[THS] Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: Stories

[The Harder Stuff in news and commentary]

Israel to ease Gaza blockade, but major restrictions remain in small print:

Lifting of restrictions on some civilian goods not enough to constitute breakthrough
many had hoped for after Freedom Flotilla raid
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jun/17/israel-gaza-blockade-smallprint

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Hamas calls Israeli decision to ease siege "trick":

"This is a new trick aiming at enhancing the siege's image and securing its
continuation instead of lifting and ending it," Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri told
Xinhua.
http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90854/7028914.html

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Israel calls Lebanese and Iranian attempts to break siege 'hostile':

Foreign Ministry Director-General Yossi Gal briefed foreign diplomats on Wednesday
on Israel's preparations for this arrival of the Lebanese flotilla. Gal emphasized that
Israel sees the flotilla as hostile, due to its origin in an enemy state as well as the
connection between the flotilla's organizers and Hezbollah.
http://tinyurl.com/2v4vc5v

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Second Iranian ship to set sail this weekend:

"The ship will depart for Gaza in a special ceremony that will be attended by
thousands of people at the start of next week," a statement on the Iranian Red
Crescent's website said on Wednesday.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3906136,00.html

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Syria: Israel raid on Gaza flotilla raises risk of Mideast war:

In interview with BBC, Assad says Israel being run by a 'pyromaniac government' that
makes peace impossible.
http://tinyurl.com/3aykjm9

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Turkey set to freeze ties with Israel: report:

A Turkish newspaper reported on Wednesday that Turkey would halt military
cooperation with Israel and not send back the ambassador it withdrew after a deadly
Israeli commando operation to stop a Gaza aid convoy.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65F4ZP20100616

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Lawmakers warn Turkey of payback over Iran, Israel policies:

Supporters of Israel in the U.S. House warned Turkey on Wednesday they might
support a resolution recognizing the Armenian genocide that so far has failed to
come up for a vote by the full chamber.
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/06/16/us.turkey.armenia/

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Congressman wants Americans on Gaza flotilla prosecuted:

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) - one of Israel's staunchest defenders in Congress -
wants Americans who were aboard the Gaza flotilla ships prosecuted.
http://tinyurl.com/2be9czz

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Stranger than fiction:
 Calls for NDP MP to resign after Israel comments:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper called on NDP MP Libby Davies to resign as her party's
deputy leader after she suggested Israel has been occupying territory since the
country came into existence.
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/06/15/libby-davies-israel.html

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Top Ten Myths about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict:

The U.S. is an honest broker and has sought to bring about peace in the Middle East.
http://tinyurl.com/36wektc

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The Iron Wall: By Vladimir Jabotinsky:

As long as the Arabs feel that there is the least hope of getting rid of us, they will
refuse to give up this hope in return for either kind words or for bread and butter,
because they are not a rabble, but a living people
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article14801.htm

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