Israeli troops fire on Palestinian protesters along Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon borders - Polidicks

[img]http://i.huffpost.com/gen/277774/thumbs/r-ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN-PROTESTS-SYRIA-BORDER-large570.jpg[/img] [quote] JERUSALEM — Israeli troops clashed with Arab protesters Sunday along three hostile borders, including the frontier with Syria, leaving at least 12 people dead and dozens wounded in an unprecedented wave of demonstrations marking a Palestinian day of mourning for their defeat at Israel's hands in 1948. In the most serious incident, the Israeli military said thousands of protesters approached Syria's border with the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and hundreds burst through the fence. Soldiers opened fire to stop them, the military said. Dozens were wounded and four were reported killed. It was a rare incursion from the usually tightly controlled Syrian side, and Israeli officials accused Damascus of fomenting the violence in an attempt to divert attention from the deadly crackdown on protests within its borders against the rule of President Bashar Assad. "The Syrian regime is intentionally attempting to divert international attention away from the brutal crackdown of their own citizens to incite against Israel," said Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, an Israeli military spokeswoman. Israeli media reported that the incident was over by early evening, but the military did not immediately confirm that. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to act with "maximum restraint." "But nobody should be mistaken. We are determined to defend our borders and sovereignty," he added in a brief address broadcast live on Israeli TV stations. Sunday's unrest – which came after activists used Facebook and other websites to mobilize Palestinians and their supporters in neighboring countries to march on the border with Israel_ marked the first time the protest tactics that have swept the Arab world in recent months have been directed at Israel. Deadly clashes also took place along Israel's nearby northern border with Lebanon, as well as in the Gaza Strip, near Israel's southern border. The Israeli military said 13 soldiers were lightly wounded in the Lebanon and Syria clashes. In addition, hundreds of Palestinian threw stones at Israeli police and burned tires at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem before they were dispersed. The unrest came as the Palestinians marked the "nakba," or "catastrophe," the term they use to describe their defeat and displacement in the war at the time of Israel's founding in 1948. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were uprooted, and the dispute over the fate of the refugees and their descendants, now numbering several million, remains a key issue in the Mideast conflict. It also comes at a critical time for U.S. Mideast policy. President Barack Obama's envoy to the region, George Mitchell, resigned Friday, and the U.S. president may now have to retool the administration's incremental approach to peacemaking. Obama is to deliver a Mideast policy speech in the coming week. Israel captured the Golan from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war, and Syria demands the area back as part of any peace deal. Despite hostility between the two countries, the border has been quiet since the 1973 Mideast war. In Egypt, the army set up at least 15 checkpoints – guarded by tanks and armored vehicles – on the road between the Egyptian town of El-Arish and the Gaza border city of Rafah, turning back all who were not residents of the area. Israeli TV channels broadcast scenes, taken from Arab stations, of what appeared to be thousands of people gathering along the Syrian border with the Golan. In a statement, the military said "thousands of Syrian civilians" breached the border. Israeli officials confirmed two of those who crossed the Syrian border were dead on the Israeli side, and two were reported dead in Syrian territory. The protesters were believed to be Palestinians who live in refugee camps in Syria. Israel's Channel 2 TV interviewed one of those who crossed, who identified himself as a resident of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. "I am Palestinian from Nazareth," a town in northern Israel, the man told the station. By late afternoon, Israeli military officials said about 100 people had been caught and were being sent back to Syria. It was not known how many remained on the loose. "The residents are in shock, they had no idea this was going to happen," Dolan Abu Salah, mayor of Majdal Shams, told Channel 10 TV. He said the town's residents, members of the Druse Arab sect, were neutral and did not want to get involved. About 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the west, Israeli troops clashed with a large crowd of Lebanese demonstrators who approached the border. The military said it opened fire when protesters tried to damage the border fence. Lebanese security officials reported six dead. It was one of the most serious incidents along the volatile border since Israel fought Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas during a monthlong war five years ago. The shooting erupted at the tense border village of Maroun el-Rass, which saw some of the fiercest fighting in 2006. Thousands of Palestinian refugees had traveled to the village in buses adorned with posters that said: "We are returning." Many came from the 12 crowded refugee camps in Lebanon where some 400,000 Palestinian refugees live. "Israel may be 63 years old today but its days are numbered," said Abbas Jomaa, 50, who was carrying his 4-year-old son on his shoulders and holding a Palestinian flag. "Sooner or later we will return." Hundreds of Lebanese soldiers, U.N. peacekeepers and riot police deployed heavily in the area, taking up positions along the electric border fence and patrolling the area in military vehicles. Young Hezbollah supporters wearing yellow hats and carrying walkie-talkies organized the entry to the village and handed out Palestinian flags. Palestinian medics also said one person was killed and 65 others were wounded when demonstrators in the Gaza Strip tried to approach a heavily fortified border crossing into Israel. A second Palestinian was killed in a separate incident. Israel's military said he was trying to plant a bomb along the fence. Inside Israel, police were on high alert for disturbances among the country's large Arab minority. In a reflection of the jitters, a deadly traffic incident involving an Arab truck driver in Tel Aviv set off fears that an attack had been carried out. The truck plowed through a crowded street, crashing into a bus, several cars and pedestrians, killing one and injuring 16 others. Police said the 22-year-old driver claimed it was an accident, but said they were still investigating. "Based on the devastation and debris, we're still examining if it was carried out deliberately," said police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld. ___[/quote] Source: [url]http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/15/israeli-troops-open-fire-palestinian-protesters_n_862100.html[/url] There is no word(s) to describe this but only disgusting. tl;dr 63rd anniversary of Israels founding, Palestinians protest, Israel over reacts by gunning them down.

