Israel/Palestine Trial
Wow. This was an amazing, huge, crazy stressful, frustrating, busy, overwhelming, incredible, rewarding project and learning experience. Through the hardships I encountered, I am still so grateful for this project. The basis of the project was to learn about a part of history through doing a full on trial, an showing that many times the conflict is not purely black and white, but a messy collections of gray, (or in these trials I think that it was red, from all the blood that was shed.) The whole 9th grade participated, we were then divided up into 3 trials. The trials were- Serbia/Yugoslavia, Russia/Chechnya, and Israel/Palestine. Then, each individual was given a role- Witness, Evidence Expert, Lawyer or Head Lawyer each with a specific job. I was a head Lawyer of the Israeli/Palestine trial on the Israeli side. This was, what I feel, by far the hardest job, but I did chose this job because I knew it was going to be hard. This job required me to be the head of everyone else, I had to make sure every one else was doing their job and knew what they were doing for our case to go well. This job and this trial had many parts, not only did I have to focus on my witnesses I had to focus on the other side as well and better my side through them, by cross examining. For the trial, as a head lawyer it was crucial that I was always actively participating and was very into it, which I was. I gave a lot to this trial, my best strength- energy, effort and time. During the trial, we started off with the opening statements, which throughly explained our side, our criminals we are accusing and the ruling we wanted the judge to give, along with making the other side look bad. Then we continued with each of our groups of witnesses and evidence experts, going back and forth between Israel and Palestine. It was very demanding and you have to always pay close attention, to every detail and think on my feet which I'm good at. We were are very into the process and very competitive which made the trial all the more fun and amusing. It was a very neat, interesting and rewarding experience which I very much enjoyed. The process will be wrapped up with the closing statement, showing how we are right and focusing on how they are wrong, which we will bring in a lot of "arguments" and historical inaccuracy to prove them wrong and us right. It was also very cool to have an actual judge, who would help and guide the trial sometimes, giving us tips and pointers along the way. THis was an amazing experience and a great way to learn about these sides and court through this process. I think that it better developed me as a learner, student and leader, things that I will use throughout the rest of my life!
This is my reflection of being a Head Lawyer, I hope it helps better understanding:
I feel as though I have personally exhibited growth in collaboration and initiative and problem solving through the Trial Project. This was one of the most challenging projects I have faced this year but also very rewarding, as most difficult things are. We all got to say which position we wanted- Witness, Evidence Expert, Lawyer or Head Lawyer. I chose to be Head Lawyer because I wanted a challenge, I knew it would not be easy. I felt like I knew how to be a witness or evidence expert, but I wanted something a little higher up than just a lawyer. I ended up being one of the 4 Head Lawyers on the Israel/Palestine Trial. Being a Head Lawyer has been a huge undertaking, its been stressful, demanding and challenging. There’s a lot of parts to this trial, its like a food chain and I’m at the top. I oversee what’s going on in my food chain, which requires a lot of initiative, collaboration and motivation. A lot of what I did was focusing on lower parts of the food chain, such as the Witness and Evidence Expert, and getting their outlines and information solid. I have to make sure that they really know what they’re doing and are confident it that, so that we have a better case. Then I also have to work with the Lawyers, who completely focus on their witnesses, which I spend a lot of time helping out as well. I figure out what needs to get done and how to get there. Then I also have to focus on my biggest part which is the other side. Do I have all the witness statements, are the cross examination questions done, does so-and-so have their opening statement done? are questions that run through my stressed mind. I work so much with each individual on my side, for there are so many parts that need to get done that I have to really push others to do. I answer their questions and make sure their statements look good, that they have their questions they’ll be asked from both sides... I also have to work with the Head Lawyers and sometimes Witnesses and Evidence Experts on the other side. I need to know which criminals they’re accusing, how/what the witness has to do with the case to work on my cross examination. It’s basically like a huge puzzle I have to piece together. I feel like I have grown in working extensively with others, which has been a challenge because everyone’s different and works and learns differently, which has really broadened my horizon. Also, so many of the people I didn’t know, or was familiar with, a new adjustment. Like I said I worked with so many people on so many things, which has been hard, but I have had to keep pushing and tell myself not to give up and to “just keep swimming”. I have “just kept swimming”, because through the challenges I grow and become, in my mind, a more beautiful and developed person. This whole process has been very rewarding and worth it, in pushing through and doing my best.
TRIAL OVERVIEW:
Here is my overview of the Trial. My good friend and I worked on this together. It explains the whole conflict between Israel and Palestine. It talks about the "sides" involved, Israel and Palestine. My trial overview questions such as who, what where, when, why and how of the conflict. It also explains both sides that we will be presenting in court. I am on the Israeli side, and we are accusing 8 Palestinian criminals of crimes against humanity. It goes on to explain the criminals, their terrorist groups that they lead or are a part of, and what they are being accused of. The other side- Palestine- is bring up members of the Israel government, such as the Prime Minister, General of the IDF(Israel Defense Forces) or high-up members of the Israeli Prison System. As a head lawyer I have to thoroughly understand both sides of the case- Israel and Palestine, to create the best case I can.
Head Lawyers:
Emily Shaffer
Jenna Welsh
Chloe Rice
Hope Golden
Witnesses Against Palestine (Israeli Witnesses):
Khaled Meshaal- Leader of Hamas, a Terrorist Organization; Palestinian Terrorist
Haytham Almishal- Bomb Maker, Helps Militant Groups
Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah- Leader of the Islamic Jihad, a Terrorist organization; Palestinian Terrosist
Yasser Arafat- Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Leader, a Terrorist organization; Palestinian Terrorist
Hassam Abdo- Al Aqsa Brigades Bomber
Sheri Mandell- Mother of Child Killed by Islamic Jihad
Radwan Wasfi- Child That Graduated from Terrorist School Run by Hamas and Islamic Jihad
Forensic Scientist- Focusing on Islamic Jihad’s weapons belt
Psychologist with focus in Child Cults/Brainwashing- Focusing on Terrorist School
Bomb expert- Focusing on Bombs Used by Haytham Almishal in a Terrorist attacks
Military evidence expert- Focusing on Weapons Used by Abdul Salaam Sadek Hassouneh
Reporter on Hamas suicide bombings and air strikes
Imam/religion expert- Justifying Palestine’s actions
Witnesses Against Israel (Palestinian Witnesses):
Doctor specializing in torture- Torture Methods of Israeli Prison Guards
General Benny Gantz- Commander of Israeli Defense Forces
UNICEF Representative- Focusing on the Kidnapping of Ahmed Siyan
Mohammed Abbass- President of Palestine
Photographer- (Shawn Morse) Witness to Mohammed Abbass
Benjamin Netanyahu- Israeli Prime Minister accused of Prisoner Treatment/Denial of Medical Care
Doctor of Medicine- Autopsy Report on Prisoner Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh, Supposedly Killed by Israel
Jawwad Musleh- Palestinian Detainee, Accusing Israel on Treatment of Palestinian Prisoners
Nader Basiono- Brother Died From Israeli Air Strikes
Weapons expert- Focusing on Weapons Used On Nader Basiono’s Brother
Israeli Prison Guard- Kills and Tortures Palestinian Prisoners
Resource Specialist (Abraham Moizes)- Accusing Israel of Cutting off Farmland, Fishing... Creating Health Hazards
Map Expert- Explaining Israeli/Palestinian Conflict Through Maps
General Overview of the Conflict Between Israel and Palestine:
