Another No-Peace Ceasefire

by Stephen Lendman

What goes around, comes around. It's just a matter of time. Israel deplores peace. Its entire history reflects conflict.

Its premeditated aggression follows relative calm followed by ceasefires followed by more conflict.

The pattern repeats with disturbing regularity. It's been this way for decades. It's no different this time. Believing otherwise is pure fantasy.

It bears repeating what previous articles stressed. Israeli agreements aren't worth the paper they're written on. They never were. For sure not now.

Israeli promises are made to be broken. Israeli policy is all take and no give. It's militantly racist.

It prioritizes confrontation over diplomacy. It believes in strength through militarism, intimidation, naked aggression, colonization, occupation and apartheid.

It's ideologically over-the-top. It's a monster threatening Jews and non-Jews alike.

It ignores core rule of law principles. It treats Palestinians like subhumans. It treats Arab citizens like fifth column threats.

Joel Kovel correctly calls Israel "a machine for the manufacture of human rights abuses."

It commits virtually every crime imaginable and then some. It blames victims for its own wrongdoing.

It deplores peace. It prioritizes conflict and instability. It commits genocidal mass murder with impunity.

Its 50-day Operation Protective Edge murdered over 2,100 Gazans. It injured over 11,000 others. It left large parts of the Strip in ruins.

It bombs, shells, invades, mass murders and ravages whenever it wishes. It does so for any reason or none at all.

At around 8:40PM local time Tuesday, longtime Israeli collaborator Mahmoud Abbas announced another ceasefire.

It's open-ended. According to an unnamed Israeli official, it's "unlimited in time." It was effective at 7:00PM local time.

"We confirm complete appreciation to the Egyptian efforts which started long ago seeking to satisfy all sides," said Abbas.

"Qatar also played a role in that. We also would like to mention that (US Secretary of State John) Kerry was also in touch with us for the same purpose and so we thank all those who played roles."

"We discussed several necessary things with Hamas leaders in Qatar in order to enable the national consensus government to do its job."

"During these 50 days or more, we exerted every effort to provide our people with the supplies they needed."

"Some supplies were from us and others from our friends. But still this isn't enough."

"People in Gaza need a lot more. Quick support is needed to try and heal the wound which was inflicted on Gaza."

"The question is now 'What's next?' Gaza suffered three wars and are we expecting another one?"

"We will consult friends and the international community, and we can't continue with 'cloudy negotiations.' "

Fact: It bears repeating. Abbas is a longtime Israeli collaborator.

Fact: He's Israel's enforcer.

Fact: He betrays his own people.

Fact: He works against their fundamental interests.

Fact: He's a Palestinian Judas.

Fact: Throughout 50 days of conflict, he failed to condemn premeditated Israeli genocidal aggression.

Fact: He did pathetically little to help beleaguered Gazans.

Fact: He agreed to another no-peace ceasefire.

Fact: He did so for generous benefits he derives.

Hamas political deputy chief Mousa Abu Mrzouq Twittered:

"Talks have ended. We have reached understandings crowning our people's steadfastness and our resistance's triumph."

"We are awaiting a statement setting the zero point and end to the aggression."

Israel and Egypt agreed to open border crossings. According to an Egyptian Foreign Ministry statement:

Both sides agreed to the "simultaneous opening of the border crossings between Israel and Gaza to enable the rapid entry of humanitarian aid...and reconstruction supplies."

They can be closed any time either government chooses separately or together. It happened many times before.

Coastal fishing waters are extended to six nautical miles, effective immediately. They'll be gradually increased to 12 nautical miles by end of 2014.

A monitoring mechanism will ensure that concrete and cement go solely for civilian purposes.

According to one of its senior officials, Israel won't let Hamas "rebuild its military machine."

Israel allegedly agreed to halt targeted assassinations. Days earlier, Netanyahu compared Hamas to ISIS.

"We have not given up on our goal to overthrow (it) and its leadership," he said. They're legitimate targets, he added.

He wants Gaza demilitarized. He wants it defenseless against certain future Israeli onslaughts.

Indirect negotiations between both sides on issues mattering most will begin within one month after ceasefire begins.

Half of Israel's security cabinet opposes any ceasefire agreement. Economy Minister Naftali Bennett, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Public Security Minister Yitzhak Aharonovitch and others want Hamas and other resistance groups entirely crushed.

Netanyahu reportedly approved the ceasefire with no formal cabinet vote.

Justice Minister Tzipi Livni said "Hamas can't be given any concessions or political achievements. Everyone has to realize that (it) has not achieved anything."

Over half a million Gazans are displaced. Many lost their homes, possessions and loved ones. Who'll aid them during their time of need?

Who'll provide food, clean water, shelter, clothing, medical care and other essentials longterm until their lives regain normality?

Who'll hold Israel accountable for genocidal mass murder and destruction? Who'll hold it responsible the next time it commits premeditated aggression?

Who'll bring back lost loved ones? Who'll demand Palestinians be treated equally to Jews? Who'll afford them long denied justice?

How long will it be before Israel again goes on the rampage? It's just a matter of time!

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

His new book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."

http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html

Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com.

Listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network.

It airs three times weekly: live on Sundays at 1PM Central time plus two prerecorded archived programs.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour