Well done Murray McCully

Written By: - Date published: 7:48 pm, December 24th, 2016 - 287 comments
Categories: national, national/act government, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: , , , ,

In this year of topsy turvey politics and weird and strange events this is probably one that no one would have seen happening, the Standard praising Murray McCully.

But he deserves it.  He had New Zealand co sponsor a resolution condemning Israel’s continued land grab of Palestinian land and after the United States abstained the resolution passed.

Israel has responded by withdrawing its ambassador from New Zealand.  So long and see you later.

From the Herald:

The Israeli Government has recalled its ambassador from New Zealand after the UN Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israel’s continued settlements.

New Zealand co-sponsored the resolution, which said the settlements violate international law and undermine a two-state solution in Israel’s conflict with Palestine.

The resolution was passed 14-0 at the last council meeting of the year, and New Zealand’s last meeting in its two-year term as an elected member of the Security Council.

Loud applause was heard in the packed chamber when the US ambassador, Samantha Power, abstained.

All remaining members of the security council, including Egypt, which had drafted the resolution and had been briefly persuaded by Israel to postpone the vote, voted in support.

Looks like Obama is enjoying his last few days of office doing what is right rather than what the Senate and House of Representatives will put up with.  And it appears from his twitter feed that Trump is fuming.

Egypt was pressured by US President-elect Donald Trump and Israel to delay the resolution. It eventually dropped it but the co-sponsors ploughed ahead with it.

Donald Trump, who takes over as US President on January 20, tweeted yesterday that the outgoing Obama Administration should veto the resolution – but it abstained, allowing it to pass.

From Trump’s Facebook page:

The resolution being considered at the United Nations Security Council regarding Israel should be vetoed.

As the United States has long maintained, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians will only come through direct negotiations between the parties, and not through the imposition of terms by the United Nations.

This puts Israel in a very poor negotiating position and is extremely unfair to all Israelis.

The parties have been negotiating for decades.  And Israel is engaged in a war of attrition on Palestine.  Allowing this to reach its logical conclusion will only mean the complete obliteration of the Palestinian state.

The local right are also not amused.  Cameron Slater has described McCully (Whaleoil link) as “siding with terrorists and terror organisations to try and shaft the only truly democratic nation in the Middle East on behalf of his Muslim paymasters”.  Clearly annexation of land belonging to a foreign nation is acceptable as long as they are muslim.

And David Farrar has in his passive aggressive way complained about how the United Nations “has a terrible bias against Israel and a history of passing resolutions that only call for action by Israel, and nothing from the Palestinians”.  I am not aware of any Palestinian action to resettle its citizens on land belonging to Israel.  Perhaps someone could point out examples to me if this has actually occurred.

But Murray McCully take a bow.  These really are strange times.

287 comments on “Well done Murray McCully ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Sacha 1
    24 December 2016 at 8:02 pm

    Farrar and Slater reveal their strange prejudices on this issue. The United Nations has over many decades passed resolutions against Israel stealing Palestinian land but their govt believes they are above such rulings. Our local right-wing sewer-bloggers have no pause about whose ass to kiss.

  2. Carolyn_nth 2
    24 December 2016 at 8:03 pm

    All credit to McCully (his team and our government).

    In my experience, right-leaning, or Nat voters I know tend to favour Obama (and the Clintons) over Trump and the Bushes.

    I saw an Israeli guy fuming about the resolution on Al Jazeera this morning. He continued not to address the criticisms of the unfairness of the settlements, and harsh treatment of Palestinians. He kept diverting to the inconsistencies of US government (or maybe he said UN) sanctions and actions – ie not condemning Syria, Turkey, etc.

    The US is inconsistent with the countries’ actions it supports and opposes, but that’s no defense for the Israeli settlements.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 3
    24 December 2016 at 8:06 pm

    I find Felix Geiringer’s tweet sums up my thoughts on this issue.
    Felix Geiringer ‏@BarristerNZ 6h6 hours ago
    “Well done to MFAT’s UN Team @NZUN & our Govt. This is the sort of principled stance I wish NZ were consistently taking on the world stage.”

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    24 December 2016 at 8:07 pm

    IMO, it’s getting to the point where the entire world understands that its Israel that is the aggressor and not Palestine. Confronted with this fact the US could no longer protect them with their veto as they have done for the last few decades.

    • Sacha 4.1
      24 December 2016 at 8:28 pm

      I suspect a lot of it is positioning between the outgoing Obama adminstration and incoming Chump empire.

      • Macro 4.1.1
        24 December 2016 at 9:14 pm

        There is that – but it is also the case that at last Obama has a “free” hand to do executively what before he was hidebound by a Republican dominated Congress to avoid. It is just a little, but I think we are seeing what the US might have been like, had the Senate and House been Democratic.

        • Andre 4.1.1.1
          24 December 2016 at 9:31 pm

          Up until Nov 8, Obama also had to consider electability issues. This action will irritate a decent chunk of normally solid Democrats. For all the good electoral expediency actually ended up failing to do for the Dems.

          • Macro 4.1.1.1.1
            24 December 2016 at 10:08 pm

            Yes – wrt the abstaining on Israel – that is true, there are many democrats who are pro-Israeli settlements.
            I’ve also been thinking of his actions wrt to the Arctic Oil etc.

        • alwyn 4.1.1.2
          26 December 2016 at 1:05 pm

          You do realise, I hope, that the Democrats controlled the House for the first two years of Obama’s Presidency and they controlled the Senate for the first six years of his time in the job?
          Why did he not do anything during the period when he did have control in both chambers, or attempt to do something in the time his party controlled one chamber.
          Republican controlled Congress my foot. It has only been that in the last two years.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.1.1.2.1
            26 December 2016 at 1:18 pm

            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidents_of_the_United_States_and_control_of_Congress

            And the US system isn’t like the UK system – there’s no whips to ensure that all of them vote the same way. Each US politician is an independent.

          • Macro 4.1.1.2.2
            26 December 2016 at 1:44 pm

            I give you this as just one example of just how hamstrung Obama has been by a recalicitrant Congress.

            • alwyn 4.1.1.2.2.1
              26 December 2016 at 2:15 pm

              I don’t have the slightest problem with anyone claiming that Obama has had trouble with the Congress. However you went much further than that with your comment that I have responded to.

              You now talk about “how hamstrung Obama has been by a recalicitrant Congress.” In your original remark you blamed his problems on the fact that he was “hidebound by a Republican dominated Congress”.
              It is all the Republicans fault, was your premise.

              Many Presidents have been in office when the opposition party controlled the Congress. Eisenhower, Johnson, and Reagan all proved that it was possible to work with Congress and get bills passed. They had a very simple explanation. It was amazing what you could accomplish if you didn’t care who got the credit. Kennedy on the other hand refused to let anyone else get credit for anything and, like Obama, he got totally bogged down at the end of his time in office. The Civil Rights laws were never going to be passed before Johnson became President.

              Obama never seemed to understand that. He also didn’t try and get along with the members of Congress. He could have done so many simple things. Why didn’t he play golf with some of them? He played only with his own friends or members of his inner circle. Even Bill Clinton never understood that foolishness. A Congressman would die for the chance to be photographed with the President on the first tee at Burning Tree.

              Of course Congress has been difficult. They only got more so when Obama got more and more withdrawn from the simple business of politics.

              I would also suggest, as an aside , that it is likely to be Democratic, rather than Republican politicians who follow a strongly pro-Israel line. Jewish voters, and political donors, in the US are far more likely I would think to support the Democratic rather than the Republican party.

  5. Psycho Milt 5
    24 December 2016 at 9:02 pm

    I was gobsmacked when I read we’d co-sponsored the resolution and prevented Israel from arm-twisting Egypt into dropping it. This government did the right thing? Murray fucking McCully did the right thing? It’s one very fucking unusual Christmas.

    • miravox 5.1
      25 December 2016 at 5:57 am

      +1
      Finally after all these years, we experience NZ taking a principled stance on international relations. I’ve always expected our government to do this, even when it avoids dealing with national injustices.

      The right thing. an example of this has been a long time coming, and now I find I’m grateful to McCully. Weird.

  6. ian 6
    24 December 2016 at 10:41 pm

    Wonder if this had anything to do with Key’s shock resignation earlier in the month. It wouldn’t have done his chances in the NY finance/money industry any good if he was the prime minister of a country that had sponsored a successful rebuke of Israel’s illegal actions in the State of Palestine.

  7. WILD KATIPO 7
    25 December 2016 at 3:34 am

    HAHAHAHAHAHAAAA !!!!

    Cameron Slater and David Farrar – our local resident Zionists in drag .

    Both being wined and dined in Israel courtesy of the LIKUD party – a fanatical , aggressive , far right wing neo liberal party – Slater and Farrar , invited into the Knesset , put up in hotels , expenses paid while their job was to write glowing reports for Israels military campaigns , and govt justification for their policy’s ,… and then to spread their pro Zionistic shit here in our own country via the National party and its American puppet John Philip Key .

    Well , notice now Keys gone along with his ”GET SOME GUTS ” crap – how fast the situations changed. No more surreptitious neo con undertones for Slater/ Farrar in that quarter , at least .

    Laughing my bloody head off !!!

    Suck long and hard on this and have a listen , Boys, – then weep.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GRR_n_yQGA

  8. swordfish 8
    25 December 2016 at 8:08 am

    “And David Farrar has in his passive aggressive way complained about how the United Nations “has a terrible bias against Israel and a history of passing resolutions that only call for action by Israel”

    Yeah, in fact, far from singling Israel out for criticism, the international community has repeatedly turned a blind eye to its breaches of international law. The historical record suggests Israel’s rights have actually been privileged – rather than prejudiced. Not the victim so much as the beneficiary of a global double standard.

    And, of course, Israel’s brutal Occupation and on-going de facto annexation of the territory designated for a Palestinian Homeland under International Law hits the 50 year mark next year. Something for Farrar and Slater to celebrate I guess.

  9. lprent 9
    25 December 2016 at 11:45 am

    I am shocked in a pleasant way by this action. It is exactly the correct things to do.

    Israel has to do one of two things. Either abide by the two state solution with all of the implications, or stop the genocidal apartheid of their current ghetto solutions for their Palestinian citizens.

    Farrar and Slater are just hypocrites.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      25 December 2016 at 12:00 pm

      Israel has to do one of two things. Either abide by the two state solution with all of the implications, or stop the genocidal apartheid of their current ghetto solutions for their Palestinian citizens.

      They’ll keep doing what they are now and nothing will stop them. But, IMO, when they ignore this the rest of the world (excepting some politicians and RWNJs) will start to take action against them and the politicians who continue to support them.

  10. Marcus Morris 10
    25 December 2016 at 11:57 am

    Like many of the above, I never thought I would raise a glass to Murray McCully. I cheered when I heard the result of the vote. I did not think it would go through.
    Am half way through reading a book by British Journalist John McCarthy called “You can’t hide the Sun”. It is an appalling account of the treatment of the Arab population within Israel since 1948. McCarthy was held hostage in Lebanon for five years from 1986. Since 1948 Israel has been carrying out a policy of ethnic cleansing and rewriting the history and the geography of the area of land once known as Palestine. However, will the resolution bring any real hope for the beleaguered Palestinian people both inside and outside of Israel. I somehow doubt it.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    25 December 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Surprise, surprise:

    Israel has suspended its multimillion dollar contribution to a number of United Nations bodies and is reevaluating its relationship with the organization, after the UN Security Council passed a resolution on Israeli settlement construction.
    “I instructed the Foreign Ministry to complete within a month a re-evaluation of all our contacts with the United Nations, including the Israeli funding of UN institutions and the presence of UN representatives in Israel,” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu said on Saturday while addressing the nation.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu © Gali TibbonTel Aviv rejects ‘shameful & absurd anti-Israel’ UN resolution
    “I have already instructed to stop about 30 million shekels ($7.8 million) in funding to five UN institutions, five bodies, that are especially hostile to Israel … and there is more to come,” he added without offering any further details.

