Will Samer Issawi be the next Palestinian Terrorist To Evade Justice By Cynically Going On A Hunger Strike?

In the midst of the huge coverage being given him as wrongly imprisoned by Israel, it is worth pointing out that Samer Issawi is in fact a Palestinian terrorist whose release as part of an exchange for Gilad Shalit was conditional on his staying in Jerusalem -- a condition he violated.

But the details of his record as a terrorist and the reason he is back in prison is not being widely reported.

In response to media shyness about Issawi's background, CAMERA provides some Neglected Facts About Hunger-Striking Prisoner:

The Middle East Media Sampler 5/16/2012 Media On End Of Palestinian Hunger Strike

From DG:

1) Hungering for more information

Both the New York Times and Washington Post reported on the recently ended prisoners strike. Both reports were pretty straightforward, but not without troubling omissions.

Isabel Kershner reported Palestinians in Jails End Hunger Strike for the New York Times.

Although only a minority of the hunger strikers were identified with Mr. Abbas’s secularist Fatah Party, he had taken the lead in pressing for a resolution. Israeli officials preferred to give Mr. Abbas the credit, and presented the agreement as a good-will gesture.

Arlene Kushner On The Palestinian Hunger Strike And Why Egypt Is Involved

From Arlene Kushner:

May 14, 2012

"First the Good Stuff"

I wrote not long ago about an excellent up-beat film on Israel called "Israel Inside," with Tal Ben-Shahar, produced by Rafi Shore. 

Now, to coincide with Israeli Independence Day according to the secular calendar, JerusalemOnlineU, the creator and distributor of the movie, is offering viewing via free streaming -- for one week starting today.  You can access it here: Free Stream of Israel Inside

Please, take the time to see it, pass it along quickly so that others might see it, and publicize it via blogs and lists.

We have so very much to be proud of, in terms of who we are. 

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So very much to be proud of.... But oh the angst about the things that are going in the wrong direction here.  I seem to have pushed a lot of buttons with my posting yesterday, if reader response is any indication. 

My very favorite (and very "on the mark") observation came from reader Sandor S: 

"Jews debating destruction of Jewish homes and worrying about convicted enemies who choose not to eat?? "This is the theatre of the absurd."

Yeah... it is.

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I wrote yesterday that a source (whom I normally find highly reliable) advised me that Israel was involving the military government of Egypt (SCAF) in negotiations on the prisoners in order to give it a needed boost.

But I have now uncovered another, related but deeper, reason for Egyptian involvement:

Arlene Kushner On Developments In The Palestinian Hunger Strike

(Scroll down for information on hunger strike)

From Arlene Kushner:

May 13, 2012

"Ulpana and More"

My information, as I write, is that the committee appointed by the prime minister to solve the problem of Ulpana has met twice now -- on Friday and today -- but that there is not yet resolution.  The issues are said to be "complex" and they will be meeting again.  I don't have great expectations, but there is still some modicum of hope.

Abdullah Barghouti: Poster Boy For Palestinian Hunger Strike--And Murderer Of 66 Jews #PalHunger

The most notorious of all the prisoners held at the Be'er Sheva Prison is Abdullah Barghouti. It's not easy to get to see him because he's being held in indefinite solitary confinement. He's been convicted of being the mastermind behind Hamas' deadliest suicide bombings, responsible for the deaths of 66 people, including five Americans. How does he feel about this death toll?

"I feel bad because the number only 66. This the answer you want to hear it?" Barghouti told Simon.
Imprisoned Terrorist Abdullah Barghouti, Interview With 60 Minutes "Terror Behind Bars"

You will find the face of admitted terrorist Abdullah Barghouti plastered all over the protests of those who want to see Barghouti freed--because those who demand that they want the Palestinian terrorists who are on a hunger strike to be freed don't want you to know the truth.

Unfortunately, the media is as blind as the protesters are duplitious.

This Ongoing War notes how the media plays along with ignoring the murders by the Palestinian terrorists:

NGO Campaigns in Support of Palestine Hunger Strikers

PRESS RELEASE May 8, 2012 Contact: Jason Edelstein NGO Monitor +972-52-861-2129 mail@ngo-monitor.org  NGO Campaigns in Support of Palestine Hunger Strikers A hunger strike by Palestinians convicted of murdering dozens of Israeli civilians in suicide bombings and other attacks, as well as a few prisoners held in Israeli administrative detention for suspected terrorist activity, is being publicized by a number of political advocacy NGOs. As in the past, NGOs claiming to promote human rights are promoting a one-sided image in which the Palestinians are automatically being portrayed as victims, removing the context of violent attacks that deliberately targets Israeli civilians. These campaigns also stand in stark contrast to and represent an immoral deviation from claims made by these same groups for the need to combat "impunity" and to hold perpetrators of "war crimes" accountable. Jerusalem-based NGO Monitor today released the following statement:

Video From HonestReporting: If You Were The New York Times, How Would YOU Report A Palestinian Hunger Strike

Last week, The New York Times published an article by Jody Rudoren--Palestinians Go Hungry to Make Their Voices Heard--who paints a sympathetic picture of jailed members of the terrorist group Islamic Jihad who are on a hunger strike. Not a single Israeli source is consulted. Instead, Rudoren reports the words of family and supporters of the Jihad members in creating her one-sided, insulting article.

Here is the video of HonestReporting's Yarden Frankl response to the Rudoren's article: