Israel Braces For Border Clashes In Coming Days

JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military is preparing for the possibility of violent protests along its borders in the coming days, aiming to avoid a repeat of deadly unrest that erupted earlier this month, a senior military official told The Associated Press on Sunday.

Facebook-organized activists have called for demonstrations next weekend in Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan to mark the anniversary of the 1967 Mideast war, in which Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip east Jerusalem and Golan Heights.

The official said the army also is planning to counter possible unrest in the West Bank in September after an expected U.N. vote to recognize Palestinian independence.

The official said the army hopes to avoid civilian casualties but would set "red lines" for the demonstrations. That means Israel will not allow demonstrators to burst across the borders during the coming week's protests – as they did on the Syria-Israel border on May 15 – or to enter Jewish settlements in the West Bank in September.

He said Israel will not react to nonviolent demonstrations, including large gatherings near the settlements, but that it would be forced to take action in "life-threatening" situations.

On May 15, the day on which Palestinians mourn the anniversary of Israel's founding, hundreds of demonstrators in Syria broke through the frontier and entered the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, while in Lebanon, large crowds converged on the border. Some 14 protesters were killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers, who were caught off guard by the attempts to breach the borders.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity under military guidelines, said the army will be much better prepared this time around. Larger numbers of troops will be deployed, he said, and they will be equipped with crowd-control tools such as rubber bullets and water cannons.

With peace talks frozen, Palestinian activists have begun to talk about holding large, nonviolent protests throughout the West Bank after a U.N. vote in September.

The official said Israel is not expecting large-scale violence at that time, but he warned it wouldn't take much to trigger an outbreak in fighting. "Unfortunately, we have seen lots of demonstrations turn violent," he said.

Comments

[thebosssssny]

12:08 AM on 06/13/2011

I am sure if the protestors stay on the syrian part or the fence, dont throw stones and dont try to break the fence, no one will be hurt. However if they throw stones, try to break the fence or trespass on the Israeli side, they will get what ever Israel decides and rightfully so.
The problem is the Syrians are paying them $50 and a bus ride. If they get shot they get $500, if they die $900. These people are poor and need money.

[TexasTreader]

12:06 AM on 06/13/2011

Muslims tore up Sudan sending thousands of non-muslim refugees into Ethiopia. Don't expect anything but mindless brutality out of them... EVER!

[thebosssssny]

12:02 AM on 06/13/2011

If they throw stones it should and Im sure will be regarded as being attacked with weapons. If they break the fence or break through the birbed wire, it will and should be considered an invasion especially armed with stones.

[Aussieposter]

12:39 AM on 06/02/2011

StCuthbert wrote;

"There can be no peace between the US and Mexico until all the land "stolen" from Mexico is returned and Mexicans have the right to "return" to the United States."

Interestingly the one thing that the U.S had in their favour in all this was their respect for private property. None of the landowners in respect to the territories that gained independence from Mexico and no Mexican citizen in those territories were forced to leave. In the case of Texas many of the Mexican population supported independence.

Yet we all know the principle of not letting the facts get in the way of a good story.

These were times when a man's Wealth included how many slaves he owned. Since those times we have changed. Gone is slavery. Gone is the notion of the white man's burden. It took 2 world wars and millions dead but eventually we came to a situation of a modicum of enlightenment. Democracy and majority rule and the right to self-determination were the new principles that we as human beings were going to stand by.

Ooops only a few short months after accepting the principles of a new age we abandoned them. Majority rule, well It is undisputed fact that the Palestinians were the ethnic majority in Palestine. They should have been given the right to determine their own future, not have the U.N. Decide for them.

[bigrubo]

09:37 AM on 06/01/2011

AWESOME

[Kramerica-Industries]

06:05 AM on 06/01/2011

At least one demostrator killed in Turkey in clashes in Erdogan rally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EClw1L-22oc
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/europe/05/31/turkey.clashes/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[Taxim]

06:46 AM on 06/01/2011

s warned three days ago not to organize the meeting,” Şahin said. “But the prime minister stubbornly changed the location of the meeting from the Artvin city center to Hopa, where leftist groups have the political power.”

Protests and clashes between the police and the protesters continued for the whole day, although they were not covered by television channels.

