Update 2: I’ve amended some of the times below. The rally was to be at 2:30 at City Hall. When I arrived, it was already underway and then the group set off through downtown. I assumed that it was later than it was. My mistake.
Here’s another photo:
The posters say “Right of Return for Refugees”, “Stop the massacre in Gaza”, “60 Years of Occupation Give Peace to Palestine”, “Enough is Enough Israel Must Stop”, “Israel Must Stop Its Aggression.” I did not see any doves. I didn’t see any signs with arabic and hebrew words. I saw lots of Palestinian flags. Someone was handing out small paper ones. I looked through all of my photos and the only thing resembling an Israeli flag seems to be one with an “X” instead of the Star of David in the center.
Update: Almost forgot the chant of “Stop the Genocide.” Seriously. As commenter Bruce at isreallycool pointed out (see 12:52 update),
Number of Palestinian Arabs in 1948 = 1,308,00.
Number of Palestinian Arabs in 2008 = 10,574,521.
Israeli attempted genocide of Palestinian Arabs over 60 years = EPIC FAIL!
There was a pro-Gaza rally today in Saskatoon. There were approximately 100 people at the City Hall rally. A couple of speakers were talking to the group but they were difficult to hear. Most of the signs referred to the “occupation” of Gaza and the Israeli “aggression”. There was a very large sign from the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon). The rally began at before the scheduled start of 2:30 and at about 3:00 2:35 it suddenly turned into a march through downtown to River Landing. Perhaps the organizers should have left someone behind to notify the stragglers who continued to arrive at City Hall long after the bulk of the rally had left.
The speakers continued at River Landing. I thought that there would be chants and speakers about the current Israeli activity to stop Hamas but the speakers seemed to be more generally pro-Gaza, pro-Palestinian, anti-Israel. Chants of “Right of Return” followed a “Palestinian refugee” who spoke.
The fluorescent signs to the left are held by Jews who attended the rally. They came running to catch up at the group was leaving City Hall. The signs say “I support the ceasefire” and the like.
When I was scooting quickly around the back of the group before the march started, I spotted a man making a quick addition to the back of his sign. You can see his handywork below — it’s a swastika inside a Star of David. He seemed quite adept at drawing the swastika.
This man was waiting at City Hall. He must have arrived after the main group left. Shortly after this photo was taken someone phoned a friend and was able to tell everyone where the rally had moved to. (btw – thanks for yelling that out loud!) His sign says “Israel kills to satisfy YHWH blood lust stop Jewish Nazis”. YHWH is Yaweh, the true name of God. Nice. I’m going to guess that this man is not a member of the local Muslim community but no one stopped him from carrying this sign at River Landing. In fact, the next picture shows the back of his sign.
“Zionazis are Fascists too”
This was a pretty tame rally compared to other cities. There seemed to be no recognition that Hamas brought this all on the Palestinian people. I’ll bet some of the people in attendance didn’t fully understand what they were lending their tacit support to just by being part of the rally.
I wish that there had been a rally in support of Israel. If anyone hears of one, let us know.
hay thanks for taking the pictures and advirtising about our rally
but just to give you a better understanding about the rally it was not pro or anti any particular group
it was about peace and justice for the people of Gaza, talking about Hamas or Israel for me they both are criminals or terrorist how ever you want to put it,
but if you would kept your ears open or if you would took a closer look i m sure you could have had a better understanding of rally as well as about the inocent kids and civilians of Gaza and also you could have written better article.
and if you would like to celebrate the Israeli Genocide i would be dlighted to be a part of it, i wont be watching your rally from a far distance like your self,
By: SULTAN on January 11, 2009
at 5:07 am
and also just to let you know there were more than 500 people gathered today
a combination of jews. muslims, and christians along every body else who wanted peace for the world as a whole
im not sure if we made a difference for the people of gaza but it sure makes me happy to see some one here in canada who gets jealous, to see group of people of all faith and all backgrounds coming together asking for the world peace ,
i do have alot of respect for my Jewish brothers but i would love to see people like your self to be in holicost or in gaza to see it first hand that how its to be under occupation and massacre of all different politicians from the US, UK and Israel to Iran and Hamas
By: SULTAN on January 11, 2009
at 5:34 am
I was at the rally. I was right at the edge of the group at River Landing and could hear the speakers clearly (except for the child who read a poem). I couldn’t get close enough to hear the speakers very well at City Hall because everyone was crammed on the sidewalk instead of being back closer to the building where there is a large open space. There were not 500 people there. Not even close. Not even 200.
