BREAKING NEWS: Darfur Rebel Leader Confirms Opening of Office In Israel

Posted on March 1, 2008
Filed Under Darfur, Israel |

(JPEG)Oh my, this is big. Non-signatory to the Darfur peace agreement, Abdul-Wahid Al-Nur announced that his break-away SLM rebel faction has inaugurated an office in Israel!

February 25, 2008 (PARIS) — A Darfur rebel group announced today that they have inaugurated an office in Israel, according to a press release received today by Sudan Tribune.

… “The office was created by some of the SLM members who sought refuge in Israel from the killings by the Sudanese government. This is our normal practice in any part of the world where we have a presence” the rebel leader said.

“We believe in transparency with our people. We have nothing to hide or be ashamed of” he added.

Read the whole article here.

On one hand I see this as a huge reckless move on Abdul-Wahid’s part. He’s known for making outlandish statement such as demanding that Darfur becomes an entirely new and seperate country.

Hasn’t he even thought about the consequences this could have for the plight of Darfurians in the eyes of Northern Sudanese, Arabs and Muslims? Even the SPLM was secretive about its cooperation with Israel during the North-South civil war but then again, it’s not like most Arabs and Muslims even cared in the first place since they believe Darfur is nothing but an exaggerated tale told by the Zionist-controlled media, which brings me to the other side of things.

The Sudanese government is going to milk this whole thing dry. It’s already starting to. We can all kiss-goodbye any attempt to convince the skeptics and conspiracy theorists that Darfur is indeed witnessing death and destruction. I’m also afraid that sympathetic people will eventually turn their backs and walk away with a bitter taste in their mouth.

Personally, to me, whether Israel is meddling in our affairs and providing support to Darfur’s rebels or not shouldn’t matter much because it doesn’t change the fact that Darfurians today are suffering terribly. It doesn’t change the fact that they went through hell and it’s doesn’t change the fact that this is not some overblown story.

I don’t think any sane person can deny the greater suffering endured by Southern Sudanese during the civil war regardless of the fact that Israel supported the SPLM. What people are a lot more aware of is the support that was provided to Southerners by the Clinton administration. On one hand I’m glad my fellow oppressed people in the South found a way to fight and defend themselves but on the other, I didn’t like the arrangement because all it did was prolong the war. That’s why I believe in this instance, Bush deserves praise no matter how “unpraisable” he might seem. The United States, under his administration, dedicated a lot of time and resources to ending the North-South civil war, and they did.

So what’s Israel’s role, if any? Is it distant or deeply intertwined? I can’t help but wonder. After all, here you have a person leading a rebellion, and is very open to establishing relations with Israel. Hello, he says so openly. Even the SPLM knows better. I’m sure what he says must be music to Israel’s ears.

I’d say Abdul-Wahid is underestimating al-Bashir’s NCP. Unlike the SPLM, Darfur’s rebels aren’t even unified to begin with. Plus given his previously outlandish statements, I’m tempted to label him “reckless”.

The repercussions of this very daring - and open - move will be interesting (and I admit, amusing) to watch.

Comments

44 Responses to “BREAKING NEWS: Darfur Rebel Leader Confirms Opening of Office In Israel”

  1. Jonathan on March 1st, 2008 9:21 am

    nice
    http://jerusalem2036.blogspot.com

  2. Nominally Challenged on March 1st, 2008 2:06 pm

    I’m sure what he says must be music to Israel’s ears.

    Why?

    Unless you accept some form of a conspiracy theory regarding Israeli involvement in Sudanese affairs which I, personally, do not (and which I didn’t think you did either), I don’t understand why you think that this would be music to Israel’s ears, interesting a step as it is.

  3. Andrew Brehm on March 1st, 2008 4:14 pm

    “I don’t understand why you think that this would be music to Israel’s ears, interesting a step as it is.”

    It confirms to Israel that more people wake up and realise that Israel is a better friend than the Arab nationalist and “Muslim” governments.

    If it happens in enough Arab countries, there will be great prospects for an eventual peace.

  4. Drima on March 1st, 2008 4:20 pm

    If you’ve read the full article, I think it’s obvious. He supports normalization of relations with Israel and the opening up of an Israeli embassy in Khartoum.

    Less enemies in the neighborhood plus a huge country with a lot of business/investment opportunities would sound like music to my ears if I were an Israeli.

  5. Andrew Brehm on March 1st, 2008 4:47 pm

    Exactly.

  6. Roman Kalik on March 1st, 2008 7:40 pm

    So far, it only looks to me like some of the people who came to Israel as refugees were also members of the SLM, who (with their newly-found refugee status and jobs) decided to open an office as a way to keep in touch with each other, the other Sudanese in Israel, and possibly try and gather the support of the state of Israel for their cause.

