The Middle East

Israel Considering Escalated Response to Hamas in Gaza

By Emily Schneider
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

 

JERUSALEM, Israel – Border clashes in Gaza are ongoing this week and Israel’s Prime Minister warned that Israel was “prepared to escalate” its response.

Trails of smoke in the sky after the launch of rockets from the northern Gaza strip towards Israel on November 11, 2012. (Photo courtesy of Rueters)

Six Palestinians have been killed and over twenty injured in the recent clashes between Israel and the Gaza strip. Four Israeli soldiers on an army patrol were also wounded. Tuesday, a 13-year-old Palestinian boy was killed in a clash between Palestinian and Israeli forces.

According to Israeli sources, over fifty rockets were fired from Gaza into or towards Israeli cities since last Saturday. Israeli schools near the border have been closed and people are being told to stay inside and be at the ready to proceed to bomb shelters if need be.

Hamas officials claim that Israel had fired at a funeral in Shijaia, near Gaza city, and five funeral attendees had died as a result. A suspected Islamic Jihadist was killed in a separate Israeli strike.

A statement by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) said, “The Hamas terror organization is solely responsible for any terrorist activity emanating from the Gaza Strip.

“The IDF will not tolerate any attempt to harm Israeli civilians, and will operate against anyone who uses terror against the state of Israel,” it added.

Hamas militants are just as perturbed about the recent attacks on citizens. They issued their own statement via a text message to the AFP, saying, “Targeting civilians is a dangerous escalation that cannot be tolerated. The resistance has the full right to respond to the Israeli crimes.”

Interior Minister Eli Yishai on Tuesday called on the UN and the international community to take immediate action to stop rocket fire from Gaza, before Israel was forced to respond to the attacks to protect its citizens.

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Yishai said, “before Israel determines the timing and strength of its response, I request your immediate intervention to deter and stop the terrorist activity of the decision-makers in Gaza.

Israel’s Prime Minister is also trying to end the violence before it gets any worse. Benjamin Netanyahu said, “The world must realize that Israel won’t sit by idly in the face of attempts to attack us. We are prepared to escalate our actions.”

Netanyahu met with his security cabinet Tuesday to discuss options, after the Israeli Air Force hit three targets overnight. Targeted killings of Hamas commanders in Gaza is one of the options being considered.

The last large-scale operation by Israel in the Gaza strip was in the winter of 2008-2009. It is unclear whether a similar operation is being considered now, but if it is, it could strain already tense relations with neighboring Egypt.

 

For further information, please see:

Israel National News – Youth Take to Streets, ‘Don’t be Scared, Hit Gaza Terrorists’ – 13 Nov. 2012

JPost – Peres: Gaza Will Only Achieve Normalcy if Rockets Stop – 13 Nov. 2012

BBC – Gaza: Palestinians Killed and Israeli Soldiers Injured – 11 Nov. 2012

Rueters – Israel Says May Escalate as Hamas Joins Gaza Clashes – 11 Nov. 2012

 

New Syrian Coalition Recognized by GCC

By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria — Last Monday, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), comprised of six Gulf states, decided to recognize the National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces (NCORF) as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people.

Syria’s newly formed coalition of rebels were recognized by the Gulf Cooperation Council as Syria’s legitimate representative. (Photo Courtesy of Al Arabiya)

The move is welcomed by both Western and Arab enemies of President Bashar Al-Assad, who hope that the recognition will finally unify “a fractious and ineffective opposition.”  Washington said it would back the coalition “as it charts a course toward the end of Assad’s bloody rule and the start of the peaceful, just, democratic future.”

“The states of the council announce recognizing the NCORF… as the legitimate representative of the brother Syrian people,” GCC Chief Abdullatif Al-Zayani said in a statement last Monday.  He also said that he hoped the move creates “a general national congress to pave the way to build a state ruled by law and open to all its citizens.”

The Arab League, who suspended Syria’s membership a year ago, recently granted the NCORF ” observer status, hesitating to recognize the coalition as Syria’s sole representative.  Even though this means that the Arab League does not yet fully recognize the NCORF as the Syrian leadership, Al Jazeera reporter Jacky Rowland said that the “observer status is a good step.”

Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs believes that the NCORF having full recognition by the GCC is beneficial for it, since it removes any obstacles in the coalition’s attempts to secure arms for rebel fighters.  Mouaz Al-Khatib, the coalition’s newly recognized leader, says that it had already received promises of weapons, but did not say from whom.

Al-Khatib, a former imam, was unanimously elected by the NCORF to lead it.  In a recent address, he called for unity between various sectarian and ethnic groups, saying “[w]e demand freedom for every Sunni, Alawi, Ismaili, Christian, Druze, Assyrian… and rights for all parts of the harmonious Syrian people.”