The speakers were anti-Israel. Many of the signs were anti-Israel.
By: Michele on January 11, 2009
at 9:21 am
Real Jews don’t stand alongside “people” who hold up swastikas.
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 10:17 am
Disgusting article. Should be ashamed of yourself. Distorting the facts and giving a negative twist to a rally in support of innocent people is appalling. I was myself at the rally and it was one of the best organised and very well attended ever held in Saskatoon. Almost 500 people attended from all faiths including Muslims, Jews, Christians and others. Close to eight hundred innocent people including children and women have been killed and you still believe that it was in support of Hamas. It was in support of innocent human beings. Also, it was in support of peace. You should have the courage to take some pictures of the peace banners as well. You are comparing the people who are treated for shocks to people who are torn into pieces. Parents are killed in front of their children and the kids are left to weep on their bodies for days to starve (Red Cross report). We are all human and everybody should be treated as human and no body deserves the treatment that is meted to the innocent Palestinians in Gaza. Truth hurts – Propaganda wins no one in the long run. Check any independent news papers such as The Guardian and you would know all the facts such as who are the occupiers, aggressors, who broke the cease fire and who are committing all the atrocious acts. Peace for all.
By: Peace for All on January 11, 2009
at 12:19 pm
The rally was actually quite large (approx 300) and it went well. The rally was open to everyone, so if anybody brought signs with swastikas, there wasn’t much that the organizers could do about it.
Secondly, it is impossible to have a rally like this and not have anti-Israel speakers. The Government of Israel has destroyed many many lives, and its not possible to talk about this without sounding anti-Israel. In other words, its not possible to have a murderer look “good” or “positive.”
And yes, there were many jews there who also agreed with the rally.
By: Greg on January 11, 2009
at 1:12 pm
You did a good job in distorting the facts and skewing the main purpose of the rally which was for peace and immediate ceasefire. People at the rally were from all faith and background and regardless of their religious beliefs they decide to show up because they want an immediate end to the merciless killing of innocent civilians including many women and children. You two bloggers describe yourself as someone who reads a lot but it shows obviously that you fail to read both sides of the story and have an open mind. You have a bogus banner in your blog page about how many “Islamic” terror attacks have been carried out since 9/11, wanting people to generalize the whole religion as terror preaching. How about putting another banner showing number of civilians dead because of so called “war on terror” since 9/11 from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan? War and hatred can only cause pain and is not the solution for any problem. And please don’t call yourself atheists as you are very narrow-minded and people will generalize all of us like you. Peace.
By: Atheist on January 11, 2009
at 2:01 pm
Hamas has destroyed many lives. Get the facts straight. The people of Gaza voted for Hamas. The anger need to be directed at the leaders of Hamas who care more about the destruction of Israel that they care about their wives (!) and children. Maybe they should get down to living and stop worrying about killing.
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 4:04 pm
YOU ARE AN IGNORANT BASTARD!!
LOOK AT ALL POINT OF VIEWS FOR YOUR NEXT ARTICLES!!
