Israeli ambassador's comments 'an insult' - Bianca Zammit
Bianca Zammit, the Maltese peace activist who was shot in Gaza last week, has described the Israeli Ambassador's comments on the incident as an "insult".
Talking to The Times from her home in Gaza where she is recovering from a bullet wound to her thigh, Ms Zammit, 28, said Palestinian political groups such as Hamas had nothing to do with the International Solidarity Movement she formed part of.
Gideon Meir, the non-resident Israeli Ambassador to Malta, said he was sorry about the shooting but regretted that innocent civilians such as Ms Zammit were "being used by the Palestinians and by the International Solidarity Movement for political purposes to enhance their case".
"The Israeli Ambassador is trying to tarnish my reputation but what hurts most is that he is trying to politicise these genuine non-violent actions. He is trying to make them what they are not," Ms Zammit said, insisting she was shocked by the news on Wednesday that another peace activist, Ahmad Sliman Salem Dib, 19, died after being shot in the leg by an Israeli.
The International Solidarity Movement is leading a series of demonstrations to protest against Israel's decision to impose a 300-metre buffer zone on the Palestinian side of the Gaza border with Israel. The buffer zone has had a negative impact on Palestinian farmers, who cannot till their land.
Ms Zammit said the non-violent action was organised by civil society organisations, farmers and residents. "They come from all political factions but organisers ask them to put politics aside. Hamas have nothing to do with the organisation. It is a very grass roots campaign," she said.
The long-standing human rights campaigner is convalescing at home but has to go in for hospital treatment every day. She is expected to make a full recovery and yesterday sounded upbeat about the prospects of being able to walk in three weeks' time.
Ms Zammit was shot in the leg by the Israeli military while filming a Palestinian protest in Gaza. Fellow protester, 18-year-old Nidal Al Naji, and Hind Al Akra, 22, were injured in the same demonstration.
Malta officially protested with Israel after the incident, with the Foreign Ministry deploring the shooting.
Moviment Graffitti yesterday expressed its "deep disappointment" at the comments made by the Israeli Ambassador, adding they were an insult to Ms Zammit and all those, including many Jews, who, like her, were dedicated to the cause of human rights in Palestine.
The group said Mr Meir failed to explain how Israeli soldiers were shooting with so much ease on unarmed civilians in a peaceful protest.
Graffitti also urged the government to protest even more forcefully with the Israeli authorities after they reacted in such a "shameful" manner.
The Muslim community in Malta expressed its admiration and appreciation of Ms Zammit's "heroic" participation in a demonstration to support the "oppressed Palestinian people".
It condemned Israeli brutality against the Maltese peace activist and other foreign and Palestinian demonstrators.
"Israel's act showed that Israeli forces consider all Palestinians and those who justly supported them as enemies," the Muslim community said.
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adrian galea
Apr 30th 2010, 23:30
a woman protests, unarmed, gets shot and injured.
And we criticise and judge her motives.
It doesn't matter if she is right, wrong, funded, unfunded, whatever.
A free, democratic society should have greater respect for her, both the one which shoots her, and the one which criticizes her
Dennis Zammit
Apr 30th 2010, 23:19
@ Martin Cassar
The Palestine mentioned in the Bible was a land inhabited solely by different races of Jews and not Arabs and Muslims. The Muslin Arabs conquered Palestine in 638 AD after the Siege of Jerusalem.
This clearly indicates who came first. If one as to shove someone, then the Arabs should be removed as they are on other people's land. The Jews just got the facts right as they where. If you take something back which was yours, you are not steeling it!!!
Check your info correctly Mr Cassar before you write.