Hezbollah, head of Lebanon’s Shiite group and a key ally of Assad, criticized the coalition’s recognition as a “U.S. invention whose refusal to negotiate would only lead to more destruction.”

Meanwhile, Israel reported that its military tanks took “direct hits” by Syrian artillery units after an area near an Israeli army post was hit by Syrian mortar shells on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights for the second consecutive day.  Also, A Syrian government aircraft bombed the town of Ras Al-Ahn, an opposition stronghold located on the border of Turkey.  Civilians were seen fleeing across the border to the Turkish settlement of Ceylanpinar.  NATO has assured Turkey that it will “do what it takes to protect Turkey.”

For further information, please see:

Al Arabiya — Arab League Recognizes Syria’s new Opposition Bloc — 12 November 2012

Al Jazeera — GCC Recognizes new Syrian Opposition Bloc — 12 November 2012

BBC News — Syria Crisis: Gulf States Recognize Syria Opposition — 12 November 2012

Reuters — New Syria Opposition Seeks Recognition; Israel Fires from Golan — 12 November 2012

Times of Israel — A Syrian Coalition is Born — 12 November 2012

Israel Fires Warning Shots into Syria

By Emily Schneider
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

JERUSALEM, Israel – For the first time since the Yom Kippur war in 1973, Israel has fired on Syrian forces. Israeli officials say they fired warning shots into Syria this weekend after a mortar round from Syria hit an Israeli vehicle in the Golan Heights.

Smoke rises after shells exploded in the Syrian village of Bariqa, close to the ceasefire line between Israel and Syria, near Alonei Habashan on the Israeli occupied Golan Heights November 7, 2012. (Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Baz Ratner)

Last week, the Israeli forces claimed that three Syrian tanks entered the demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries. It was believed they were attacking rebel fighters in the area. Israel filed a complaint with the UN peacekeeping force and military chief of staff Benny Gantz visited the Golan Heights area in response. He warned the troops in the area to be on high alert and to make every effort to discourage the overflow of Syrian violence.

Activists in Syria near the Golan Heights have reported Syrian troop movement in the area in recent days. BBC Beirut correspondent Jim Muir likened the situation to that between Turkey and Syria at the border.

On Saturday, the IDF posted a statement on their website that said the mortar shell hit an IDF post in the Golan Heights adjacent to the Israel-Syria border, as part of the internal conflict inside Syria.” Although no damage or injuries were reported, “IDF soldiers fired warning shots towards Syrian areas” in response.

The mortar shot hit an Israeli outpost in the Golan Heights, an area that is currently occupied by Israel. The Golan Heights is a rocky area with strategic significance. Israel seized the area from Syria near the end of the Six Day War in 1967. Israel repelled an attack in 1973 by Syria, who was trying to regain the area.

Although Syria and Israel are still formally at war, they signed an armistice in 1974 and an UN force has patrolled the buffer zone since then. Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, but that annexation was not recognized internationally.

Following this latest incident, the Israel Defense Forces filed a complaint through the UN forces patrolling the buffer zone, stating that overflow of mortar fire from Syria into Israel and its occupied territory will not be tolerated and Israel “shall be responded to with severity.”

Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated that point, saying “additional shelling into Israel from Syria will elicit a tougher response, exacting a higher price from Syria.”

The UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, called for restraint from both countries on Sunday. Ban’s office said,  “the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the potential for escalation. He calls for the utmost restraint and urges Syria and Israel to uphold the Disengagement Agreement, respect their mutual obligations, and halt firing of any kind across the ceasefire line.”

 

For further information, please see:

Aljazeera – Israeli Army Fires ‘Warning Shots’ at Syria – 11 Nov. 2012

BBC- Israel Fires Warning Shots ‘After Mortar Strike’ – 11 Nov. 2012

Israel National News – IDF Fires Back at Syria – 11 Nov. 2012

JPost – UN Urges Restraint From Israel, Syria After Shelling – 11 Nov. 2012

 

Conservative Muslims Congregate in Tahrir Square, Calling for Constitutional Reform

By Justin Dorman
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

CAIRO, Egypt – Ever since the removal of Mubarak in February 2011 and the installation of Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi as President, there has been great dispute among the public as to what role religion should play in Egypt’s constitution. Both the Islamic liberal/Coptic Christian and Islamic conservative sides of the debate have been demonstrating regularly in Egypt’s capital. The most recent demonstration was held the other day when 10,000 conservative muslims congregated in Tahrir Square to call for Shari’a law.

Conservative muslims flock to the capital to demand a stricter drafting of their constitution’s second amendment. (Photo Courtesy of Al Jazeera)

While neither the Muslim Brotherhood nor the ultraconservative Al-Nour party backed the protest, many of their followers and other Salafi groups showed up to demonstrate. The main groups which organized the rally were the Gama’a Islamiya and the Salafi Front. The current stance of the Muslim Brotherhood is to introduce Shari’a law gradually, however, the other Salafi groups want to see more immediate change.