By: Cobra on January 11, 2009
at 4:06 pm
Wow…amazing example of how people can view things so differently. As a REAL JEW, I was at the rally supporting PEACE. An end to the violence, destruction and killing that occurs from both sides, and to hold on to a belief that there must be a better solution that results in peace for both sides. As a REAL JEW, I was there and able to voice my offense at the one sign I saw and was treated respectfully when I did (Though the person who moved the sign and buried the offensive information in the snow, was obviously not the person who brought it). I did speak with someone who reflected that some people showed up to the rally expressing views different than the organizers. Being there allowed dialog-As a REAL JEW, I don’t belief in killing others-I want peace for Israel, peace for the Palestinians-there has to be a better way. I did not chant anything about genocide, and found parts of the rally offensive-most of it supportive of peace for all. I was thanked by people for showing support for peace for Gaza, which does not mean I don’t desire peace for Israel. As one of our posters said, “It’s not about taking sides, it’s about peace”. Was it easy to be present when I saw or heard things that upset me? No! Was I glad I went to voice my upset about all that is going on? Yes? We need dialog and cooperation and understanding and peace for all. I missed the first few minutes at City Hall. Most of the speeches at the River Landing were respectful and reflective of a desire for peace. One of our posters said “If you don’t believe in peace, it will never happen”. I as a REAL JEW will continue to hang on to to that belief. If I am in the presence of people with swastika’s-I’ll continue to cringe, get upset and voice my views. I hope someday the world will be a better place.
By: Franci on January 11, 2009
at 4:26 pm
I agree, I hope someday the world will be a better place. But hope alone will not be enough to change things. The people of Israel cannot hope that the rockets will stop. Somebody has to make them stop.
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 4:44 pm
Interesting that this “Peace Rally” didn’t mention Hamas’ role in this disaster. If this was a Peace Rally, shouldn’t the Rally focus on both sides? Why is the focus on Israel? Why wasn’t there a Peace Rally three months ago? Why didn’t people Rally to support the ceasefire? Why didn’t people demand that Hamas stop firing rockets into Israel?
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 5:19 pm
Just showing my husband and daughter this blog, as they were out when I first found it earlier today. Upon rereading, I am further disturbed by the first entry (was it actually written by a person who was there?-the information would suggest not), as well as some of the other entries. The rally didn’t suddenly turn into a march…the group started walking on what appeared to be a pre-planned route (roads were blocked by city Police) to River Landing. People started walking around 2:35 not 3:00. I brought flourescent posters, and yes am Jewish but others took our posters and held them too. We didn’t run to catch up to the group, just arrived a minute or two before the group started walking. So that’s inaccurate, as well as the biased reporting of information. Again, I am wanting peace for both Gaza and Israel. The first blog entry showed the isolated posters that offended myself and others. Why didn’t you photograph the one I liked- a beautiful blue poster with a dove and the word peace, or how about one that had peace written in both Arabic and Hebrew? There were lots of positive on messages on posters and banners at the rally. One of the organizers did acknowledge Hamas’s rocketing of Israel in his speech and that it was unacceptable. Whoever is behind this blog has selected isolated things from the rally to suit their own agenda and I can see how propoganda is formed….sad.
By: Franci on January 11, 2009
at 8:07 pm
REAL Jews do not KILL people or SUPPORT the killing of people. As I recall, I was taught in Hebrew school, one of the fundamental principles of Judaism is “thou shalt not kill”.
As a Jew, I am utterly disgusted by the actions of the Israeli government. I am also greatly angered by the goals and actions of Hamas. Nevertheless, I feel that the killing of innocent people can NEVER be justified.
Perhaps the reason the focus was on Israel, is because Israel is doing the majority of killing. If 800 Israelis were also dead and many Israelis were suffering without food, water or electricity then people would also be rallying to change this. Yet, this is only true for the Palestinians, which is why some opinions were in support of Palestine.
However, the main message of this rally was PEACE. The speeches at river landing supported PEACE. The loudest and largely supported chants were for PEACE.
If Jews, Muslims, and people of all faiths cannot come together in Saskatoon and simply rally for peace without criticism, what hope is there to change the situation in the middle east?
These different groups must work together throughout the world for peace to become a reality.
By: MJH on January 11, 2009
at 8:24 pm
Killing of innocent people can NEVER be justified? Really? So if you are attacked by a nation that has no fear of death…be it the death of their children or their family or friends or themselves, what do you do? If they place innocents in the line of fire to prevent their enemies, who value life, from fighting back, what do you do? Godwin forgive me, but should we have sat back and let Hitler do what he wanted to do and not fought back because innocent Germans might be killed. Where would you be now? Remember that Hamas need only say that they want peace and stop shooting rockets, and this war would be over. How do you fight against an enemy that loves death?
