Zizou links to several of Ftouh's articles, posted on various blog sites, including a recent piece on IdentiteJuive.com where he explains his views on Israel and terrorism:

Je suis un homme libre, qui depuis le monde arabe, admire le peuple juif qui a invoqué en premier un Dieu unique et qui est aujourd’hui contesté sur sa propre terre. Dans mon enfance, je ne savais pas exactement ce qu’était un juif. Je n’en avais jamais rencontré. Tout ce que je savais, c’était que les juifs étaient « des soldats terrifiants » qui voulaient tuer les enfants arabes palestiniens et détruire les maisons sur leur tête.

…J’ai réalisé à quel point la jeunesse du monde arabe continue à être mal informée aujourd’hui … Ça me fait une grande peine de voir la propagande, la désinformation, la haine et l’antisémitisme exacerbé, que j’ai connu dans à mon enfance se disséminer aujourd’hui à la nouvelle génération .

Le terrorisme n’est pas un accident, il fait partie intégrante de la doctrine officielle et de la culture du djihad, de la marche pour la domination mondiale qui s’est enclenchée voici une décennie dans le monde musulman… les haineux maîtrisent à la perfection l’art de jouer avec les faiblesses de l’Occident et utilisent à cette fin des mots tels que l’islamo-phobie.

Another where he explains the true nature of Palestine:

Elle n’existe tout simplement pas ! C’est un concept. Un concept ? Oui, prenez un couteau, retirez-en la lame et le manche, il vous reste le concept. La Palestine n?a pas d'Histoire autre que l'Histoire judéo-chrétienne, ni de peuple présent depuis plus d'un siècle autre que le peuple juif. C’est un concept.

And on rencontrejudaïquesfm, a piece on the history of Jews in Tunisia explaining how with the Westernization (or more specifically, the Francization), “the relationship of domination between Arabs and Jews could become equal for the first time” after “centuries of domination by Muslims” since Jews more readily adopted French culture and modes of dress.

Zizou's readers comment:

Profilo writes:

C'est totalement subjectif trop même. dire que les juifs étaient des sujets de second rang avant le protoctorat c'est vraiment trop mentir et trop bafouer l'histoire alors qu'ils vivaient ensemble sans aucun problème comme l'atteste tous les vrais historiens.

Soufiene writes:

En regardant ces versions de faits. Souheil ne peut etre qu'un avocat du diable. Il cherchait le coup mediatique comme-quoi. C'est son interveiw dans le journal Afaq qui a fait de lui un hero.

chiraz:

en fait, l'interview a été publiée par le magazine Hakaeq (version arabe de réalités). Bon, maitre Ftouh est libre d'avoir ses propres opinions mais ce qui m'a étonné, c'est lorsque le journaliste lui a posé une question sur les enfants palestiniens victimes de la sauvagerie militaire israelienne, maitre Ftouh a répondu que le Hamas en est responsable et qu'il avait une pensée pour les enfants de Sdirot!

Zizou's take?  “Long live free speech!”

The victim, whose name has not been revealed at his family's request, was in his early 30s and had been a border guard for eight years after his release from the Israel Defense Forces. He was a member of the Druze community.

The incident followed a three-day visit of President Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni, to Israel. While in-country, Sarkozy spoke before the Knesset, Israel's house of parliament, where he rallied against the building of settlements, advocated an undivided Jerusalem as a capital for both Israel and Palestine, and reasserted France's commitment to protecting Israel's security.

Photo sourced from the Wikimedia Commons (Creative Commons License)

During his visit, Sarkozy also met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and toured the West Bank, after having met with Arab leaders in Syria and Lebanon earlier this week.

Words from the Blogosphere–

Daniel Levy of the Prospects for Peace blog and Director of the Prospects for Peace Initiative at The Century Foundation compares the Knesset speeches of French President Sarkozy and US President George W. Bush, during his visit last month.