Alfred Farrugia
Apr 30th 2010, 19:03
Some of the commentators on both sides of this complex conflict may wish to take a look at the following links:
http://www.theparentscircle.com/
http://bostontopalestine.org/rach.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrvQCpk_thc
martin chetcuti
Apr 30th 2010, 15:43
Dear Bianca Zammit you and your movement should change strategey and stop with your futile demonstrations, Do you think that by demonstrating you can obtain peace while there are still Hamas at the helm?? Sorry but you can continue demonstrating forever as Israel or any other country is NOT going to negotiate with the terrorists of Hamas. REMOVE HAMAS
martin chetcuti
Apr 30th 2010, 15:28
Dear Bianca Zammit you and your movement should change strategey and stop with your futile demonstrations, Do you think that by demonstrating you can obtain peace while there are still Hamas at he helm?? Sorry but you can continue demonstrating forever as Israel or any other country is going to negotiate with the terrorists of Hamas. REMOVE HAMAS
MFarrugia
Apr 30th 2010, 15:25
Does anyone know who is financing the International Solidarity Movement now that the Soviet Union no longer exists?
Wilfred L Camilleri
Apr 30th 2010, 15:11
An insult! Get over it Ms. Zammit. You obviously have been brainwashed. You, Graffiti, and the Maltese Muslim community have blinkers on and choose to see only one side of the equation. Perhaps when Palestinians stop lobbing rockets into Israel and when Arab terrorists stop blowing up innocent people, then Israel would be willing to make concessions.
Frans Farrugia
Apr 30th 2010, 15:58
Ooh how brave of Wilfred Camilleri to trivialiaze this woman's willingness to stand up for what she believes in while he sits on his chair with his hands on the keyboard.
Wilfred L Camilleri
Apr 30th 2010, 18:48
Wrong Mr. Farrugia. I'm not trivializing what she's doing. I'm saying it is wrong-headed and one-sided! And Mr. Farrugia, how brave are you? Are you with her in Palestine or are you sitting at your keyboard as well?
Louis Gialanze
Apr 30th 2010, 14:44
In line with other Marxist and Leftist European movements, Graffitti hopes to score cheap points by bashing the state of Israel. Without going into the merits and demerits of the protest it is clear that such tactics are deplorable and Malta must not pronounce itself beyond protocol.
Martin Cassar
Apr 30th 2010, 18:10
Sir, What are the borders of that 'Israel'. Unless you give me an answer for this simple answer automatically makes Israel a no country and a mere ugly accident in history.
Sean Grima
Apr 30th 2010, 14:43
dear bianca, I admire you for not limiting yourself to the bickering on this island and concerning yourself with more important international issues.
Andrew Paris
Apr 30th 2010, 14:35
@ V. Zerafa
I agree with your comments 100 percent.
I have no pity for Bianca Zammit. What did she expect going there, a red carpit and flowers.
Dennis Zammit
Apr 30th 2010, 14:21
@ Martin Cassar
Those who speak of Zionists are those who have a clear agenda against the Jewish state and prefer to continue in the footsteps of those Arab terrorists who would like to see the destruction of Israel even though, we all know that Israel existed far before any Arab was around in that area.
It is clear that Ms Zammit had her own agenda to be against the State of Israel. She has all the right the to do so but please DO NOT try to portrait yourself as a martyr and DO NOT try to pull us Maltese and our country into the subject.
With regards to the anti everything except Socialism group Graffiti, many like me would like to see you in front in the Gaza/Israel buffer zone and then we see if you will still continue to talk crap.
Martin Cassar
Apr 30th 2010, 15:25
Mr. Zammit
‘Destruction of Israel’ - Actually it’s not about destruction, we should rather argue how many Jews should live in Israel?
Why Palestine should should be the place of the Jews who survived Hitler’s Terrorism (The holocaust)? Why should the Palestinians be made to pay for other’s terrorism?
Wasn’t Palestine mentioned in the Bible? The latter is before the creation of Israel!
A land for a population for 4 Millions can never take a population of 20 Millions.
Martin Cassar
Apr 30th 2010, 15:42
Occupation is the key word in Middle East conflict. Simple and plain
For centuries ,Jews lived among other confessions in full harmony all over the Middle. After the Jews were thrown out from Europe (by Hitler who was not an Arab or Muslim) they immigrated to the Middle East in 1948. Then, the whole disaster began when Israel used the Holocaust to turn the Zionist’s dream for a Jew state and let world wide Jews to permanently settle in Palestine.