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 8:58 pm
Key word – Innocent.
Did the millions of German civilians need to die in World War II in order to stop Hitler? For most people the answer is NO, as it should be.
Do the innocent civilians in Palestine need to die today? The answer is no and this should be obvious to any just and caring human being.
It disturbs me beyond belief that you portray the idea that some lives are simply more valuable than others. This is not true. If we want people to respect us as Jews, respect the horrors we have suffered and continue to suffer, we must give them a reason to do so.
Saying that our lives (innocent Jews) are more valuable than those of other people (innocent Palestinians) does not do this. We have to respect everyone’s right to live.
As well, as long as people like you support the notion that war IS the only option, war will always BE be the only option.
I do not support Hamas, and I understand that they do not want peace at the moment, but it is still necessary for people to push the message that peace is the only option. War does nothing good, and it is astonishes me that so many people support it.
I remember hearing once that fighting for peace is like f***ing for virginity. Never before had this saying seemed so true to me. The concept makes no sense and is completely impossible. As long as we fight, peace cannot occur.
As well, If you do not want people to compare Israel to the Nazi’s, do not give them a reason to. Show them that you believe all life is valuable, that some people do not have a greater right to life than others. If you opened your mind to some other beliefs, perhaps the ideas that anger you would disappear.
I am done now. I can see you are incredibly close minded and will refuse to see that all life is valuable. It saddens me, but what can I do?
By: MJH on January 11, 2009
at 9:30 pm
Sooooo. You would have defeated Nazi Germany in a kinder, gentler manner? Really? And where, exactly, did I say some lives are more valuable than others?
Tell us. How would you convince hamas to stop shooting rockets at Israel?? Hmm?
By: crazybengal on January 11, 2009
at 10:28 pm
Franci — The first paragraph is my impression as I remembered it. The original press release and the newspaper notice stated that the even was to be a “rally” so it was a surprise to me when suddenly the entire group formed up and headed down the street. As the main group was leaving, the people holding the fluorescent signs arrived where the rally had started and ran to catch up.
And you’re right about the times. Of course, that means that the speakers started before the scheduled start time for the rally and the march started earlier than I thought. I’ll fix the post.
By: Michele on January 11, 2009
at 10:37 pm
Thanks Michelle…we brought the flourescent posters, and I know my husband I and didn’t do any running (too old and lazy for that). You may have seen our daughter run to find a friend of hers who had arrived a few minutes ahead of us, and was further up in the crowd. We also had given some others some extra signs we brought and maybe they were running -not sure it matters. I do think it’s interesting the photos that were posted…the 3 offensive (I only saw one at the end) posters out of the possible hundreds there. I myself liked one on blue paper with a dove and the word peace, and another with peace in Arabic and Hebrew. Several of us voiced our discomfort with the posters you posted and we were treated respectfully for doing this, and found others were offended by them as well. It’s just interesting how we both were at the event but reacted differently. There were people there seeking peace for both sides. I am tired of even debating this-I just want a peaceful resolution. I want Israel safe, I want the people of Gaza safe. I am not going to apologize for being appalled by all the death and destruction on both sides, and hope somehow a peaceful resolution is found soon and will hold on to some faith that one day the conflict in the Middle East can end. I fear the alternative…
By: Franci on January 11, 2009
at 11:07 pm
Peace for All? Don’t you mean everyone except Israel?
Hamas broke the ceasefire long ago. Rockets fell on Israel during the entire six months of the ceasefire. In fact, some sources refer to the “lull” not a ceasefire. Yeah, because there weren’t as many rockets.
What was Israel supposed to do? Wait until Hamas does have the capability to do significant damage to Israel before they are permitted to defend themselves? No other country would be expected to do so.
I saw a sign that said “War will never bring peace” which is an utter lie. World War II brought peace. Sometimes war is necessary to bring peace.
By: Michele on January 11, 2009
at 11:26 pm
I didn’t see or hear anything criticizing Hamas for the rockets and mortars which have been fired on Israel almost daily for years.
Or criticizing Hamas for using the citizens of Gaza as human shields.