    We’re really upset that you find our actions despicable and so we’re going to punish you for it.

    Yeah, the Israelis going to continue their pogrom against the Palestinians.

    This could all have been predicted in the 1940s before the UN went and gave Palestine to the Israelis against the founding charter of the UN.

  12. Jenny 12
    25 December 2016 at 6:31 pm

    Doing what is principled, and not what is popular, may become a habit. Let’s hope so.

    Next up on the agenda in the dying days of the Obama administration is the pardoning of Chelsea manning.

    If ever there was a case that the US presidential pardon tradition should extend to, this must be it.

    https://www.democracynow.org/2016/12/21/her_life_depends_on_obama_taking

  13. Jenny 13
    25 December 2016 at 9:49 pm

    Israeli leaders have stated that they intend to defy the UN over this resolution for a halt in Israel’s illegal settlements on Palestinian territory.

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/netanyahu-vows-to-defy-united-nations-over-israel-settlements-resolution/article/2610323

    “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will not abide by Friday’s United Nations resolution condemning construction of Israeli settlements.”

    As we all know, and has been said on this thread in various ways, it is all very well making resolutions, but if they are not followed up they are worthless.

    In response to the publicly stated intention of Israel to defy the UN, the UN must act to suspend Israel from all UN bodies and institutions where Israel currently has a presence.

    http://www.palestinechronicle.com/the-un-must-not-let-resolution-2334-be-squandered/

    “First and foremost, there must be a serious review of Israel’s membership of the world body. Ever since it was carved out of the land of Palestine, Israel’s leaders have projected their country as something exceptional and thus entitled to special treatment. Israel is indeed unique; it is the only state in the world that owes its very existence to a UN resolution – 181 (II). Its membership was, however, conditional, and remains so.”

    “Upon admission to the world body, the new entity gave a solemn undertaking to respect the General Assembly Partition Resolution (of Palestine) and the status of Jerusalem contained therein. This included the requirement to allow Palestinian refugees to return to their homes and land. Israel has repudiated these conditions. The UN is, therefore, well within its rights to suspend Israel from participating in all of its bodies and institutions, as it did with the South African apartheid regime in 1974 and the former Yugoslavia in 1992.”

    In the face of this open defiance, anything less than the measured and moderate actions outlined above, will bring the institution of the United Nations into disrepute.

    Surely open defiance of the statutes of the UN is at odds with membership of that body.

    • Wensleydale 13.1
      26 December 2016 at 2:16 am

      You’d like to think so, wouldn’t you. Sadly, I doubt any action of significance will be taken against them, despite their defiance. Israel is a special snowflake among nations, and any condemnation of their actions, no matter how appalling or abhorrent, means you’re a horrible anti-semite who wishes nothing more than to continue from where the Third Reich left off. Appparently.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.2
      26 December 2016 at 10:20 am

      In response to the publicly stated intention of Israel to defy the UN, the UN must act to suspend Israel from all UN bodies and institutions where Israel currently has a presence.

      The UN needs to do more than that. A full trade embargo including banning funds transferring into Israel. Which I’m pretty sure that the US would ignore but that would be fine as then we’d have proof that the US doesn’t want either peace for the region and works to destabilise it.

      • Richard McGrath 13.2.1
        26 December 2016 at 11:20 am

        I would like to see Israel leave the UN.

        • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.1
          26 December 2016 at 12:40 pm

          Why?
          What do you expect this to achieve?

          • Richard McGrath 13.2.1.1.1
            27 December 2016 at 7:09 am

            Starve the beast to death. I hope Trump evicts the UN out of their current site and tells them to go play on someone else’s doorstep.

        • Wellfedweta 13.2.1.2
          26 December 2016 at 2:42 pm

          The US are talking of withdrawing all financial support. I’m hoping this will destroy the UN once and for all. It is a corrupt gravy train with no moral compass.

          • Draco T Bastard 13.2.1.2.1
            26 December 2016 at 4:27 pm

            The corruption starts in the US.

          • Marcus Morris 13.2.1.2.2
            27 December 2016 at 10:55 am

            What a sad comment. It mightn’t be perfect but it is an important forum and has achieved some great things, especially with its humitarian contributions over the decades. What would you replace it with?

            • wellfedweta 13.2.1.2.2.1
              27 December 2016 at 1:12 pm

              An entirely knew organisation with a very limited brief. It is corrupt (http://nypost.com/2015/10/11/the-long-sordid-tale-of-corruption-un-leadership/), impotent and, well, basically useless.

              • Marcus Morris …
                29 December 2016 at 3:06 pm

                Possibly in matters of international conflict there is truth in what you say – the dreadful massacre of Muslim men and boys by “Christian” Serbs in Bosnia while UN troops looked on because of the terms of engagement is a case in point but in areas of humanitarian aid in any number of places – thank goodness for the UN.. You haven’t suggested an alternative. (Part of its problem over the years has been the “veto” system.

                • wellfedweta …
                  29 December 2016 at 6:42 pm

                  Agreed. The UN have also been impotent in deaths and persecution of millions in Soviet Russia and Communist China. They have been impotent in the persecution and deaths of christians in Indonesia, India, across the middle east. They are, frankly, useless.

  14. HDCAFriendlyTroll 14
    26 December 2016 at 7:00 am

    Meanwhile back in the real world.

    Terrorist attacks by Palestinians against Israel:

    http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Terrorism/Palestinian/Pages/Wave-of-terror-October-2015.aspx

    October 10

    Jerusalem (Sabbath morning): Arab (16) stabbed two Jewish men in their 60s near Damascus Gate, leaving them moderately and lightly wounded, respectively. The terrorist then attacked Border Police officers, who shot and killed him.
    Jerusalem (near Damascus Gate): Palestinian (19, from Shuafat) stabbed two police officers. Nearby police shot and killed him, and accidently wounded a third officer. Officers in serious-to-moderate condition.

    October 11

    Maaleh Adumim-Jerusalem highway: Police officer lightly injured when he pulled over a driver acting suspiciously, and the (female) driver set off an explosive device. Gas canisters were later found in the vehicle. The terrorist was seriously wounded.

    October 9
    Jerusalem (Shmuel HaNavi St.): Jewish boy (16) was beaten and stabbed and lightly injured. Attacker (18, from Hebron in West Bank) was later apprehended by police.

    Kiryat Arba: Terrorist stabbed a police officer (47) and tried to grab his gun. Other officers shot him.

    October 8
    Tel Aviv: Female soldier and three others stabbed. Terrorist was shot and killed.
    Jerusalem: A yeshiva student (25) was seriously injured and another man lightly injured in stabbing attack near the light rail. Terrorist (age 19) arrested.

    Kiryat Arba (Jewish town near Hebron, south of Jerusalem): Man seriously wounded in stabbing attack. Victim evacuated to Jerusalem hospital. Terrorist escaped.
    Afula (town in Galilee): A soldier was wounded in stabbing attack. The terrorist was apprehended soon after.​
    October 7
    Petach Tikva: Knife attack at shopping mall wounded one man. The knife broke, preventing further victims. Bystanders apprehended the terrorist.
    Jerusalem: A Palestinian woman (18) stabbed a 36-year-old Jewish man at Lion’s Gate of the Old City. The victim, moderately wounded, shot and wounded the terrorist.
    Kiryat Gat (southeast of Tel Aviv): A terrorist stabbed an IDF soldier and snatched his gun, then ran into a nearby apartment, where a woman was just returning home. She fought with him and managed to flee. The terrorist was killed by police.

    October 4
    Jerusalem: Moshe Malka (15) was stabbed and wounded on his way to prayers at the Western Wall. Terrorist was shot dead by security forces.
    October 3
    Jerusalem: Two killed in stabbing attack near Lion’s Gate. Aharon Banita-Bennet (22) was stabbed to death on the way to the Western Wall in the Old City on Saturday evening with his wife and two young children. His wife and two-year-old son were wounded. Rabbi Nehemia Lavi (father of seven), who came to the aid of the Banita-Bennett family, was attacked and stabbed to death. Police shot and killed the attacker.

    October 1
    Near Nablus in Samaria: Rabbi Eitam Henkin (31) and wife Naama (30) murdered in a drive-by shooting while traveling with their four young children (aged 9, 7, 4, and 9 months). Security forces arrested members of Hamas cell responsible.

    September 22

    Hebron: Attempted stabbing attack of IDF soldier in Hebron. Assailant apprehended on site.

    September 21

    Nablus: IDF soldier injured by firebomb near Joseph’s Tomb.

    September 17

    Jerusalem: Israeli civilian injured by rock throwing.

    September 13

    Jerusalem: Alexander Levlovich, 64, was killed while on his way home from a Rosh Hashana dinner when he lost control of his vehicle after it was struck by rocks. Two passengers were lightly injured.

    Obviously this shows the desperation of the poor (only the world’s biggest recipients of aid) Palestinians. Hell, some of them are so poor they have to put the baby in the same box the C4 came in.

    I’m sure in the same situation most Standardistas would do the same thing. Well done Murray!

    • Jenny 14.1
      26 December 2016 at 8:46 am

      A tragic list of killings, the vast majority of the deaths being Palestinian.

      Most killed for allegedly attacking heavily armed Israelies, with wait for it…., knives.

      Not mentioned in this long list of one sided tragedy and death, is the “alarming increase in the number of Palestinian structures demolished by Israel in 2016”, in the West Bank under direct Israeli control.

      No mention of the 296 Palestinian children killed by Israeli bombs and rockets in Gaza.

      One particularly glaring omission from this list of killings is the murder of an 18 month old Palestinian child killed in an arson attack on two Palestinian homes in the West Bank by Israeli settlers.

      http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/palestinian-baby-burned-death-extremist-attack-150731035331224.html

      http://www.awdnews.com/political/israeli-settlers-burn-palestinian-baby-to-death-in-arson-attack

      http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33729281

      Lying by ommission is still lying.

      The world community, (including the New Zealand government and people), and apparently even the Americans, are heartily sick of it.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.2
      26 December 2016 at 8:51 am

      Therefore illegal settlements are cool, no?

      What’s the ‘principle’ behind your false equivalence argument? “He did it too” (right wing hypocrites love that one), or ‘two wrongs make a right’?

      Or is it simply that as an amygdala-based life-form you don’t have any principles at all?

    • Psycho Milt 14.3
      26 December 2016 at 8:58 am

      Meanwhile back in the real world.

      Er, the settlements are being constructed in the real world. If they were being constructed in some fantasy world, no-one would give a shit.

      You seem very confused, or maybe just unable to determine whether your comments are relevant to the post. I shall assist: no crimes by Palestinians are relevant to the illegality of Israeli settlement construction in the occupied territories. It doesn’t matter how many you list, nor how bad they are, they remain irrelevant to the subject at hand.

      • Richard McGrath 14.3.1
        26 December 2016 at 11:27 am

        Having condemned Israel, how about we start dismantling the settlements built by the colonisers in Aotearoa/New Zealand?

        • Psycho Milt 14.3.1.1
          26 December 2016 at 1:17 pm

          It’s an interesting comparison. Suppose the invasion of the Waikato had happened a few decades ago and British settlers were right now building farms and towns on the land they’d taken from the defeated Maori; what do you think the UN would have to say about that?

          • JOHN IRVING 14.3.1.1.1
            3 January 2017 at 9:02 am

            The Israelis claim to be the indigenous peoples retaking land from the Jonny come latelys

        • Macro 14.3.1.2
          26 December 2016 at 2:01 pm

          Yes a very pertinent question Richard.
          One of the reasons why it is taking so long to resolve outstanding treaty claims don’t you think?
          Mind you.. The confiscation of Maori land by an imperialist Govt continues to this very day!
          Not one more acre”

    • Jenny 14.4
      26 December 2016 at 9:28 am

      HDCAFriendlyTroll @14 above; mentions the names and ages of some of the Israeli victims of the violent conflicts he has listed, but none of the names of the Palestinian victims, consciously or unconsciously de-humanising the Palestinians. This self addmitted troll, consciously and deliberately omitted all the violent conflicts that don’t fit with the narrative of the Israelis as the victim.