After World War Two, the Jewish people were given the land between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. In May of 1948, the United Nations granted Israel statehood, resulting in attacks from all of the surrounding Arab nations. The exact day that Israel became a nation was May 14, 1948. On that day, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Syria combined their armies against the new Jewish state. This was when Israel first got it’s army. The Haganah was a terrorist organization defending the rights of Jews in the Middle East until they changed to become Israel’s official army. This became that battle that marked Jewish Independence from their Islamic neighbors and prevented other attacks. The Arab Palestinians had been living on the land that was given to Israel and rebelled violently against their new settlers. The Israelis had technically bought the land from the native Palestinians by offering them deals that they could not economically refuse. Then, the precious resources on the land were given primarily to the people of Israel and not to the Palestinians inflaming conflict as the real effects settled in. (Office of the Historian, “Arab-Israeli War of 1948”)
After these conflicts continue for several years, a real hate comes between these two countries because both find the other in the wrong. Israel wants a land of their own where they can live free of prosecution. They want Palestine gone from the sanctuary they were finally given, and are fighting for a place to call home. Palestine and all other Muslims and Arabs want the land and Israel gone because they are opposed to Judaism and believe the land was originally theirs. Egypt wants to have peace between both Israel and Palestine. Jordan obtains normal relations with Israel as well as having two million Palestinian refugees. The Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hezbollah in Lebanon want to get rid of Israel. The European Union and United Nations have been deeply involved in settling this ongoing conflict between the two opposing sides.The US has pushed the Security Council to continue working on the issue, saying “Recent US policy has only made matters worse.” (Global Policy Forum, “Israel, Palestine, and the Occupied Territories”)
Now, Palestine is split into two parts in the Gaza Strip and the West bank. They are separated by the whole of Israel and do not connect at all. Any place where these two countries touch is filled with hatred and violence, the main center for acts of terrorism from both sides. (Arutz Sheva, “Dramatic Terror Arrest in Tel Aviv”) Both Israel and Palestine agreed that the violent killings needed to stop, and signed the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accord made a firm government for Palestine that could have rights over the land of Palestine, which is not actually a state. The Palestinians are responsible for having and maintaining a strong police force, where as Israel is responsible for the general protection of both countries. Also, Israel may not have military inside populated areas of Palestine. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self -Government”) After this agreement, the governments could not directly attack each other without going to war, so the people turned to terrorism to accomplish their goals. They all have different ideas of how to divide land and what religions should be allowed in the area. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Major Palestinian Attacks Since Oslo”)
In Palestine and many Arab countries, people are driven to commit acts of terror because they feel that their land is being taken away from them. They believe that the land they live on belonged to their ancestors and therefore to them as well. There are people who can no longer get their basic human rights, the ability to have land and a fair trial. Because Israel has so much military strength, these people do not believe they can get back their homes and save the lives of their people without resorting to violence and terrorism. There are also the muslims who are opposed to Judaism as a religion and all of its people. These terrorist groups are often very powerful because they have the support of other Islamic countries around the world who are all against other religions in their area. (START, “Palestinian Islamic Jihad”)
On the other side, there are actually no terrorists in Israel. However, there are still people committing acts of terrorism, mainly the Israel Defense Force. They arrest thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, then lock them up without trial. This military also kills hundreds of citizens at the border and in so called “unrecognized” villages and areas. They stage demonstrations of power and murder innocent civilians while hunting terrorists. (Israel Defense Forces, “IDF”) They were established May 31, 1948 after founding of state of Israel . (Israel Defense Forces, “History of the IDF”) The technology-driven Israeli Defense Forces is looked at as one of the greatest armed forces of Earth and pioneers both offensive and defensive weapons (Jewish Virtual Library, “Society and Culture”)
Because Israel has many larger and more locationally advanced Arab forces surrounding them and that throughout history surrounding countries have attacked them, Israel feel that it can’t lose a single war. They go about achieving their goals with peerless intelligence and early warning systems with a fast acting, easily mobilized reserve force. Behind all of the military force is a strategic capability rarely seen with small, concise active force that quickly and efficiently carries out any and every mission. The IDF continues to helping their people, even with helping children and having children support them.
Overview of the Israeli Case:
There are several prominent organizations violating the human rights of Israelis, all related to Palestine. There are three major terrorist groups committing violations of International Humanitarian Law, the Hamas, the Brigades, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. These groups are part of the Palestinian government and are effectively it’s military.
The current leaders of the Islamic Jihad are Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah and Khader Habib. This is a terrorist organization that employs suicide bombers and car bombers along the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Islamic Jihad is a violent offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and originally stems from Iran. They are currently being given a place in the Palestinian politics, though they veer more towards military terrorism that governmental control. The specific conflicts that provide evidence to charge leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are the bomb at Tel Aviv that killed thirteen people, the stoning of two fourteen year olds in a cave in West Bank, a bus bombing in Afula that killed seventeen, and the attack in Hebron that killed twelve people. The specific conflicts are the bomb at Tel Aviv that killed thirteen people, the stoning of two fourteen year olds in a cave in West Bank, a bus bombing is Afula that killed seventeen, and the attack in Hebron that killed twelve people. Basically, these acts of terrorism occur wherever Israel and Palestine touch, as well as places with children and many bus stations. The first recorded conflict in Palestine by the Islamic Jihad was in 1981 where they began attacking Israeli soldiers along the Gaza Strip. It has been continuing on ever since, mainly focusing on suicide bombing near or around buses and small, random killings of innocent children. They are an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and oppose any religion besides Islam. Beginning in Egypt and Iran, they were kicked out into the Gaza Strip where they have began killing Jews. The Islamic Jihad wants broad political and social reforms based upon the Islamic religion. They were founded by radical Palestinian activists living in Egypt that believed the Muslim Brotherhood was becoming too soft in their pursuit of governments based around Islam. These terrorists also believed the Muslim Brotherhood was no longer fighting for Palestine like they once had and so took the matter into their own hands. The original conflict was started by the dispute of land between Palestine and Israel, but changed tactics when they began losing support of peaceful ways to resolve the conflict. In November of 2001 a suicide bombing of a bus killed three people as the bus went from Nazareth to Hadera. In the same year, two people were killed In Afula by two Islamic Jihad terrorists as they open fired on a crowd of people near a bus station. Also, four women were killed in the city of Hadera. Suicide bombers blew up themselves in Tel Aviv injured 25 people outside a cafe in a pedestrian mall on December 25. In 2005 on December 29th, there was a suicide bombing that killed two Palestinians and 1 Israeli soldier. On January 19th of 2006, the Islamic Jihad was responsible for a suicide bombing that injured 30 people in Tel Aviv by a bus station. 9 were killed and 40 wounded during a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on April 17th, 2006. There was a suicide bombing on January 29th of 2007 outside Eilat that killed three people.
