RPS STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ASSAD STOMPERS OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS

[shira]

Washington DC, June 5, 2011. The Reform Party of Syria has learned today, from intelligence sources close to the Assad regime in Lebanon, that Syrians storming through the Golan Height next to the Quneitra crossing are Syrian farmers who have migrated in recent years from the drought-stricken northeast Syria to the south. Estimates put the number at 250,000 impoverished migrants.

Information received cite the regime has paid hundreds of these farmers $1,000 each to show-up and $10,000 to their families should any of them succumb to Israeli fire. In Syria, an average salary is about $200 a month and to these impoverished farmers, such a one-time sum can keep them economically afloat for six months.

Such tactic was used in the past by another defunct Ba'ath Party in Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, to pay Intifada-driven Palestinians the sum of $25,000 to their next-of-kin should they die throwing stones. That measure had a worldwide impact and it seems the Assad regime is using the same play from a twin playbook.

It is obvious, with this action, Assad wants to divert the attention of the world away from his own massacres and brutality that resulted in some 70 deaths yesterday and about 30 today in Jisr al-Shoghour. RPS expects, on the basis of today's success, for these operations of incursions to multiply in scope in the near future for two reasons: 1) Divert the attention away from Assad's barbarism and savageries, and 2) Stand tall again in the eyes of the regime's supporters whose morale has taken quite a beating the last 3 months because of the violence perpetrated by Assad against unarmed civilians.

more...
http://reformsyria.org/syrian-opposition/rps-statement-concerning-the-assad-stompers-of-the-golan-heights

[Kurska]

1. If true, it would make these men soldiers under the pay of the Syrian regime.

I'm not saying it is true though. If true it is also incredible sad and I very much feel for these men.

[JDPriestly]

2. Interesting.

[leveymg]

3. Take with a giant pillar of salt.

The reference to Iraq (and the hope of another US military intervention) are still probably delusional.

[bemildred]

4. Wierd site. nt

[provis99]

5. these guys are based in Washington.

I gather they are about as credible as the pro-Shah Iranians in America.

[Eagle Mall]

6. I guess they deserved to be shot, huh?

They weren't even armed.

What were they going to do, take Israel via hand-to-hand combat?

Just another feather in the cap of an oppressive regime.

[henank]

7. If you infiltrate the border of an enemy country

you can expect to be shot. Israel gave plenty of warning in advance to the Arab leaders, shouted warnings in Arabic at the infiltrators, and shot in the air and then at their legs. Shooting them dead, if that indeed happened, was a last resort after all warnings were ignored. It makes no difference if they are armed or not. I would challenge you to try and infiltrate the US-Mexico border, ignoring all warnings. If you are alive at the end of your escapade, report your experiences back here to us.

If Israel was determined to massacre the infiltrators you can be sure there would have been a lot more dead than the 20 or so that are claimed by Syrian TV. There has been anyway no independent confirmation of the number of dead.

[parkia00]

10. That happens everyday.

I don't read about the US Border Patrol shooting masses of Mexicans. I think I would have read about it.

[henank]

12. Masses of Mexicans are not sent

by their government to depose the government of the USA or to try and capture American towns. Mexico is also not in a state of war with the US. Mexico does not bribe its citizens to invade the American border like teh Syrians and Hezbollah did with Syrian and Lebanese citizens.

Furthermore the number of Syrian casualties is highly suspect given that the IDF report that they used very few live bullets. It couldn't be that Assad is trying to use Israel as a distraction from his own crimes against his own people?...

Nah, couldn't be! :sarcasm:

[azurnoir]

14. these protestors were on Syrian soil when killed

The US investigates its border shootings

http://www.kvia.com/news/23829118/detail.html

[parkia00]

18. Certainly looks like it No?

Very likely the Assad regime stirred up trouble to divert attention from their own problem. And they always find such an eager partner in Israel which is fully predictable and very reliable in their response.

Masses of Mexicans are not sent by the Mexican government but the masses are still there. They still cross. Everyday. Imagine if US Border Guards positioned on the US side of the Rio Grande take pot shots at Mexicans that strayed too close to the Mexican side of the river. It's a bit ridiculous really. If Israel wants to improve it's image the sensible thing to do is to create a no man's land between the two borders so they don't have to shoot into another country if people come too close. But that would require thinking out of the box.

[henank]

24. I repeat:

Mexico is not at war with America. Mexicans are not out to kill Americans. In your opinion should Israel not react when its borders are invaded, purely not to give a political advantage to Assad? Should Israel allow itself to commit suicide to show that Assad is bad? Your idea is impractical, not to mention idiotic.