      Because he never once mentioned the names of any of the Palestinian victims of these violent conflicts, and ommitted all those conflicts that didn’t suit his racist narrative.

      To give them back their humanity, here are the names and ages of all the children killed in Gaza by the Israelis;

      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/10984259/Revealed-the-Palestinian-children-killed-by-Israeli-forces.html

      • gsays 14.4.1
        26 December 2016 at 10:26 am

        Hi jenny, they were all named terrorist. Sarc .

        The other distressing aspect of the crimes was so many of the palestinians ended up dead. Often unarmed.

      • Wellfedweta 14.4.2
        26 December 2016 at 10:29 pm

        Jenny, these deaths are on the hands of Palestinians who deliberately place children in harms way.http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10987095/Gaza-conflict-Hamas-chooses-to-let-children-die-for-its-own-crazy-ends.html

        • Jenny 14.4.2.1
          27 December 2016 at 12:54 am

          Wellfed, your link to a justification of the bombardment and siege of Gaza, would have done the beseigers of the Warsaw Ghetto proud.

          • Richard McGrath 14.4.2.1.1
            27 December 2016 at 7:17 am

            Jenny the Poles in the Warsaw ghetto would not have used children as human shields.

            • swordfish 14.4.2.1.1.1
              27 December 2016 at 3:21 pm

              As detailed reports by leading International Human Rights Organisations attest – nor did the people of Gaza.. Human Rights Groups do however provide evidence that:

              (1) Israel deliberately targets Palestinian civilians
              and
              (2) regularly uses Palestinian children as human shields when its forces invade Gaza. (and, indeed, in Lebanon 2006)

              In relation to Operation Protective Edge (2014) See also

              Jeremy Bowen, BBC Middle East editor: “I saw no evidence during my week in Gaza of Israel’s accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.”

              The Guardian: “In the past week, the Guardian has seen large numbers of people fleeing different neighbourhoods.. and no evidence that Hamas had compelled them to stay.”

              The Independent: “Some Gazans have admitted that they were afraid of criticizing Hamas, but none have said they had been forced by the organisation to stay in places of danger and become unwilling human-shields.”

              Reuters, 2013: “A United Nations human rights body accused Israeli forces on Thursday of mistreating Palestinian children, including by torturing those in custody and using others as human shields.”

              Need to stop regurgitating these banal Israeli soundbytes, Richard. Otherwise you’ll end up like Wellfedtroller. And let’s face it, neither of us want that, do we ?

          • wellfedweta 14.4.2.1.2
            27 December 2016 at 12:58 pm

            Jenny Israel withdrew from the Gaza in 2005. And then the Palestinians started the rockets. I have almost zero sympathy for them.

        • Morrissey 14.4.2.2
          28 December 2016 at 2:33 pm

          You truly are an ignoramus.

          Note to Moderators:

          Are fools like Wellfedweta, HDCAFriendlyTroll and Richard McGrath allowed to write ANYTHING on this forum? I was (rightly) castigated this morning for a nasty little joke directed against the idiot son of a former prime minister. It concerns me to see vicious liars like these three posting without any disapproving editorial comments to warn readers of just how dodgy they are.

          • lprent 14.4.2.2.1
            28 December 2016 at 5:23 pm

            We deal with what we see that violates the policies, which we feel that is just boring, or looks like it disrupts the “robust debate” that the comments and posts that the site was setup to elicit.

            So yes we allow people to express their ideas. We also don’t stop others from rebutting. After all why should the moderators do all of the editorial work?

            We tend to focus on behaviour rather than what people say. We seldom protect people in public life for things that they do.

            But we tend to draw a line on people who aren’t in public life and therefore properly part of the public debate.

            Gossip really isn’t “public life”. Outside of journos with column inches and airtime to fill, who really gives a pig arse about people famous for just being “famous”.

          • wellfedweta 14.4.2.2.2
            29 December 2016 at 10:36 am

            So you don’t like a counter opinion, and seek to have it suppressed. I could, for example, write a note that accuses you of ‘vicious anti-semitism’, of seeking to instigate a second holocaust, or perhaps just of sheer ignorance. But that would be a totalitarian approach. So debate the history.

    • swordfish 14.5
      26 December 2016 at 9:33 am

      “Meanwhile back in the real world”

      Why on earth would a morally-bankrupt run-of-the-mill Hasbara* shill like your good self even remotely have any interest in the real world ?

      * Hasbara (Black propaganda on behalf of the Israeli state)

      If we were to pull you – kicking and screaming – out of your self-imposed little Israeli black ops fantasyland, you’d be forced to open your eyes and acknowledge …

      – Israel’s brutal 50 – that’s right, 50 !!! – year Occupation and on-going de facto annexation of the territory designated for a Palestinian Homeland under International Law.

      – the 1200 Palestinian civilians / 350 children massacred by Israeli military in Operation Cast Lead 2008-09 (6,300 homes destroyed, 600,000 tons of rubble left behind)

      – the 1,600 Palestinian civilians / 550 children massacred by Israeli military in Operation Protective Edge 2014 (18,000 homes destroyed, 2.5 million tons of rubble left behind)

      – the thousands of Palestinian civilians massacred by the Israeli military in its numerous other “Operations” over the last 15 years

      – Palestinian men, women and children killed and maimed on a daily basis by both Israeli military and Settlers since the Occupation began in 1967, murders that have greatly escalated over recent years, VASTLY outnumbering Israeli deaths and going almost entirely unpunished.

      – the illegal, immoral, inhuman blockade of Gaza, which began in late 2007 – a humanitarian disaster deliberately planned by Israel – severely condemned over the years by all major human rights groups and leading international figures (including six Nobel peace prize winners) like the late Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, Jimmy Carter, former UN secretary general Kofi Annan, Burmese leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Norway’s first female Prime Minister Gro Brundtland …

      And that’s leaving out the systematic residential and resource apartheid practiced by Israel as part of its methodical ethnic cleansing in the Occupied Territories, the day-in / day-out humiliation by the IDF, the mass incarceration of Palestinian men, women and children plucked off the streets by Israeli military, the systematic use of torture against these thousands of illegally detained Palestinian prisoners …….

      But forget all that … you never know, there might just be one or two vaguely interested but not very well informed people – maybe very occasional readers – viewing the thread and if you’re really lucky you might just be able to pull the wool over their eyes. Keep up the good work. Israel needs as many useful idiots like you as it can get.

      • Richard McGrath 14.5.1
        26 December 2016 at 11:31 am

        Didn’t the Israeli occupation start after a failed invasion of Israel by its Arab neighbours, which aimed to drive the people of Israel into the sea?

        • swordfish 14.5.1.1
          26 December 2016 at 11:51 am

          No it didn’t, seeing you ask.

          You really need to do better than casually relying on long-demolished Israeli soundbytes if you want to be taken seriously, Richard.

          Putting aside the little fact that … er, you know … Israel did actually launch the 1967 War with a first strike … have a bit of an old gander at the following …

          https://thestandard.org.nz/palestine/#comment-848545

          and …

          https://thestandard.org.nz/palestine/#comment-848660

          • Wellfedweta 14.5.1.1.1
            26 December 2016 at 2:09 pm

            Using comments on a blog as support for your opinion is probably why you have no idea of what actually happened. Read some reputable sources, and you might learn something.

            • swordfish 14.5.1.1.1.1
              27 December 2016 at 7:44 am

              “Using comments on a blog as support for your opinion is probably why you have no idea of what actually happened. Read some reputable sources”

              Ha ! … absolutely priceless !!!

              Now, precisely Whose comments do you think they were, Sport ?

              Hint: The name “swordfish” appears immediately above them.

              In other words, (and I realise this may prove a little too complex for you to understand, but bear with me), these are my comments based on very extensive reading over the last 20 years.

              In stark contrast to your good self. You and Richard really need to try and suppress your obviously innate instinct to mindlessly regurgitate a stale pastiche of long-demolished official Israeli soundbytes.

              You’re like those horrendous fucking apologists for South Africa during the Apartheid years.

            • Marcus Morris 14.5.1.1.1.2
              27 December 2016 at 11:03 am

              WFW

              One of my oldest and staunchest friends follows your narrative. I refute it utterly By mutual consent we no longer discuss the issue. His “feeds”come entirely from Israel and he invariably falls back on the line “it is biblical”. He accepts the line that there never was a Palestinian state and of course he is correct but the geographical area we know as Palestine goes back at least two millenium. He and other zionist apologists are fond of quoting Samuel Clemens, who wrote in a travelogue that the land was virtually uninhabited. Perhaps he was crossing the Negev Desert.

              When I tell him that Muslims and Jews lived in peaceful co-existence in the same land for centuries he is unaware of this. When I tell him that the Jews who were expelled by the so-called Christian rulers of Spain after 1492 when the Moors were finally driven from that country, found refuge and succour in Muslim societies, it comes as a surprise.

              As for the present situation and its history you might like to read “Blood Brothers” the book by three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Elias Chacour recently retired after serving since 2006 as the Archbishop of the Melkite Catholic Church for Akko, Haifa, Nazareth, and all Galilee. I would think that his narrative would be pretty reliable.

              Then there is the book I quoted in an earlier post on the subject, “You can’t hide the sun” by John McCarthy.

              Another authoritative journalist is Robert Fisk who discusses the issue at length in “The Great War For Civilisation” -but I expect you will dismiss him as a left wing journo as my friend does.

              El Jazeera has produced a four part documentary entitled Al Nakba which can be viewed on You Tube. It gives a detailed history of the situation going back as far as the incident when Napoleon, needing funds for his wars, offered to give Palestine to the the Jews in return for financial support.

              The Balfour declaration of which so much is made contained this very specific proviso:

              it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.

              The original UN proposal called for an equal partition between Arab and Jew and the British should have remained in Palestine until it had been established, but they had no stomach for prolongued strife, especially so soon after the ending of World War 2 and the activities of Israeli terrorists wouldn’t have helped. The title “Perfidious Albion” is not out of place in this instance.

              Finally I wish to make it very clear that I am in no way anti Semitic. I am hugely grateful for the wonderful achievements that so many Jewish people have made over the centuries in all fields of human endeavour and that have enhanced the life I live today. I am acutely aware of the appalling sufferings and persecutions of these people over the centuries, almost entirely at the hands of Christians. But I find abhorrent the treatment by the current Israeli regime with respect to the Arab people living within Israel itself, and in the plight of those trapped within what is left of Palestine and the refugee camps in Lebanon. I take comfort that there are many Jewish groups both inside and outside Israel that share my views.

          • Paul 14.5.1.1.2
            26 December 2016 at 2:11 pm

            I recommend we ignore wellfedweta . He is clearly trolling.

        • Draco T Bastard 14.5.1.2
          26 December 2016 at 12:47 pm

          The Zionists started the invasion of Palestine back in the 19th century. They got backing for the annexation of Palestine for Jews from the UK and US in the beginning and middle of the 20th century. They carried out massive terrorist campaigns during that period. Then, after the UN gave then Palestine they started a purge of Palestinians that hasn’t stopped since.

          Israel is a terrorist nation. It started with blood and continues in the same way.

          • Wellfedweta 14.5.1.2.1
            26 December 2016 at 2:08 pm

            Palestine is the historical homeland of the Jewish people. Palestine was a territroy, a geographical area, not a nation state. You really need to do some homework.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 14.5.1.2.1.1
              26 December 2016 at 2:25 pm

              Israel was neither a territory nor a nation state. You really need to realise that non amygdala-based lifeforms aren’t susceptible to your double-talk.

              • Wellfedweta …
                26 December 2016 at 2:36 pm

                Yes it was. There was a nation state of Israel in antiquity. In the early 20th century. Israel was promised a nation state. That was delivered by the allied powers, and that has never been accepted by the Arab inhabitants of ‘Palestine’. It’s a bit like the bleeding hearts who won’t accept the democratic process in the US. They need to get a life.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  26 December 2016 at 2:45 pm

                  Have your amygdala checked: it’s getting in the way of you having a fucking clue what I’m talking about, and feeding you flaccid talking points instead.