    Frankly, I doubt that their office is little more than just that - a tiny room little know about. Should this develop into something more, only time will tell.

    It does look like a reckless move though.

  7. Andrew Brehm on March 1st, 2008 7:48 pm

    “It does look like a reckless move though.”

    I don’t know… The government of Sudan has treated many people very badly.

    Maybe Abdul-Wahid Al-Nur figured that at this point the situation in Sudan is such that revealing that one seeks friendship with Israel is not actually a bad move. Maybe he thinks it will connect the conflicts and connect his group or cause with the south and the Nubians?

    This could even result in a reformed rather than broken-up Sudan. If enough mistreated groups unite, perhaps the government will lose power to them?

    I don’t know the politics of Sudan well, but it wouldn’t be the first time something like that has happened.

  8. suzanne on March 2nd, 2008 9:10 am

    I only hope this will not be seen as another step of a judea-christian cooperation against the muslims. PLease tell me that SLM members are muslim :)

  9. lirun on March 2nd, 2008 9:58 am

    they want to keep in touch with me?

  10. Andrew Brehm on March 2nd, 2008 12:10 pm

    “I only hope this will not be seen as another step of a judea-christian cooperation against the muslims.”

    The Darfurians are Muslims.

    But of course it will be seen as a crusade.

    Many (mostly fundamentalist) christians and many (nominal) Muslims agree about one thing: an attack against the terrorists and governments supporting them is a Christian war against Islam.

    It doesn’t matter who fights whom.

  11. suzanne on March 2nd, 2008 3:07 pm

    Anyway, SLM is backed by Eritrea according to this article (http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/darfur.htm) and if that is the case, i’m not so happy with that. SLM just does not seem like a peaceful organisation.

    If it were them:
    http://www.shro-cairo.org/
    I’d be more happy.

    On the other hand. SLM is of course “a bigger party” and might perhaps get more attention in and around the muslim/arab/african world.

    Also I think that it would not make much difference towards the Sudanese government when one (military) enemy is opening an office in an enemy country. SLM would be considered dangerous to them anyway.

    A human rights organisation, however, is something different. Though their members might be considered enemies of the state, but there is no military ground to stand on as these people are not military active, but active only with their mouths and pencils. Setting up an office in an enemy state would endanger their lifes even more, I’d think.

  12. Ponder on March 3rd, 2008 6:39 am

    I am opposite to the sudanese regime in some issues yet i have to take off my cap and loudly clap for its leader!!!

    This idiot Abdul-Wahid is perfectly slipped. it’s temporally over, try next year:)

  13. Amru on March 3rd, 2008 12:43 pm

    [[Drima, sorry this post is not related to this post (so Andrew please don’t reply), I’m waiting to read your thoughts on the current Gaza Massacre, since you’re Pro coexistence like myself. Please email me when you do. Thanks, you can delete this comment after reading it. Amru]]

  14. Howie on March 3rd, 2008 1:07 pm

    Amru-

    Why don’t you at least try to tell the truth? “Massacare”…please share your definition of what a massacre is?

    You may be against it…fine…but don’t throw around words like “massacre” or “genocide”.

    Darfur is a “massacre”…it was becoming a genocide…but tell me how Gaza is a “massacre”?

    Also…tell me how you would respond or want your government to response to daily missiles flying randomly into your neighborhood…the lastest not being homemade but a longer-range product introduced from Iran (by early accounts).

    About 100 people have died total…most fighters from both sides…and yes some civilians.

    That by your definition is a massacre?

    And if the rockets were happening to you? I guess you would send in social workers, psychologists and financial aide?

  15. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 1:10 pm

    What massacre? A few dozen people died in military action.

    I wish the terrorists would not use human shields, I really do. I would prefer it even more, obviously, if the terrorists would simply pack it and neither try to kill Jews nor to draw fire to non-terrorist Arabs. But I guess that is too much to ask.

    If you do not want me to reply, please refrain from terms that imply that regrettable deaths were deliberate murders.

    “The act or an instance of killing a large number of humans indiscriminately and cruelly.”

  16. Howie on March 3rd, 2008 1:11 pm

    Amru-

    Wanna get upset about a world really unfair and unjust that takes advantage of the weak?

    Why don’t you start campaigning here:

    http://www.agenceglobal.com/Article.asp?Id=1492

    That might be a good start.

  17. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 1:15 pm

    “That by your definition is a massacre?”

    It’s a long way to co-existence.

    Co-existence is not just both parties existing. By that definition the Jews and the Arab nationalists already “co-exist” (since the Jews are too strong to be killed).

    It’s also about respecting each other.

    If the Gazans do not want their people killed by the Israeli military they are free not to attack Israel.

    It’s THEIR CHOICE. They voted for it, wanted it, did it. How can it be a “massacre” now that what they wanted to happen actually did happen?