The conflict began when Israel became a nation and disagreements over land with Palestine came up. The violence of the disagreements over land turned this part of the Muslim Brotherhood to terrorism to have any effect on trying to keep their homeland. The Islamic Jihad kills random people, young or old, with no particular link in a variety of different ways. They stone, stab, and torture children and adults that they find anywhere in Israel of Palestine, so long as they are of Jewish descent. The conflict is still going on between the Islamic Jihad and every Jew in Israel, and theoretically, all over the world. There is no sign the suicide bombings or car/bus bombings will end in the near future. This is mainly because of their lack of focus on politics, giving them no political ties, and the strong support of the Palestine civilian population.
The Hamas is one of the only two Palestinian political groups (Council on Foreign Relations, “Hamas”) though thats not all it is. It is considered by the US, Israel and the EU as a terrorist organization (Christian Science Monitor, “Who is Hamas? 5 Questions About the Palestinian Militant Group”)run by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin who was originally a spiritual leader in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.This branch of the Muslim Brotherhood came to Palestine after the first Intifada in 1987 and became the largest Palestinian military force. The main goal of the Hamas is to free Palestine from Israel and uses suicide bombings and rockets to further this goal. (Christian Science Monitor, “Who is Hamas? 5 Questions About the Palestinian Militant Group”) This group is a Sunni Islamic group with more than 15,000 militants all dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Their name means zeal in Arabic, a representation of their outlook on how to fight the Israelis. and is “violently opposed to the state of Israel”, therefore governing the West Bank, operating in Gaza Strip and Damascus, Syria trying to complete their task from God. “[Palestine is a] God-given endowment to the Palestinians. The charter also states that Hamas's long-term goal is the establishment of a Sunni Islamic state on all of historical Palestine. This vision leaves no room for Israel.” They horrifyingly and violently complete their job by launching rockets, and suicide bombs. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Major Palestinian Attacks Since Oslo”) They are popular among the public, even stating that they seek death as Israel seeks life. (Council on Foreign Relations, “Hamas”)
The Hamas is actively carrying out these terrorist attacks because they believe that all Muslims are called to fight Jews and the Day of Judgement will not come until this is done. The Hamas actively wants genocide and that the source of all they do. For this reason, the Hamas will never make peace with Israel. (The Guardian, “Hamas Leaves Israel No Choice”) The Hamas have killed more than 500 people in more than in a different range of ways through more than 350 separate acts of terror. Here is a few of those unforgivable acts: The Hamas has historically committed the worst crimes against humanity in all of Israel’s history. Some of the more notorious ones were the five bus bombings that killing 73 people and injuring hundreds more, the bombing of the Park Hotel in Netanya on Passover killing 30, bombing the Frank Sinatra cafe at a university killing nine, and bombing of a social club in Rishon LeZion killing 15. Hamas and other Islamist terror groups claimed responsibility in all of the above cases. On August 31, 2004 in Beersheba 16 were killed, and 100 wounded by Hamas by two suicide bombings on buses. (Fox News, “Victims of Hamas Attacks to Sue French Bank that Handled Terror Group’s Funds”)
The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is another terrorist organization that aims to make Palestine a nation-state, formed from 2nd Intifada. Their goal is to rid of the Israeli from the West Bank, Gaza Stip and Jerusalem, and have stated that they target civilians and soldiers. (Start, “Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades”) Not only does Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades target in locations listed above but they join with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad in terrorist attacks specifically targeting Israeli civilians. In 2002, they began committing random acts of terror on any and all Israeli citizens, not just the militants. Starting with small arms, they elevated to suicide bombs and bombings, creating mass panic with the assistance of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Here is my Annotated Bibliography. It lists 8 of my sources for my trial, but of course I have more. I have some sources that explain the terrorist attacks of the criminals, or for example the terrorist school that some of the terrorists started. Some of the sources give information about the conflict to give me a better understanding of the situation, so I can better prepare my case.
Emily Shaffer
Annotated Bibliography
May 8 2013
Research Question: What war crimes/violations of humanity has Israel and Palestine committed?
Annotated Bibliography
"Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Guide: Transcript. N.p., 2008. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.cfr.org/publication/CGME_transcript.html>.
Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict grants the useful and thorough year by year history on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, broadening my horizon and putting the puzzle pieces together to get a better image of the side I’m arguing. For example there was one event were the Israel Defense Force did attack the West bank after the Hamas used a suicide bomber to attack 28 Israelis celebrating Passover. It gives informative facts of both sides of the conflict to paint a clearer picture. Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides thorough information and a well rounded perspective on the topic at hand as well as giving good background information, and all countries involvement.
"Global Policy Forum." Israel, Palestine and the Occupied Territories. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.globalpolicy.org/security-council/index-of-countries-on-the-security-council-agenda/israel-palestine-and-the-occupied-territories.html>.
Israel, Palestine and the Occupied Territories deepened my view into where Israel was during specific times. This helps me because therefore I can better understand the history of the conflict and see why each side acted or reacted the way that they chose to. This site seems to pertain professional and informative quality, also dealing with the topic of Security Council and other countries involved with the Security Council. I would assume that much of the Security Council deals with politics and government, there are hardly any reasons to not trust our government.
"The History Guy: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." The History Guy: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.historyguy.com/israeli-palestinian_conflict.html>.
The History Guy explained much of the history dealing with the ongoing tension between these nations raised to hate each other. It brought about the situation from a different perspective informing that this is not a recent conflict, however, it has been going on since the origins of Israel and Palestine, dating back to 2000 years ago. Though it can be confusing, learning more of this conflict, it adds to your understanding that this is no black and white conflict. The History Guy gave different tidbits, here and there to create the final image, laying down the truth.
"HISTORY OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT." PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/pov/pdf/promiese/promises-timeline.pdf>.
PBS provides a history and overview of the conflict, but it also describes the specific perspective of each side, to well round your perspective of both sides, arcuately. It goes through major events between both Israel and Palestine, and is very helpful with having a deeper understanding of both sides. With its thorough descriptions and extensive research, give had a very valuable quality.
Levy, Elior. "PRC Runs Terror Academy." Ynet. N.p., 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4273984,00.html>.
The Ynet broadens the concept of Palestinian involvement in terrorism, even to the extent of teaching it to their next generation, something that must come to an end immediately. It also brings the connection of several Palestinian terrorist groups/organization, including the Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. The Ynet explains unbiasedly and through facts the information at hand, to best serve the public.
"Major Palestinian Terror Attacks Since Oslo." Major Palestinian Terror Attacks Since Oslo. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/TerrorAttacks.html>.
The Jewish Virtual Library gives an incredible and thorough list of terror attacks along with the victim, act, date and the organization taking responsibility, which was extremely helpful when looking for who and what crimes Palestine was committing. Though the information given was one-sided, it was very helpful and thorough for our research, now we know for certain the who and what of the actions.
"Remember These Children 2000 Memorial." Remember These Children 2000 Memorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://rememberthesechildren.org/remember2000.html>.
Though the Remember These Children 2000 Memorial counteracts the Israeli side, it gives supporting information of the other side for me to understand the Palestinian argument and counteract that argument. Remember These Children 2000 Memorial wants to help the helpless, specifically children, and defend them, as well as getting more supporters to end this need.
"Terrorist Organization Profile - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism." Terrorist Organization Profile - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=49>.
Terrorist Organization Profile grant very insightful research into the different Palestinian terrorist organizations, with helpful descriptions of each and their goals. Some of the groups included the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which we are putting on trial to defend our side. Terrorist Organization Profile is the University of Maryland study on terrorism, equipped with copious amounts of research to help our case and plead our criminals guilty.