“Two Presidents, two speeches, one leader:
- President Bush on the borders for a 2 state solution: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “It is not possible to have peace without a negotiated border based on the 1967 lines with an exchange of territories.”
- President Bush on settlements: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without a total and immediate cessation of the settlements.”
- President Bush on Jerusalem's future status: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of two states and guaranteeing freedom of access to holy sites for all religions.”
- President Bush on the Palestinian refugee issue: ___________.
- President Sarkozy: “Peace cannot be achieved without solving the problem of the Palestinian refugees, while respecting the identity and purpose of Israel.”
- President Bush on Israeli-Palestinian, Israeli-Syrian, or Israeli-Lebanese peace talks: _________.
- President Sarkozy: “(France) is ready to organize on its soil all the talks that could lead to (peace), whether in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the Syrian-Israeli dialogue, or the talks that will have to resume, one day soon I hope, between Israel and Lebanon.”

Other bloggers were less concerned with the political content of Sarkozy's visit and focused more on the visuals that it presented. Carla Bruni, the President's third wife who works professionally as a singer and model, drew significant attention from the ever appreciative citizen journalists of Israel.

Simply Jews observes:

“Carla Bruni appears to be accompanied by a French president, one Nicolas Sarkozy… The immediate effects of this singular event:
1. The quantities of drool emanating from the paparazzi, journalists, assorted officials and Israeli male population in general postponed the expected government announcement of drought and drastic water economy measures.
2. The attack on Iranian nuclear sites, invasion of Gaza, decapitation of Hezbollah and other miscellaneous acts of usual Zionist aggression are delayed indefinitely or until further notice.
3. Shimon Peres was seen doing 90 push-ups in the VIP lounge of Ben-Gurion airport, with Carla and their aids counting, Dom Perignon being uncorked in the background.”

Dion Nissenbaum of the Checkpoint Jerusalem blog joins Simply Jews in welcoming Ms. Bruni's arrival.

“Carla Mania has come to Israel. After charming the Brits in March and winning fawning praise from President Bush earlier this month, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, the accomplished singer and successful model who is sometimes referred to as France's first lady, has brought her allure to Jerusalem. One French magazine has dubbed her “La Presidente.”

Her husband, President What's-His-Name, is doing his best to make some news of his own.”

Israelity Bites comments darkly on Ms. Bruni's role in the shooting.

“Some jested that the security guard lost his footing while straining to see Madame Carla, the French first lady, who has had a Jackie Kennedy dazzle on the populace at large. Israel Radio said the soldier who was shot was stationed 100 meters to 200 meters away. Two women soldiers who witnessed the shooting were treated for shock, the radio said.

Israel's volunteer medical service Zaka said the soldier apparently committed suicide. But other media reports said he may have fainted from the heat, discharging his gun accidentally.”

Read More About Recent Visits to Israel by Heads of State–

• Going Green with Gore (May 2008)
• Bush's Final Presidential Visit (May 2008)
• What's Carter Doing in the Middle East? (April 2008)
• President Bush Visits Israel (January 2008)

And:

• Lebanon: Condoleeza Rice's Surprise Visit (June 2008)

Using a camera given to her by B'Tselem's Shooting Back project, Palestinian Nawajaa recorded the masked beating of members of her family, resulting in an investigation and arrest of suspects by Israeli police.

In a post entitled “Cameras as Weapons,” Uriel Hellman writes in the JTA's Telegraph blog:

“Imagine if this project were expanded throughout the Middle East. Just as Israel has taken action against this thuggish and criminal activity, authorities from Riyadh to Cairo would take action against thugs in their societies who target Arab innocents.

There’s just one problem: Nobody’s interested in how people in those places are beaten, murdered and maimed — and, in some cases, the persecution is carried out by their own governments. B’Tselem, or at least the United Nations, would do well to protect those innocents as well.”

Yuval Diskin, the director of Shin Bet, Israel's secret service, reported a marked increase in arms smuggled from Sinai, Egypt, during the first 72 hours of the ceasefire. He called the truce “a first-class strategic blunder.”

Bloggers React to Ruptured Agreement–

In an entry entitled, “Goodbye Fake Truce,” political blogger Carl in Jerusalem of the Israel Matzav blog writes:

“That didn't take long, did it now?.. Well, was nice while it lasted.”

