David Miliband

Foreign Secretary

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Monday 09 March, 2009

Stop Hamas Kneecappings and Beatings

This briefing from Amnesty International documents the underreported violence by Hamas on its own people in Gaza. Amnesty talks of 'scores' of victims since Hamas took absolute power in 2007.

This is a good reason to be wary of anything glib about 'reconciliation' between Palestinian factions; and why in Sharm-el-Sheikh last week I talked of 'political reconstruction' 

Posted at 14:21 09 March 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]

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Good to see the outreach to Hezbollah according to the NYT and hopefully the kneecappings will not prevent similar to Hamas, who are the elected leadership of Gaza, unlike Fatah. The quicker we put some serious distance between us and the USA the safer we'll be.

Posted by A-bald on March 09, 2009 at 07:18 PM GMT #

Dear Mr Miliband, My name is Attia Iqtadar, and I was the DFID Youth Reporter that interviewed you today at the 'Eliminating World Poverty' conference. I just wanted to thank you so much for taking the time out to answer my questions; I am extremely grateful, especially as you had to attend an LSE conference three minutes later! The video of the interview will be going up on the DFID and London Summit website. Also, I didn't get a chance to say how much I appreciate your blog, I have been reading it for a while and feel it gives such an insightful view into your opinions, foreign relations and your field of work, which I admire. I hope that you will take note of my email address, aiqtadar@gmail.com, and I look forward to perhaps meeting you in the future; at the London Summit. Kind Regards and Thank You again, Attia Iqtadar

Posted by Attia on March 09, 2009 at 09:44 PM GMT #

I looked up you blog to see if you wanted to congratulate Viva Palestine on reaching Gaza. No instead we see you having a go at Hamas. Hamas are wrong in using violence and you are right to bring this to our attention. However, I could not find any comment about Israeli war crimes or how you are investigating these or commenting about Amnesty International report about attacks on UN installations in Gaza. Once again you demonstrate your bias and outright support for Israel. What do you really mean by political reconstruction? Do you want what your Israel Friends demand? I do not see how you help the process or Britain's role. Why do you not back off and leave it to other more competent and effective leaders to deliver peace in Palestine? We already have enough Israel spokesmen.

Posted by Paul Macdonald on March 10, 2009 at 08:40 AM GMT #

No Mr. Miliband & his government is blind when it comes to reading following pages by amnesty international. They simply cant see! Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territories Human Rights http://www.amnestyusa.org/all-countries/israel/occupied-palestinian-territories/page.do?id=1011175 USA: Guantánamo and beyond: The continuing pursuit of unchecked executive power http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/AMR51/063/2005 & what to talk about "His majesty & his majest's masterUS governments' kidnapping of Pakistani citizens" with the help of army dictator Musharaf & yes it reminds me as a Pakistani that Thy government loved Saddam of Iraq in 80s to fight Iran. & yes, Musharaf was saved from legal proceedings in Pakistan by US & UK, using financial help as controlling mechanism. The gentleman is very fondly invited in state universities of US & UK to deliver lectures ... perhaps on democracy ?. You people simply represent an extension of colonialism.

Posted by asooda on March 11, 2009 at 11:32 AM GMT #

Mr Miliband I have read in the press that you have openly called for recognition of Hamas. May I ask if this is true? I was under the impression that the UK has listed Hamas as a terrorist organisation and that it is policy not to deal with terrorist organisations.

Posted by Margie on April 04, 2009 at 06:34 AM BST #

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