At the heart of this political/religious conflict is the wording of the second amendment of Egypt’s constitution. Under the previous constitution, the second amendment stated that the basis of legislation would be rooted in the “principles of Islamic Shari’a.” Conservatives believe that this is far too broad. They seek the amendment to state that the basis of the law will be “the rulings of Shari’a.” To a Salafi like Mahmoud, “[h]aving the principles of Shari’a included is the same as not having Shari’a at all.”

Those like Mahmoud want to be governed by their own religion, and nothing else. They chanted in the streets that, “[t]he people want God’s law applied.” They believe that Shari’a law will benefit all people, even non-muslims. Hassan Abdel-Hamid, a resident of small town near Alexandria, believes it is good because it will help protect women. He claims that if ruled by true Shari’a law, no parents should fear for their daughters’ safety because anyone who would harass a woman would end up facing Shari’a punishment. The spokesman for the Salafi Front, Khaled Saeed points out that Shari’a already allows for non-Muslims to have the freedom to decide between their own legislation and Islamic law. This would still guarantee that Coptic Christians could use their own religious practices for marriage and divorce.

Newly elected Coptic pope, Tawadros II is adamantly against any constitution that is overtly religious. Coptic Christians make up approximately 10% of the population and completely reject the Salafi demand for full Shari’a implementation. Secular and liberal individuals also greatly favor the original wording of the second amendment which simply appeals to the broad tenets of Islam.

A constitutional assembly, charged with creating the new constitution, failed earlier this year and was dissolved by court order. The secular and liberal members removed themselves from the body after claiming that “Islamists were trying to dominate the process.” A second assembly has been formed, however, the same problems still remain, and liberals again are threatening to walk out.

For further information, please see:

Al Jazeera – Egypt’s Ultraconservatives Demand Islamic Law – 9 November 2012

CNN – Salafis Call for Islamic Law in Egypt Protest – 9 November 2012

Daily News Egypt – Thousands of Protesters in Tahrir Call for Shari’a Law – 9 November 2012

Egypt Independent – Salafi Front to Join Friday’s Pro-Sharia Protest – 8 November 2012

Red Cross “Can’t Cope” with Syria Situation

By Emily Schneider
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

DAMASCUS, Syria – The International Red Cross says it “can’t cope” with the situation in Syria any longer. Yet, President Assad still refuses to leave in spite of urgings from the UK prime minister.

ICRC workers hand out aid materials in Syria. (Photo courtesy of ICRC)

“The humanitarian situation is getting worse despite the scope of the operation increasing,” said Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The ICRC has worked extensively to bring relief to victims of the Syrian conflict, but it hasn’t been easy. Because of the daily uncertainties of the conflict, the ICRC must continuously react to the needs of victims only after attacks. This makes it nearly impossible to keep a set plan or organize efficiently.

Further, there are still areas of the country that are impossible to reach. Aleppo, for instance, has seen a great increase in violence in the recent months but the ICRC has been unable to coordinate any aid there. Homs, another city hit hard by violence, is only open to the ICRC in certain districts. The ICRC was finally able to reach people in those districts last week, which Mr. Maurer said was a major success.

Other problems, like the diversion of foreign medical supplies to government forces, are rumored to be happening on a daily basis. A Syrian medical group claimed this week that 95% of foreign medical supplies actually fall into the hands of government officials. The ICRC says that this statement is so far unsubstantiated.

In spite of the crumbling humanitarian situation in his country, President Assad refuses to leave or allow foreign troops into the country.

“I am not a puppet, I wasn’t made by the West. I’m Syrian… and I have to live and die in Syria,” Mr Assad told the Russia Today TV channel. He warned that if Syria were to be invaded by foreign troops “the price would be too big” for the rest of the world.

“If we have a problem in Syria – and we are the last stronghold of secularism, stability and co-existence in the region – it will have a domino effect from the Atlantic to the Pacific,” he said.  Although he claims he does not believe the West would invade, added: “If they do so, nobody can tell what’s (going to happen) next.”

The inability of the ICRC to cope with the worsening situation in Syria and President Assad’s refusal to leave come at an opportune time for the Syrian opposition forces, who are reportedly meeting in Doha to discuss uniting under a new, unified leadership.

For further information, please see:

BBC – Red Cross Says it Cannot Cope with Syria Emergency – 8 Nov. 2012

Gulf News – Al Assad: I Will Live and Die in Syria – 8 Nov. 2012

Khaleej Times – Can’t Cope with Syria Crisis: Red Cross – 8 Nov. 2012

Gulf News – Syria’s Divided Opposition Factions Gather for Talks – 5 Nov. 2012