Palestinians prepare for 'Great Return' March in West Bank and Gaza: Main thread

[Falcon29]

A march is planned on Gaza's border with Israel, that is intended to protest the overall situation across the Palestinian territories and the embassy move by the US in Jerusalem in coming May. The march will take place on March 31, this coming Friday. West Bank residents will likely also organize marches.

Hamas's armed has been conducting exercises to prepare for defensive measures if the Israeli army begins firing on demonstrators or conducting aerial strikes inside Gaza as some form or punishment. It is a popular demonstration with Hamas insisting it is peaceful.

Israeli army has already begun to shell Hamas outposts due to a few Palestinian men setting fire to structures inside Palestinian territory. Which Israel tries erecting in what it considers 'buffer zones'.

Israeli army has prepared 100 snipers to use live fire against demonstrators if they deem 'needed'.

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This will be the main thread for updates and discussion for these demonstrations across Palestinian territories.

 

[Falcon29]

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Erection of tents where the march will take place in Palestinian territory of Gaza:

 

[Solomon2]

The Palestinian Way of War: The March of Return in Gaza
By Prof. Hillel Frisch March 27, 2018
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Gaza Strip, US CIA image via Wikimedia Commons


BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 782, March 27, 2018

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: All Palestinian entities and organizations – from the PLO and PA through the factions, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Salafi groups – have long sought to kill or maim Israeli Jews and damage or destroy their property. The March of Return in Gaza, the latest Palestinian innovation, is similarly intended to lead to bloodshed. Hopefully, Israel will be able to quash the event to save both Israeli and Palestinian lives.

Ever since Fatah waged its first act of sabotage against a pipeline of the National Water Carrier on January 1, 1965, the newly emergent Palestinian national movement has waged a consistent war against Israel.

At the most basic level, Palestinians and others have been consistently urged for decades – by all Palestinian entities and organizations, from the PLO and PA through the factions, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Salafi organizations – to kill or maim Israeli Jews and damage or destroy their property.

These various organizations only disagree over the tactics to achieve these objectives.

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (or Palestinian State, as it appears in its logos and correspondence) is constrained by the necessity to achieve these objectives through “popular struggle” – in other words, through sticks, stones, and incendiary bombs, but excluding firearms, suicide bombings, and missiles.

The other organizations have no such restraint, including Fatah, the organization Abbas heads in addition to the PLO and the PA. Their only limitations are their capabilities. In the West Bank, these are very low thanks to Israeli Security Agency intelligence, preventive arrests, and security cooperation with the PA, which shares an interest in destroying Hamas, a common enemy.

As experts in the production of violence, these Palestinian entities and organizations know that the “routine” production of violence through “armed” and “popular” struggle is insufficient – not only for the achievement of meaningful political objectives such as Israeli withdrawal, but also for holding the international media limelight in the battle to delegitimize the Jewish State.

To put it bluntly, the killings of two fathers of large families and the severe maiming of two Israelis – the crop of Palestinian violence in January and February 2018 – did not make headlines beyond the Israeli and Palestinian media. This level of impact cannot change the balance of power between the two sides.

As painful as these attacks were, few Israelis, whether on the right, the center, or the left, will be swayed by them to change their opinions on the Palestinian issue or on those in power.

For their part, the Palestinians are painfully aware that ever since the so-called Arab Spring, its bloody aftermath, and the multiplication of Iranian-Saudi and Shiite-Sunni proxy wars, the threshold of killings and maiming they must achieve to take and maintain the limelight has become appreciably higher.

Palestinian organizations compete with the Russians and Syrians in their indiscriminate air bombings of Ghouta, the area that covers the eastern suburbs of Damascus, as well as, to a decreasing extent, the violence in Iraq, Yemen, and Libya.

This is why tens if not hundreds of members of these organizations consistently try to come up with new ways to start waves of violence that, if frequent enough, will undermine the Israeli will to maintain a democratic state in a region of states on the brink of war, such as Lebanon, or deep in the throes of war, such as Syria.

The latest innovation is the idea of a massive procession of 100,000 Gazans with the objective of storming the Israel security fence around Gaza to signify the return of Gaza’s refugees to their original homes. Needless to say, the protestors will hardly be the original refugees, who would have to be at least 69 years old – the time that has elapsed since the establishment of Israel in 1948.