This is according the Old Testament a fiction based on fable. In fact you will not find the word Jew in the first eleven books of the Bible. The first time Jews are mentioned in the Bible, is in II Kings 16:6 (and then only in translations revised in the eighteenth century)
As far as Middle East is concerned, Mr. Obama has one big task: to shove Israel to abide with UN resolution of 1967 and end occupation for Palestine, Syria and Lebanon.
Pillagering of other people’s land and annihilation of inhabitants in my book is called terrorism and this is exactly what the Zionists has been doing for six decades.
J.Borg
Apr 30th 2010, 14:14
Bianca don't drag Malta into this. Please stop embarrassing our country.
E. Carabott
Apr 30th 2010, 14:09
Everyone agrees shooting rockets at innocent civilians is bad. Peaceful negotiations might not be giving the desired outcome but attacking civilians is still bad and should not happen.But Guess what people? thats what Bianca and that protest was trying to do, resolve the situation peacefully and people are attacking her for that? people are claiming she's supporting terrorists who shoot rockets? Seriously? I thought peaceful demonstrations were actually the exact opposite of that. As for people worried that Bianca's actions are casting a negative light on Malta, Last I checked leaving everything and the safety of your country behind, risking your life to help out needy people who had their livelihood threated (having your farm land seized qualifies) PEACEFULLY is the definition of a Hero. I thought being a Hero is something to be proud of. Finally a soldier shoots unarmed civilians without warning shots when they enter their OWN sized land 300 meters away. 300 meters people, why not warning shots, or tear gas? Was it really necessary to shoot unarmed people? I hope one day both people will coexist peacefully but Bianca is a Hero and doesn't deserve some of the comments here.
Martin Cassar
Apr 30th 2010, 13:41
Why should you bother of what the Israel ambassador says? Please ignore him long with his convoluted words. There are many good Jews, Palestinian and Maltese who are siding you and pray for you in your mission.
The king of the kings is proud of you. The master of all masters is happy with your sterling mission to free his place of birth from the Zionists’ hands. Both history and geography reject the Zionists and their terrorism is being condemned by all peace lovers.
Every body knows that you have no connection with Hamas and you pro-bono mission is driven by peace and love for human being just causes. Hamas was born as natural consequences of the unnatural and illegal occupation. All nations, including ours have defended their lands under occupation. All is fair in love and war and no freedom without price.
If you have the mean to see this clip, please do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hefIti-uFUo&feature=related
Looking forward to receive you back home safe and sound.
V. Zerafa
Apr 30th 2010, 15:21
Actually, the King of Kings, shall in the future, come and establish God's kingdom and God's throne upon the earth. And He will rule the world from Zion (Jerusalem). This prophecy of Isaiah is found in Isa 51:1-23.
Just who do you think you are to put the Lord on one side and against the other? And may I remind you that Jesus was Jewish and he often referred to the jews as my Brethren.
V. Zerafa
Apr 30th 2010, 13:37
Ms. Bianca Zammit: I would like to join other commentators and tell you that what you choose to do in your life is your personal agenda and does not automatically reflect the opinion of the Maltese people. You chose to put yourself in a risky situation and so the consequences are yours only. As the Maltese saying goes 'min jilghab man-nar...jinharaq' !
As for myself, I have googled the International Solidarity Movement and I have to say that I did not like what I saw.
Angelo Baldacchino
Apr 30th 2010, 12:44
Dear Ms. Zammit,
we admire your involvement in the israel- palestine conflict, but lease stop dragging malta into this. we have enough problems of our own, starting from immigration and bills.
m.farrugia
Apr 30th 2010, 12:14
Please stop dragging Malta in this issue. Bianca Zammit was in Palestian on her own free will and representing no one from Malta except herself. Through Bianca Zammit incient our Island is getting a lot of bad publicity, something which we do not need for sure.