And again, I repeat ad nauseum: Israel warned the Arab leaders in advance not to allow the protestors to approach the border. It's funny how Hezbollah managed to take in the warning. It's funny how Hamas took in the warning. Only Syria managed to somehow miss the warning. Actually, we know they didn't miss the warning. They paid the rioters to join in. See my #12 and Shira's #9 on this thread.

Israel's aim is not to "improve its image". That's a lost cause with the way the media is biased and incites against Israel, not to mention the built-in prejudice with an automatic anti-Israel majority at the UN and its institutions. Israel and the IDF's aim is to protect its citizens and defend its borders, and they did this very well. If you are told by a well-armed army not to approach, then duh, don't approach or take the consequences.

No man's land - ah yes - that no man's land where the protestors lit fires by throwing Molotov cocktails, setting off mines on the Syrian side which killed about 10 of them. Great idea that was.

[parkia00]

25. You are plucking non-existant fruits.

I fully agreed about the part where you raised the possibility of the Assad regime behind the protesters. As for where you manage to create in your head that I imply that Israel should commit suicide in order not to show Assad is bad or to give him a political advantage. Only you would know or those trained in psychology.

Israel's aim is not to "improve its image"... well maybe because of this, many people have a low opinion of Israel's policies. I do what the hell I want to to hell with what anyone thinks attitude. And you constantly complain about negative publicity. But of course you have an answer for all that; they being prejudice and anti-semitic. Simple, easy and clean. Everybody else at fault, except you or the side you support. My 4 year old niece behaves like that. But only for awhile as it passes rather quickly. But of course, I'm being idiotic as you so pretentiously pointed out.

[shira]

26. WRT improving Israel's image...

Since 2000, Israel offered 2 credible peace deals to the Palestinians that were utterly rejected, ended occupation and withdrew every last settler from Gaza, and pulled all forces out from southern Lebanon....

Israel's image has only gotten worse.

Why?

[parkia00]

30. Various reasons...

Settlers, extreme right wing nut jobs in positions of political power sprouting their rhetoric, religious extremist, a perceived belligerent attitude, arrogance (no help from Netanyahu here), the perceived imbalance in fair treatment vs the Palestinians like housing, demolishing homes.... just too many and too tired to list them all out. Many reasons and issues. Some true. Some not. Some undeserved. Some earned. Some bias. Some common sense. Not that Israel is the only one in the area with a reputation problem though. Although is is expected that we hold Israel to a higher standard compared to others.

[shira]

31. Israel's image should have improved due to reasons listed...

The most hostile perceptions of Israel are irrational.

[parkia00]

35. It did for a short while.

Then of course Hamas came along. The biggest hits to Israel's images was I think the war in South Lebanon and then Gaza. With all the collateral damage in the form of dead civilians in the two conflicts that people see on their TV sets, it really doesn't matter who started it. If you end up killing a bunch of civilians you are gonna look like shit. Even if the bad guys were hidings amongst the civilians. People will see the dead civilians and associate the carnage with the side whose weapons did the carnage. Same problem in Afghanistan now with the drone attacks.

What I don't get is that why; with all that brain power in the Israel government, they cannot come out with a better thought out public relations agenda. Listening to Mark Regav is torture. like a scratched record. Always the same comments and excuses again and again in a cold unemotional tone. You know, it wouldn't kill Israel to occasionally admit a mistake or even just to say sorry. Especially if a bunch of civilians are killed. No matter if it's Hamas's fault for being among them. Just occasionally to reinforce the image that Israel is really trying it's best not to hit civilians but because of the impossible position Israel is put it, some civilians are unfortunately hit. But instead the world sees the typical Israel response:

We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.
We regret civilian causalities. It is not our fault. It's Hamas/Hezbollah's fault.

Again and again. With this kind of robotic response, it makes Israel look distant, unmoved, unconcerned and indifferent. If a third party sees images of dead civilian, women and children, and get this kind of response as an answer from Israel, you've already lost the public relations war already. This is a self inflicted black eye.

[shira]

13. Here's the US border patrol killing a 14 year old teen

http://www.cbsnews.com/2300-504083_162-10003716.html

The US is evil, rightwing and racist, right?

After all, the Mexicans are calling for full RoR, destruction of the USA, and killing off / ethnically cleansing Americans....

Oh wait.