Lets see who defends this!

[QUOTE=amute;29844300]Lets see who defends this![/QUOTE] Every blind person in the western hemisphere that lets the media make them believe that Israel is the only victim in this and that Palestine is the enemy and is all terrorists. Also, I know Facepunch has a few Israelis so it'll be fun to see their reasoning and justification for this.

Hey you know what is also disgusting what Syria does to its own citizens pretty disgusting world we live in.

Now I strongly disagree with Israel opening fire on the protesters, but it seems there is blame to carry on both sides, as it said they breached their border/damaged the fence, and well I wouldn't take that lightly if I were supervising the border, though the Israeli troops shouldn't of opened fire under any circumstance. And the article also mentions a Non-Israeli man mowing down some people in a truck showing there was substantial violence on each side.

[QUOTE=Kai-ryuu;29844257]There is no word(s) to describe this but only disgusting.[/QUOTE] I know, some of these protesters were idiots weren't they? [quote]JERUSALEM In the most serious incident, the Israeli military said thousands of protesters approached Syria's border with the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights and [b]hundreds burst through the fence. Soldiers opened fire to stop them[/b], the military said. Dozens were wounded and four were reported killed. [b]Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to act with "maximum restraint."[/b] Deadly clashes also took place along Israel's nearby northern border with Lebanon, as well as in the Gaza Strip, near Israel's southern border. [b]The Israeli military said 13 soldiers were lightly wounded in the Lebanon and Syria clashes.[/b] In addition, [b]hundreds of Palestinian threw stones at Israeli police and burned tires at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem before they were dispersed.[/b] Israeli TV channels broadcast scenes, taken from Arab stations, of what appeared to be thousands of people gathering along the Syrian border with the Golan. In a statement, [b]the military said "thousands of Syrian civilians" breached the border.[/b] [b]By late afternoon, Israeli military officials said about 100 people had been caught and were being sent back to Syria. It was not known how many remained on the loose.[/b] About 25 miles (40 kilometers) to the west, Israeli troops clashed with a large crowd of Lebanese demonstrators who approached the border. The military said it opened fire when [b]protesters tried to damage the border fence. Lebanese security officials reported six dead.[/b][/quote] Some protesters were not being peaceful and deliberately attacking Israeli infrastructure. It's not like the IDF started killing anyone who was chanting.

[QUOTE=Dysgalt;29844414]Now I strongly disagree with Israel opening fire on the protesters, but it seems there is blame to carry on both sides, as it said they breached their border/damaged the fence, and well I wouldn't take that lightly if I were supervising the border, though the Israeli troops shouldn't of opened fire under any circumstance. And the article also mentions a Non-Israeli man mowing down some people in a truck showing there was substantial violence on each side.[/QUOTE] Yeah you said it well. Whenever people ask me what side I support I say neither, they are both doing bad things.

It's also suspicious how the worst of the events happened at the Syrian border.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;29844609]It's also suspicious how the worst of the events happened at the Syrian border.[/QUOTE] Not really, Syria hosts one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps in the world: [quote]The protesters were believed to be Palestinians who live in refugee camps in Syria. Israel's Channel 2 TV interviewed one of those who crossed, who identified himself as a resident of the Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria. "I am Palestinian from Nazareth," a town in northern Israel, the man told the station.[/quote]

[QUOTE=Starpluck;29844638]Not really, Syria hosts one of the largest Palestinian refugee camps in the world:[/QUOTE] Just because it holds the largest shouldn't mean they would be the most violent during a protest.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;29844661]Just because it holds the largest shouldn't mean they would be the most violent during a protest.[/QUOTE] What When most of the protesters stem from Syria of course they're going to be the loudest 'group'

[QUOTE=Thom12255;29844535]I know, some of these protesters were idiots weren't they? Some protesters were not being peaceful and deliberately attacking Israeli infrastructure. It's not like the IDF started killing anyone who was chanting.[/QUOTE] oh no a few stones thrown at us welp we better SHOOT THEM ALL WITH MILITARY GRADE WEAPONS.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;29844661]Just because it holds the largest shouldn't mean they would be the most violent during a protest.[/QUOTE] I'm guessing from this snippet from the article [quote]"The Syrian regime is intentionally attempting to divert international attention away from the brutal crackdown of their own citizens to incite against Israel," [/quote] That the situation in Syria is becoming extremely grave for everyone in their, and the Israeli military is inferring that they may be pressuring/forcing refugees to leave, but that is only speculation.

