its territory from a well organised hybrid attack.
In the last 3 days, there have been over twenty-four thousand instances of people illegally attempting to cross into Greek territory. In Evros, less than 200 were successful, in which case the intruders were immediately arrested. On Monday alone, over 1.000 arrivals were recorded on the Greek islands of the Northern Aegean. The situation is tense and a fatal accident could turn the whole situation into something that risks becoming uncontrollable.
It is more than certain that Erdogan’s regime will use fake-news and propaganda in order to attract public sympathy and portray Greece and Europe as the offenders. Turkey de facto cancelled the EU-Turkey Statement and Action Plan. Those who speak about asylum and international humanitarian law from the comfort of their office thousands of miles away from the Greek border tend to forget the geopolitical realities in the region. We are no longer talking about individuals who are escaping conflict zones. What we see is uncontrollable masses trying to reach Europe in huge numbers under the direct encouragement, guidance and facilitation of an official state actor and its services.</i></ref>
==Anti-Israel forces==
==Anti-Israel forces==
@KhaledAbuToameh @elliecohanim Where is @RashidaTlaib @AOC @Ilhan @UNWatch I guess only certain Palestinian lives matter to them. [https://twitter.com/YBlachman/status/1424946096086953985?s=20 Aug 10, 2021]</font></ref>
@KhaledAbuToameh @elliecohanim Where is @RashidaTlaib @AOC @Ilhan @UNWatch I guess only certain Palestinian lives matter to them. [https://twitter.com/YBlachman/status/1424946096086953985?s=20 Aug 10, 2021]</font></ref>
[[UN]] --and the like-- (by "default") boring predictable anti-Israel "resolutions" routine are also at fault for the intensification of this practice.<ref name=un-guilty>[https://www.foxnews.com/world/critics-slam-un-for-pointing-fingers-at-israel-in-new-report-while-not-also-condemning-hamas-use-of-human-shields Critics slam UN for pointing fingers at Israel in new report while not also condemning Hamas' use of human shields] Hollie McKay, Fox News, March 19, 2019.
<i>
“The U.N. report validates the illegal tactics used by Hamas against Israel, and sets a precedent encouraging not only Hamas, but similar groups like Hezbollah, to continue placing civilians in harm’s way,” Natonski said.</i></ref>
Report in 2017-2018 on Hezbollah:<ref>[https://www.bostonherald.com/2017/06/30/block-hezbollah-preps-for-new-attacks-with-human-shields/ Block: Hezbollah preps for new attacks with ‘human shields’] Joshua S. Block, Boston Herald, Published: June 30, 2017, Updated: November 17, 2018.</ref>
Report in 2017-2018 on Hezbollah:<ref>[https://www.bostonherald.com/2017/06/30/block-hezbollah-preps-for-new-attacks-with-human-shields/ Block: Hezbollah preps for new attacks with ‘human shields’] Joshua S. Block, Boston Herald, Published: June 30, 2017, Updated: November 17, 2018.</ref>
Of course it's nearly impossible, unless Hamas's friends, the Qataris Al Jazeera for example would be embarrassed facing a collective western media blackout.
Of course it's nearly impossible, unless Hamas's friends, the Qataris Al Jazeera for example would be embarrassed facing a collective western media blackout.
We are not talking about avoiding reporting the news. But a specific temporary ban on shocking images.</blockquote>
We are not talking about avoiding reporting the news. But a specific temporary ban on shocking images.</blockquote>
Analyst and journalist:<ref>[https://newrepublic.com/article/119046/gaza-war-media-coverage-lacked-reporting-hamas-fighters-tactics Reporters Have Finally Found Hamas. What Took So Long?] Oren Kessler, The New Republic, August 11, 2014.
<blockquote>
Hamas has waged a sophisticated, even brilliant propaganda war. “Anyone killed or martyred is to be called a civilian from Gaza or Palestine,” the group told Gazans in a public-service announcement, “before we talk about his status in jihad or his military rank.” Hamas enjoined civilians to use the phrase “innocent civilians” as much as possible when speaking with journalists.