                  • Wellfedweta …
                    26 December 2016 at 5:31 pm

                    Off your mess again bloke? Take a few days off.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      26 December 2016 at 7:35 pm

                      *meds

                      No. I’m pointing out that “your” “justifications” are unoriginal plagiarised double talk; rank hypocrisy. Gobshite.

                      That your purported truths apply equally to both sides.

                      That your amygdala is the only organ you obey: your status here is that of a megaphone, a tool. Nothing more.

                  • Richard McGrath …
                    27 December 2016 at 7:19 am

                    Play the ball, not the man.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  26 December 2016 at 4:21 pm

                  In the early 20th century. Israel was promised a nation state.

                  So, at that point, they didn’t have a nation state. That would be because they lost it more than 2000 years ago.

                  BTW, Britain also promised the Palestinians a nation state that would be recognised if they helped with the war. The Palestinians thus helped with the war and then Britain and the US gave it to the Zionists instead.

                  • Wellfedweta …
                    26 December 2016 at 5:20 pm

                    The difference is that Israel HAVE had a nation in ‘Palestine’ previously. The ‘Palestinian people don’t exist, as a nation or a people group. There are Arabs of Palestine and Jews of Palestine.

                • Marcus Morris …
                  27 December 2016 at 11:12 am

                  You are a troll aren’t you WFW. Yes Palestine was a territory not a state but for centuries it had been administered as an entity within the Ottoman Empire. It had its own Governor in that context.

                  Like so much of the carve up the Middle East which followed WW I, I “boggle” at the arrogance of the “super powers” of the time, viz Britain and France as they created states (Iraq) and drew up boundaries to suit their own convenience and interests. And we are reaping the whirlwind of those decisions.
                  Greed, Empire and gun boat diplomacy was the order of the day. The centre of “Empire” has shifted but the rest remains the same.

                  By the way, I presume that “Democracy” and “Majority” don’t necessarily equate in your world.

                  • wellfedweta …
                    27 December 2016 at 1:20 pm

                    “You are a troll aren’t you WFW.”
                    No, but if it makes you fell better that you can’t refute my comments…

                    “Yes Palestine was a territory not a state but for centuries it had been administered as an entity within the Ottoman Empire. It had its own Governor in that context.”
                    Exactly. So it was not a state.

                    “Like so much of the carve up the Middle East which followed WW I, I “boggle” at the arrogance of the “super powers” of the time, viz Britain and France as they created states (Iraq) and drew up boundaries to suit their own convenience and interests. And we are reaping the whirlwind of those decisions.”
                    Oh indeed. As with Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, etc etc.

                    “By the way, I presume that “Democracy” and “Majority” don’t necessarily equate in your world.”
                    Oh yes indeed. Israel’s legitimacy is demonstrated by it’s virtual immediate recognition by the vast ‘majority’ of nations in 1948. It has been the only ‘democracy’ in the middle east for decades, until recently. It has successfully maintained peace accords with Egypt and Jordan for decades. She willingly accepts Jew, Arab and all other nationalities and culture alike. She doesn’t execute gays or stone women who are raped. This is the state you hate, in favour of a people group who elected terrorists to run their people.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      28 December 2016 at 8:10 am

                      Therefore cluster bombing children is cool, yes?

                      The Moraninthemiddle is back to “He did it too! Two wrongs make a right!”

                      …willingly accepts Jew, Arab and all other nationalities and culture alike…not. The racist troll has no grasp of even the most recent history.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      28 December 2016 at 9:19 am

                      Israel’s legitimacy is demonstrated by it’s virtual immediate recognition by the vast ‘majority’ of nations in 1948.

                      And the illegality of its subsequent actions is demonstrated by the UN Security Council.

                      Funny how a lot of the international goodwill towards the state of Israel that was present in 1948 has disappeared. Almost as though they’ve done something wrong.

                    • Marcus Morris …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:44 am

                      Sorry WFW I don’t think that there is anything in my posts that suggest Hate. Neither do I necessarily question Israel’s legitimacy but I do question the legitimacy of the settlements in the “occupied territories” which I believe were not mandated in 1948 and I am shocked at the treatment of the people of Palestine during and since that time the people of Palestine refer to as Al Nakba. I have given several authoritative references to this in my posts but you may well find their narrative unpalatable to your own. As for your last paragraph I frankly can’t see the relevance. As I have also said elsewhere, there are many Jewish people both inside and outside Israel that share my concerns.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 10:41 am

                      “Neither do I necessarily question Israel’s legitimacy but I do question the legitimacy of the settlements in the “occupied territories” which I believe were not mandated in 1948 and I am shocked at the treatment of the people of Palestine during and since that time the people of Palestine refer to as Al Nakba.”
                      Are you shocked by the Arab response to Res 181? To the Arab aggression in 1956, 1967 and 1973? To the response to Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 10:42 am

                      “…willingly accepts Jew, Arab and all other nationalities and culture alike…not.”

                      Your link is to a list of nations known to harbour terrorists. Even your deceit is weak.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 10:58 am

                      Yawn. Your drivel about accepting all nationalities is a lie. The link proves it. Now fuck off.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 11:20 am

                      ‘ The link proves it.”

                      No, all it proves is you lie. NZ accepts all nationalities. Just not terrorists. Israel is the same.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 11:23 am

                      NZ discriminates on the basis of behaviour – criminality and so-on, not on the basis of ethnicity or nationality. Only dishonest racist cry-babies like you do that.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 12:29 pm

                      “NZ discriminates on the basis of behaviour – ”

                      As do Israel.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 12:55 pm

                      Nope, they discriminate on the basis of nationality. That’s why Ha’aretz said it makes Israel an apartheid state. I think they know more about it than you do, because they are Israel’s oldest daily newspaper, and you are a whining little baby crying your denial on a blog.

                    • Marcus Morris …
                      29 December 2016 at 3:56 pm

                      Just read your comment again – I think I can (and have) refuted every one of your arguments. The fact that you don’t agree with them certainly doesn’t nullify them. We just have diametrically opposed points of view. What I do refute most strenuously is your assertion that I hate Israel. Their current government is made up of what I regard as very right wing Jews. The assassination of Rabin by an extreme right wing fanatic was a tragedy for the whole settlement process and Rabin’s stance suggested that there is/was a significant number of Israelis who recognised the legitimacy of the “Palestinian” cause. I use quotation marks because you will use the rather semantic term that there is no such person. I am trying to find you post about the legitimacy that history provides for invading peoples. Millions of displaced indigenous people should take comfort from that assertion except that you add the rider that some “occupations” can be legitimised. Good, that means that every immigrant to New Zealand over the last one hundred and seventy years can feel secure.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:33 pm

                      ” I think I can (and have) refuted every one of your arguments. ”

                      Not a single one.

                      Why did the arab’s not accept Res 181?

                      Why did the residents of Gaza start firing on Israel after the Israeli withdrawal?

                      Why did the residents of Gaza elect a terrorist organisation to be its government?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:35 pm

                      Here is the list of countries Israel excludes the citizens of:

                      Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Yemen, the West Bank and Gaza Strip

                      All paragons of democracy and peace, eh Bloke. These are the terrorists you share your bed with.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 9:14 am

                      Smearing all citizens of those countries as terrorists confirms that you are a racist, sharing your bed with war criminals who threaten New Zealand.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:34 pm

                      “Smearing all citizens of those countries as terrorists confirms that you are a racist…”

                      Not at all. Just careful. Israel is a country whose very existence has been threatened by militant arabs since it’s inception. I have asked you several times what happened after Israel returned Gaza…you steadfastly refuse to answer. After reading some of your hate filled diatribe, I am tending to see why people such as Bruce Logan advocate for a one state solution (see todays NZH).

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:51 pm

                      Some people call it “racial profiling”. Racist Quislings like you try and justify it, and in doing so betray your country.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 2:39 pm

                      “Some people call it “racial profiling”.”

                      I call it a fair bet. History has proven Israel correct many times, and if there were countries supporting terrorism against NZ I wouldn’t want their citizens coming here either.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 3:03 pm

                      You are a racist apologist for war criminals. Let’s agree to disagree.

            • Draco T Bastard 14.5.1.2.1.2
              26 December 2016 at 4:18 pm

              Palestine is the historical homeland of the Jewish people.

              No it’s not. They lost it more than two thousand years ago. Now the only people have any claim to it happens to be the people who populated it at the beginning of the 20th century which happens to be the Palestinians.

              Or, if you want to maintain your position I expect you to demand that the USA return all the land to the native Americans. Everyone else should immediately return to where they came from.

              Palestine was a territroy, a geographical area, not a nation state.

              And how do you think nation states came to be?
              It was people in a geographic area that had lived there peacefully with each other for generations deciding that they were all one people and governing as such. That’s how we got England, Wales and Scotland.

              You really need to do some homework.

              No, that would be you.

              • Wellfedweta …
                26 December 2016 at 5:21 pm

                You cannot ‘lose’ your historical homeland. It can be occupied by others, even permanently and legally, but history is what it is. It cannot be changed.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  26 December 2016 at 6:09 pm

                  You cannot ‘lose’ your historical homeland.

                  But it’s not. Using your logic we should be giving Palestine back to the Canaanites? You know, the original inhabitants. I’m sure we could find some around somewhere.

                  The Jews lost Judea 2000+ years ago. That’s it. Now it’s Palestine and it belongs to the Palestinians.

                  • Wellfedweta …
                    26 December 2016 at 10:19 pm

                    There is no such people as the Canaanites. There are, however, Jews, who were promised a homeland, which many Arabs seek to deny them.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      27 December 2016 at 6:37 am

                      Idiot. Did the people who made the promise own the land? Did they donate any land?

                      No?

                      I promise I will get you an Xbox. It’s on the living room table three doors down. Just go and get it, and never mind the people who live there.

                      Whoever spoon-fed you this “argument” needs to get a grip on reality.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 12:34 pm

                      “Did the people who made the promise own the land?”
                      Yes. The Allies ‘owned’ the land by virtue of their defeat of the Ottoman Empire in WW1.

                      “Did they donate any land?”
                      Who is ‘they’. If you are referring to the inhabitants of ‘palestine’, ‘they’ were part of the Ottoman Empire who lost the war. If you want to go by Res 181 boundaries, you’re too late. The Arab’s rejected those boundaries, and haven’t stopped attacking Israel ever since.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 1:01 pm

                      Sad little cry-baby, the British mandate did not confer ownership on the British, merely administrative duties.

                      Whinge and wail some more, the UN Security Council will not notice or care.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:38 pm

                      “Sad little cry-baby, the British mandate did not confer ownership on the British, merely administrative duties.”

                      Where did I say it did? I said ‘the allies’. Off the meds again?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:47 pm

                      Not to mention that it’s a flaccid diversion, since as previously pointed out to you, displacing the existing inhabitants of land won by conquest is a war crime.

                      Some war criminals who just threatened war on us. Fuck you for siding with them.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:09 pm

                      “since as previously pointed out to you, displacing the existing inhabitants of land won by conquest is a war crime.”

                      Says a sympathiser of terror.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:12 pm

                      Meanwhile, on Earth, I condemn Hamas and Likud equally, and note that Likud are the ones threatening New Zealand with war, and that you are standing up for them against your own country.

                      You Quisling coward.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:16 pm

                      “…and note that Likud are the ones threatening New Zealand with war…”

                      Cite? You really need to learn to read.

                      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/28/netanyahu-told-new-zealand-backing-un-vote-would-be-declaration-of-war

                      Netanyahu even spelled out the consequences …

                      ” It will rupture the relations and there will be consequences. We’ll recall our ambassador [from New Zealand] to Jerusalem.”

                      Can’t read, or can’t stop lying? Which is it Bloke?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:37 pm

                      Where is the material to support your claim that ‘Likud have threatened NZ with war’? You make a habit of lying, Bloke, so I’m going to start calling you on it.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:41 pm

                      If you post any more drivel I will take that as a direct threat, a declaration of war.