EXAMPLE WITNESS AND EVIDENCE EPERT STATEMENTS:
Here is a group with two Witnesses and an Evidence Expert
group that is convicting a terrorist of a crime against humanity. This group is accusing Mr. Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah of being a terrorist, being the leader of a terrorist organization and starting a terrorist school. He, along with his associates are running a school that raises terrorists and is brainwashing them by lying to them about Israel. They are teaching them to fight Israel and then join the Hamas. This violates many child rights and therefore humanitarian law. In this group we has the actual terrorist Ramadan al-Shallah being convicted and testifying to his actions. We also had Radwan Wasafi as a child from this terrorist schools to testify against Ramadan, as well. The Evidence Expert we had was a child psychologist who focused on those being brainwashed specifically in this school.
Mike Knowles
3 /5
palestine-israel
The name is Shallah, Ramadan Shallah. I have a Ph.D in Banking and Economics, and was professor at the University of Southern Florida, I taught Middle Eastern studies. I was in the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Founded by Abdel Aziz Oden, and Bashir Musa Then everything changed, my good friend Fathi Shiqaqi, was assassinated by The Mossad, and now, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s burdens, are mine. I am the Secretary-General of the PIJ. I’m more than a man, I am a visionary, And I have a vision for a free Palestine.
In my vision, I see the holy land, a place for worship, as it always has been. Israel is not, and I will not stand by watching my people being stood on. I will continue the demonstrations for our oppressors, our captors, and our torturers, which are one and the same. The Israelis. They come, take our land, and spew forth lies. They say that we never existed, they say that we are terrorist, they act like a kindergartener bullying a weaker child around. We are not defenseless, we fight back, we give our lives to be the resistance, the attack on the Maxim restaurant(ADL: terrorism), that was us, knocking on your doorstep waiting for you to open it, and admit us.
Our children will live in a world of peace, forged in the flames of war. For israel and palestine to live together, my demonstrations must continue, my school must remain open, to train my children to become freedom fighters, we must teach them to fight. They must show our resolve, they must sacrifice themselves, for the greater good. The mothers must be the teacher like they are in nature. The offspring must be taught.
Our women are treated with the highest respect, they are the teachers and the freedom fighters, they fight for our freedom, and they give detailed instructions on how to finish our oppressors. There demonstrations give our opposition a message, a vision, for a free palestine. How do we fight back? Violence, is the answer. We attack your restaurants, your malls, and kill your families. Our women, are the heralds of this war, giving valuable demonstrations.
This war is ours. Our women, men, and children our willing to give their lives for the cause. We fight, for our right, to live in our holy land. We will not compromise, we will only stop until we are giving the same rights as the israelis. We will slaughter the Israelis, unless they accept our people as their own.
John
Radwad Wasafi.
Former member of the PRC.
1.) The problem is is that the terror academy, PIJ, and the PRC. and its leader,Ramadan Abdullah, are being accused for a bombing towards israel. The people involved are Ramadan Abdullah, The leader, of the PIJ, and my character, Radwan wasafi, a former graduate of the PIJ. I am currently a resident of palestine, and is serving in the palestinian Hijab.
PRC:
The PRC (Popular Resistance Committee) is the 3rd largest terror organization in Gaza. The academy is named after Imad Hamad, who assassinated in august of 2011. Hamad was the commander of the PRC academy. The PRC was founded was founded for the sole purpose of teaching its members the basics of war by intensive training including: Gun practice, self defense, and fighting skills. The PRC’s main focus is to teach its members these skills to defend against attacks from israel.
Radwan Wasafi:
At the age of 15, I graduated from the PRC by going through intense training. “My officer taught me the values of courage, sacrifice, and love for the jhad. I can do for real, what I do in video games.” I am an eyewitness in the courtroom for explaining what I did while I was in the PRC, and who was making me do this, which in this case is Abdullah. I will go into detail about training, courses, camps, and what the PRC looks like, along with the leader of it all. The information above is what I could find about Radwan Wasafi, but we could assume from numerous graduates and stastistics of graduated join the hamas, we could assume that I joined the hamas at the age of 18. I joined the PRC for two reasons: To gain respect from my family, and to go to the PRC instead of traditional school. I have not commited any crime whatsoever, I am simply being questioned about the PRC. I know little about Abdullah, and I have only seen him a couple of times.
Life after PRC:
Children coming out of the PRC usually stay living in palestine, or join the hamas to protect, and fight against israelis.
Why join the PRC?
Kids typically join the PRC for two reasons: To gain respect amongst their family members, and their country, and to simply serve their country.
Evidence Statement
Abby
Dr. Jessica Ann White
Radwan Wasfi
Palestine/Israel
Introduction Character:
I am a psychologist who specializes in brainwashed people. I graduated from Harvard university and have my Ph.D. in Psychology and have traveled around the world researching child brainwashing on young adults and children. My newest subject is the Hamas Military school where I believe they are brainwashing these young boys into become the Hamas’ military troops.
Witness and his background:
My eye witness’ name is Radwan Wasfi. At age 15, Wasfi graduated from PRC (Profuse Resistance Committee). He was trained in military arts by completing obstacle courses and learning how to operate a gun. Wasfi is going to talk about all experiences he had while in Hamas Military school. Wasfi is trying to accuse PRC of brainwashing teen boys into becoming their young military troops.
Intro to evidence:
When Wasfi graduated, he stated “My officer taught me the.. love of jihad, as well as some battle tactic. I feel that I can free my energy in a good way. I can do for real what I do in video games.” (KSL. 2013. “Gaza teens graduate from Hamas military school.” KSL NewsRadio. 2013. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=235&sid=2384009) In this quote, Wasfi says that “I can do for real what I do in video games.” I believe that they are brainwashing through the “education method (which is called the "propaganda method" when you don't believe in what's being taught) goes for the social-influence gold, trying to affect a change in the person's beliefs, along the lines of "Do it because you know it's the right thing to do."” (HowStuffWorks. “How Brainwashing Works.” HowStuffWorks.) PRC are making these teen boys believe that its like a video game, something they love. The boys thinks its all play and not real combat.
The PRC teaches the young boys (ages 13-17) to be ready to attack Israel. In a multi media footage, it shows boys demonstrating an attack on Israel. The boys are shooting with Kalashnikov assault rifles at a makeshift watchtower that has the Israeli Flag flying from it. One boy uses a artillery shell which destroys the makeshift watchtower in one blow and yells “Allahu akbar” which means "God is greater” (Almonitor. 2013. “Gaza Schoolchildren Receive Military Training From Hamas.” Almonitor. April 18, 2013. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/04/hamas-children-military-training.html ).