Hamas launches rockets from the Strip’s most densely populated locales—chiefly Gaza City, Beit Hanoun in the north, and Khan Younis in the south—and tells fighters to fire from sensitive locations like schools [http://www.jpost.com/Operation-Protective-Edge/Hamas-fired-anti-tank-missile-from-UNRWA-school-yard-was-empty-when-IDF-respond-369116], churches [http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/insideisrael/2014/August/Gaza-Bishop-Hamas-Used-Church-to-Fire-Rockets-/], mosques [http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/gaza-residents-scramble-to-make-most-of-five-hour-truce/2014/07/17/e5485fce-0d7e-11e4-8341-b8072b1e7348_story.html], UN buildings [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/04/un-dragged-conflict-israel-hamas-gaza] and hospitals [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4548760,00.html]. It’s a win-win strategy: If Israel is deterred, Hamas fighters and infrastructure are preserved; if Israel is not, the attendant civilian casualties will be a propaganda coup.
Hamas’s media strategy is exemplified by its use of Gaza City's Shifa hospital. There, in one of the conflict’s worst-kept secrets, the group’s leadership has prosecuted the war from an underground bunker. Reporters were denied entry to the bunker and instead invited to a media center in the hospital courtyard. There, journalists seeking interviews with Hamas officials were obligated to line up [http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4556016,00.html], in prime position to snap photos as wounded civilians and combatants (the latter inevitably plain-clothed) were rushed into the building.</blockquote></ref>
<blockquote>
Hamas has waged a sophisticated, even brilliant propaganda war. “Anyone killed or martyred is to be called a civilian from Gaza or Palestine,” the group told Gazans in a public-service announcement, “before we talk about his status in jihad or his military rank.” Hamas enjoined civilians to use the phrase “innocent civilians” as much as possible when speaking with journalists.
Hamas launches rockets from the Strip’s most densely populated locales—chiefly Gaza City, Beit Hanoun in the north, and Khan Younis in the south—and tells fighters to fire from sensitive locations like schools, churches, mosques, UN buildings and hospitals. It’s a win-win strategy: If Israel is deterred, Hamas fighters and infrastructure are preserved; if Israel is not, the attendant civilian casualties will be a propaganda coup.
Hamas’s media strategy is exemplified by its use of Gaza City's Shifa hospital. There, in one of the conflict’s worst-kept secrets, the group’s leadership has prosecuted the war from an underground bunker. Reporters were denied entry to the bunker and instead invited to a media center in the hospital courtyard. There, journalists seeking interviews with Hamas officials were obligated to line up, in prime position to snap photos as wounded civilians and combatants (the latter inevitably plain-clothed) were rushed into the building.</blockquote>
</ref><ref>[https://www.jns.org/un-general-assembly-condemns-terrorists-use-of-citizens-as-human-shields/ UN General Assembly condemns terrorists' use of citizens as 'human shields'], JNS,
</ref><ref>[https://www.jns.org/un-general-assembly-condemns-terrorists-use-of-citizens-as-human-shields/ UN General Assembly condemns terrorists' use of citizens as 'human shields'], JNS,
Jun 27, 2018.
Jun 27, 2018.
''The resolution was specifically aimed as Hamas, which has used human shields, including women and children, during its conflicts with Israel.''</ref> Hamas and Hezbollah were condemned by the [[UN]] in July, 2021,<ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgje6zad UN condemns use of civilians as human shields, anti-Semitic terror], i24NEWS, Ynetnews, July 7, 2021.
''The resolution was specifically aimed as Hamas, which has used human shields, including women and children, during its conflicts with Israel.''</ref> <font size=1>(unusual for biased UN<ref name=un-guilty/>)</font> Hamas and Hezbollah were condemned by the [[UN]] in July, 2021,<ref>[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sjgje6zad UN condemns use of civilians as human shields, anti-Semitic terror], i24NEWS, Ynetnews, July 7, 2021.
<blockquote>The United Nations on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the use of civilians as human shields by terrorist groups, a strategy frequently used by organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
<blockquote>The United Nations on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning the use of civilians as human shields by terrorist groups, a strategy frequently used by organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah.