Or for booby-trapping schools.
By: Michele on January 11, 2009
at 11:40 pm
MJH — How, exactly, is Israel like Nazi Germany?
By: Michele on January 11, 2009
at 11:42 pm
I never said that Israel was like Nazi Germany.
I said that when people imply Israel is doing no wrong in killing innocent cilivilians, and it justifies this disproportionate loss of life, it risks the comparison by those who wish to exploit it.
I completely disagree with the statement that Israel is behaving like Nazi Germany. It is in no way the same and offends me deeply, but that does not mean I do not understand where this statement is coming from.
Being a Jew, a Jew who has been to Poland and seen the horrors of the Nazis first hand, I cannot accept ANY killing of innocent people, and it hurts me deeply to know that Israel is allowing this happen. Despite Israel’s right to self defense, I do not feel the extreme amount of lives that have been lost is justifiable. Even if Hamas uses their innocent citizens as shields, those people still have the right to live, and it upsets me greatly to see these lives lost.
By: MJH on January 12, 2009
at 12:04 am
Michele is too much didicated to what she gets from the media
i have nothing to say for a person as ignorant as your self
if you care that much about Israel you should learn more about how it came to being.
who is the good one and who is the bad one there if you do your research im sure you will get a better knowledge than what you have now which is based through corporate Mass Media
This war is not againest Islam or Jews its not againest Hamas or Israel
its a war which have been furtilized since second world war by USA,and UK Its them who are Using The Israeli govt and Making a Misunderstanding between the people of different faith, only for the sake of their own political reasons which would take years to explaine,
My Self as a Human being and citizen of this world i respect all the citizens of this world rich, poor, Muslim, Jew, christian, athiest i do not care what their personel belief is or what they do with their lives but what i care is that we are all human being and we should care for each other and dont let the politicians destroy our future and our historic common values that we all have been carried on for generations and centuries.
the problem with this century is that people are lacking to have good eduacation i am not sure if you have noticed but Muslims population makes 1/5 of this world and in the west we hardly hear or learn about them the only time we see somthing about them on the news i am sure 8 out of 10 times its a negative image that they want you to know about them so where you would be gething your education from
and talking about Middleast its a political problem and it has been since the past 6 decades, if we had one good leader in any side who could put all this away and let the palasenian live their lives and Israeli’s to live their lives we could have solved this long time ago but its something that the powerful nations want to take advantage from and never let it to be solved,
Comparing Hamas and Israel> Israel has the world’s fifth largest military force with whome im not sure any arabic country could ever think of gething involved where hamas do not even has a force , its just a bunch of angry people who don’t know any better way to show their anger toward Israeli aggression so they throw what ever they get at them,
Do you even know that Gaza is like a big prison in where the people of Gaza can not get any thing without Israels permission? so regardless your belief or back ground how would you react towards a situation like that
please be just and try to picture your self in there just for a moment without thinking about what you see in the media
The people of Gaza which are still consist of all the three major Religion Have been safuring Equally from Starvation thirst and Blood shed for quite awhile now So weigh your word before you spit it out.
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 12:38 am
MJH — What do you think Israel should do to stop the Hamas rockets and mortars?
By: Michele on January 12, 2009
at 12:50 am
Who broke the cease fire?
Watch this CNN report and you will Know the truth Michele.
It was Israel! and it is CNN!!!! that is saying that not the Palestinians.
Peace for all!
By: James on January 12, 2009
at 1:06 am
Sorry here is the link
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=KntmpoRXFX4
Peace for all
By: James on January 12, 2009
at 1:07 am
I do not know much about the conflict. I came to rally for peace. It was heart touching to listen to the refugee asking people to help him go home!
Peace for all
By: James on January 12, 2009
at 1:48 am
All the pro-palestine and hamas supporters, did you ever notice that we have to go through expensive and intensive security everytime we use an airport? Is that because Catholic Nuns or Buddist monks have blown up planes and killed many people over the years? Over 90% of terrorists acts AROUND THE WORLD are committed by muslims and the vast majority of the butchery is muslims killing muslims. Must have missed the march when innocent tourists just like us were murdered in Mumbai but I see the same leftist groups, the unions and other socialists now allied with muslims, continuing to attack our way of life.