The immediate objective of the prospective fence-stormers is not so much to kill Israelis (though if that can be achieved, even better), but to get killed themselves. Their hope is that Israel will resort to force to maintain the border (as would any sovereign state) and thereby create the graphics and funerals that delegitimize Israel.

The long-term objective of the event is, in fact, to kill and maim Israelis and damage their property. Hamas and other factions are hoping this will lead to mass waves of violent protest and self-initiated suicide terrorist acts in the West Bank and among Israel’s Arab citizens. Ideally, from the perspective of the Palestinian organizations, it will yield a full-scale intifada.

Even in the best of times, one cannot predict what will happen. The questions of why and how to rebel are studied closely by status quo powers, by rebels and terrorists, and of course by many academics. After a hundred years of study, the triggers of sustained mass waves of violence remain largely a mystery. They do not fit into the neat formulas that characterize the exact sciences.

Israel wants to maintain the status quo in which people go about their lives peacefully. The Palestinian terrorist organizations want to change the status quo. Gaza, after eleven years of Hamas rule, is meant to become another Ghouta, another bloody Baghdad, or even another full-fledged failed Palestinian state.

This project is fraught with difficulty because the Palestinians are divided, even more so after the attempted assassination of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah in Gaza. So divided are they that the major actors – the PA and Fatah on the one hand and Hamas and Islamic Jihad on the other – can’t even agree on the date on which the fence-storming should take place.

Fatah supporters want it to be held on May 14, the date in 1948 on which Ben-Gurion declared the state of Israel and five Arab states invaded it. The Palestinians have appropriated that date for commemoration of the Nakba – the failure of the Palestinians to destroy the state of Israel – and the plight of the refugees, though the exit of Palestinian refugees had little to do with that particular date. Hamas wants to stage the event on March 30, on which many Israeli Arabs commemorate Land Day.

There is a good chance that marches will take place on both dates, and Israel and the Palestinians are preparing assiduously. The Israeli army will do everything it can to thwart the protestors in ways that avoid bloodshed. The Palestinian organizations, from the PLO and the PA downward, want blood to be shed.

Hopefully, Israeli intentions will prevail.

This is an edited version of an article that appeared in The Jerusalem Post on March 26, 2018.

Prof. Hillel Frisch is a professor of political studies and Middle East studies at Bar-Ilan University and a senior research associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies.

BESA Center Perspectives Papers are published through the generosity of the Greg Rosshandler Family

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  Prof. Hillel Frisch
  Prof. Hillel Frisch is a professor of political studies and Middle East studies at Bar-Ilan University and a senior research associate at the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies. Email: hillel.frisch@gmail.com
  

 

[Falcon29]

Israel warns transportation companies in Gaza it will impose sanctions on them if they transfer demonstrators to the border.


EDIT:

Israeli media confirms the Palestinian reports:

Hamas said on Wednesday that several owners of bus companies had received the phone calls in the past few days warning them not to assist in the organization of the protests. The terror group added that Israeli security officers had threatened to take punitive measures against the owners and their companies, including banning them from operating at border crossings with Israel.

Major-General Yoav Mordechai, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, confirmed that the IDF had warned owners of transportation companies not to assist Hamas in transferring Palestinians to the protests along the border with Israel.

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They did not receiving anything from Hamas and this general is making things up.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-warns-gaza-bus-companies-ahead-of-march-of-return/

 

[Divergent]

God willing.

 

[Falcon29]

 

[sammuel]

A march is planned on Gaza's border with Israel, that is intended to protest the overall situation across the Palestinian territories and the embassy move by the US in Jerusalem in coming May. The march will take place on March 31, this coming Friday. West Bank residents will likely also organize marches.

With all due respect Falcon and all due symphysy to the residents of Gaza , don't you think it would help , if Hamas too would change it's position and be willing to agree to some sort of agreement with Israel ?

So far they only agreed to some sort of a long term ceasefire but not to end the conflict.

Instead all they have been doing is digging tunnels and shooting rockets into Israel . How does this advances anything positive ?