The international body also condemned anti-Semitic terrorism for the first time, as well as the use of the internet as a tool for the recruitment of terrorists.
The international body also condemned anti-Semitic terrorism for the first time, as well as the use of the internet as a tool for the recruitment of terrorists.
</blockquote></ref> after [[Guardian of Walls]].
</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.washingtonjewishweek.com/an-unexpected-u-n-turn-toward-israel/ An unexpected U.N. turn toward Israel] WJW Editorial Board, July 14, 2021.
<blockquote>
Since the historic founding of the state of Israel more than 73 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly has passed hundreds of resolutions critical of the Jewish state. Whether based upon criticism of Israel’s “disproportionate” response...
So it was with great surprise that we learned that in what appears to be a routine, below-the-radar resolution passed by the U.N. General Assembly last week, the world body included subtle criticism of Hamas, Hezbollah and other bad actors in the Middle East, and had elements that seemed to favor Israel.
The provisions in question were part of the General Assembly's bi-annual review of Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, which was supposed to have been handled last year, but was delayed because of the COVID pandemic. Within the resolution, the General Assembly did three things that got our attention: First, it condemned the use of civilians as human shields during military operations, a common practice by terrorists — and especially Hamas in Gaza — that imperils innocent lives. Second, for the first time ever, the General Assembly condemned terrorism directed toward Jews, among others. And third, it condemned the use of the internet to recruit terrorists.
These three unexpected provisions — tucked away in the broader Global Terror resolution — are a welcome change, even if the reporting of them has been muted. We hope the provisions signify a new level of honesty in the U.N.’s General Assembly. But we aren’t sure.
In order to gauge the significance of the provisions, we would like to understand what prompted them. And we admit that our lingering uncertainty underscores how diminished the U.N. has become in our minds as a result of the organization’s historic and unrelenting anti-Israel bias.
We are skeptical whether the newfound morality added to the recent U.N. resolution is a sign of a meaningful shift in the U.N.’s policy, or just a minor adjustment. We will withhold judgment until we see what comes next.</blockquote></ref> following [[Guardian of Walls]].
By [[Barack Obama]] on Aug-1-2014.<ref>[https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4505586/user-clip-country-tolerate-tunnels-us User Clip: No country would tolerate Tunnels Except the U.S.] C-SPAN.org, Aug 1, 2014.
<blockquote>
... On the other hand, because of the incredibly irresponsible actions on the part of Hamas to oftentimes house these rocket launchers right in the middle of civilian neighborhoods, we end up seeing people who had nothing to do with these rockets ending up being hurt.Part of the reason why we've been pushing so hard for a cease-fire is precisely because it's hard to reconcile Israel's legitimate need to defend itself with our concern with those civilians...</blockquote>
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/08/01/press-conference-president]</ref><ref>[https://hamodia.com/2014/08/03/obama-slams-hamas-ceasefire-violations-human-shields/ Obama Slams Hamas Ceasefire Violations, Human Shields] Hamodia Staff. August 3, 2014.
<i>
President Barack Obama was unsparing in his criticism of Hamas for violations of a 72-hour ceasefire agreement on Friday in which three Israeli soldiers were killed, and backed allegations that the terrorist group’s systematic use of human shields has resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Obama said that “I think it’s going to be very hard to put a ceasefire back together again if Israelis and the international community can’t feel confident that Hamas can follow through on a cease-fire commitment.”
Referring to Hamas disavowals of responsibility for the acts of other terrorist groups operating in the Gaza Strip, the president echoed the Israeli position: “When they sign onto a ceasefire they’re claiming to speak for all the Palestinian factions. And if they don’t have control of them, and just moments after a ceasefire is signed you have Israeli soldiers being killed and captured, then it’s hard for the Israelis to feel confident that a ceasefire can actually be honored.”
Obama mentioned again his concern over the Palestinian death toll, but he stressed “Israel’s right to defend itself, and it’s got to be able to get at those rockets and those tunnel networks.