                      According to you, that statement contains no threat whatsoever, you war-criminal-cuddling Quisling coward.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 8:08 pm

                      “According to you, that statement contains no threat whatsoever”

                      That’s not what you said. You said Likud had threatened NZ with war.

                      This is what Netanyahu is claimed to have said:

                      “If you continue to promote this resolution, from our point of view it will be a declaration of war. It will rupture the relations and there will be consequences. We’ll recall our ambassador [from New Zealand] to Jerusalem.”
                      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/28/netanyahu-told-new-zealand-backing-un-vote-would-be-declaration-of-war

                      There is no threat of war from Israel’s side. You lied.

                    • mickysavage []
                      29 December 2016 at 8:25 pm

                      Claiming that passing a resolution seeking to uphold an important principle of International Law is a declaration of waw is a bit excessive tho, doncha think?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 8:20 pm

                      I knew you wouldn’t be able to understand the point. If you continue to be so stupid I will take this as a declaration of war.

                      No threat there at all. What do you get when you cross a Quisling with a fool?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 8:38 pm

                      Claiming that passing a resolution seeking to uphold an important principle of International Law is a declaration of war is a bit excessive tho, doncha think?

                      It looks like the war criminal is trying to establish a premise for committing some more war crimes. If we can take him at face value (and let’s face it, his word ain’t worth shit), he will pretend that NZ’s actions justify military force against us.

                      I say bring the full might of the Five-Eyes alliance against this scumbag. Unless our “allies” word ain’t worth shit either.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:25 pm

                      “Claiming that passing a resolution seeking to uphold an important principle of International Law is a declaration of waw is a bit excessive tho, doncha think?”

                      Of course it is. Silly rhetoric. But it isn’t threatening war.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:31 pm

                      “If we can take him at face value (and let’s face it, his word ain’t worth shit), he will pretend that NZ’s actions justify military force against us.”

                      So you’re backing down from your previous claim that ‘Likud have threatened NZ with war’.

                      Well done Bloke. Seeing sense at last.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:49 pm

                      So you stupidly failed to grasp the example I gave you, and in doing so declared war on me. Everything that flows from this is therefore your fault.

                      Why would I back down from a stupid warmonger racist Quisling?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 2:33 pm

                      “So you stupidly failed to grasp the example I gave you, and in doing so declared war on me. ”

                      I’ve asked you to back up your claim about Likud. You have failed. Your example is nothing more than a childish attempt to avoid admitting you lied.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 3:06 pm

                      You’ve already failed to grasp the point, because your racism depends on your failure to grasp it.

                      Like almost everyone else here, in the NZ government, and the UN Security Council, I disagree with you.

                    • Wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 4:01 pm

                      “You’ve already failed to grasp the point, ”

                      Your claim about Likud…still waiting Bloke.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 4:28 pm

                      Yes, the point illustrates how my ridiculous assertion that your stupidity is a declaration of war could be taken as a threat.

                      Ditto for your war criminal spoon-feeders.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 5:08 pm

                      “Yes, the point illustrates how my ridiculous assertion that your stupidity is a declaration of war could be taken as a threat.”

                      Likud, Bloke. Where is your evidence. Stop evading.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 5:37 pm

                      The evidence is in your racist spoon-feeder’s threats to NZ. Namely, that our condemning their racist illegal settlements is a declaration of war.

                      If you don’t understand the threat in that statement you are a fool as well as a racist Quisling dupe.

                      Heads of state are well advised to avoid such rhetoric unless they really mean it. If you tell me you’re going to hit me if I say that again, I will say it again, and when you hit me, I will hit you first.

                      That’s how threats work.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      31 December 2016 at 3:57 pm

                      “Namely, that our condemning their racist illegal settlements is a declaration of war.”

                      Where us your evidence that Likud have declared war Bloke? I’ve given you plenty of opportunity, now I’m going to start a list of your screw ups.

                • Marcus Morris …
                  29 December 2016 at 7:47 am

                  So let all of us who have arrived at these shores since 1840 and occupy land that was largely stolen from the indigenous people all return to our nations of origin.

                  • wellfedweta …
                    29 December 2016 at 10:19 am

                    Do you not understand the Romans stole the land originally from the Jews?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 11:14 am

                      The place has been conquered too many times to count. The UN Security Council has ruled that illegal settlements are illegal all the same.

                      It’s time for you to accept that and move on. Or wail and whinge your denial on a blog some more, cry-baby.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 11:19 am

                      “The UN Security Council has ruled that illegal settlements are illegal all the same.”

                      What did the UN rule about the rockets flying from Gaza after Israel withdrew?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 11:20 am

                      I see you’re back to claiming that “he did it too! Two wrongs make a right!”

                      Whinge and wail, you miserable cry-baby.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 12:38 pm

                      “I see you’re back to claiming that “he did it too! ”

                      In the unlikely possibility you are taking your meds, I’ll try to explain. This isn’t about ‘he did it too’. This is about the right of Israel to exist as a sovereign nation. That right is denied by Hamas, who the Palestinian Arab’s elected as their government. That right was denied in 1948, despite international recognition, by the Arab refusal to accept Res 181. That right was rejected by the Gaza Palestinian leadership when Israel withdrew.

                      The Palestinian people, such as they are, will have peace when they stop their violent, terrorist behaviour.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 12:59 pm

                      Meanwhile, the UN security council has ruled that these settlements are illegal, Israel says we’re at war, and you’re sticking up for them.

                      I don’t think even Lord Haw-Haw was such a whinging cry-baby though.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:36 pm

                      “Meanwhile, the UN security council has ruled that these settlements are illegal…”

                      So? What happened when Israel returned the Gaza?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:49 pm

                      They did it too, but unfortunately that argument didn’t work when they were five and doesn’t work now.

                      Why do you stand up for war criminals of any persuasion?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:11 pm

                      “Why do you stand up for war criminals of any persuasion?”

                      I stand up for a sovereign state against terrorism. You support terrorism. That’s the difference between us. That and your meds.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:13 pm

                      You stand up for war criminals who are threatening your country. I condemn Hamas and Likud equally.

                      You Quisling coward.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      31 December 2016 at 4:00 pm

                      “You stand up for war criminals who are threatening your country. ”

                      You mean Iran?

              • Paul …
                26 December 2016 at 9:46 pm

                Draco, you do realise he will never stop.
                These right wing trolls are really clogging up this site.

          • Paul 14.5.1.2.2
            26 December 2016 at 2:12 pm

            I recommend we ignore wellfedweta . He is clearly trolling.

        • Wellfedweta 14.5.1.3
          26 December 2016 at 2:06 pm

          Yes. And that has been the pattern for decades. And…if Israel is required to return those lands, under International Law they are required to return them to the previous occupants, who are not Palestinians. Some here need a history lesson.

          • Paul 14.5.1.3.1
            26 December 2016 at 2:08 pm

            Who were the previous occupants if not the Palestinians?
            Please provide your history lesson for us….

            • Wellfedweta 14.5.1.3.1.1
              26 December 2016 at 2:19 pm

              There was no such thing as ‘palestinians’. There have been Arab and Jewish occupants of an area loosely d scribed as Palestine for eons, but the area was a wasteland. The Jews have an uninterrupted connection with the area for millennia, and have made huge sacrifices to try to achieve peace, including agreeing to borders in 1948 that were significantly less than they had been promised. The ‘palestinians’ have elected terrorist organisations to government whose stated purpose is the destruction of Israel. They have never learned their lessons from the past…Israel defends it’s legal borders…and frankly I have zero sympathy. McCully is a fool, and the UN is a corrupt institution that should be wound up.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                26 December 2016 at 2:43 pm

                There are no such things as Arabs and Jews: they are all Semites, and all of them have had an uninterrupted connection with the area for millennia.

                cf: Josephus Flavius on the difference between the Jews and the other inhabitants of Palestine.

                You see how completely shite your attempt to write people out of existence is? Of course you don’t, you’re a fuckwit.

                “A land of wheat and barley, a land of fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey.” Deuteronomy.

                So much for a wasteland. You need an amygdalectomy.

                • Wellfedweta …
                  26 December 2016 at 5:30 pm

                  Arabs and Jews are seperate people groups with vastly different cultures.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    26 December 2016 at 7:39 pm

                    As I said: your feeble attempt to copy and paste an argument is a fail.

                    Josephus makes it very clear, except to amygdala-based lifeforms.

                    • Wellfedweta …
                      26 December 2016 at 10:26 pm

                      Do you believe everything Josephus wrote?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      27 December 2016 at 6:28 am

                      I am confident that I can attach more weight to his account than yours, because you are an ignorant parrot wailing your denial on a blog, Maninthemiddle.

              • joe90 …
                26 December 2016 at 2:50 pm

                but the area was a wasteland.

                In the early nineteenth century Rabbi Joseph Schwarz wrote and published a book about the history, geography, geology, fauna, and flora of that wasteland.

                Descriptive Geography and Brief Historical Sketch of Palestine

                By Rabbi Joseph Schwarz, 1850

                http://www.jewish-history.com/Palestine/

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  26 December 2016 at 2:52 pm

                  Yes, but he was clearly mad, because he talked about Palestine as though it exists, and Maninthemiddle’s amygdala says it doesn’t!

                • Paul …
                  26 December 2016 at 2:52 pm

                  I sense you’re wasting your time….
                  The obese weta has form.

                • Wellfedweta …
                  26 December 2016 at 5:28 pm

                  Indeed he did. But how many people lived there? Who ruled it? What was it’s economy? Israel is a vibrant democracy with a strong economy, capable of defending itself against 50 milllion addressor neighbours. The area you call Palestine was a wasteland.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    26 December 2016 at 7:44 pm

                    The area you call Palestine was a wasteland.

                    Liar.

                    Define it on a map.

                    • Wellfedweta …
                      26 December 2016 at 10:20 pm

                      Define ‘Palestine on a map, dipshit.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      27 December 2016 at 6:21 am

                      You said the area was a wasteland. Define the borders of the alleged wasteland so that your witless drivel is exposed for all to see.

                      You can’t, because you’re an ignorant parrot.

                      You cannot back up your claims. Choke on it.

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      27 December 2016 at 6:39 am

                      When he says “the area you call Palestine was a wasteland,” he means it had an agrarian economy run by an inferior race. If he was an adult 30 years ago, he was probably making the same argument for the superiority of Apartheid.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      27 December 2016 at 12:51 pm

                      “You said the area was a wasteland. ”

                      And it was.

                      “….. A desolate country whose soil is rich enough, but is given over wholly to weeds… a silent mournful expanse…. a desolation…. we never saw a human being on the whole route…. hardly a tree or shrub anywhere. Even the olive tree and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country.”
                      (The Innocents Abroad, p. 361-362)

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      27 December 2016 at 3:54 pm

                      In Mark Twain’s time eh.

                      Precisely the time in which Rabbi Schwarz (cited by Jo above) wrote his Descriptive Geography and Brief Historical Sketch of Palestine.

                      Who to believe, an American humorist writing for comic effect, or the good rabbi.

                      Geez, that;s a toughie. You’ll do what your amygdala tells you.

                  • Marcus Morris …
                    27 December 2016 at 11:17 am

                    Absolute rubbish. I suggest you have a look at the sources I have quoted above.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                26 December 2016 at 4:25 pm

                The Jews have an uninterrupted connection with the area for millennia,

                No they don’t. They left after the Romans kicked them out 2000+ years ago.

                and have made huge sacrifices to try to achieve peace, including agreeing to borders in 1948 that were significantly less than they had been promised.

                It wasn’t the Palestinians, the occupiers of the land in question, that promised them and thus it wasn’t a promise that could be kept.

                • Paul …
                  26 December 2016 at 4:27 pm

                  You’re hopeful expecting wellfedweta to listen to reason!

                • Wellfedweta …
                  26 December 2016 at 5:23 pm

                  The Jews never left. There have been Jews living in ‘Palestine’ continuously. Despite the best efforts of racist dictators.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    26 December 2016 at 5:54 pm

                    Four points:

                    1. They were only a minority
                    2. They didn’t run the place
                    3. They don’t own the place either
                    4. It’s the ones that left that decided that they wanted it back despite the place now belonging to another people

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    26 December 2016 at 7:52 pm

                    The Semites never left. There have been Semites living in Palestine continuously, despite the best efforts of various Semites.