~

 

[626]

With all due respect Falcon and all due symphysy to the residents of Gaza , don't you think it would help , if Hamas too would change it's position and be willing to agree to some sort of agreement with Israel ?

So far they only agreed to some sort of a long term ceasefire but not to end the conflict.

Instead all they have been doing is digging tunnels and shooting rockets into Israel . How does this advances anything positive ?

~

Your high ups are not willing to give east Jerusalem to Palestine State to end up this conflict.

 

[sammuel]

Your high ups are not willing to give east Jerusalem to Palestine State to end up this conflict.

This is a very shallow observation , there are many issues that stop a peace agreement east Jerusalem is just one of them. And in any case Hamas is not willing to end the conflict even if we do give it up

And don't get me wrong , the residents of Gaza have reason enough to demonstrate , the situation their stinks.

But let me ask you , will they ever demonstrate against Hamas who rules them ? I think we all know the answer to that. Hamas does not run a democracy in Gaza , anyone protesting against Hamas would be either arrested or worse - shot.They would never dare protest against them.

~

 

[Falcon29]

With all due respect Falcon and all due symphysy to the residents of Gaza , don't you think it would help , if Hamas too would change it's position and be willing to agree to some sort of agreement with Israel ?

So far they only agreed to some sort of a long term ceasefire but not to end the conflict.

Instead all they have been doing is digging tunnels and shooting rockets into Israel . How does this advances anything positive ?

~

Hi Sam, I believe the ending the occupation of the West Bank should be the priority for a two state solution. Otherwise we have one state solution where Israel will have to grant Palestinians citizenship. Including giving me citizenship, as my family is not originally from Gaza and we originate in areas in modern day Israel. I don't believe situation in Gaza can be resolved without resolving situation in West Bank. Israel will annex some land in a peace deal and likely retain some control, but it needs to show commitment on its end. It needs to show the people where it sees this conflict heading in the future. Does it want to give residents of West Bank and Gaza citizenship or does it seek to pull out?

We aren't getting any clarifications from the Israeli government. Could be because Israel wants more concessions, but with current behavior of your government it's unclear if it even seeks a peace deal. So it's irrational for Hamas to give up arms, which is a condition some are putting on the table to relieve some pressure on Gaza's residents. Hamas is a mature government and party which is not seeking conflict, even this march is expected to be peaceful. Hamas has stated again it does not seek military conflict. I do believe they will agree to 1967 borders -based agreement. As well as long term ceasefire. That does not mean they seek perpetual conflict, it means they are leaving options on the table incase agreement would not be fulfilled and Israeli army renters West Bank following an agreement. Even in case of agreement, Hamas would not be able to form military presence in West Bank. And lifting siege in Gaza will not benefit Hamas militarily as some suggest. Nothing will change security wise on both borders or by sea. You can alleviate the conditions in Gaza if you're intending to.

It would actually decrease Hamas's popular support if Israel actually commits to a two state solution and quality of life improves, then Palestinians will not see a reason for military resistance. I don't see Hamas doing anything wrong, they are very rational and do not resemble any other independent militant groups elsewhere. They do not get involved in foreign affairs and are rational people who seek to achieve independence. Hamas has been open to talks for many years but not receiving any serious commitments from any parties.

This is a very shallow observation , there are many issues that stop a peace agreement east Jerusalem is just one of them. And in any case Hamas is not willing to end the conflict even if we do give it up

And don't get me wrong , the residents of Gaza have reason enough to demonstrate , the situation their stinks.

But let me ask you , will they ever demonstrate against Hamas who rules them ? I think we all know the answer to that. Hamas does not run a democracy in Gaza , anyone protesting against Hamas would be either arrested or worse - shot.They would never dare protest against them.

~

Believe me many have protested and they have right to do so. Some of my family members do not like Hamas as a government but most people are supportive of the military wing. You will not get shot over anything and Hamas is receptive to criticism. They are not surviving because of the armed wing, they are surviving because people believe they are in the right and better alternative.

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PS: Here is Hamas's most recent statement:


Hamas urges Gazans to ‘remain peaceful’ during border protests
The Hamas group urges Gazans to “remain peaceful” during the protests at the border with Israel, beginning on Friday.