Hamas and Islamic leaders call for the deaths of all, all Israelis then the Great Satan, the US and Canada will be next. Did you notice how Hamas shot Fatah supporters last week. These people live to die. How do you know how many people have been killed in Gaza as you seem to blindly accept their word?
Israel is not a totally innocent party in this but ask yourself a simple question. Do you believe there will be peace in the Middle East once the only democracy, Israel, is gone?
By: Dave on January 12, 2009
at 7:18 am
James: Hamas never honored the ceasefire. Rockets continued to be fired into Sderot throughout the time of the supposed ceasefire. Fewer than before but rockets just the same.
When Hamas stops attacking Israel, the IDF will leave Gaza.
By: Michele on January 12, 2009
at 7:40 am
I don’t believe that most of the protesters did their homework. Some people seem to have a strong opinion about everything. Especially subjects they know little about.
Only two Iranian made Hamas fired rockets in our direction so far today. Slow day. I think the last shipement from Tehran must have been delayed and they are running out of ammunition. You just can’t trust those Egyptian arms smugglers when you need them – they used to work for Canada Post.
Iggy, Downtown Beer-Sheva
By: Iggy on January 12, 2009
at 9:36 am
Well, if Canada Post is involved, I’m surprised that they have any rockets at all.
Thanks for the firsthand update Iggy. Stay safe.
By: Michele on January 12, 2009
at 9:42 am
http://nkusa.org/
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 6:38 pm
Hi Iggy i am Glad to finally hear somebody who is telling the truth, its half of the truth but at least there is some reality in to it so i would like to complete your paragraph as i mentioned it on my last post,
that the land, and the people of Israel is being used by USA and some European Countries for their interest where Iran is try to defend them Using the People of Palastine, and since Gaza is all blocked and even the Humanitarian Aid is being checked peice by peice by Israelies so i am not sure how Gaza might get any help from any one
but i am Certain about the Help which have recently been provided by USA and UK to The world’s 5th largest Millatry Power and if a state as powerfull as Israel needs help so why can’t Palastine.
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 6:48 pm
Nice bunch of Jew hating Jackals you have in Saskatoon. I’m ashamed you think of yourselves as Canadians. Perhaps the Muslims will devour you last.
By: BL@KBIRD on January 12, 2009
at 7:19 pm
We’ve deleted this comment. No plagiarism and no spam allowed. Use your own words or don’t use any.
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 8:14 pm
I vowed not to post again, as this blog is clearly biased (just check the links along the side…scary). Anyhow-Sudan’s e-mail made it through to my e-mail account and I think that person is at least trying to provide information. I think a few people following this blog are truly interested in information, while others are not open to seeing anything that contradicts their rigid beliefs. I hope this time that I can make this my last post and spend my time searching out objective data.
By: Franci on January 12, 2009
at 9:00 pm
since the article is not accepted here i urge all of you to please read this article at NY Times weather you hate or accept what is going on at Gaza
the title is
What You Don’t Know About Gaza
at the NewYork times
By RASHID KHALIDI, a professor of Arab studies at Columbia, is the author of the forthcoming “Sowing Crisis: The Cold War and American Dominance in the Middle East
Published: January 7, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/08/opinion/08khalidi.html
thanks for your time and concern, doesn’t matter which side you thing is the right one but as a human being we all should care for each others well being other wise there would be no difference between us humans and wild Animals who only think of them selve
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 9:05 pm
Oh Franci, you don’t need to be scared of us.
By the way … almost all blogs are biased since they are the opinion of the author(s).
By: Michele on January 12, 2009
at 10:07 pm
sorry to have wrote Sudan by error instead of Sultan. I found the religionofpeace link biased, offensive and it saddens and scares me that people can have such rigid ideas out there-be it anti-Semitism or to have a site like that that lumps all people of Islamic faith into one category. The racism and hatred reflected on the Internet in various places is truly frightening. People who think with such narrow views and hold on to such hatred scare me…so some of the writing on this blog comes across that way and I am done.