“On the other hand, because of the incredibly irresponsible actions on the part of Hamas to oftentimes house these rocket launchers right in the middle of civilian neighborhoods, we end up seeing people who had nothing to do with these rockets ending up being hurt.”...</i></ref>
By [[UK]] in 2015.<ref>[https://hansard.parliament.uk/debates/GetDebateAsText/15061517000022 Stance of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on Hamas]. Feb 12, 2015.
<blockquote>
The Petition of residents in the Southend West constituency, Declares that the Petitioners believe that the Foreign Office view Hamas as a plausible negotiating partner for creating a peace agreement with Israel;
further that the Petitioners believe that such a view is incorrect as Hamas's own political charter clearly states that it seeks nothing less than the destruction of Israel;
further that the Petitioners believe that the Foreign Office is unwilling to clearly declare that it deplores the use of civilians and civilian buildings by Hamas as part of Hamas's warfare strategy;
Hamas's consequential abuse of civilian properties as places from which to launch attacks on Israel, and its abuse of civilians as human shields resulting in a disproportionate loss of life;
further that the Petitioners believe that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East, and is the only place in the Middle East where Christianity and other faiths can co-exist peacefully and thrive;
further that a lack of clarity in support of Israel contributes to anti-Jewish sentiment; further that the Petitioners recognise the need for, and the rights of, the civilians of Gaza and other Arabs who live within and around Israel for a peaceable existence;
and further that the Petitioners believe that the lack of demonstrable public clarity by the Foreign Office to support Israel and to deplore Hamas is deeply concerning.
The Petitioners therefore urges the House of Commons to request that the Foreign Office explains its actions and views on Israel, and clarifies its view of and position on Hamas.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.'”
[Presented by Sir David Amess, Official Report, 12 February 2015; Vol. 592, c. 1049.] [P001436]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
... UK Government policy on Hamas have not changed and is clear: Hamas must renounce violence, recognise Israel and accept previously signed agreements. These conditions remain the benchmark against which Hamas's intentions should be judged.
Throughout the hostilities in Gaza of summer 2014, the UK condemned Hamas's illegal and indiscriminate rocket attacks against Israel and stressed the need for Hamas and other militant groups to stop them. We condemned any use of human shields as violations of international humanitarian law, and we called on all sides to ensure that civilians were not put in danger.
The UK was also clear that Israel had a right to take action to defend itself but needed to act proportionately and to minimise the risk of civilian casualties. We also made clear our serious concern regarding human rights abuses in Gaza by Hamas.
We are deeply concerned by incitement in the Hamas-run media and leadership, which is both anti-Israel and anti-Semitic; we are concerned about the deteriorating freedoms of religion and belief; and we are concerned about the continued use of extrajudicial executions of alleged collaborators. Hamas's military wing (Izz al-Din al-Qassem Brigades) is proscribed by the UK Government and have been since March 2001.
Proscription makes it a criminal offence to invite support for a proscribed organisation which includes, but is not restricted to, the provision of funds.
The entirety of Hamas (including its political and military wings) has been listed by the European Union since 2003. The UK enforces the EU asset freeze on Hamas through the Terrorist Asset Freezing Act 2010 which makes it a criminal offence for individuals or entities to supply funding to any part of Hamas.
In December 2014, the listing of Hamas was annulled on procedural grounds by the European Court. This does not mean that the EU no longer considers Hamas a terrorist organisation and the European Commission is challenging the European Court's decision. The asset freeze remains in place while the legal challenge is ongoing.</i></ref>
By ''UNRWA'' (at such groups) on July-17-2014.<ref>[https://m.ynet.co.il/Articles/4545333 UN admits: We found 20 rockets at a school in Gaza] Elior Levy, Ynet, July 17, 2014.
<i>
Israel constantly emphasizes that Hamas uses civilians as human shields, the refugee aid agency found the smoking gun: "In a routine check, we first discovered Palestinian weapons buried in an empty school. We condemn it."
According to UNRWA, "Yesterday during a routine inspection of buildings we discovered about 20 rockets hidden in an empty school in the Gaza Strip. UNRWA strongly condemns the organizations responsible for placing weapons in one of its facilities "....