The PRC also has summer camps where boys are taught to be ready to attack Israel. The younger boys “carry wooden rifles, but some of the older children also use real rifles. The training includes various exercises, hand-to-hand combat, rope climbing, jumping, and crawling, as well as practice in the use of weapons such as handguns, rifles and knives.” (Examiner.com. 2012. “Hamas children's summer camps teach Palestinian kids terror tactics.” Examiner.com. July 21, 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/hamas-children-s-summer-camps-teach-palestinian-kids-terror-tactics)
At the opening ceremonies of the summer camps, senior “Hamas official Isma’il Radwan said that their purpose was to bring up a generation of children who would act “in the interests of their homeland”, and give them education emphasizing the Islamic culture and its values.” (Examiner.com. 2012. “Hamas children's summer camps teach Palestinian kids terror tactics.” Examiner.com. July 21, 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/hamas-children-s-summer-camps-teach-palestinian-kids-terror-tactics) As Isma’il Radwan stated “in the interests of their homeland,” he is basically applying that “you should do it because it the right thing” which is the education method of brainwashing people.
The evidence proves the the criminal-Profuse Resistance Committee is guilty of brainwashing young boys into being trained to attack Israel.
This is my reflection of being a Head Lawyer, I hope it helps better understanding:
I feel as though I have personally exhibited growth in collaboration and initiative and problem solving through the Trial Project. This was one of the most challenging projects I have faced this year but also very rewarding, as most difficult things are. We all got to say which position we wanted- Witness, Evidence Expert, Lawyer or Head Lawyer. I chose to be Head Lawyer because I wanted a challenge, I knew it would not be easy. I felt like I knew how to be a witness or evidence expert, but I wanted something a little higher up than just a lawyer. I ended up being one of the 4 Head Lawyers on the Israel/Palestine Trial. Being a Head Lawyer has been a huge undertaking, its been stressful, demanding and challenging. There’s a lot of parts to this trial, its like a food chain and I’m at the top. I oversee what’s going on in my food chain, which requires a lot of initiative, collaboration and motivation. A lot of what I did was focusing on lower parts of the food chain, such as the Witness and Evidence Expert, and getting their outlines and information solid. I have to make sure that they really know what they’re doing and are confident it that, so that we have a better case. Then I also have to work with the Lawyers, who completely focus on their witnesses, which I spend a lot of time helping out as well. I figure out what needs to get done and how to get there. Then I also have to focus on my biggest part which is the other side. Do I have all the witness statements, are the cross examination questions done, does so-and-so have their opening statement done? are questions that run through my stressed mind. I work so much with each individual on my side, for there are so many parts that need to get done that I have to really push others to do. I answer their questions and make sure their statements look good, that they have their questions they’ll be asked from both sides... I also have to work with the Head Lawyers and sometimes Witnesses and Evidence Experts on the other side. I need to know which criminals they’re accusing, how/what the witness has to do with the case to work on my cross examination. It’s basically like a huge puzzle I have to piece together. I feel like I have grown in working extensively with others, which has been a challenge because everyone’s different and works and learns differently, which has really broadened my horizon. Also, so many of the people I didn’t know, or was familiar with, a new adjustment. Like I said I worked with so many people on so many things, which has been hard, but I have had to keep pushing and tell myself not to give up and to “just keep swimming”. I have “just kept swimming”, because through the challenges I grow and become, in my mind, a more beautiful and developed person. This whole process has been very rewarding and worth it, in pushing through and doing my best.
TRIAL OVERVIEW:
Here is my overview of the Trial. My good friend and I worked on this together. It explains the whole conflict between Israel and Palestine. It talks about the "sides" involved, Israel and Palestine. My trial overview questions such as who, what where, when, why and how of the conflict. It also explains both sides that we will be presenting in court. I am on the Israeli side, and we are accusing 8 Palestinian criminals of crimes against humanity. It goes on to explain the criminals, their terrorist groups that they lead or are a part of, and what they are being accused of. The other side- Palestine- is bring up members of the Israel government, such as the Prime Minister, General of the IDF(Israel Defense Forces) or high-up members of the Israeli Prison System. As a head lawyer I have to thoroughly understand both sides of the case- Israel and Palestine, to create the best case I can.
Head Lawyers:
Emily Shaffer
Jenna Welsh
Chloe Rice
Hope Golden
Witnesses Against Palestine (Israeli Witnesses):
Khaled Meshaal- Leader of Hamas, a Terrorist Organization; Palestinian Terrorist
Haytham Almishal- Bomb Maker, Helps Militant Groups
Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah- Leader of the Islamic Jihad, a Terrorist organization; Palestinian Terrosist
Yasser Arafat- Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Leader, a Terrorist organization; Palestinian Terrorist
Hassam Abdo- Al Aqsa Brigades Bomber
Sheri Mandell- Mother of Child Killed by Islamic Jihad
Radwan Wasfi- Child That Graduated from Terrorist School Run by Hamas and Islamic Jihad
Forensic Scientist- Focusing on Islamic Jihad’s weapons belt
Psychologist with focus in Child Cults/Brainwashing- Focusing on Terrorist School
Bomb expert- Focusing on Bombs Used by Haytham Almishal in a Terrorist attacks
Military evidence expert- Focusing on Weapons Used by Abdul Salaam Sadek Hassouneh
Reporter on Hamas suicide bombings and air strikes
Imam/religion expert- Justifying Palestine’s actions
Witnesses Against Israel (Palestinian Witnesses):
Doctor specializing in torture- Torture Methods of Israeli Prison Guards
General Benny Gantz- Commander of Israeli Defense Forces
UNICEF Representative- Focusing on the Kidnapping of Ahmed Siyan
Mohammed Abbass- President of Palestine
Photographer- (Shawn Morse) Witness to Mohammed Abbass
Benjamin Netanyahu- Israeli Prime Minister accused of Prisoner Treatment/Denial of Medical Care
Doctor of Medicine- Autopsy Report on Prisoner Maisara Abu Hamdiyeh, Supposedly Killed by Israel
Jawwad Musleh- Palestinian Detainee, Accusing Israel on Treatment of Palestinian Prisoners
Nader Basiono- Brother Died From Israeli Air Strikes
Weapons expert- Focusing on Weapons Used On Nader Basiono’s Brother
Israeli Prison Guard- Kills and Tortures Palestinian Prisoners
Resource Specialist (Abraham Moizes)- Accusing Israel of Cutting off Farmland, Fishing... Creating Health Hazards
Map Expert- Explaining Israeli/Palestinian Conflict Through Maps
General Overview of the Conflict Between Israel and Palestine:
After World War Two, the Jewish people were given the land between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea. In May of 1948, the United Nations granted Israel statehood, resulting in attacks from all of the surrounding Arab nations. The exact day that Israel became a nation was May 14, 1948. On that day, Lebanon, Egypt, Iraq, and Syria combined their armies against the new Jewish state. This was when Israel first got it’s army. The Haganah was a terrorist organization defending the rights of Jews in the Middle East until they changed to become Israel’s official army. This became that battle that marked Jewish Independence from their Islamic neighbors and prevented other attacks. The Arab Palestinians had been living on the land that was given to Israel and rebelled violently against their new settlers. The Israelis had technically bought the land from the native Palestinians by offering them deals that they could not economically refuse. Then, the precious resources on the land were given primarily to the people of Israel and not to the Palestinians inflaming conflict as the real effects settled in. (Office of the Historian, “Arab-Israeli War of 1948”)