[parkia00]

19. Man that's a new low.

Pathetic even for you. You search and find one instance of a US Border Patrol killing (unlawfully-questionable kill)in order to gain brownie points in your argument? You would stand on top of your soap box and shout to all who would listen that this tragic killing of this one Mexican teen justifies in full, the actions of the IDF these few days that were involved in another border incident. Look everybody, they did it too! So we can do it too! Yeah that's better. I can sleep easier!

One dead Mexican teen vs how many dead Palestinians? Even looking at the link you provided you can see the shit storm it stirred up. But not for some people who will support anything their faction does irregardless of common sense and logic. It always follow the same bloody routine when countering criticism of any sort.

Blame others.
Attack the messenger.
Divert attention to somewhere else.
Point out other people's wrong doings.
Ignore facts that do not play in your favor.
Wrap yourself in your flag and say My Country Right Or Wrong.

[shira]

27. You asked for an example, you got it. Here's more...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Migrant_deaths_along_the_Mexico_–_United_States_border#Incidents_of_Border_Patrol_use_of_force

Israel isn't killing poor, starving migrants trying to cross over. Those who are trying to cross over into Israel are being encouraged (and paid) to do so by hideously antisemitic enemy regimes seeking Israel's destruction. Mexicans crossing over pose nowhere near the threat of Israel's enemies, if any at all, ignoring the RW talking points WRT immigrants...

Is the USA evil, hopelessly rightwing, racist...? Worse than Israel?

Just curious.

Putting this into perspective and context, testing for double-standards, that's all...

========

Lastly, it seems to me - and I could be wrong - that there is LESS "world outrage" at Syria for provoking the incident than outrage directed at Israel.

Why do you think that is?

[parkia00]

34. No simple yes or No answer I'm afraid.

But both yes and no. Both to the US and Israel. You cannot simply point to one country, then point to one thing they do and say it's prove or disprove that they are evil, rightwing, racist or even fascist. Israel is a country torn with its identity. A forward thinking state with progressive bright future. And a backward thinking, regressive element within itself which would prefer to live life in the past. I think it will be this generation that will come to the crossroads that they have to choose in which direction they need to go.

SO to try to answer your question...Is the USA evil, hopelessly rightwing, racist...? No. Not the country as a whole. But certainly a very strong element within that is.

And about Israel. Again no. But again certainly a very strong element within that is. The difference is that I believe ( I may be wrong of course) is that this fringe element in Israel is becoming more mainstream by enforcing the fear of terrorism, war and demonizing at every opportunity the Arabs. These fringe elements have increasing control and influence in politics and the IDF through the use of troops and Rabbis from rightwing settler movement. I have also started to notice that the demonizing against fellow Israelis like leftist or Peaceniks who do not follow their view point are starting to become more apparent. Something that just two decades ago was quite unheard off. Is the right getting more right?

[kayecy]

8. And that justifies using humans as targets at a shooting gallery does it?.........n/t

[shira]

9. Guardian confirmation Syria/Hezbollah behind border invasions....

One demonstrator who was wounded that day told the Guardian the Lebanese militia Hezbollah had given him $50 to turn up at the border and $900 to have his gunshot wounds treated by physicians. He said he had been planning to return to Maroun al-Ras yesterday until the rally was cancelled.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/jun/05/israel-syria-violence-border-protest

Why aren't some major media reporting this instead of happily contributing to these Syrian/Hezbollah theatre productions?

They're working against the Arab Spring uprisings as if they're paid and employed under Bashar Assad.

Disgusting.

[parkia00]

11. I Wouldn't Be surprised.

The main purpose of this exercise is to make Israel look bad, of which unfortunately Israel just seems too eager to comply. I can't believe with all the many heads in the IDF, no one can come out with a better solution to this since they knew it would happen beforehand and gave the enemy exactly what they wanted. Hook, line and sinker.

There's something to be said about letting your enemy lead you by the nose.

[Mosby]

21. maybe you should wait for confirmation

From a reliable source, it's the syrians after all that are reporting the number of "dead", what we do know it that the assad regime has murdered at least one thousand of it's citizens and are busy trying to divert attention from that little fact, what better way than blame the Jews for something. Hey it's worked for almost 65 years why try to reinvent the wheel.

[azurnoir]

15. this is definately a 'progressive' website after all Barry Rubin and

Caroline Glick are on their approved reading list, wonder where they get their funding from?

[shira]

16. The Guardian reported it too - see #9 above.

I'm actually surprised the Guardian editors allowed it to be reported.