                    As Josephus makes clear, the Semites are not one people. Neither are you and I, amygdala victim.

                  • Marcus Morris …
                    27 December 2016 at 11:22 am

                    This is a very sad comment. Who were the racist dictators? You are constantly suggesting that others read some history in your posts. I suggest that you do some research on the history of the Jewish people over the last two thousand years and see where they were able to live in peace and harmony. I suggest that Spain under the Moors (Muslims) might be a useful place to start. Then see how they were treated in that country after 1492 – I presume you have heard of the Spanish inquisition – have a look at the origins if its purpose.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      27 December 2016 at 1:29 pm

                      I have an excellent grasp of history. The Jews generally did well under the Moors, despite being subject to discrimination. But what does that have to do with palestine and the attempt by arabs today to wipe Israel off the map?

                      https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/27/israel.iran

                    • Marcus Morris …
                      27 December 2016 at 5:24 pm

                      WFW- you invoke the notion of racist dictators – are you talking about recent history of history over two millenium. That is my point. List the despots who practiced ethnic cleansing with respect to the Jewish people living in Palestine from say 1000 to 1800AD?

                • GregJ …
                  26 December 2016 at 9:55 pm

                  Actually the forbade the return of Jews to the area around Jerusalem however significant numbers of Jews and Jewish communities remained in Judea/Samaria/Palestine even after the Bar Kokhba revolt and the Diaspora.

                  Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee continued to have a strong Jewish community right through the Roman period and into the Byzantine (Late Roman era) and on into the conquest of the area by the Muslims in the AD 630 & 640s. 20,000 local Jews rose up in revolt in AD 614 when the Persians attempted to conquer Jerusalem (mainly on a promise by the Persians of a return to Jerusalem – a fundamental tenet of post Bar Kokhba Judaism). There was significant persecution of Jews in Judea/Samria/Palestine recorded in the Byzantine sources post AD 614 under the Emperor Heraclius (who drove back and defeated the Persians) before losing the area to the Muslim conquest.

                  According to both Umayyad & Abbasid sources there continued to be a Jewish presence and settlements in Ash-Shām (the Arabic name for the Levant – Palestine, Lebanon & Syria) specifically in the Galilee region – but also a large Jewish community existed in Ramle and smaller communities in Hebron and the coastal cities of Acre, Caesarea, Jaffa, Ashkelon and Gaza. Al-Muqaddasi (AD 985) wrote that “for the most part the assayers of corn, dyers, bankers, and tanners are Jews…”

                  Jews were permitted to return to Jerusalem under the Umayyad Caliphs but not allowed to worship at the Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock). Jews helped defend Jerusalem from the Crusaders in AD 1099 and then suffered 200 years of persecution by the various Crusader States which took it’s toll on the Jews in Palestine. It reached a low point in the AD 1400 when there was only about 150 Jewish families recorded in Jerusalem. However Jewish numbers recovered in Jerusalem and Palestine under the Ottomans. By the AD 1880 Jews were probably a majority in the old city of Jerusalem (having been the largest religious grouping since the 1830s). They probably made up about 5% of the total population in Palestine.

                  So it is certainly not inaccurate to say there has been a continuous Jewish presence since the “Biblical” period – even during the Babylonian captivity there was still actually a significant Jewish population in Judah/Israel.

              • Psycho Milt …
                26 December 2016 at 5:23 pm

                There was no such thing as ‘palestinians’.

                There’s no such thing as any nationality if you have enough of a motive to argue it out of existence. Fortunately, most people recognise the motive and treat the people peddling the argument as trolls.

                • Wellfedweta …
                  26 December 2016 at 5:25 pm

                  No, seriously Palestinians was not a nationality because Palestine was not a country.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    26 December 2016 at 5:57 pm

                    Nation

                    a large body of people, associated with a particular territory, that is sufficiently conscious of its unity to seek or to possess a government peculiarly its own

                    And that is what the Palestinians have had for centuries.

                  • Psycho Milt …
                    26 December 2016 at 6:53 pm

                    Yes, seriously people with an agenda try to claim that various ethnic groups or nationalities simply don’t exist, because their existence is inconvenient to said agenda. This despite the patent, observable existence of the ethnic group or nationality in question. It’s pretty ugly shit, and straight-out racist.

                    If you really want to peddle that shit, you’re also saying Israeli was not a nationality because Israel was not a country. And yet, fuck me, there they all are in their millions, making out like they actually exist or something. Just stop digging.

                  • instauration …
                    26 December 2016 at 8:11 pm

                    WFW
                    1/ What part of GA181 do you not understand ?
                    2/ Please tell us which of the obligations accorded in this gracious arrangement, the “State of Israel” has delivered ?

                    I trust that between questions 1 and 2 you will have done a wee bit of “googling” – maybe ?

              • Marcus Morris …
                29 December 2016 at 4:21 pm

                The assertion that the land in dispute or that has been “reclaimed” was a wasteland is a spurious argument. In his book (I suggest you read it) “You can’t hide the sun” journalist John McCarthy travels with a pre 1948 military map in one hand and a modern AA road guide in the other. Dozens of villages and towns have either been obliterated or been given new names. This has been the most despicable aspect of ethnic cleansing and the rewriting of geographical history.

                I cannot understand why McCully (of “sheepgate” infamy) should be being singled out for all this disapprobation. On a matter as serious as this it would have been a collective cabinet decision. While every other nation on the security council, except the US which abstained, voted in favour of the Resolution but, in his anger, I don’t see Netanyahu threatening any of the “big boys” with dire consequences.

                • wellfedweta …
                  29 December 2016 at 6:27 pm

                  “The assertion that the land in dispute or that has been “reclaimed” was a wasteland is a spurious argument.”

                  An assertion for which you provide no evidence.

                  On the other hand:

                  Mark Twain from Innocents Abroad (1867)

                  “Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes. Over it broods the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies. Palestine is desolate and unlovely – Palestine is no more of this workday world. It is sacred to poetry and tradition, it is dreamland.”(Chapter 56)[4][5] “There was hardly a tree or a shrub anywhere. Even the olive and the cactus, those fast friends of a worthless soil, had almost deserted the country”. (Chapter 52)[6] “A desolation is here that not even imagination can grace with the pomp of life and action. We reached Tabor safely. We never saw a human being on the whole route”. (Chapter 49)[7] “There is not a solitary village throughout its whole extent – not for thirty miles in either direction. …One may ride ten miles (16 km) hereabouts and not see ten human beings.” …these unpeopled deserts, these rusty mounds of barrenness…”(Chapter 46)[8]

                  • mickysavage …
                    29 December 2016 at 6:40 pm

                    Gee quoting Twain’s observations from 1867. That is obviously conclusive of what was actually happening in 1967.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    29 December 2016 at 6:42 pm

                    Time to rub your face in Rabbi Yehoseph Schwarz, 1804-1865; A descriptive geography and brief historical sketch of Palestine

                    THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM.

                    golden apple… lemons…Pears… Peaches… Almonds…MuIberries… Walnuts,…Hazelnuts…Pistachio…Chestnuts… Gourd… Ricinus oil… Wheat… the best wheat is grown in the country situated near Gazza… Rice… lentils… Maize… Both the last-mentioned grow on thin stalks, which attain the height of a man.

                    You need to do more homework.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:45 pm

                      So? There were crops, vegetables.

                      Here’s more to rub your nose in:

                      In 1856 Henry Baker Tristram said of Palestine “A few years ago the whole Ghor (Jordan Valley) was in the hands of the fellaheen, and much of it cultivated for corn. Now the whole of it is in the hands of the Bedouin, who eschew all agriculture…The same thing is now going on over the plain of Sharon where….land is going out of cultivation and whole villages rapidly disappeared….Since the year 1838, no less than twenty villages there have thus erased from the map, and the stationary population extirpated.”

                      H.B. Tristram, The Land of Israel: A Journal of Travels Through Palestine, London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1865, p. 490

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:49 pm

                      Carl Hermann Voss, “The Palestine Problem Today, Israel and Its Neighbors” (Boston, 1953), p. 13.

                      “In the twelve and a half centuries between the Arab conquest in the seventh century and the beginnings of the Jewish return in the 1880’s, Palestine was laid waste. Its ancient canal and irrigation systems were destroyed and the wondrous fertility of which the Bible spoke vanished into desert and desolation… Under the Ottoman empire of the Turks, the policy of disfoliation continued; the hillsides were denuded of trees and the valleys robbed of their topsoil.”

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:51 pm

                      Were there people living there in 1947?

                      Yes.

                      Everything else is you standing up for war criminals who are threatening your country. You Quisling coward.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:53 pm

                      J.S. Buckingham, Travels in Palestine (London, 1821), p. 162.

                      J. S. Buckingham described his visit of 1816 to Jaffa, which “has all the appearances of a poor village, and every part of it that we saw was of corresponding meanness.”11 Buckingham described Ramle, “where, as throughout the greater part of Palestine, the ruined portion seemed more extensive than that which was inhabited.”

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:54 pm

                      “James Finn to the Earl of Clarendon, Jerusalem, September 15, 1857, F.O. 78/1294 (Pol. No. 36).”

                      The British Consul in Palestine reported in 1857 that

                      The country is in a considerable degree empty of inhabitants and therefore its greatest need is that of a body of population….

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:56 pm

                      So now it’s established that you’re here to stand up for war criminals who are threatening war on New Zealand, perhaps you should pray that you don’t get treated like Hamas.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 6:57 pm

                      “Were there people living there in 1947?”

                      Yes. Jew and Arab, under Allied rule, the British Mandate. Then came UN Res 181. Then came almost 60 years of Arab intransigence and violence towards a legitimate, internationally recognised sovereign nation. Would you like some more?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:02 pm

                      Displacement of civilians is a war crime. You are a cheer-leader for war criminals who have just been condemned by the UN Security Council, and responded by threatening us with war.

                      What other activities do you conduct on behalf of these war criminals who threaten us?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:05 pm

                      “So now it’s established that you’re here to stand up for war criminals”

                      No, that would be you.

                      ” who are threatening war on New Zealand,”

                      Really? And you can support that?

                      “…perhaps you should pray that you don’t get treated like Hamas.”

                      Don’t you mean how Hamas treat other people?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:07 pm

                      “Displacement of civilians is a war crime.”

                      Israel is occupying land it won off arab aggressors. That’s the arab’s problem. Israel gave back Gaza, and the arab’s started shooting. I notice you are ignoring that point.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:08 pm

                      Nope, I’m not standing up for Hamas or Likud, you Quisling coward. They’re all war criminals who should be dragged to the Hague and made to answer for their crimes.

                      What other duties do you perform for war criminals, Quisling?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:13 pm

                      “Nope, I’m not standing up for Hamas…”

                      Yes you are.

                      Why did the arabs not accept Res 181?

                      Why did the arabs not accept Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza?

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:14 pm

                      “The north and south [of the Sharon plain] land is going out of cultivation and whole villages are rapidly disappearing from the face of the earth. Since the year 1838, no less than 20 villages there have been thus erased from the map [by the Bedouin] and the stationary population extirpated.”

                      H.B. Tristram, The Land of1sraek A Journal of Travels in Palestine (London, 1865), p. 490.

                      Got the point yet, Bloke?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:19 pm

                      Yes: the point is that you are cuddling up to war criminals who have made a direct threat against your country.

                      You Quisling coward.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:20 pm

                      ” the point is that you are cuddling up to war criminals who have made a direct threat against your country.”

                      Changing the subject eh.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:29 pm

                      What Swordfish said about your sources, you war-criminal-cuddling cowardly Quisling.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:38 pm

                      You can’t handle it, can you Bloke?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      29 December 2016 at 7:50 pm

                      Meanwhile, on Earth, I’m not invested in it the way you are, and I doubt your sources accuracy, because let’s face it, they might be Quisling cowards just like you, and you are standing up for war criminals who threaten our country, you Quisling coward.