After these conflicts continue for several years, a real hate comes between these two countries because both find the other in the wrong. Israel wants a land of their own where they can live free of prosecution. They want Palestine gone from the sanctuary they were finally given, and are fighting for a place to call home. Palestine and all other Muslims and Arabs want the land and Israel gone because they are opposed to Judaism and believe the land was originally theirs. Egypt wants to have peace between both Israel and Palestine. Jordan obtains normal relations with Israel as well as having two million Palestinian refugees. The Palestinian Liberation Organization and Hezbollah in Lebanon want to get rid of Israel. The European Union and United Nations have been deeply involved in settling this ongoing conflict between the two opposing sides.The US has pushed the Security Council to continue working on the issue, saying “Recent US policy has only made matters worse.” (Global Policy Forum, “Israel, Palestine, and the Occupied Territories”)
Now, Palestine is split into two parts in the Gaza Strip and the West bank. They are separated by the whole of Israel and do not connect at all. Any place where these two countries touch is filled with hatred and violence, the main center for acts of terrorism from both sides. (Arutz Sheva, “Dramatic Terror Arrest in Tel Aviv”) Both Israel and Palestine agreed that the violent killings needed to stop, and signed the Oslo Accords. The Oslo Accord made a firm government for Palestine that could have rights over the land of Palestine, which is not actually a state. The Palestinians are responsible for having and maintaining a strong police force, where as Israel is responsible for the general protection of both countries. Also, Israel may not have military inside populated areas of Palestine. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Declaration of Principles on Interim Self -Government”) After this agreement, the governments could not directly attack each other without going to war, so the people turned to terrorism to accomplish their goals. They all have different ideas of how to divide land and what religions should be allowed in the area. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Major Palestinian Attacks Since Oslo”)
In Palestine and many Arab countries, people are driven to commit acts of terror because they feel that their land is being taken away from them. They believe that the land they live on belonged to their ancestors and therefore to them as well. There are people who can no longer get their basic human rights, the ability to have land and a fair trial. Because Israel has so much military strength, these people do not believe they can get back their homes and save the lives of their people without resorting to violence and terrorism. There are also the muslims who are opposed to Judaism as a religion and all of its people. These terrorist groups are often very powerful because they have the support of other Islamic countries around the world who are all against other religions in their area. (START, “Palestinian Islamic Jihad”)
On the other side, there are actually no terrorists in Israel. However, there are still people committing acts of terrorism, mainly the Israel Defense Force. They arrest thousands of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, then lock them up without trial. This military also kills hundreds of citizens at the border and in so called “unrecognized” villages and areas. They stage demonstrations of power and murder innocent civilians while hunting terrorists. (Israel Defense Forces, “IDF”) They were established May 31, 1948 after founding of state of Israel . (Israel Defense Forces, “History of the IDF”) The technology-driven Israeli Defense Forces is looked at as one of the greatest armed forces of Earth and pioneers both offensive and defensive weapons (Jewish Virtual Library, “Society and Culture”)
Because Israel has many larger and more locationally advanced Arab forces surrounding them and that throughout history surrounding countries have attacked them, Israel feel that it can’t lose a single war. They go about achieving their goals with peerless intelligence and early warning systems with a fast acting, easily mobilized reserve force. Behind all of the military force is a strategic capability rarely seen with small, concise active force that quickly and efficiently carries out any and every mission. The IDF continues to helping their people, even with helping children and having children support them.
Overview of the Israeli Case:
There are several prominent organizations violating the human rights of Israelis, all related to Palestine. There are three major terrorist groups committing violations of International Humanitarian Law, the Hamas, the Brigades, and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. These groups are part of the Palestinian government and are effectively it’s military.
The current leaders of the Islamic Jihad are Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah and Khader Habib. This is a terrorist organization that employs suicide bombers and car bombers along the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The Islamic Jihad is a violent offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and originally stems from Iran. They are currently being given a place in the Palestinian politics, though they veer more towards military terrorism that governmental control. The specific conflicts that provide evidence to charge leaders of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad are the bomb at Tel Aviv that killed thirteen people, the stoning of two fourteen year olds in a cave in West Bank, a bus bombing in Afula that killed seventeen, and the attack in Hebron that killed twelve people. The specific conflicts are the bomb at Tel Aviv that killed thirteen people, the stoning of two fourteen year olds in a cave in West Bank, a bus bombing is Afula that killed seventeen, and the attack in Hebron that killed twelve people. Basically, these acts of terrorism occur wherever Israel and Palestine touch, as well as places with children and many bus stations. The first recorded conflict in Palestine by the Islamic Jihad was in 1981 where they began attacking Israeli soldiers along the Gaza Strip. It has been continuing on ever since, mainly focusing on suicide bombing near or around buses and small, random killings of innocent children. They are an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and oppose any religion besides Islam. Beginning in Egypt and Iran, they were kicked out into the Gaza Strip where they have began killing Jews. The Islamic Jihad wants broad political and social reforms based upon the Islamic religion. They were founded by radical Palestinian activists living in Egypt that believed the Muslim Brotherhood was becoming too soft in their pursuit of governments based around Islam. These terrorists also believed the Muslim Brotherhood was no longer fighting for Palestine like they once had and so took the matter into their own hands. The original conflict was started by the dispute of land between Palestine and Israel, but changed tactics when they began losing support of peaceful ways to resolve the conflict. In November of 2001 a suicide bombing of a bus killed three people as the bus went from Nazareth to Hadera. In the same year, two people were killed In Afula by two Islamic Jihad terrorists as they open fired on a crowd of people near a bus station. Also, four women were killed in the city of Hadera. Suicide bombers blew up themselves in Tel Aviv injured 25 people outside a cafe in a pedestrian mall on December 25. In 2005 on December 29th, there was a suicide bombing that killed two Palestinians and 1 Israeli soldier. On January 19th of 2006, the Islamic Jihad was responsible for a suicide bombing that injured 30 people in Tel Aviv by a bus station. 9 were killed and 40 wounded during a suicide bombing in Tel Aviv on April 17th, 2006. There was a suicide bombing on January 29th of 2007 outside Eilat that killed three people.
The conflict began when Israel became a nation and disagreements over land with Palestine came up. The violence of the disagreements over land turned this part of the Muslim Brotherhood to terrorism to have any effect on trying to keep their homeland. The Islamic Jihad kills random people, young or old, with no particular link in a variety of different ways. They stone, stab, and torture children and adults that they find anywhere in Israel of Palestine, so long as they are of Jewish descent. The conflict is still going on between the Islamic Jihad and every Jew in Israel, and theoretically, all over the world. There is no sign the suicide bombings or car/bus bombings will end in the near future. This is mainly because of their lack of focus on politics, giving them no political ties, and the strong support of the Palestine civilian population.