[quote]In addition, hundreds of Palestinian threw stones at Israeli police and burned tires at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem before they were dispersed.[/quote] Violence begets violence guys.

[QUOTE=amute;29844300]Lets see who defends this![/QUOTE] Challenge accepted. The reason Israel is belligerent today is because of the Arab's own belligerent actions. Last century, Israel was a perfectly peaceful established country. Almost all of its inhabitants were holocaust survivors, wanting to live in peace. However, the arabs sought to end what Hitler started, and to destroy Israel. A coalition of several arab countries and a militia of several hundred thousand tried to kill all Israelis. However, Israel won. Several years later, on a Jewish high holiday, the sneaky arabs launched a surprise attack on Israel whilst everybody was fasting as is a requirement of Yom Kippur. Israel turned the fight and won. In every instance of war, the belligerency of the arabs always started it, and the Israelis finished it. Because of the siege mentality the Israelis have developed, they are now belligerent. Blame Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, etc... for the violence of the Israelis, for they are the root of the problem. Also, in Gaza 3 years ago there was peace. However Hamas broke that peace by launching rockets with intent on killing Israeli civilians. Not only this, but before the Wall was created around Palestine, there were almost daily suicide bombings in Israel. Hamas broke that peace, and in order to fight the Israelis, they set up mortars in schools, mosques, and hospitals. There is footage of Hamas members pulling children in front of them as human shields as well.

[QUOTE=Craig Willmore;29845166]Violence begets violence guys.[/QUOTE] Oh, A man threw a stone. I should totally kill him, It's not like they don't have more peaceful means to which break up a protest. And I wouldn't trust military announcements. Not just ones from Israel. [editline]15th May 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=Uberman77883;29845227]:colbert:[/QUOTE] Okay. Play the blame them game

It works, though. Do you know how many serial killers get lowered sentences because they say they had a bad childhood. Israel is that serial killer, and like them, it has had a bad childhood.

[QUOTE=PunchedInFac;29845255]Oh, A man threw a stone. I should totally kill him, It's not like they don't have more peaceful means to which break up a protest. And I wouldn't trust military announcements. Not just ones from Israel. [editline]15th May 2011[/editline] Okay. Play the blame them game[/QUOTE] They didn't kill them for throwing stones. It just goes to show that it wasn't a peaceful protest. They're all Border Guard not Riot Police, they protect the Borders of Israel from invasion, why would they have equipment to disperse hundreds of un-armed protesters without harming them? Also I'd like to see what you would do if a hundred people were throwing stones into your face, it's a big deal.

Also listen to some of the quotes. "Israel may be 63 years old but its days are numbered" That sounds completely peaceful, wishing the destruction of an entire country.

"But its days are numbered" That implies that it will end soon. Therefore wishing for its destruction.

[QUOTE=Baldr 2.0;29845558]That quote isn't like wishing for its destruction.[/QUOTE] said Abbas Jomaa, 50, who was carrying his 4-year-old son on his shoulders and holding a Palestinian flag. [B]"Sooner or later we will return."[/B] It does when he takes it out of context

[QUOTE=Uberman77883;29845227]Challenge accepted. The reason Israel is belligerent today is because of the Arab's own belligerent actions. Last century, Israel was a perfectly peaceful established country. Almost all of its inhabitants were holocaust survivors, wanting to live in peace. However, the arabs sought to end what Hitler started, and to destroy Israel. A coalition of several arab countries and a militia of several hundred thousand tried to kill all Israelis. However, Israel won. Several years later, on a Jewish high holiday, the sneaky arabs launched a surprise attack on Israel whilst everybody was fasting as is a requirement of Yom Kippur. Israel turned the fight and won. In every instance of war, the belligerency of the arabs always started it, and the Israelis finished it. Because of the siege mentality the Israelis have developed, they are now belligerent. Blame Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, etc... for the violence of the Israelis, for they are the root of the problem. Also, in Gaza 3 years ago there was peace. However Hamas broke that peace by launching rockets with intent on killing Israeli civilians. Not only this, but before the Wall was created around Palestine, there were almost daily suicide bombings in Israel. Hamas broke that peace, and in order to fight the Israelis, they set up mortars in schools, mosques, and hospitals. There is footage of Hamas members pulling children in front of them as human shields as well.[/QUOTE] Nope. That's pretty much Israel's excuse, every damn time. "It's their fault we're so agressive." fuck that. NOTHING justifies what the Israelis do to the Palestinians. They're becoming so much like the Nazis it's no laughing matter, and the best part is that they fail to see it.