Israel is known to have blamed Hamas in each of its recent operations in the Gaza Strip and also in the current operation, "Protective Edge", for burying weapons and rockets in educational institutions and residences, using civilians as human shields and assuming that if Israel decides to hit these weapons depots - this will severely harm it from an explanatory [PR] point of view.</i></ref> And again days later for placing rockets in yet another UNRWA school.<ref>[https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/07/hamas-rockets-found-in-second-united-nations-school/374874/ Hamas Rockets Found in Second United Nations School] Adam Chandler, The Atlantic, July 22, 2014.
<i>
An undisclosed number of rockets were found in a school run by a United Nations agency for the second time in a week. This time, they were in a facility within proximity of 3,000 displaced Palestinians.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-207812/ For the 2nd time, UNRWA condemns placement of rockets in one of its schools – UNRWA press release] July 22, 2014.
<i>
UNRWA CONDEMNS PLACEMENT OF ROCKETS, FOR A SECOND TIME, IN ONE OF ITS SCHOOLS
AGENCY DEMANDS FULL RESPECT FOR THE SANCTITY OF ITS PREMISES IN GAZA</i></ref><ref>[https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/andres-oppenheimer/article1977153.html Brazil crossed the line on Israel] Andres Oppenheimer, Miami Herald, July 26, 2014
<blockquote>
Furthermore, the United States and the 28-member European Union, which consider Hamas as a terrorist group, have specifically condemned Hamas use of civilians as human shields.
On July 17, the United Nations Agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, known by its acronym UNRWA, announced that it had discovered 20 Hamas rockets hidden in a U.N. school in Gaza. A few days later, UNRWA announced a similar finding at another U.N. school.</blockquote></ref>
In 2017 at a Hamas-dug tunnel under school.<ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/unrwa-uncovers-hamas-dug-tunnel-under-school-in-gaza/ UNRWA uncovers Hamas-dug tunnel under school in Gaza] TOI, staff, 9 Jun 9, 2017.
<i>
Palestinian refugee agency condemns Gaza rulers’ underground network; Israel’s UN envoy: ‘Cruelty of Hamas’ knows no bounds.
The agency said it condemns “the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms,” adding that it was “unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way.”
“We demand they desist from any activities or conduct that put beneficiaries and staff at risk and undermine the ability of UN staff to provide assistance to Palestine refugees in safety and security,” the agency said.</i></ref> And in June-2021 also for a tunnel built under school, found after op. [[Guardian of walls]].<ref>[https://themedialine.org/headlines/unrwa-condemns-tunnel-built-under-gaza-school UNRWA Condemns Tunnel Built Under Gaza School] The Media Line Staff, June 6, 2021
<i>
UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) condemned “the existence and potential use by Palestinian armed groups” of a tunnel found underneath a school in southern Gaza. It also condemned an Israeli airstrike on the building.
The existence of the tunnel was discovered during an investigation of the property following an Israeli airstrike on the UNRWA Zaitoun Preparatory Boys’ School “A” and Elementary Boys’ School “A”, despite the buildings being marked as UN schools and flying a UN flag. No one was killed or injured in the airstrike during the recent violence between Israel and the Hamas terror organization in Gaza. “The strike calls into question respect for the fundamental principle of inviolability” of UN buildings, a statement issued by the UNRWA said.
The tunnel was located 7.5 meters below the school. There were no entry or exit points for the tunnel on school property, according to the statement.</i></ref><ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/unrwa-tunnels-under-gaza-school-hit-by-israel-in-last-months-conflict/ UNRWA: Tunnel found under Gaza school hit by Israel in last month’s conflict] Judah Ari Gross, TOI, June 7, 2021.
<i>
Announcement comes after head of the UN group is thrown out of the Strip for saying IDF launched ‘precise’ strikes in recent battle; school was empty when IDF hit.
The United Nations’ Palestinian refugee agency has condemned the construction of a tunnel under a school it operates in the central Gaza Strip, which was apparently targeted by the Israel Defense Forces during last month’s 11-day battle between Israel and the Hamas terror group.</i></ref>
By the Australian Labor party in July-2014.<ref>[https://www.billshorten.com.au/the-conflict-in-israel-and-the-palestinian-territories The Conflict in Israel and the Palestinian Territories], Bill Shorten, July 31, 2014.