                      If they follow through on their threats, what other services will you perform for them, coward?

                  • Marcus Morris …
                    29 December 2016 at 9:44 pm

                    It is an assertion based on the book I am reading – and I have suggested that you read it. What more can I say. You believe your sources, I believe mine. I would love to see it for myself but this will never happen so I rely on the word of others. The number of times I have seen Mark Twain quoted beggars belief. We will never know how he would react if he saw his comments being used in this way but I somehow doubt that he would be pleased. Just saying.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:29 pm

                      I’ve posted a lot more than just Mark Twain. There is a wide consensus amongst the historical record that the area was depopulating and large swathes were wasteland. But yes, we can agree to disagree.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      30 December 2016 at 1:14 pm

                      the historical record

                      Translation: the material wfw has been spoon-fed and swallowed whole like a racist dupe.

                      For example, Wikipedia notes that “This influx amounted to some 12,000 over the period from 1880 to just before the First World War”

                      So much for “depopulating”.

                      Is The Standard simply a vehicle for the nauseating repetition of racist lies these days?

          • Draco T Bastard 14.5.1.3.2
            26 December 2016 at 4:22 pm

            No. Israel is an invasion of Palestine.

            • Wellfedweta 14.5.1.3.2.1
              26 December 2016 at 5:24 pm

              Israel is a just return of land to those it belongs to. Palestine is a construct that has come to represent violence and terrorism by Arab peoples.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                26 December 2016 at 5:58 pm

                No, Israel is the invasion and theft of Palestinian land.

              • Psycho Milt …
                26 December 2016 at 6:56 pm

                Israel is a “just return” of Palestinian land to the east European settlers it “belongs to?” The Modern Language Association called, they’d like you to stop torturing the English language.

                • Wellfedweta …
                  26 December 2016 at 10:24 pm

                  It isn’t and wasn’t ‘palestinian’ land.

                  • Psycho Milt …
                    27 December 2016 at 6:34 am

                    It sure as fuck wasn’t “Israeli” land.

                    • garibaldi …
                      27 December 2016 at 7:47 am

                      Zionists appear to be incapable of understanding that two wrongs don’t make a right.
                      The world fell over backwards to compensate the Jews after the holocaust, but for the Zionist rulers that wasn’t enough and still isn’t enough.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      27 December 2016 at 1:00 pm

                      It is now. As per Balfour, the British Mandate, Resolution 181 and subsequent conflicts. If the Arab’s had not started war with Israel in 1947, 1956, 1967 and 1973, there would be no occupied territories.

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      27 December 2016 at 1:52 pm

                      Balfour didn’t see any great problem with giving someone else’s country to European colonists. The people living there, somewhat understandably, failed to share his views. Every official mandate that the state of Israel is based on also mandates a state for the people the land belonged to before the settlers turned up. The Israelis can either accept that or settle down to being a pariah state in perpetuity. The loonier fringes of Christianity and White racists also should accept it, because they’re not doing the world any favours.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      28 December 2016 at 2:40 pm

                      Balfour and Palestine, a legacy of deceit, by Anthony Nutting

                      No longer can anyone be under such an illusion. For the Government of the day stand condemned out of their own mouths and writings of conniving at and furthering every Zionist design from the issue of the Balfour Declaration onwards. In document after document of the State Papers which Mrs Ingrams has brought to light the sordid proof is revealed that Balfour and his colleagues knew exactly what the Zionists were up to and that, with the honourable exceptions of Lord Curzon and Edwin Montagu, they had every intention of helping them to fulfil their aims.

                      Worse than this,the Government deliberately set out to deceive the Arab majority in Palestine as to their real intentions with promises and guarantees that they had ‘nothing to be frightened about'[1]and that Britain would ‘never consent’ to a Jewish Government being set up to rule their land.[2]

                    • wellfedweta …
                      29 December 2016 at 10:55 am

                      “Every official mandate that the state of Israel is based on also mandates a state for the people the land belonged to before the settlers turned up.”
                      Which people? There were both Jews and Arabs in ‘palestine’. The Mandate gave the jews a nation state in ‘palestine’. The Arab’s refused to accept that from the very outset.

                      “The Israelis can either accept that or settle down to being a pariah state in perpetuity. ”
                      The Israeli’s have accepted that. The land they ‘occupy’ is the result of Arab aggression. 1948, 1956, 1967 and 1973. Israel withdrew from Gaza and the Palestinians couldn’t even wait a week before opening fire. Israel has maintained long standing peace accords with both Egypt and Jordan, but the ‘palestinians’ don’t want peace, they want the destruction of Israel.

                    • Psycho Milt …
                      29 December 2016 at 8:36 pm

                      Which people?

                      The ones the Israelis turned into refuguees in 1948. I’m aware you find these people inconvenient and prefer to pretend they didn’t actually exist, but physical reality takes no account of your preferences.

                      The Israeli’s have accepted that.

                      Perhaps you lost track of it in among all that sophistry, but the basis for the OP is a recent UN resolution reminding Israel that colonising the Palestinian territories is illegal. You don’t colonise or otherwise occupy territory you’ve accepted belongs to someone else. But thanks for getting us back on to the actual subject of the thread.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 12:18 pm

                      “The ones the Israelis turned into refuguees in 1948.”

                      No-one was turned into refugees. Israel welcomes Arab peoples, as long as they mean peace. The situation then is similar to that today; many of Syria’s Arab neighbors refuse to accept Syrian refugees. If Arab’s didn’t like prosperity Israeli rule brought to Israel, they could leave. But I doubt their Arab neighbors would accept them.

                      “Perhaps you lost track of it in among all that sophistry, but the basis for the OP is a recent UN resolution reminding Israel that colonising the Palestinian territories is illegal. ”

                      They aren’t colonising. They are occupying disputed territories, and there is historical justification for that.

              • Marcus Morris …
                30 December 2016 at 9:58 am

                This is an extract from Wikipedia, whose credibility I have no doubt you will disavow.

                I note that it refers to the government of Palestine (capital P) so it is clear that at least some authorities recognised it as a state. I wonder too whether you judge the Irgun or the Haganah as terrorist groups or freedom fighters – that rather depends on whose “side” you are on I think.

                “The King David Hotel bombing was a terrorist attack carried out on Monday July 22, 1946 by the militant right-wing[9] Zionist underground organization, the Irgun, on the British administrative headquarters for Palestine, which was housed in the southern wing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem. 91 people of various nationalities were killed and 46 injured

                The hotel was the site of the central offices of the British Mandatory authorities of Palestine, principally the Secretariat of the Government of Palestine and the Headquarters of the British Armed Forces in Palestine and Transjordan. When planned, the attack had the approval of the Haganah, the principal Jewish paramilitary group in Palestine”

                • wellfedweta …
                  30 December 2016 at 12:23 pm

                  I don’t dismiss Wiki automatically. Is the ‘Government of Palestine’ referred to not the British Mandate? During the British Mandate Palestine was certainly recognised, but as an allied territory, not as a nation state.

                  • Morrissey …
                    30 December 2016 at 12:54 pm

                    Memo to Moderators:

                    Are incendiary trolls like “wellfedweta” allowed to tell the most flagrant and absurd lies and get away with it? He and one or two others add nothing of value to any discussions; they are intent on wrecking and trivializing everything.

                    Surely they don’t belong on a serious site like this. Whaleoil’s site was established for people like them; why let them ruin a serious site?

                    [He is addressing the post although only just. Will keep an eye on him – MS]

                    • Marcus Morris …
                      30 December 2016 at 2:24 pm

                      Actually I am enjoying the debate. It certainly sharpens up my own focus. As I said in an earlier post, we are looking at the whole situation from different viewpoints and, I suspect, ideologies. But isn’t that the case in all such arguments. In the end we must just agree to differ because I doubt that any of us will change our stance on the issue. However giving vent to strongly held feelings is very useful for the psyche I think.

                      Having said all that I think I will move to another topic of interest and there are plenty on this site.

                    • wellfedweta …
                      30 December 2016 at 2:37 pm

                      Morrisey you are being childish. You posted a Wiki piece, with no link so I had to take the quote at face value. I accepted the honesty of your quote, and replied accordingly. From what i can see the ‘Government of Palestine’ refers to the British Mandate. If so, that defeats whatever point you were trying to make. If that is not correct, at least have the brains to provide a link to your post instead of running off crying to the mods.

          • swordfish 14.5.1.3.3
            27 December 2016 at 8:10 am

            Wellfedtroller “Some here need a history lesson”

            You have ZERO understanding of history.

            To be scrupulously fair, however, I do have to say that you possess a first class knowledge of tired old Israeli Foreign Ministry soundbytes. And your mindless regurgitation of them is absolutely exemplary. Second to none.

            • wellfedweta 14.5.1.3.3.1
              27 December 2016 at 1:04 pm

              I have an extensive understanding of history, and this particular issue specifically. I notice you have put up no historical evidence to support your claims.

              • swordfish …
                27 December 2016 at 2:59 pm

                You certainly have an extensive understanding of creaky old Israeli mythology. Try reading something a little more substantial than discredited propagandists like Alan Dershowitz and Israeli Foreign Ministry Press releases. All of the banal bullshit you’re cheerfully regurgitating was thoroughly demolished many years ago through copious research by real scholars.

                Your mindless, relentless repetition of these redundant Zionist polemics is becoming a bit tiresome. Best we leave you to your own devices. Knock yourself out.

                • wellfedweta …
                  29 December 2016 at 10:30 am

                  So no actual material evidence, just ad-hominem. But I’ll leave the option open to you to debate the history.

                  • swordfish …
                    29 December 2016 at 10:41 am

                    To Repeat: Your mindless, relentless repetition of these redundant Zionist polemics is becoming a bit tiresome. Best we leave you to your own devices. Knock yourself out.

  15. swordfish 15
    26 December 2016 at 7:23 am

    By refusing to veto the Resolution, the US reversed its longstanding policy of shielding the Israeli regime from condemnatory resolutions at the UN.

    Norman Finkelstein argues Obama was taking revenge against Netanyahu by abstaining.

    Obama “wanted to get back at Netanyahu for humiliating him during the Iran negotiations,” Finkelstein told Press TV on Friday night.

    Netanyahu visited the US without a White House invitation in March to attend a joint meeting of Congress and denounce a nuclear deal with Iran in an audacious challenge to Obama.

    “When Netanyahu went to Congress, he humiliated Obama, Obama patiently waited for the opportunity to get this retaliation,” Finkelstein said.

    http://normanfinkelstein.com/2016/12/25/norman-finkelstein-us-vote-was-obama-revenge-on-netanyahu/

    There’s a good argument to be made that by alienating the Congressional Black Caucus with this racist affront, Netanyahu unintentionally helped Obama get the Iran deal.

    • Richard McGrath 15.1
      26 December 2016 at 11:39 am

      What exactly did Netanyahu say that was racist? He was given a standing ovation in Congress that went on for minutes. Netanyahu’s problem was with the Iran deal and was unrelated to the skin colour of Obama or the Persians.

      • swordfish 15.1.1
        26 December 2016 at 12:32 pm

        Not about what he said. It was his actions … spoke volumes.

        Netanyahu is a racist. It’s at the core of his right-wing Likudnik politics. Goes way beyond anti-Arab racism. He’s a Supremacist.

        He barged in on Congress in order to humiliate Obama.

        The Congressional Black Caucus immediately recognised that Netanyahu would never have done this if the President had been white, if it had been, for instance, George Bush. It was a very carefully calculated insult, entirely at odds with normal protocol.

        James Clyburn, assistant minority leader and long-standing member of the Black caucus told Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein shortly before Netanyahu’s address that he regarded the upcoming speech as an “affront to America’s first black president,”

        Even African-American Congressman John Lewis, a genuine hero of the 60s Civil Rights Movement, but also , unfortunately, an awful apologist for Israel in recent years (power often corrupts), immediately opted out of attending Netanyahu’s grandstanding.