By: Franci on January 12, 2009
at 10:40 pm
ITs okey Franci,
I am Disturbed as well but the Reality is that the Mass Media is curropted and its the Media which promotes the hatred and unfortunately for some people the Media is the only source where they get their knowledge and ideas because either the west don’t know how to teach about the east or they just don’t want to but what ever the case might be the people have been drowned in the ocean of ignorance, the shows that they get in the media, that is all they know, but they even lack to find the source through which that show has been Directed & produced.
By: SULTAN on January 12, 2009
at 11:16 pm
This will be my last comment too! I support Franci with every word she/he said.
It is very important for us to try and be part of the solution in stead of expressing our biased opinions one way or another. Everybody who worte a comment today was opinionated and that is his/her right. However, let us not forget that it was the suffering on both sides that caused the violence.
Our role as “opinionated but educated people” is to look at what the other side has to say and try to see if we could meet at the middle.
It was not Hamas that broke the cease fire Michele. I hope you at least admit that after watching the video and advocate peace on both sides. The response of Israel was, and is still, extremely dispropotinate.
Peace for all
By: James on January 12, 2009
at 11:27 pm
Looks like the usual medley of leftists, Jew-haters, Islamists and Useful Idiots that one sees at most “pro-peace” rallies in Western centres. Not quite the psychopathy that one saw in Toronto or LA, thank goodness. Good reportage, michele. It is only unfortunate that more commenters here have not read the HAMAS “Charter”, and do not understand the dar al-Islam v dar al-harb dichotomy that is a central tenet of Islam. ME Peace? Absolutely impossible as long as IL remains a Jewish state.
By: Eric Downs on January 14, 2009
at 12:25 pm
Wow. Just WOW. Looks like Saskatoon is as infested with left wing moonbats as Berkeley or Boulder.
Interesting to see how many Jews are self-deluding fools.
Meeting in the middle? What part of “Die, Jew. Die!” do you jackasses do not understand? “Peace on both sides”? What a truly idiotic thing to say.
There will be no peace until Muslims stop killing Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, and each other.
Come on “Sultan”, stop saying “mass media”. Say what you really think: media dominated by hook-nosed, baby-killing, blood-drinking Zionist Jews.
You know you want to.
By: Armando A on January 14, 2009
at 12:33 pm
well Armando
just to clearify with you i have nothing against Jew but there is a difference between Zionist and jews even , but if you try to get in to the root of problem its not about any of them it all ends up about money and oil so that was not what i wanted to say all i am saying is that the Current systems including media is puting our future generations in danger.
we all have seen enough of blood shed killings and Violence from all sides regardles of their religios beliefs but if we dont come together with a commong understanding of humanity someday our children will have to pay for it.
By: SULTAN on January 14, 2009
at 6:36 pm
Here I ago again, saying this is it…I am only responding to encourage Sultan to quit reading this crap too…as I have tried to do (will have to unsubscribe…-go ahead and take me off Michelle). The last 2 blogs before Sultan’s were so offensive I feel ill even thinking about them…this blog is not about opinion, but has elements of racism, hatred and ignorance-As a Jew, I am deeply offended to be called a Jew-Hater and if you check out the things before this blog on a different topic as well as links to the side, one can see the mentality of the people who communicate on it, with a few exceptions. I have been encouraged by others I have sent this to (other Jews, other intelligent people) to ignore this blog-it’s only a few people and insignificant. What’s sad is I don’t think it’s insignificant, as it reflects the level of hatred out there and funny I don’t see that hatred being towards Jews. To be against the actions of the Israeli government does not make one anti-Israel or a Jew-hater. If you check the real world there are Jews all over the world including Israel who are appalled at what is going on-yes, they want the rockets to stop being shot over to Israel, but the response is inhumane and out of proportion. It’s not worth going over any of that here, as the majority of people are so one sided and narrow minded to see peace as possible, the Palestinians as deserving to live and as deserving of a homeland too. I find it pretty funny for people to congratulate Michelle on her reporting of things from a distance and out of town-did any of your read the Star Phoenix or look at that photo-yes Michelle, the one poster with peace in Hebrew, English and Arabic is actually on the front page peaking out but the English and Hebrew is pretty clear-not sure you know Hebrew though, so in fairness to you, perhaps that’s why you missed it. I suspect you do know Hebrew. Sultan-I may have met you in some other place and if not would hope to communicate some day-you sound intelligent, and compassionate. I am sad about what’s going on but more sad to see the hatred in this world.