The Hamas is one of the only two Palestinian political groups (Council on Foreign Relations, “Hamas”) though thats not all it is. It is considered by the US, Israel and the EU as a terrorist organization (Christian Science Monitor, “Who is Hamas? 5 Questions About the Palestinian Militant Group”)run by Sheikh Ahmed Yassin who was originally a spiritual leader in the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood.This branch of the Muslim Brotherhood came to Palestine after the first Intifada in 1987 and became the largest Palestinian military force. The main goal of the Hamas is to free Palestine from Israel and uses suicide bombings and rockets to further this goal. (Christian Science Monitor, “Who is Hamas? 5 Questions About the Palestinian Militant Group”) This group is a Sunni Islamic group with more than 15,000 militants all dedicated to the destruction of Israel. Their name means zeal in Arabic, a representation of their outlook on how to fight the Israelis. and is “violently opposed to the state of Israel”, therefore governing the West Bank, operating in Gaza Strip and Damascus, Syria trying to complete their task from God. “[Palestine is a] God-given endowment to the Palestinians. The charter also states that Hamas's long-term goal is the establishment of a Sunni Islamic state on all of historical Palestine. This vision leaves no room for Israel.” They horrifyingly and violently complete their job by launching rockets, and suicide bombs. (Jewish Virtual Library, “Major Palestinian Attacks Since Oslo”) They are popular among the public, even stating that they seek death as Israel seeks life. (Council on Foreign Relations, “Hamas”)
The Hamas is actively carrying out these terrorist attacks because they believe that all Muslims are called to fight Jews and the Day of Judgement will not come until this is done. The Hamas actively wants genocide and that the source of all they do. For this reason, the Hamas will never make peace with Israel. (The Guardian, “Hamas Leaves Israel No Choice”) The Hamas have killed more than 500 people in more than in a different range of ways through more than 350 separate acts of terror. Here is a few of those unforgivable acts: The Hamas has historically committed the worst crimes against humanity in all of Israel’s history. Some of the more notorious ones were the five bus bombings that killing 73 people and injuring hundreds more, the bombing of the Park Hotel in Netanya on Passover killing 30, bombing the Frank Sinatra cafe at a university killing nine, and bombing of a social club in Rishon LeZion killing 15. Hamas and other Islamist terror groups claimed responsibility in all of the above cases. On August 31, 2004 in Beersheba 16 were killed, and 100 wounded by Hamas by two suicide bombings on buses. (Fox News, “Victims of Hamas Attacks to Sue French Bank that Handled Terror Group’s Funds”)
The Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades is another terrorist organization that aims to make Palestine a nation-state, formed from 2nd Intifada. Their goal is to rid of the Israeli from the West Bank, Gaza Stip and Jerusalem, and have stated that they target civilians and soldiers. (Start, “Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades”) Not only does Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades target in locations listed above but they join with the Hamas and Islamic Jihad in terrorist attacks specifically targeting Israeli civilians. In 2002, they began committing random acts of terror on any and all Israeli citizens, not just the militants. Starting with small arms, they elevated to suicide bombs and bombings, creating mass panic with the assistance of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
ANNOTATED BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Here is my Annotated Bibliography. It lists 8 of my sources for my trial, but of course I have more. I have some sources that explain the terrorist attacks of the criminals, or for example the terrorist school that some of the terrorists started. Some of the sources give information about the conflict to give me a better understanding of the situation, so I can better prepare my case.
Emily Shaffer
Annotated Bibliography
May 8 2013
Research Question: What war crimes/violations of humanity has Israel and Palestine committed?
Annotated Bibliography
"Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." Israeli-Palestinian Crisis Guide: Transcript. N.p., 2008. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.cfr.org/publication/CGME_transcript.html>.
Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict grants the useful and thorough year by year history on the conflict between Israel and Palestine, broadening my horizon and putting the puzzle pieces together to get a better image of the side I’m arguing. For example there was one event were the Israel Defense Force did attack the West bank after the Hamas used a suicide bomber to attack 28 Israelis celebrating Passover. It gives informative facts of both sides of the conflict to paint a clearer picture. Complete Transcript Crisis Guide: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict provides thorough information and a well rounded perspective on the topic at hand as well as giving good background information, and all countries involvement.
"Global Policy Forum." Israel, Palestine and the Occupied Territories. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.globalpolicy.org/security-council/index-of-countries-on-the-security-council-agenda/israel-palestine-and-the-occupied-territories.html>.
Israel, Palestine and the Occupied Territories deepened my view into where Israel was during specific times. This helps me because therefore I can better understand the history of the conflict and see why each side acted or reacted the way that they chose to. This site seems to pertain professional and informative quality, also dealing with the topic of Security Council and other countries involved with the Security Council. I would assume that much of the Security Council deals with politics and government, there are hardly any reasons to not trust our government.
"The History Guy: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict." The History Guy: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.historyguy.com/israeli-palestinian_conflict.html>.
The History Guy explained much of the history dealing with the ongoing tension between these nations raised to hate each other. It brought about the situation from a different perspective informing that this is not a recent conflict, however, it has been going on since the origins of Israel and Palestine, dating back to 2000 years ago. Though it can be confusing, learning more of this conflict, it adds to your understanding that this is no black and white conflict. The History Guy gave different tidbits, here and there to create the final image, laying down the truth.
"HISTORY OF THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN CONFLICT." PBS. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 May 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/pov/pdf/promiese/promises-timeline.pdf>.
PBS provides a history and overview of the conflict, but it also describes the specific perspective of each side, to well round your perspective of both sides, arcuately. It goes through major events between both Israel and Palestine, and is very helpful with having a deeper understanding of both sides. With its thorough descriptions and extensive research, give had a very valuable quality.
Levy, Elior. "PRC Runs Terror Academy." Ynet. N.p., 28 Aug. 2012. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4273984,00.html>.
The Ynet broadens the concept of Palestinian involvement in terrorism, even to the extent of teaching it to their next generation, something that must come to an end immediately. It also brings the connection of several Palestinian terrorist groups/organization, including the Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. The Ynet explains unbiasedly and through facts the information at hand, to best serve the public.
"Major Palestinian Terror Attacks Since Oslo." Major Palestinian Terror Attacks Since Oslo. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Terrorism/TerrorAttacks.html>.
The Jewish Virtual Library gives an incredible and thorough list of terror attacks along with the victim, act, date and the organization taking responsibility, which was extremely helpful when looking for who and what crimes Palestine was committing. Though the information given was one-sided, it was very helpful and thorough for our research, now we know for certain the who and what of the actions.
"Remember These Children 2000 Memorial." Remember These Children 2000 Memorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://rememberthesechildren.org/remember2000.html>.
Though the Remember These Children 2000 Memorial counteracts the Israeli side, it gives supporting information of the other side for me to understand the Palestinian argument and counteract that argument. Remember These Children 2000 Memorial wants to help the helpless, specifically children, and defend them, as well as getting more supporters to end this need.
"Terrorist Organization Profile - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism." Terrorist Organization Profile - START - National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 May 2013. <http://www.start.umd.edu/start/data_collections/tops/terrorist_organization_profile.asp?id=49>.
Terrorist Organization Profile grant very insightful research into the different Palestinian terrorist organizations, with helpful descriptions of each and their goals. Some of the groups included the Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Al Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which we are putting on trial to defend our side. Terrorist Organization Profile is the University of Maryland study on terrorism, equipped with copious amounts of research to help our case and plead our criminals guilty.
EXAMPLE WITNESS AND EVIDENCE EPERT STATEMENTS:
Here is a group with two Witnesses and an Evidence Expert
group that is convicting a terrorist of a crime against humanity. This group is accusing Mr. Ramadan Abdullah al-Shallah of being a terrorist, being the leader of a terrorist organization and starting a terrorist school. He, along with his associates are running a school that raises terrorists and is brainwashing them by lying to them about Israel. They are teaching them to fight Israel and then join the Hamas. This violates many child rights and therefore humanitarian law. In this group we has the actual terrorist Ramadan al-Shallah being convicted and testifying to his actions. We also had Radwan Wasafi as a child from this terrorist schools to testify against Ramadan, as well. The Evidence Expert we had was a child psychologist who focused on those being brainwashed specifically in this school.