It isn't taken out of context, thats an entirely different quote from later on in the sentence. Also those two statements have literally nothing to do with eachother. One wishes for Israel's destruction while the other says that after its destruction, they will inhabit the land.

[QUOTE=Uberman77883;29845493]Also listen to some of the quotes. "Israel may be 63 years old but its days are numbered" That sounds completely peaceful, wishing the destruction of an entire country.[/QUOTE] The animosity has been brewing over the past few hundred years. Some just display it more openly. If you lift the veil over your eyes you will realize the hate you see is mutual. To be truthful both parties are at fault/were at fault at some point in time, but Jerusalem and it's surroundings are too much of a religious landmark to see any relative peace.

[QUOTE=archangel125;29845598]Nope. That's pretty much Israel's excuse, every damn time. "It's their fault we're so agressive." fuck that. NOTHING justifies what the Israelis do to the Palestinians. They're becoming so much like the Nazis it's no laughing matter, and the best part is that they fail to see it.[/QUOTE] NOTHING justifies what the arabs did and still do to Israelis. There is so much hate of Israelis in Jerusalem, in certain parts of the city people get kidnapped and murdered just because they LOOK israeli. Where is that picture of all the palestinians CELEBRATING the DISMEMBERMENT of an Israeli. They were fucking holding his/her organs and waving them around.

I love how quick some facepunchers are to demonize Israel without knowing the full story.

[QUOTE=Thom12255;29844535]I know, some of these protesters were idiots weren't they? Some protesters were not being peaceful and deliberately attacking Israeli infrastructure. It's not like the IDF started killing anyone who was chanting.[/QUOTE] This. The threads title is horribly misleading.

[QUOTE=Uberman77883;29845227]Challenge accepted. The reason Israel is belligerent today is because of the Arab's own belligerent actions. Last century, Israel was a perfectly peaceful established country. Almost all of its inhabitants were holocaust survivors, wanting to live in peace. However, the arabs sought to end what Hitler started, and to destroy Israel. A coalition of several arab countries and a militia of several hundred thousand tried to kill all Israelis. However, Israel won. Several years later, on a Jewish high holiday, the sneaky arabs launched a surprise attack on Israel whilst everybody was fasting as is a requirement of Yom Kippur. Israel turned the fight and won. In every instance of war, the belligerency of the arabs always started it, and the Israelis finished it. Because of the siege mentality the Israelis have developed, they are now belligerent. Blame Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq, etc... for the violence of the Israelis, for they are the root of the problem. [/quote]No one is to blame but Israel for their lack of regard for basic human rights. That's pretty pathetic and we might as well blame the Allies for being so harsh on poor little Germany by imposing the Treaty of Versailles, then 'provoking them' [quote] Also, in Gaza 3 years ago there was peace. However Hamas broke that peace by launching rockets with intent on killing Israeli civilians. Not only this, but before the Wall was created around Palestine, there were almost daily suicide bombings in Israel. [/quote] I think you got it completely confused, it's the opposite other way around: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4[/media] Or if you don't wanna watch videos: [url]http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/nov/05/israelandthepalestinians[/url] [quote]Hamas broke that peace, and in order to fight the Israelis, they set up mortars in schools, mosques, and hospitals. There is footage of Hamas members pulling children in front of them as human shields as well.[/QUOTE] This video right? [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J08GqXMr3YE[/media] That's not proof, that's called propaganda. It's taking parts of the video out of context and trying to make it look like their using human shields hence the sudden cut off in the beginning etc.

Its all something I like to call the Facepunch Effect. Its basically the bandwagon effect except it comes from just reading the thread title.

[QUOTE=Uberman77883;29845654]NOTHING justifies what the arabs did and still do to Israelis. There is so much hate of Israelis in Jerusalem, in certain parts of the city people get kidnapped and murdered just because they LOOK israeli. Where is that picture of all the palestinians CELEBRATING the DISMEMBERMENT of an Israeli. They were fucking holding his/her organs and waving them around.[/QUOTE] [URL]http://www.btselem.org/english/Settler_Violence/20061029_Olive_Harvest.asp[/URL] [URL="http://electronicintifada.net/content/amnesty-israeli-authorities-must-put-immediate-end-settler-violence/457"]http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8519921.stm[/URL]