“Hamas calls for all the Palestinians to effectively take part in the Great March of Return and remain peaceful to achieve the objective of this event,” it says in a statement.

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https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveb...ns-to-remain-peaceful-during-border-protests/

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I believe it is time for all parties to get serious to resolve the whole conflict and Trump should present his peace plan. Most importantly, the Likud needs to put aside their irrational ambitions.

 

[sammuel]

Hi Sam, I believe the ending the occupation of the West Bank should be the priority for a two state solution.

I agree with you completely that the two state solution is the best option for peace and support it fully. I don't care exactly what the details are . Once there is peace it would be a lot easier to solve the humanitarian problem we have in Gaza , investment could start pouring in and every one would be better of.

War is an obscenity before God , it is our moral duty to our children not to leave them an inheritance of hate and war. instead we need to leave them a legacy of respect to all human beings and teach the value of good relations with our neighbors.

Did you reside in the region ? I must say I have seen some of your writings here and they seem very moderate. I hope most people from both side would start pushing in this direction.

I have low expectation from trump since the palestinians don't trust him, but i don't think you should wait for the americans to start walking that way.

I can tell you that most Israelis want peace but most Israelis are also concerned that land evacuated would end up like in Gaza or worse. That is the reason they voted for the right wing parties.

The tone on both side is only getting worse and the sides are lust battling it out in the media. I really am praying for a miracle that would get the peace process going again.

 

[jewishm]

first smart move of them in years

 

[Solomon2]

PS: Here is Hamas's most recent statement...

Link to the Arabic, please.

...We aren't getting any clarifications from the Israeli government. Could be because Israel wants more concessions, but with current behavior of your government it's unclear if it even seeks a peace deal...

I think it's more because there isn't one number the Israeli gov't can dial for peace: Hamas and the P.A. only represent themselves, not the people under their thumb. That's why I think your approach of engaging on social media might be more constructive. I also wonder if Israel should learn from the example of the Gulf and concentrate more on directly engaging Arabs' extended families - clans? tribes? - rather than the usual self-proclaimed armed political groups.

 

[Solomon2]

The Hamas group urges Gazans to “remain peaceful” during the protests at the border with Israel, beginning on Friday.

“Hamas calls for all the Palestinians to effectively take part in the Great March of Return and remain peaceful to achieve the objective of this event,” it says in a statement.

For now I will assume these very late statements - in English - are for Western consumption only and that what Gazans are being instructed to do in Arabic may be very different.

For example, "peaceful" does not mean "unarmed": Maan has written of "peaceful protests" that quickly turned violent with masked Arabs dropping Molotov cocktails and using slingshots to hurl stones at Israelis: link. So the world has no cause to hold Hamas, the PA, etc. blameless should this "peaceful" event suddenly turn into another armed assault on Israeli troops, or an invasion requiring an armed response from the IDF.

 

[Falcon29]

I agree with you completely that the two state solution is the best option for peace and support it fully. I don't care exactly what the details are . Once there is peace it would be a lot easier to solve the humanitarian problem we have in Gaza , investment could start pouring in and every one would be better of.

War is an obscenity before God , it is our moral duty to our children not to leave them an inheritance of hate and war. instead we need to leave them a legacy of respect to all human beings and teach the value of good relations with our neighbors.

Did you reside in the region ? I must say I have seen some of your writings here and they seem very moderate. I hope most people from both side would start pushing in this direction.

I have low expectation from trump since the palestinians don't trust him, but i don't think you should wait for the americans to start walking that way.

I can tell you that most Israelis want peace but most Israelis are also concerned that land evacuated would end up like in Gaza or worse. That is the reason they voted for the right wing parties.

The tone on both side is only getting worse and the sides are lust battling it out in the media. I really am praying for a miracle that would get the peace process going again.

I do not reside in the region but did one point in my life and have been there many times. I believe this is an important time to push the agenda of two state solution. Like you say, having conflict persist is not preferred for both sides and most people want security/peace then to be able to have a good quality of life. We can only hope as you say a miracle occurs or something draws attention for this to move forward and happen.