By: Franci on January 14, 2009
at 9:55 pm
HI Franci
Thanks for your encouragement as i have been feed up with all this as well,
we should not turn our back againest it but at the same time there is nothing we could do except to educate our selves better.
i Don’t think if we have met, but i would like that too, to communicate with you, some time some where just off of here as im hoping to make it my last one hopfully i could get my hands off not to post any more. but any ways once again Thanks and Good luck to you and lets all pray and hope for the best of all
By: SULTAN on January 15, 2009
at 12:06 am
Franci — You’re not subscribed to this. No one is making you read this or post here.
I did read the Star Phoenix article and I did see the poster you mentioned. It was small which is probably why I missed it. Did you notice that the author of the article seems to think that Gaza and the West Bank are the same place? I’ve thought of sending him a map.
Why do you think I read Hebrew?
I have another question for you. What do you think Israel should do in order to stop Hamas from firing rockets and mortars towards Israeli towns?
By: Michele on January 15, 2009
at 12:34 am
Also, I don’t think anyone called you a Jew-hater. Eric gave a list … based on what you’ve posted here I would call you a leftist and maybe a useful idiot (that’s someone conveniently used by the Islamists to appear multicultural and less extremist). Not calling you an idiot per se … just suggesting that you picked the wrong name to be offended by.
By: Michele on January 15, 2009
at 12:39 am
HAy Michelle
sorry you have asked me that question too but i couldn’t get back to you,
the answer is this to let their border open, all this conflict from palestinian i believe is for the border closure and blockage by Israeli. but at the same time israel fears that they might get support if their border is open so to give one suggesstion i think its for the best of all the world to announce the two seperated state and get rid of Hammas once and for all, it might seems that its hard to get rid of them but i dont think so if they call Palestine and Israel INdependant and run an ellection im sure we can get a better government in Palestine as well who then can live peacefully among their neighbours as well they might be respected by Israel too.
but if the world leaders do not do that. doesnt matter how hard they control the borders and bomb Gaza still its hard to get rid of Hammas because there is some countries in the world who does any thing to start a war/ battle among the nations and enjoys to see people get killed
i don’t mean USA or UK because they have been known in history for designing conflicts, but im refering to Iran
i hope i answered you question
By: SULTAN on January 15, 2009
at 7:23 am
To open the border is to open the flood gates to Hamas trained and brainwashed suicide bombers. Since the security border went up, there have been no more suicide bombers in Israeli cafes. Note that Egypt has also closed its borders. No one here has provided a solution to this conflict – Hamas must be destroyed. How are you going to do it? And to franci, you are not subscribed to anything…
Have any of you read the Hamas charter? That is hate.
“Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it.” (The Martyr, Imam Hassan al-Banna, of blessed memory).
“The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. ”
“There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors.”
“After Palestine, the Zionists aspire to expand from the Nile to the Euphrates. When they will have digested the region they overtook, they will aspire to further expansion, and so on. Their plan is embodied in the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion”, and their present conduct is the best proof of what we are saying.”
Moreover, if the links have been distant from each other and if obstacles, placed by those who are the lackeys of Zionism in the way of the fighters obstructed the continuation of the struggle, the Islamic Resistance Movement aspires to the realisation of Allah’s promise, no matter how long that should take. The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him salvation, has said:
“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews), when the Jew will hide behind stones and trees. The stones and trees will say O Muslims, O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him. Only the Gharkad tree, would not do that because it is one of the trees of the Jews.” (related by al-Bukhari and Muslim).
more here: http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm
By: crazybengal on January 15, 2009
at 8:06 am
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By: Hopenchange Guesstimate « Because No One Asked on January 22, 2009
at 10:28 pm