According to Şahin, police kicked Lokumcu for not standing up and doctors also reported signs of physical mistreatment and broken bones.

“This is a critical moment. The prime minister has been sufficiently informed by his advisers as well, and came [to the city] aware of what the consequences could be,” Şahin said, adding that no other ministers or prime ministers had visited Hopa before.

“Hopa has similarly resisted other rightist leaders as well. [Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, leader] Devlet Bahçeli respected this, and did not come to Hopa,” he said.

According to Şahin, the situation is critical, particularly for young people. “There might be more protests [in the coming days],” he said.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=protests-death-mar-erdogans-election-rally-2011-05-31

[nycpaladin]

11:02 PM on 05/31/2011

Isn't it interesting: Syria, whose citizens are being murdered during protests, and are under siege by their government, somehow grants its supposed "Palestinian" refugees the freedom to engage in protests at their border with Israel.

[Taxim]

06:48 AM on 06/01/2011

Why is that "Interesting" ?

[Renaissanceman43]

09:09 AM on 06/01/2011

Because it shows you the depravity of the Syrians. They are at this moment slaughtering their own people and yet grant the protest in Israel. Of course only to divert the attention of the people from their own criminality.

[nycpaladin]

11:02 PM on 06/01/2011

Perhaps your right. It's not interesting--it's par for the course for the Assads: repressing and murdering thousands of their citizens, while covering their crimes by creating distracting protests against Israel.

[Danny Dan]

03:13 PM on 06/03/2011

Diversion tactics for sure.

[Fein]

07:50 PM on 05/31/2011

Yes we know what's coming, we've seen it 1,000 before.

'Border clashes' which will as usual, be provoked by attacks/targeted murders of Palestinian civilians.

[Teacher 15]

09:26 PM on 05/31/2011

Someone on another thread put it brilliantly: "Get off their front lawn and you won't get shot."

[Fein]

10:43 PM on 05/31/2011

Like many liars, he's not so bright.

The West Bank's not their front lawn.

[skialethia]

11:54 PM on 05/31/2011

Yeah sounds like the perfect warning to Russian squatters on West Bank.

[Renaissanceman43]

12:40 AM on 06/01/2011

Fein you are NOT fine. Maybe you should read a history book to understand what is really happening, but why should you? Just remain exactly as you are. Completely unaware of what went on in the past and what is happening now. I am not your teacher, learn it for yourself.

[Fein]

12:21 PM on 06/01/2011

Dude, if we compared our respective bibliographies of this subject, you'll come out on the short end. Trust me. Not only have I been watching this assiduously for 30 years, I've been in the ME and I've met some of the principles - have you? I've not only read Uri Avnery's blog in entirely, but I also have read Haim Hertzog's memoirs as well. IMO, anyone who does their due diligence on this subject will agree with my POV. Zionsts and Xtian extremists excluded, of course.

[bluereality909]

02:59 PM on 05/31/2011

Reading all the debate and comments on this article, it brings to mind that only a few know the true history of Islam and their real intent. If you look at the overall picture and don't micro manage each conflict, you will know that OBL was only step one. In 632 ad Mohhamed self proclaimed himself a prophet of god and wrote law, which was construed as a religion (the Koran). Any civilization whom follows a religion created by a false prophet and bloody warlord will never seek peace. It will take both sides to want peace, the world will NEVER have peace when their is still the worship of Islam. Islam is in an era of expansionism because the world has become passive, liberal and trusting in the institution of globalization. What we are witnessing once again is world war brought on by Islam, Israel and Palestine are only the pawns of Iran to manipulate this coming event. What is going on in the world is far more complicated than the conflict between Israel and Palestine. It is the conflict between the free world and what a bloody false prophet has written and followed by a billion plus Muslims.

[pomegrante]

03:49 PM on 05/31/2011

What?

[bluereality909]

10:39 AM on 06/01/2011

All I can say to you is.....education.

[Teacher 15]

03:06 AM on 06/01/2011

Your "Russian squatters" comment is bigoted.

[Danny Dan]

12:22 PM on 05/31/2011

Now that spring is over,summer is coming.
My guess is without much food and water these demonstrations
wont last.Especially in bigger numbers.
I mean where are the food stands.This isn't the ballpark.

