BBC: Israel rules out talks with Hamas

[BooScout]

"The election of Hamas is creating a "terrorist authority" in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Israel's acting prime minister has said.
Speaking at Israel's first cabinet meeting since Hamas MPs were sworn in, Mr Olmert ruled out contact with the militant group and asked for sanctions.

Israel would allow humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinians, Mr Olmert said.

The cabinet is expected to block the monthly transfer of about $50m (£28m) in customs revenues due to the PA.

"It is clear that given the Hamas majority in the Palestinian parliament and the fact that the role of forming a government has been given to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority is effectively becoming a terrorist authority," Mr Olmert said. "

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4729000.stm

[BooScout]

1. This was breaking news....

I just watched the BBC break it live. The Cabinet just adjorned. If I had meant it for this forum I would have put it here. Jeeeze. Just delete it then.

[Nothing Without Hope]

3. Was this post moved? It belongs in LBN or GD. This is of world

signficance and it WILL NOT BE SEEN in this "closet" forum.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Yup...it was moved!

Maybe because of this...

"7. Discussion of Israeli/Palestinian issues is not permitted in the Latest Breaking News forum, and instead must be posted in the Israeli/Palestinian Affairs forum. If, however, the news item is primarily about U.S. policy in Israeli/Palestinian affairs, you may post it in the Latest Breaking News forum." source

A "closet" forum? Posts here show up on the main page, any member/non-member can read this forum, and even non-donors can post here. Maybe you have ulterior motives for wanting it to be elsewhere? :shrug:

[BooScout]

9. US policy....

...could well be affected by such a vote......of course since it's not going to be discussed on the LBN not many will discuss whether it could or should be changed.

I do have motives for having it on LBN.....I want the issue discussed not buried. What's your own motive for wanting it here?

[Behind the Aegis]

12. Could be...

But that isn't the rule of posting in LBN.

You have motives. What would those be?

I am not a creator/administrator of this site or a moderator, I have no motive in wanting it here.

[BooScout]

15. Oh yes it is....

If it affects US policy it can be put on LBN. You questioned my motives......I'm merely questioning yours back. Frankly I didn't much care for your innuendo, which was blatent.

[Behind the Aegis]

20. read post 6 again.

It wasn't a reply to you. So, you questioned my motives first and I merely questioned you back. So, the only innuendo here is yours, based on a false assumption. Again, see post #6. In the top right hand corner it will show to which post I was replying...click on it...that isn't your user name.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. do see post #6...n/t

[TomClash]

13. Yes, DU feels it is necessary

to cage the animals.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. which animals?! n/t

[TomClash]

17. I'll make an exception to my rule

and reply to your post.

Anyone who posts in this forum. We're like caged animals. Metaphorically of course.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. I'd like to find out more about this customs revenue collection...

Like is there a reason why Israel should still collect the revenue if it's going to refuse to transfer it to the PA. Also, I know that agreement about the revenue collection was agreed to in the Oslo Accords, so much as Abbas is asking Hamas to honour all previous agreements, so should the Israeli govt...

Violet...

[TomClash]

11. This type of problem was supposed

to be addressed by the Coordination and Cooperation Committee.

Of course, Hamas does not recognize Oslo and, in reality, neither does Israel. So much for that.

[Burning Water]

18. But if Hamas

doesn't, they shouldn't reap the benefits, and Israel is released from their obligations.

[Nothing Without Hope]

4. DAMMIT!!!! I can't even VOTE for thsi thread in this censored forum!!!

No one will see it. It might as well be buried 6 feet deep.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Unfamiliar with DU rules?

You have been here for 2 years, I would think you know what the posting rules are.

I find it amusing that there are those of you that bitch and moan about things being placed in I/P, despite the fact that anyone, no star needed, can post and read here.

[BooScout]

8. Is it a rule or censorship?

Frankly I think the rule smacks of censorship. By placing posts like this in a forum stuck in a corner no one sees it and it cannot be discussed.


Such a vote by the Israeli Cabinet could cause policy changes in how the US as well as the EU deal with Israel.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. Think what you like.

I can't see how it is censorship because, as I have said, anyone can read this forum, member or not, and any DU'er can post here, donor or not.

The rule is not about what may affect policy, but what is out policy.

If you feel so strongly about this "injustice," contact the administration and see if you can get the rule changed.

[BooScout]

16. Why bother?

Apparently if it's not about Dick Cheney shooting people it's not news in the US.

The current situation following Hamas being elected to power is going to affect the entire mid-east region....but what the hey....it's not really NEWS.

[truth2power]

19. Exactly. The Hamas issue is going to affect

the entire mid-east region. Seems like it would be important to discuss, before it gets to the point of hurling missiles at one another. Just MHO, of course. Your motive for putting it in LBN seemed clearly stated, to me. You wanted it discussed and not buried.

[Nothing Without Hope]

21. Of course it's censorship. Many people only read threads on the

Greatest and/or Home Pages. You cannot vote for a thread in this forum - try it and and see. You'll get an error message that says you can't vote for a thread in this forum. So no matter how important and globally significant the thread, it cannot be seen - EVER - on the Greatest Page. And I doubt they've ever chosen a thread from this forum for the Home Page.

So the vast majority of DU readers will never see this thread or any of the others that have been dumped here, stripped off the Greatest Page, and left to molder into total invisibility.

Censorship at DU, bastion of democracy and free speech? Damn right it is.