Closed Zone

Iran, Hamas defend wanted Sudanese president
By SARAH EL DEEB, Associated Press Writer Sarah El Deeb, Associated Press Writer
2 hrs 37 mins ago
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KHARTOUM, Sudan – Iran and the Palestinian militant group Hamas showed their support for Sudan's president Friday, sending top officials to the Sudanese capital and denouncing the international warrant for his arrest on charges of war crimes in Darfur.
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Their visit came as the U.N. human rights group warned that Sudan's expulsion of 13 aid organizations from Darfur could also constitute a war crime. Sudan took the step in retaliation after the Netherlands-based International Criminal Court issued a warrant against President Omar al-Bashir on Wednesday.
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The expulsion raised fears of a humanitarian crisis in the large, arid western region, where war has been raging for six years. Some 2.7 million people have been forced from their homes, and many rely on aid groups for food, water, shelter and medical care.
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The government also ordered the closure of SUDO, the largest Sudanese non-governmental aid organization operating in Darfur, said SUDO's head, Ibrahim Mudawi. He said the order came late Thursday, accusing the group of "violations" of the law, without providing specifics.
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SUDO, with about 300 staffers, distributes food and drills water wells in Darfur, as well as operates 13 clinic and provides psychological help, Mudawi said. "We will take legal procedures against this decision," he said. "We are worried (about our staff). We don't know what they are going to do with them."
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The ICC accuses al-Bashir of leading a counter-insurgency campaign against Darfur rebels that included atrocities against civilians. Al-Bashir denies the charges against him and his government refuses to cooperate with the ICC, calling it part of a "colonial" conspiracy to destabilize Sudan.
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Dozens of al-Bashir supporters marched in downtown Khartoum after Friday prayers in support of the president. They are waving banners and shouting: "With our blood and soul, we defend you, al-Bashir." The small rally came after al-Bashir joined thousands of supporters demonstrating in the capital on Thursday, denouncing the warrant.
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Iran's parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, arrived in Khartoum along with Moussa Abu Marzouk, the No. 2 figure in Hamas' Damascus-based leadership. Larijani told reporters at the airport that the ICC's arrest warrant is an "insult." Also in their delegation were Syrian Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Abrash and representatives from other Palestinian militant factions.
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Iran and Hamas have been long time allies of Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir, whose government is dominated by Muslim fundamentalists and military officers.
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A spokesman for the U.N. human rights office said Friday that the expulsion of the groups may be a war crime and said officials at the agency were looking into the issue.

I wish JacobB would not waste space on reposting wire copy we all can read anywhere. No comments on the Closed ZOne short? I actually am curious if there is some empathy...tell us something about this blog, not another Khartoum character!

So, Gaza was 100% walled in.

As I recall, Jewish law requires Jewish armies to leave a way for the enemy to flee (I suppose from a town). 100% walling in is not allowed. Well, Sabra and Shatilla were 100% walled in (1982 Lebanon war, with deliberate slaughter) and Gaza (2008-2009 war, with slaughter) was 100% walled in.

May we ask if this means that Israel is *NOT* a Jewish state? Or that "Jewish" doesn't matter? Or what? Maybe we can say that it shows that Israel is not a Jewish state and THEREFORE being anti-Israel or anti-Zionist is *NOT* being anti-Semitic?