Peter Sammut
Apr 30th 2010, 12:05
Really m/s zammit,your comment deserves an answer.
For you to brand the Israeli Ambassador`s comment as an insult, only goes to confirm the ignorance of of your biased mind.The organisation to which you belong is a cover for the terrorist organisation dedicated to the incitement of hatred against Israel in general and of Jews in particular.You being a Maltese supporting an arab organisation dedicated to the destruction of Israel is hardly an enhancement to your reputation,but there again, I remember some of your compatriots in Malta singing :- "Tal- Palestina hatt ma jista ghalina".But there again blood is thicker then water, when one realises that from 870 until 200 Malta was occupied and ruled by Arabs with the resulting arabisation the present day result is hatred against Jews. Miss zammit will soon be requireds by her "friends" to convert and cover up, as per the required muslim custom in Gaza. Sahha Bianca rabbi l`aqqal.
b.busuttil
Apr 30th 2010, 14:24
valletta fc supporters sing 'tal palestina hadd ma jista ghalina'!!!
t. borg
Apr 30th 2010, 11:49
Where was Miss Zammit, graffitti or the local Arab community when we Maltese workers were refused visas to go back to work in Libya? No one went to Libya and protest in Tripoli against Gaddafi.
S.Vella
Apr 30th 2010, 11:19
With all due respect to Bianca, but until I see her protesting against Hamas, then I am afraid that the Israeli ambassador's remarks are more credible.
Atrocities were and are still committed on each side. The ironic thing is that some of the worst crimes against the Palestinians were committed by Hamas themselves.
Samir ABou-Hussein
Apr 30th 2010, 11:06
Dear Bianca, the more I read about you; the more I admire your courage, genuinity and determination to your principles! the zionists started thier history with lying and their policy is to lie, lie........to infinity! What this embassador said, actually every polite person felt insulted! these zionists used to be double faced! they are doing criminal acts every part of the second against all the innocent creatures in the holy land(Palestine), they are destroying even the plants, animals in addition to the human being! they do not asham of themselves, they just come with disgusting smile and continue lying and offending the other people! I think bringing these criminal soldiers to the international court of crimes is the best step can be taken at this stage! the weapon that Bianca has is the camera which can show and document what these criminals are doing! and this was the main reason why they shooted her and her colleagues! these zionists have no sense of humanity! these criminal zioinists convenrted the life in the Holy Land(Palestine) to a Hill! Bianca keep it up and I wish you and all the right and freedom supporters all the success! God Bless you all!
E Compagno
Apr 30th 2010, 10:57
How can a demonstration be non-political when it is addressing a political war?
You cannot throw yourself in between two political enemies and demonstrate against one without being 'political', and then in a no-go area.. It is absurd.
Wishing Bianca Zammit a speedy recovery. If I were her, I'd consider myself lucky to not have got killed.
Joseph Cauchi
Apr 30th 2010, 10:45
@Bianca Zammit,
Just a word of advice.
TIDHOLX BEJN IL-BASLA U GHOXRITHA!
Otherwise, accept the consequences.
Fools rush in…
JC.
Joe Fenech
Apr 30th 2010, 09:58
Mr Ambassador, you seem not to be aware of the hassles one is given to go to Palestine! People are constantly kept for over 4 hours by your police, which is an obvious ploy to deter people from having any contact with the Palestinians. Your army shoots on Palestinians kids as if they were wild game.
Your nation needs to change if it want to attract some sympathy from the non-American world!
Don't even dare making up that the Palestinians are trying to con the world. You and your nation are really not in a position to talk about faking and conning...!
Dennis Zammit
Apr 30th 2010, 09:55
Being a 'Peace Activist' does not give you automatic immunity when going into a mine field. The area was an official NO-GO buffer area where it is Official that the soldiers are instructed to shoot at intruders.
So, Ms Zammit should be lucky if the shot was not aimed at other critical parts of her body!