Comments on: Lauren Booth in Gaza-A Single-Handed Hostage to M.E. Fortune?

By: Pro-Al Qaeda group planned to kill Blair & Carter, in June visits to Gaza « Tony Blair

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 19:45:13 +0000

[...] Mr Blair was advised after a lengthy wait at the border crossing NOT to proceed into Gaza. For preferring to survive he was called “cowardly” amongst other choice descriptions by those who blame the west for terror activities. For instance, such sweethearts as his own sister-in-law, Lauren Booth (also here.) [...]

By: keeptonyblairforpm

keeptonyblairforpm — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 18:19:57 +0000

As I understand it, Mark, the Palestinian Authority under Mahmoud Abbas has controlled the Rafah Border crossing between Gaza & Egypt since the end of 2005. It used to be operated by Israeli military forces, but control was passed to the PA in the spring of 2006 a few months after Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip.

Perhaps the fact that Egypt, the Palestinian Authority AND Israel agree on the need to contain the terrorist elements which have been coming from the Hamas side tells us something.

Hamas, like some others in the Middle East, have declared intentions to wipe Israel off the map. Israel has never said the same about Palestinian claims.

Of course if you want to believe that the good guys who DON’T actually commit terror attacks are the BAD guys, well, there’s nothing I can say that will persuade you otherwise.

By: Mark W

Mark W — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:31:01 +0000

Why does Israel control Rafah?
Israel does not own any land between Gaza and Egypt at Rafah and she accepts that Gaza would be part of a Palestinian state.
Egypt is a client state of the US which has a habit of banning elections. So much for spreading Democracy in the ME if you’re a client of the US.
Sickening hypocrisy.

By: keeptonyblairforpm

keeptonyblairforpm — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 00:25:25 +0000

Hello Mr Stein,

Thanks for your comment.

It may not be the issue, but it’s the kind of technicality that in law permits real criminals to get away with murder in various part of the world at various times.

THIS time, even if it goes against natural law, perhaps I’m of the opinion that there is some kind of natural justice.

If your interpretation is correct, the end result is the same anyway. She can stay in Gaza, but she can’t choose to go without the agreement of at least one bordering state.

And I think some would still argue that Gaza’s disputed territorial position means that its jurisdiction falls short, right now, of that of an internationally recognised independent country. So if it’s NOT a country …

Well, I think I’ll let the legal beavers argue this one.

By: Alan Stein

Alan Stein — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 23:53:13 +0000

A slight correction to the interpretation of Article 13. Whether Gaza is a country or not isn’t really the issue. The intent is that nobody should be held somewhere against his or her will; it does not mean that another country is compelled to accept that person. In other words, it says Hamas can’t force Blair’s idiotic sister-in-law to stay in Gaza, but it doesn’t compel Israel, Egypt or any other country to let her on its soil.

By: margaret walters

margaret walters — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 12:59:08 +0000

i ve read the bbc report and i don’t think tony wants to help his sister in law rather than can’t. i think he could if he wanted to but he doesn’t want to. after all she hasn’t been much help and support to him in his times of difficulty. on the contrary she’s tried to make it worse. tony’s not doing that after all he’s sitting on the fence. she got herself in this mess she can get herself out. that seems to be his attitude.

By: keeptonyblairforpm

keeptonyblairforpm — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:38:26 +0000

Yes, agreed. If it happens he might find his hands are tied as much as hers.

He is presently in the region, by the way, margaret. Probably not a million miles away from her. Ramallah, just north of Jerusalem, From my understanding, that is, I think 50 miles away! Will check and confirm this. Just checked. Yes it’s 48 miles!

I expect that Lauren will come back even mouthier. But I wonder if it will do her “cause” any good in the end.

By: margaret walters

margaret walters — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:24:42 +0000

according to cherie’s book last year she doesn’t think lauren has much sense so i don’t think she’d be on lauren’s side. after all she doesn’t want her husband in danger. and as his office said he will be going to gaza. let’s hope this adventurous twit of a sister in law doesn’t make it more dangerous for tony something cherie won’t forgive her half sister for.

By: margaret walters

margaret walters — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:18:08 +0000

let’s hope she isn’t taken hostage for tony blair’s sake. that’s all he needs – more pressure and more to blame him with. doesn’t the poor guy have enough? as for lauren – let’s hope she’s learnt a lesson but i doubt it.

By: Stop US Wars » Blog Archive » Lauren Booth in Gaza-A Single-Handed Hostage to ME Fortune?

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:14:03 +0000

[...] Rick Moran wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptCOULD LAUREN BOOTH DERAIL THE ISRAELI/PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS? ‘A HOSTAGE TO FORTUNE’? YOU’RE DAMNED RIGHT, MS BOOTH! She says that SHE is a hostage to fortune. I’d like to make the point as gently as I can, that by her irresponsible … [...]