Carl also reports on the Israel Defense Force's new ruling that prohibits soldiers from firing on those carrying arms unless there is proof that they intend to shoot.

He likewise echoes Diskin's findings on the smuggling of arms from Sinai, remarking that all southern crossings have been closed but for the Erez's pedestrian crossing on the Israeli-Egyptian border.

“The fact that Israel has apparently agreed to tie its hands behind its back and not respond to terror attacks is also astounding. Surely no one can actually believe that the Egyptians are going to risk their troops to enforce the ‘truce' anymore than Hamas would risk theirs. The level of Egyptian inactivity in stopping weapons smuggling to this point ought to make it completely clear that Egypt is not willing to do what must be done.”

In the group blog This is Israel, the author, A Soldier's Mother, reflects:

“The ceasefire that began last Thursday - the one that meant the two sides were not supposed to be firing at each other…was broken last night when Palestinians fired a mortar at Israel, and again today when four rockets were launched against Israel. And, since this blog is presenting Israel and how Israelis think, I have to be honest and tell you that the only thing that might surprise Israelis…is that it lasted this long. Sad, truly sad…but true.”

Aussie Dave, whose Israellycool blog expertly analyzes international media reactions to the news in Israel, comments:

“Now the thing about a ceasefire is that it comprises of two parts - “cease” and “fire”. Clearly, the terrorists are focusing on the “fire” part, while ignoring the whole “cease” thing.

And speaking of focus, the AP’s [Associated Press] is still on painting Israel as the villain. Here’s their headline for the story on today’s Qassam attacks: “Rockets hit Israel, which says truce broken.”

As if the firing of rockets into Israel does not really constitute a breaking of the truce; rather, it is merely an Israeli claim.”

In an entry entitled, “Not Rocket Science,” the usually mild manner Lirun of East Med Sea Peace, a resident of Tel Aviv who enjoys music, surfing, and photography, posts:

“sorry but i have no other way to put it.. a pack of liars..

u sweep up gaza and terrorise your own people.. you control every single inch of that land.. and now you broker a deal for a cease-fire with us yet continue to dig tunnels to bring in weapons and tell us you wont be our policeforce as islamic jihad now do your dirty work?

what is it.. either you control gaza and run the strip or you dont! and if you do then do what you promised and if you dont then dont pretend to represent the people in negotiations and forget telling the world how you are a legitimate government! this is insanity.. it cant be both way..

this is the heart of our stalemate and hamas has just corroded our ability to reach peace with gaza that one extra mile..

i call on the palestinian people to wake up to this farce.. interesting to watch what their split may achieve..”

New Studies Reveal Strong Desire for Arab-Jewish Coexistence Inside Israel–

To add perspective to the situation inside Israel, Israel Matzav and East Med Sea Peace both cite the newly released study by Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, which found the following:

• 77% of Israeli Arabs would rather live in Israel than anywhere else in the world
• 68% of Israeli Jews support the teaching of Arabic language in schools to forward communication and coexistence efforts
• 73% of Jews and 94% of Arabs want Israel to “be a society in which Arab and Jewish citizens have mutual respect and equal opportunities”

Harvard's survey supports the results of the University of Haifa's February 2008 findings that:

• 75% of Israeli Arabs aged 16 to 22 support voluntary national service, although few people are familiar with it as an option
• Upon learning more about national service, 72% of men and 83% of women in the Israeli Arab sector would consider participating in it
• 80% of the members of Arab political parties oppose national service

(Read the article if you have time. Its assessment of the multi-faceted nature of Israeli Arab society is a must-read for those who strive to be well educated about Israel and the Middle East.)