        As a result, Israel unintentionally alienated the very caucus it needed to block the Iran deal. At the time, veteran correspondent Jonathan Broder, quoted a congressional aide as saying “the Congressional Black Caucus is gone,” referring to its support for Israel under Netanyahu.

        • Draco T Bastard 15.1.1.1
          26 December 2016 at 12:44 pm

          Netanyahu is a racist. It’s at the core of his right-wing Likudnik politics. Goes way beyond anti-Arab racism. He’s a Supremacist.

          That’s the prevailing view of Israel.

        • wellfedweta 15.1.1.2
          27 December 2016 at 1:05 pm

          How do you feel about this?

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fSvyv0urTE

          • joe90 15.1.1.2.1
            27 December 2016 at 1:20 pm

            Horowitz *snigger*

            • wellfedweta 15.1.1.2.1.1
              27 December 2016 at 1:29 pm

              Yes, he’s a very clever man. Did you watch the young ‘lady’ in the video? Did you understand what she was saying?

              • joe90 …
                27 December 2016 at 3:21 pm

                Clever he maybe but that doesn’t alter the fact that Horowitz is a racist piece of shit.

                • swordfish …
                  27 December 2016 at 3:48 pm

                  A Racist, a Far Right Likudnik and a McCarthyite with close ties to Campus-Watch Neo-Conservative loony-tunes like Daniel Pipes.

                  Now we know where Wellfedtroller’s “extensive understanding of history” comes from – namely, the fevered propaganda lines disseminated by loons at the extreme Right-Wing of the US-Israeli spectrum.

                  Not an enormous surprise. His comments were always pointing in that rather ugly direction. But nice to have it confirmed.

                • wellfedweta …
                  29 December 2016 at 10:31 am

                  Did you watch the video?

            • Richard McGrath 15.1.1.2.1.2
              27 December 2016 at 10:19 pm

              joe90 *snigger*

            • Morrissey 15.1.1.2.1.3
              28 December 2016 at 12:10 pm

              Watch Horror-wits try to abuse a young American woman here. He’s clearly incensed that she comes across as brighter and more incisive than he is. Not even all the sneering condescension he can muster up, nor his use of the bully pulpit can help him….

              https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYnyueBB2A8

        • Richard McGrath 15.1.1.3
          27 December 2016 at 10:17 pm

          “He barged in on Congress…”

          Bullshit. He was invited by the Speaker of the House:

          https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jan/21/boehner-netanyahu-invite-congress-iran-obama

          Or don’t you believe the Guardian?

          • swordfish 15.1.1.3.1
            28 December 2016 at 11:59 am

            “He was invited by the Speaker of the House”

            A Republican invitation engineered by Netanyahu via the very powerful pro-Israel lobby – particularly:

            – the American Israel Political Affairs Committee (AIPAC) – along with Netanyahu’s other powerful, right-wing supporters allied to the Republican Party:

            – multi-billionaire casino magnate , GOP mega-donor, organiser of the Republican Jewish Coalition, and staunch Bibi-backer, Sheldon Adelson, …

            – neoconservative kingpin Bill Kristol (and various hard-line neoconservative organizations like the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and the American Enterprise Institute), the sort of dangerously loony groups that Right-Wing Libertarians like you and Lindsay Perigo adore …

            – US-born Israeli Ambassador, Ron Dermer, a former Republican functionary from Florida (who played a central role in co-ordinating with House Speaker John Boehner to issue the invitation) …

            ,
            All arranged with the acquiescence of Republican (and some Democrat) Likudist Hawks in Congress, who also have a core interest in sabotaging negotiations with Iran.

            But, of course, your obsession with this one word – “barged” – misses the point entirely …

            Netanyahu’s deliberate attempt to humiliate Obama – to publicly poke him in the eye – to undermine his negotiations with Iran in a devious way (addressing Congress without White House permission) … an unprecedented interference by a foreign leader and hence a major break with protocol … led to an equally unprecedented boycott by 60 Democrats – most prominently, the Congressional Black Caucus (while at the same time dividing the American Jewish community).

            • Morrissey 15.1.1.3.1.1
              28 December 2016 at 12:01 pm

              As always, the irrepressible Norman Finkelstein analyzes this perfectly….

              http://normanfinkelstein.com/2016/12/25/norman-finkelstein-us-vote-was-obama-revenge-on-netanyahu/

              • swordfish …
                28 December 2016 at 12:35 pm

                I trust his judgement implicitly.

                Combines great moral authority with rigorous scholarship, a remarkably clear-headed focus and independence of thought. Always go to him first (even ahead of Chomsky). Have done since discovering his scholarship about 15 years ago.

                Followed him closely all these years, witnessed the outrageous destruction of his career … and (maybe even more appalling) the lack of subsequent career support from sections of the US academic and Left-media community nominally supportive of Palestinian rights. And the shunning by certain leading BDS activists because of his principled disagreement with them on particular core facets … despite the fact he pretty much taught them everything they currently know about the conflict. Remarkable lack of gratitude.

  16. One Anonymous Bloke 16
    26 December 2016 at 9:10 am

    Netanyahu says Obama set the ball rolling. On the golf course with Key perhaps. In this version of the story, McCully is nothing but a tool.

    I like this version better 🙂

    • Paul 16.1
      26 December 2016 at 9:11 am

      Yes, the track record of this government does not suggest it has an independent foreign policy.

      • GregJ 16.1.1
        29 December 2016 at 7:43 pm

        I’m not convinced on this though. If NZ (or National specifically) was such a puppet of the US why would they risk pissing of the incoming US administration just to satisfy an outgoing one? I mean if Key was still around I guess I could buy a personal relationship with Obama might have lead to letting McCully off the leash.

        I think it is simply easier to believe that NZ acted independently on this.

  17. saveNZ 17
    26 December 2016 at 3:00 pm

    Hope for peace in the world. Hallejulah!

    If the UN and the security council want to be effective, then they need to follow with real peace keeping resolutions with fairer treatment for all countries. Including calling Israel to account on illegal settlements.

  18. Gavin 18
    27 December 2016 at 6:40 pm

    WHAT A FOOLISH THING NEW ZEALAND HAS DONE

    This morning I woke up to the news that New Zealand had pushed for the Two State resolution to proceed despite Egypts withdrawal just yesterday at the behest of Israel and President elect Donald Trump.

    Furthermore New Zealand went on to vote against Israel which now aligns us with the Palestinians against Israel. This does not bode well for us as a country and nation, as New Zealand has now taken a clear stand against Israel (God’s inheritance).

    We know from ancient history and as recorded in the Bible that Israel is a nation that belongs to the Jewish people who were given the land of Israel by God. The Palestinians are the direct descendants of the Philistines which were the arch enemies of the Jews. You recall the epic show down between David and Goliath who was a Philistine. It was Philistine against Israel, a huge force against a very small army yet God took it down then and destroyed the Philistines with one blow.

    We are at the same juncture today where the UN is siding with Palestine (check your history, Palestine was the ancient Philistines) against Israel, do you think it will be any different today that God will standby and allow the nations to split up His people’s inheritance. With NZ voting against Israel today, it brings us face to face against the direct will of God. We already had one warning which was the recent earthquake (the UN vote determines to split Jerusalem at the hand of man) which consequently splits our land (earthquake) by the hand of God as a warning. Further actions to divide Jerusalem will cause our land to be divided by divine supernatural events of God (I urge you to watch for these signs as they are a marker on each decision made by a government or country that decides action against Israel. As a side note think about the proximity of the last earthquake to the internal decision to vote against Israel, its the same day that John Kerry met with Murray McCully that we had the earthquake, then if NZ continues on this path you will see a close pattern of judgements to these decisions). Watch for more land dividing judgements (either by earthquakes and/or internal civil divisions) if NZ remain hellbent on siding against Israel and God (The God of Isaac, Jacob and Abraham).

    Watch this:

    God is going to bring judgment to those who try to divide Jerusalem:

    “… there will I deal with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land.” [Joel 3:2]

    The current resolution NZ has crafted and pushed for demands that we as a country are demanding that Israel divide her land with her sworn enemies that continue to attack her. As seen above this is God’s heritage and any man or nation that stands against Israel will fall into the hands of the Living God, make no mistake God takes vengance against his enemies.

    Now by NZ pushing for this, has placed New Zealand and its people directly in danger at the hand of God. We are cautioned as to which side we choose, as it is a choice and you have cast a lot in favour against Israel and Gods inheritance.

    Now you have a choice this day, so chose wisely: Are You for God or against God.

    On the current path McCully exposes us to direct judgements from The Father on the land of New Zealand and its people through many and diverse natural and supernatural disaster. If you ignore this message then you do so at your own peril and that of our country and its people as God will judge us and protect Israel and she will not be divided despite your or anyone’s best efforts.

    We as NZ need to reconsider our politically correct actions in what seems to be the right path and move to align yourself and New Zealand to the direct wishes of God our Father and the inheritance He has given to Israel.

    As a child of God, a Christian I am only too aware that these last days are filled with many worldwide events that concern us, but if we are in His hands, we are safe and protected. I urge you now to change course in the direction and favor of Israel (thus standing with God), you don’t want to fall into the hands of the Living God. If we continue on the current path against Israel then we as a nation can expect further judgements from God’s hand against our land and our people. Choose wisely.

    For the LORD’S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance [Deuteronomy 32:9]

    This message is provided with no ill will or intent but in the love of Jesus Christ and His mercy for us all as a warning.

    Let it be known to all I STAND FOR ISRAEL AND THE GOD OF ISAAC, JACOB AND ABRAHAM.

    If we change course now and repent of our actions, our God is merciful and will have compassion on us and we will not share in the coming nations judgements.

    Remember Belshazzar [Daniel 5: 22 – 31]

    [I let this through. I cannot believe that a compassionate humanitarian God, if there is such a thing, would support what Israel is currently doing – MS]

    • Marcus Morris 18.1
      27 December 2016 at 10:25 pm

      I wonder if Gavin was watching the programme on Al Jazeera which looked at the history of the Crusades from an Arab point of view. It continues on that channel next Tuesday. Always good to get another perspective .

    • Nic the NZer 18.2
      28 December 2016 at 1:17 pm

      I have heard NZ referred to as gods own country. When and in what form do you expect his communication resinding this title?

    • Gabby 18.3
      30 December 2016 at 3:17 pm

      Ennathaday, Jesus is priddiriacks about it though. Ashley.

  19. Shazzadude 19
    28 December 2016 at 2:39 pm

    Thank you Murray!

  20. Venezia 20
    30 December 2016 at 3:06 pm

    Although it has been delayed (by family responsibilities) since this news broke, I have just sent McCully an email congratulating him on his efforts for this UN Resolution.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
    Identifying the engine type in your car is crucial for various reasons, including maintenance, repairs, and performance upgrades. Knowing the specific engine model allows you to access detailed technical information, locate compatible parts, and make informed decisions about modifications. This comprehensive guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
    Maintaining a safe and reliable vehicle requires regular inspections. Whether it’s a routine maintenance checkup or a safety inspection, knowing how long the process will take can help you plan your day accordingly. This article delves into the factors that influence the duration of a car inspection and provides an ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
    Mazda Motor Corporation, commonly known as Mazda, is a Japanese multinational automaker headquartered in Fuchu, Aki District, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. The company was founded in 1920 as the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd., and began producing vehicles in 1931. Mazda is primarily known for its production of passenger cars, but ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
    Your car battery is an essential component that provides power to start your engine, operate your electrical systems, and store energy. Over time, batteries can weaken and lose their ability to hold a charge, which can lead to starting problems, power failures, and other issues. Replacing your battery before it ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
    In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
    Mazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • What Are Struts on a Car?
    Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
    Car registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    9 hours ago

  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
    Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
    Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
    Sleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
    In today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
    Voice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
    Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    13 hours ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    13 hours ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    15 hours ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    16 hours ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    16 hours ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    18 hours ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    21 hours ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    23 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    1 day ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    1 day ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 day ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    3 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-20T15:57:13+00:00