<blockquote>
Labor is appalled by the recent shelling of a UN school in a Gaza refugee camp, and attacks on similar facilities.
Labor deplores the abuse of civilian facilities for military purposes, including a Gaza school that was used to hide rockets.
Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel - more than 2600 so far, and Israel must restrain its response, which has cost far too many civilian lives.</blockquote></ref><ref>[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/abbott-backs-israels-right-to-defend-itself-from-hamas-rockets/news-story/f81d198bb3f0e2ca947a1a2055dec4f4 Abbott backs Israel’s right to defend itself from Hamas rockets], Jared Owens, The Australian, July 31, 2014.
<blockquote>Tony Abbott this morning supported Israel’s right to self-defence and repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire “because plainly too many people are dying”.
“We support Israel’s right to exist, we support Israel’s right to self-defence, we support the Palestinians’ right to a state of their own, but that’s got to go hand-in-hand with the recognition of Israel’s right to exist behind secure borders,” the Prime Minister told Melbourne radio 3AW.
“The problem in the Middle East is that in the end so many people are not prepared to accept Israel’s right to exist.”..
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten urged the Abbott government to pursue a ceasefire at the United Nations.
“Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israel - more than 2600 so far, and Israel must restrain its response, which has cost far too many civilian lives,” he said in a joint statement with his deputy, Tanya Plibersek.
“Labor is appalled by the recent shelling of a UN school in a Gaza refugee camp, and attacks on similar facilities.
“Labor deplores the abuse of civilian facilities for military purposes, including a Gaza school that was used to hide rockets.”
Mr Shorten earlier today said: “Every country’s got the right to secure borders but like, I think, most Australians the images we’ve seen today are deeply, deeply disturbing.”
Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull... warned Israel “risks extinction” and “can barely afford to lose a battle, let alone a war”...
“As long as Hamas is firing rockets into Israel, the Israeli defence force has to defend its own population. I mean that’s what we’d expect the Australian Army to do for us,” Mr Turnbull told ABC Radio..
Mr Abbott, asked whether anti-semitism had crept into debate about the conflict, said: “Well, that’s right and every other day there are rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza.”</blockquote></ref> By the ''OAS'' in May-2021.<ref>[https://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-051/21 Qualification of Hamas as a Terrorist Organization by the OAS General Secretariat] OAS, May 17, 2021
<blockquote>
The recent attacks launched by Hamas against the Israeli civilian population undoubtedly constitute attacks of a terrorist nature. Their violence and the objectives they pursue clearly have this characteristic.
Hamas's terrorist aggression is unlimited and always seeks civilian victims, seeks to escalate conflict dynamics and armed actions, as well as sowing terror among innocent populations, be they Israeli or Palestinian.
The immoral and unworthy use of children and women as human shields, as well as the militarization of residential areas, constitute in themselves acts that deserve the most absolute repudiation and condemnation.
The initiation of attacks of this nature against a country with a clear terrorist objective of its civilian population makes the invocation of the principle of legitimate defense by Israel essential.
The Hamas attacks constitute an attack against the peace and security of Israel and the region and make it imperative to categorize Hamas as a terrorist organization for the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS).</blockquote></ref>
*In August/2021, as [[Hezbollah]] fired rockets into [[Israel]]<ref name=jns>[https://www.jns.org/in-wake-of-rocket-attacks-on-israel-hezbollah-tries-to-signal-that-its-in-control/ In wake of rocket attacks on Israel, Hezbollah tries to signal it’s ‘in control’] Yaakov Lappin, JNS, Aug 6, 2021.
*In August/2021, as [[Hezbollah]] fired rockets into [[Israel]]<ref name=jns>[https://www.jns.org/in-wake-of-rocket-attacks-on-israel-hezbollah-tries-to-signal-that-its-in-control/ In wake of rocket attacks on Israel, Hezbollah tries to signal it’s ‘in control’] Yaakov Lappin, JNS, Aug 6, 2021.