Articles of Interest–

• Iranian Grad Missiles Hit Ashkelon Mall (May 2008)
• Ashkelon is on the Map (February 2008)
• Cyber-Activists Promote Sderot (February 2008)
• One Wall Down: A New Reality in the Middle East (February 2008)
• Israeli Bloggers React to Crisis in Palestine (January 2008)
• Rockets Hit Sderot: Flame the Israeli Blogosphere (December 2007)

And:

• Palestine: 60 Years of Al Nakba (May 2008)
• Morocco, Israel, and Palestine: A Unique History (May 2008)
• Syria: Bloggers React to Gaza Blockade (January 2008)

Isrealli, who has the video clip, says:

Last night, Stephen Colbert reported on some of the more important developments going on in Israel. For starters, Israel has a new national bird.

Officials were not the only ones angered by Obama's statement. Palestinian bloggers, living within Palestine and outside of it, were frustrated as well. Dr. Ghassan Michel Rubeiz, writing for Arabisto.com, believes that Obama went too far:

Like the rest of Washington’s guest politicians, the senator from Illinois pledged to the rich and powerful audience his unqualified loyalty to the Jewish state.
But Obama went too far in comforting and easing doubts. To demonstrate his loyalty to Israel, he declared that Jerusalem must “remain undivided” as the capital of the Jewish State. This position is at variance with the current official US policy, a policy which regards Tel-Aviv, not Jerusalem, as the capital. Washington abides by international law on the status of Jerusalem: the future of the City of Peace must be negotiated by both Arabs and Jews.

Rubeiz then added:

But in the larger scheme of things, Obama’s Middle East policy is right on track. If elected president, he may be able to revive the currently stagnated Middle East peace process. He is open to talks with Iran, Syria and their partners; to disciplined withdrawal from Iraq and to decisive talks on a two-state solution for the Arab-Israeli conflict.

He then adds that he believes in Obama's uniting abilities:

In this election year both Arab and Jewish Americans would be smart to vote as Americans first. This is not to say that home background issues should be totally overlooked. Obama has the capacity and the desire to bring peace to the Middle East and offer change to America. If they switch their mindset to a win-win paradigm Arabs and Jews may find a mutual friend in Obama.

QuiQui, writing for KabobFest, is angered by Obama's perspective:

Throughout the campaign Obama has been talking as if race has not only ceased to exist in this country but that the white community shares the same concerns, all of which transcend racism. Now he talks as if not only is there nothing wrong with Zionism — he's talking as if Zionism must be defended. That man is gonna be president.

Robin, who often blogs for Palestine, wonders how many voters Obama has lost with his comments:

The question remains, how many voters has he lost with his “right turn”? I ask this because I am still wondering who wrote this speech for him, and did he pre-approve it? That is the lingering question in my mind because like Zunes, I do not believe that things stated in this speech were entirely necessary, in particular his wrong-headed “undivided Jerusalem” statement. Not only did it throw gasoline on an ongoing ending of the occupation/peace process/final status issues which have yet to be resolved for more than forty years, it is also a statement he ultimately felt he had to partially retract due to the not to be unexpected uproar in the Arab world as well as with Jewish voices for peace and many progressives.

Debunk the myths presents an interesting theory on Obama's AIPAC speech:

AIPAC, the powerful “Israeli” lobby and the zionist friendly media have decided that since the black culture is really hip now and black entertainers can really carry a message, then why not use the momentum of your enemy to your advantage - kinda like Aikido. So they figure put a black man president, and we're automatically cool and less mysterious. I mean would Kanye West be able to claim live on TV as he did during Katrina that the government doesn't care about black people. How effective would David Chappelle and Mos Def be when they challenge the institution headed by a black man.
So you see the genius of the plan. Take the cool from the streets and put it in the white house. And so the rebels who at one time were leading the cool movement will be left dumbfounded and scratching their heads going “So is it over, have we won?”

Finally, No Justice No Peace…the Big Picture was very straightforward:

Check out the transcript of Obama's speech to AIPAC. Candidates must talk tough when they address AIPAC. Note that Obama does not discuss Israel's 41-year ILLEGAL occupation or the NUMEROUS UN resolutions Israel has violated or its NUMEROUS contraventions of international law.

I wonder what Ron Paul would say to AIPAC, had he the opportunity to address this lunatic group.

This article is also posted on Voices without Votes.