Ariel Sharon death elicits Palestinian celebrations, rockets fired despite warning
(JNS.org) Two rockets from Gaza were fired at Israel on Monday despite Israel’s warning to Hamas not to fire rockets on the day of former prime minister Ariel Sharon’s funeral.
“It was made clear to [Gaza] that [Monday] would be a very bad day for anyone there to test Israel’s patience,” said an anonymous Israeli security source, according to Reuters.
Some Palestinians reacted to Sharon’s death Saturday by cheering and distributing sweets, while others prayed for divine punishment for the former Israeli leader. In Ramallah, Wasel Abu Yousef, a senior member of the Palestine Liberation Organization, said Palestinians would remember Sharon for “his crimes against the Palestinian people.”
“As any Palestinian I am happy [by Sharon’s death],” said Hebron resident Fawaz Al Karaky.
“The death of Sharon after eight years of being in a coma is something from God and an example to all tyrants,” said Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri.
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New Israeli legislation seeks to ban use of Nazi symbols
(JNS.org) Israel’s Ministerial Committee on Legislation on Sunday approved a bill that seeks to ban the use of Nazi symbols, attributes, and language in Israel except for historical, educational, or documentary purposes.
Explicit legislation barring the use of Nazi terminology currently exists in Germany, Poland, and Hungary. Many other Western nations, especially in Europe, ban such use under anti-incitement laws.
The bill, promoted by MK Dr. Shimon Ohayon (Yisrael Beiteinu), head of the Knesset lobby against anti-Semitism, seeks to make the use of Nazi symbols a criminal offense punishable by a 100,000-shekel ($28,700) fine and up to six months of incarceration.
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MLA moderator supported academic boycott of Israel
(JNS.org) University of California, Davis professor Margaret Ferguson, a moderator of the delegate assembly at the Modern Language Association (MLA) convention in Chicago, has endorsed the U.S. Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel.
Peggy Shapiro, Chicago community coordinator for the pro-Israel education group StandWithUs and a member of the MLA, said Ferguson “kept changing the MLA rules to suit her agenda” at the convention.
MLA’s delegate committee on Saturday passed Resolution 2014-1, which condemned Israel for alleged denials of entry for U.S. academics into the West Bank, in a 60-53 vote.
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World leaders praise Ariel Sharon, Abbas mum on former Israeli leader
(JNS.org) The leaders of Israel’s top allies praised former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon following his death on Saturday.
U.S. President Barack Obama sent his “deepest condolences” to Sharon’s family and the people of Israel.
“As Israel says goodbye to Prime Minister Sharon, we join with the Israeli people in honoring his commitment to his country,” Obama said.
Other world leaders chose to focus on Sharon’s controversial decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Gaza Strip in their remarks.
French President Francois Hollande said Sharon was a “major actor in the history of his country.”
“After a long political and military career, he chose to turn to turn to dialogue with the Palestinians,” Hollande added.
“Ariel Sharon is one of the most significant figures in Israeli history, and as prime minister he took brave and controversial decisions in pursuit of peace, before he was so tragically incapacitated. Israel has today lost an important leader,” British Prime Minister David Cameron said.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon echoed the focus on the Gaza disengagement.
“Prime Minister Sharon will be remembered for his political courage and determination to carry through with the painful and historic decision to withdraw Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip,” Ban said.
Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has been silent on Sharon’s passing. While prime minister, Sharon courted Abbas as a moderate alternative and successor to former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, whom Sharon blamed for orchestrating the Second Intifada.
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