Mike Knowles
3 /5
palestine-israel
The name is Shallah, Ramadan Shallah. I have a Ph.D in Banking and Economics, and was professor at the University of Southern Florida, I taught Middle Eastern studies. I was in the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ), Founded by Abdel Aziz Oden, and Bashir Musa Then everything changed, my good friend Fathi Shiqaqi, was assassinated by The Mossad, and now, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s burdens, are mine. I am the Secretary-General of the PIJ. I’m more than a man, I am a visionary, And I have a vision for a free Palestine.
In my vision, I see the holy land, a place for worship, as it always has been. Israel is not, and I will not stand by watching my people being stood on. I will continue the demonstrations for our oppressors, our captors, and our torturers, which are one and the same. The Israelis. They come, take our land, and spew forth lies. They say that we never existed, they say that we are terrorist, they act like a kindergartener bullying a weaker child around. We are not defenseless, we fight back, we give our lives to be the resistance, the attack on the Maxim restaurant(ADL: terrorism), that was us, knocking on your doorstep waiting for you to open it, and admit us.
Our children will live in a world of peace, forged in the flames of war. For israel and palestine to live together, my demonstrations must continue, my school must remain open, to train my children to become freedom fighters, we must teach them to fight. They must show our resolve, they must sacrifice themselves, for the greater good. The mothers must be the teacher like they are in nature. The offspring must be taught.
Our women are treated with the highest respect, they are the teachers and the freedom fighters, they fight for our freedom, and they give detailed instructions on how to finish our oppressors. There demonstrations give our opposition a message, a vision, for a free palestine. How do we fight back? Violence, is the answer. We attack your restaurants, your malls, and kill your families. Our women, are the heralds of this war, giving valuable demonstrations.
This war is ours. Our women, men, and children our willing to give their lives for the cause. We fight, for our right, to live in our holy land. We will not compromise, we will only stop until we are giving the same rights as the israelis. We will slaughter the Israelis, unless they accept our people as their own.
John
Radwad Wasafi.
Former member of the PRC.
1.) The problem is is that the terror academy, PIJ, and the PRC. and its leader,Ramadan Abdullah, are being accused for a bombing towards israel. The people involved are Ramadan Abdullah, The leader, of the PIJ, and my character, Radwan wasafi, a former graduate of the PIJ. I am currently a resident of palestine, and is serving in the palestinian Hijab.
PRC:
The PRC (Popular Resistance Committee) is the 3rd largest terror organization in Gaza. The academy is named after Imad Hamad, who assassinated in august of 2011. Hamad was the commander of the PRC academy. The PRC was founded was founded for the sole purpose of teaching its members the basics of war by intensive training including: Gun practice, self defense, and fighting skills. The PRC’s main focus is to teach its members these skills to defend against attacks from israel.
Radwan Wasafi:
At the age of 15, I graduated from the PRC by going through intense training. “My officer taught me the values of courage, sacrifice, and love for the jhad. I can do for real, what I do in video games.” I am an eyewitness in the courtroom for explaining what I did while I was in the PRC, and who was making me do this, which in this case is Abdullah. I will go into detail about training, courses, camps, and what the PRC looks like, along with the leader of it all. The information above is what I could find about Radwan Wasafi, but we could assume from numerous graduates and stastistics of graduated join the hamas, we could assume that I joined the hamas at the age of 18. I joined the PRC for two reasons: To gain respect from my family, and to go to the PRC instead of traditional school. I have not commited any crime whatsoever, I am simply being questioned about the PRC. I know little about Abdullah, and I have only seen him a couple of times.
Life after PRC:
Children coming out of the PRC usually stay living in palestine, or join the hamas to protect, and fight against israelis.
Why join the PRC?
Kids typically join the PRC for two reasons: To gain respect amongst their family members, and their country, and to simply serve their country.
Evidence Statement
Abby
Dr. Jessica Ann White
Radwan Wasfi
Palestine/Israel
Introduction Character:
I am a psychologist who specializes in brainwashed people. I graduated from Harvard university and have my Ph.D. in Psychology and have traveled around the world researching child brainwashing on young adults and children. My newest subject is the Hamas Military school where I believe they are brainwashing these young boys into become the Hamas’ military troops.
Witness and his background:
My eye witness’ name is Radwan Wasfi. At age 15, Wasfi graduated from PRC (Profuse Resistance Committee). He was trained in military arts by completing obstacle courses and learning how to operate a gun. Wasfi is going to talk about all experiences he had while in Hamas Military school. Wasfi is trying to accuse PRC of brainwashing teen boys into becoming their young military troops.
Intro to evidence:
When Wasfi graduated, he stated “My officer taught me the.. love of jihad, as well as some battle tactic. I feel that I can free my energy in a good way. I can do for real what I do in video games.” (KSL. 2013. “Gaza teens graduate from Hamas military school.” KSL NewsRadio. 2013. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=235&sid=2384009) In this quote, Wasfi says that “I can do for real what I do in video games.” I believe that they are brainwashing through the “education method (which is called the "propaganda method" when you don't believe in what's being taught) goes for the social-influence gold, trying to affect a change in the person's beliefs, along the lines of "Do it because you know it's the right thing to do."” (HowStuffWorks. “How Brainwashing Works.” HowStuffWorks.) PRC are making these teen boys believe that its like a video game, something they love. The boys thinks its all play and not real combat.
The PRC teaches the young boys (ages 13-17) to be ready to attack Israel. In a multi media footage, it shows boys demonstrating an attack on Israel. The boys are shooting with Kalashnikov assault rifles at a makeshift watchtower that has the Israeli Flag flying from it. One boy uses a artillery shell which destroys the makeshift watchtower in one blow and yells “Allahu akbar” which means "God is greater” (Almonitor. 2013. “Gaza Schoolchildren Receive Military Training From Hamas.” Almonitor. April 18, 2013. http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/04/hamas-children-military-training.html ).
The PRC also has summer camps where boys are taught to be ready to attack Israel. The younger boys “carry wooden rifles, but some of the older children also use real rifles. The training includes various exercises, hand-to-hand combat, rope climbing, jumping, and crawling, as well as practice in the use of weapons such as handguns, rifles and knives.” (Examiner.com. 2012. “Hamas children's summer camps teach Palestinian kids terror tactics.” Examiner.com. July 21, 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/hamas-children-s-summer-camps-teach-palestinian-kids-terror-tactics)
At the opening ceremonies of the summer camps, senior “Hamas official Isma’il Radwan said that their purpose was to bring up a generation of children who would act “in the interests of their homeland”, and give them education emphasizing the Islamic culture and its values.” (Examiner.com. 2012. “Hamas children's summer camps teach Palestinian kids terror tactics.” Examiner.com. July 21, 2012. http://www.examiner.com/article/hamas-children-s-summer-camps-teach-palestinian-kids-terror-tactics) As Isma’il Radwan stated “in the interests of their homeland,” he is basically applying that “you should do it because it the right thing” which is the education method of brainwashing people.
The evidence proves the the criminal-Profuse Resistance Committee is guilty of brainwashing young boys into being trained to attack Israel.