[elisha job]

11:01 AM on 05/31/2011

Palestinians killed in 'Nakba' clashes:
Soldiers armed to the teeth in armored cars clashing with civilians behind their borders:

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/05/2011515649440342.html

Israel shooting children:

A group of Palestinians, including children, marching to mark the Nakba were shot by the Israeli army after crossing a Hamas checkpoint and entering what Israel calls a "buffer zone" - an empty area between checkpoints where Israeli soldiers generally shoot trespassers, Al Jazeera's Nicole Johnston reported from Gaza City on Sunday.

[Renaissanceman43]

11:32 AM on 05/31/2011

Hmm. Posted by Al Jazeera. Now you know as well as I that the instigators of the demonstration were hoping their people were killed. Any mention of Arab violence? Of course not. Now why would the Arabs with women and children want to cause violence? Duh. And aside from that you would think that if they knew they would be shot at, they wouldn't go near the border unless they are masochists. So for your post, just BS. But thanks for the hype.

[elisha job]

12:25 PM on 05/31/2011

Are you serious when you say demonstrator's "were hoping to get killed"?

Your reasoning is illogical. Maybe, just maybe, the non-violent, civilian protesters were peacefully demonstrating thinking they wouldn't be fired upon by the IDF? How were they to know they would be shot at while on the other side of the border or in the "buffer-zone"?

Ridiculous debating with you.

[elisha job]

09:39 AM on 06/02/2011

Who or what do you consider credible news sources?

Guardian?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/15/israeli-troops-kill-eight-nakba-protests

Human Rights Watch?
http://www.hrw.org/ar/news/2011/05/20/israel-investigate-killings-during-border-protests

Jerusalem Post?
http://www.jpost.com/MiddleEast/Article.aspx?id=221580

[karim banned]

03:54 PM on 05/31/2011

When Israel kills peaceful demonstrators nobody in West finds out about it.

[elisha job]

06:29 PM on 05/31/2011

b/c they are spoonfed this malarkey and are brainwashed without questioning, reasoning or logic regarding the misinformation campaigns. ignorance is being blind, deaf and dumb.

[Renaissanceman43]

01:16 AM on 06/01/2011

So how come YOU know about it? You are a funny guy. BTW people who try to break down the barriers of a country deserve what they get. Too many Israelis had to die by Palestinian and Arab hands for them to just give it away. Maybe if the Arabs tried to be peaceful there would be no problem, but of course they will NEVER make peace with the Jews.

[Renaissanceman43]

10:56 AM on 05/31/2011

Hey Quaker Jew how about the Arabs who stole the land from the Jews in every Arab ME country where they have lived for millennia? Don't the Jews have the right to regain all their property? You do know of course since you claim to be a Jew that 850,000 Jews were forced to leave their homes and many were indeed killed. So how come you complain about Israel but say nothing about the Mizrachi Jews? So QJ cares for the Palestinians who tried to kill Jews for the past 63 years and cares nothing for his so called brethren who were abused by the Arabs. Why do I think QJ is bogus? Beats me?

[Teacher 15]

04:39 PM on 05/31/2011

To Renaissanceman--

On the subject of posers, you might want to google "Emmanuel Goldstein," the name used by a frequent poster on this thread. Wikipedia is fine. The site will also lead you to The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a very anti-Semitic work that courts have vehemently disproven but is still a favorite among many in the Arab world.

It's also occurred to me that a few commenters may be spouting their venom using Hispanic surnames.

Other writers here claim that Israelis are against Bibi. The opposite is true. He's had a jump in the polls since his return home. He's hated by Palestinians and their supporters because he's strong, articulate, and won't cater to their demands.

[Renaissanceman43]

01:00 AM on 06/01/2011

Hey teacher15 hello. Send me an email on aol under my name. We are in the same profession only I am retired. Give me your email address. I had to put up with years of liars like the ones we are talking about. Uneducated with no concept of history who never bothered to read a history book. People who pretend to be people they are not and give racist websites to back up their nonsense.

[QuakerJewish]

12:03 PM on 06/01/2011

Renny, google their stories. Most blame Israeli policy for their exile, not their homelands.
Most claim a bias against them in Israel from the Ashkenazim.
You can't deny their OWN stories. But you do anyway. Continuously.