[azurnoir]

17. The Guadian reported what a reporter that won't use their real name claimed happened in Lebanon

a month ago

[shira]

22. 2 independent sources confirm Syria/Hezbollah paying people to charge the border...

It could be 10 sources and that wouldn't be enough for you b/c Israel must take 100% of the blame.

[azurnoir]

23. add Judith Miller to ReformSyria's reading list

a 'free Syria' organization operated out of DC that lists Caroline Glick as 'suggested' or people we read and a Guardian reporter who claimed someone said and then will not even put their name to the story?

eta to change headline after further investigating this group BTW just who is bank rolling them?

[shira]

28. What would a more liberal Syrian reform group look like to you? n/t

[azurnoir]

29. I don't think that characters such as Judith Miller and Caroline Glick would be on their

suggested reading list but it seems just a okay with some here

[shira]

32. Probably because they're more critical of Syria and better informed than the "progressives"...

....who'd rather bash Israel and ignore/whitewash pretty much anything going on in Syria.

Just a hunch.

Never heard of Judith Miller before...

[azurnoir]

33. Never heard of Judith Miller? haven't been paying much attention

but it was like all 2003ish and stuff

eta your assertion that progressives would not be critical of Syria is somewhat insulting

[Never Stop Dancin]

20. this thread needs a headline that actually makes sense

Stompers? After reading all the replies I still have no idea what this about.

[Jefferson23]

36. Reform Syria.org

snip* The party's leader, Farid Ghadry, was born in Aleppo, Syria and comes from a well-known Syrian family of civil servants and politicians.

The RPS supported the candidacy of Nicolas Sarkozy in France's 2007 presidential election.<1>

Actually, during the 2011 Syrian uprising the Reform Party of Syria, as a political party of the Syrian opposition in exile, is preparing a series of demonstrations and protests in cities of the Unites States and Western Europe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reform_Party_of_Syria

Farid al-Ghadry (Arabic: فريد الغادري) (born on June 18, 1954) is the Syrian-born co-founder and current president of the United States-based Reform Party of Syria, a party of Syrians who wish to see regime change in Syria. Ghadry has functioned as an American defense contractor and businessman, "Frank Ghadry," who represents himself as being born in Lebanon.<1> Ghadry is a member of AIPAC, Israel's main lobbying group in the U.S.,<2> and has strongly supported all of Israel's recent wars in Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.<3>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farid_Ghadry

on edit for clarity.

[shira]

37. Breaking: Syrian state documents 'show Assad orchestrated Nakba Day raids on Golan Heights'

I have just been forward what appear to be Syrian state documents leaked by the governor of al-Qunaitera, in south-west Syria, which suggest that the regime fully orchestrated the “Nakba Day” raids of Palestinian refugees into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on May 15.

The document (below) which bears the Syrian Republic emblem, is dated May 14, 2011 and describes an “urgent meeting” of Major General Asef Shawkat, the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces, and the chiefs of security and military intelligence branches in the province in Al-Qunaitera, which is located at the Syrian-Israeli border. The memorandum outlines how the regime ordered the dispatching of 20 buses, each one with a passenger capacity of 47, to cross the border into Majdal-Shamms in the Golan Heights in order to precipitate a confrontation between Palestinian refugees and Israeli soldiers and UN peacekeeping forces, thereby distracting international attention from the Syrian revolution.

I quote the entire document, attributed to the “Office of the Mayor” in Al-Qunaitera province:

After an urgent meeting convened by the security committee on Saturday in the presence of the Mayor of al-Qunaitera, Major General Asef Shawkat -Deputy Chief of Staff for the Armed Forces-, and chiefs of security and military (intelligence) branches in the province, the following was decided:

All security, military, and contingent units in the province, Ain-el-Tina and the old al-Qunaitera are hereby ordered to grant permission of passage to all twenty vehicles (47 passenger capacity) with the attached plate numbers that are scheduled to arrive at ten in the morning on Sunday May 15, 2011 without being questioned or stopped until it reaches or frontier defense locations.

Permission is hereby granted allowing approaching crowds to cross the cease fire line (with Israel) towards the occupied Majdal-Shamms, and to further allow them to engage physically with each other in front of United Nations agents and offices. Furthermore, there is no objection if a few shots are fired in the air.

cont'd...
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/michaelweiss/100092061/breaking-syrian-state-documents-show-assad-orchestrated-nakba-day-raids-on-golan-heights/