Zionists have been in Palestine since the 1880's, Israel has existed 63 years. You are so confused.

Being for peace in no way means being for other terrorists. We dislike them on both sides.
And you can't stand that.

[Anybodyseenthepopos]

01:33 PM on 06/02/2011

The great dispossession of Arabs in "palestine" is debunked..

The Claim of Dispossession: Jewish Land Settlement and the Arabs, 1878-1948

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1OS14EA04BPA0/ref

[NTT]

08:34 AM on 05/31/2011

>>>"Facebook-organized activists have called for demonstrations ..."

Those who visited the area know very well that it is impossible for any Syrian (let alone segragated non-citizens such as "Palestinian refugees") to approach the armistice line with Israel without the "blessing" of the Syrian government and coordination with the army.

It is impossible for any Lebanese (let alone "Palestinian refugees" who are barely allowed to exit their camps) to approach the Lebanese-Israeli border without approval from Hizb'ullah.

These are NOT sponataneous demonstrations, although they do their best to "mimic" them. They are government-sponsored attempts to create trouble, for the same old reason -- drawing attention away from the REAL demonstrations, those against the Syrian regime. So that the said regime can shoot itself to safety and continue to deny their hapless "subjects" political rights.

Arab tyrrants have always used the Israel bogeyman to channel people's frustrations away from the REAL problems -- and keep their dictatorial behinds safely on the golden thrones.

[QuakerJewish]

09:12 AM on 05/31/2011

For the Palestinians, Israel IS the REAL problem. Your comment is just an attempt to divert attention from the REAL issues the Pals confront.

Time to make peace, war has failed.

[NTT]

10:03 AM on 05/31/2011

For the Palestinians, as for the rest of the Arabs, their own corrupt,incompetent and occasionally fanatic "leadership" IS the REAL problem.

Were it not for that leadership, the Palestinian Arabs would just have celebrated 64 years of independence in their own state, offered them on a silver tray by the UN. Moreover, it is the same "leadership" that still keeps them in a state of limbo -- it is that "leadership" that (3 times in the last decade!) rejected generous peace offers with no counter-proposal and it's the same "leadership" that keeps brainwashing them through hate propaganda and destructive dreams of "return".

Time to make peace? Sure. Tell that to your friends, the Palestinians.

[Renaissanceman43]

10:35 AM on 05/31/2011

So what are you a Quaker or Jewish. I just love people who say they are Jewish but are not. Then go on to blast the Jews. So I am Quaker Muslim and love Israel LOL.

[Danny Dan]

12:05 PM on 05/31/2011

Absolutely correct.
I think its best to let Syria implode from within.

[Fein]

02:47 PM on 05/31/2011

But keep in mind, Syria is over 4,000 years old.

An 'implosion's' just a speed bump for them.

[WalterRaleigh]

06:45 AM on 05/31/2011

"It is the nature of men having escaped one extreme, which by force they were constrained long to endure, to run headlong into the other extreme, forgetting that virtue doth always consist in the mean.
Sir Walter Raleigh

All, or the greatest part of men that have aspired to riches or power, have attained thereunto either by force or fraud, and what they have by craft or cruelty gained, to cover the foulness of their fact, they call purchase, as a name more honest. Howsoever, he that for want of will or wit useth not those means, must rest in servitude and poverty."
SWR

[aagoodtime2]

03:27 AM on 05/31/2011

After a period of high tension between Israel and its neighbors, the war began on June 5th with Israel launching surprise air strikes against Arab forces. The outcome was a swift and decisive Israeli victory. Israel took effective control of the Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Opinions are divided on whether Israel's attack was an act of aggression or a preemptive strike of a defensive nature.

[QuakerJewish]

09:15 AM on 05/31/2011

A pre-emptive strike is a fancy term for an aggressive attack. It is still an act of war no matter what term one applies.

[Renaissanceman43]

10:37 AM on 05/31/2011

Horsebleep. When a person is standing in front of you threatening to kill you and you have a choice of either a preemptive strike or being killed what would a Quaker Jew do? BTW isn't it true that Quakers are not violent. You would probably stand there and be killed. But your Jewish side would kick the crapola out of the guy.