    People who shoot rockets into towns trying to hit schools do not strike me as people who believe that killing civilians is wrong. So what’s the screaming about?

    Israel has better things to do than waste money on expensive ammunition.

    (And it seems like the Darfurians have realised that.)

  18. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 1:16 pm

    “This idiot Abdul-Wahid is perfectly slipped.”

    Why? What did he do?

  19. Suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 2:18 pm

    At least 20 people got massacred in Baghdad today (car bombing)
    At least 13 people got massacred in Kenia today (personal attacks)
    At least 40 people got massacred in Pakistan yesterday (suicide bombing).

    Just some samples. Those are massacres. As their killers mean to kill civillians on purpose. No matter what.

    Not casualities in military fighting.

    Or would you call the Lebanese reacties on that Palestinian town also a Massacre???

    Open your eyes ffs.

  20. Suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 2:19 pm

    At least 20 people got massacred in Baghdad today (car bombing)
    At least 13 people got massacred in Kenia today (personal attacks)
    At least 40 people got massacred in Pakistan yesterday (suicide bombing).

    Just some samples. Those are massacres. As their killers mean to kill civillians on purpose. No matter what.

    Not casualities in military fighting.

    Or would you call the Lebanese reacties on that Palestinian town also a Massacre???

    Open your eyes ffs.
    Excuse my language. But it’s getting tiring to get people seeing things in a realistic perspective.

  21. Suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 2:29 pm

    A person called JAN was quoted somewhere on the internet and I believe it’s worth quoting again. If you cannot embrace sarcasm. Please stop reading.

    “After many conversations with the “Progressives” of the world, I finally understand what Israel is allowed to do when attacked. Actually what I found out are the things that Israelis are not allowed to do:

    • Kill a disproportionate number of “militants”, the operate number being zero. That is, killing a single one is not allowed.

    • You are not allowed to cut off supplies to people who are teaching their children not to use your supplies.

    • Harm a single civilian acting as a human shield

    • Do anything to their territory to stop attacks on you

    What you are allowed to do is:
    • Say Mourner’s Kaddish – in private so as not to make the world field uncomfortable

    What you are required to do:
    • Supply weapons, ammunition and training to the Arabs so that they can improve their security forces to better kill you (Hear that, Olmert, Livni and Rice?)

    • Give them fuel, water, electricity, food, medical supplies so they aren’t uncomfortable while they try and kill you”

  22. Suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 2:30 pm

    Ow, and Drima, can you please, please, please, delete the first one of my double post? ow and this one begging on my feet :)

  23. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 3:26 pm

    Suzanne,

    I have to add “massacre” to my liberal dictionary:

    http://citizenleauki.joeuser.com/article/81628/The_American_Liberal_Dictionary

    “Genocide” is already in it:

    “An Israeli attack on a terrorist bomb factory.”

    “Massacre” would be, I think, something along the lines of:

    “A death, regardless of its circumstances, in which an Israeli was involved in any way.”

  24. Suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 3:44 pm

    i noticed im mixing up languages on this blog :)

    kenia = kenya
    reacties = reactions

    sorry :)

    ow and field in jan’s quote is of course feel

    but that was not my mistake

    haha

    @andrew, nice definition!

  25. Zionist=Nazi on March 3rd, 2008 4:04 pm

    Massacre:

    Israeli occupation forces killed 31 Palestinians, nine of them children, one a six-month-old baby, in a series of air raids across the Gaza Strip.

    -Here’s one for Jepordy

    Cowardice at it’s highest level, flying above 30,000 feet and dropping bombs on impoverished people:

    -What is an Israeli Air Strike Alex?
    ——–
    Zionest-Ho ass nazi bitches since 1948

  26. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 4:20 pm

    “Israeli occupation forces killed 31 Palestinians, nine of them children, one a six-month-old baby, in a series of air raids across the Gaza Strip.”

    Tough. Better tell the Arabs not to attack Israel. It’s expensive.

    “Cowardice at it’s highest level, flying above 30,000 feet and dropping bombs on impoverished people”

    Impoverished? They have a higher living standard than Egyptians.

    Cowardice? Defending a country of six million against an enemy of hundreds of millions is not cowardice.

    Perhaps it is for Jewish standards. But Muslims and Arabs FEAR the Israeli army. And that is good.

    I am a Zionist and you are a Nazi. Let’s get along!

  27. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 4:22 pm

    ZionistvsNazi,

    Can you tell me whether it is, according to you, cowardice or bravery to launch rockets at schools and then hide among children when the reply comes?

  28. Andrew Brehm on March 3rd, 2008 4:24 pm

    ZionistvsNazi,

    You’ll love this:

    http://www.netneurotic.net/Extrablatt/

    It’s a newspaper-like site I made. It has everything you need: glorious Nazis, evil Jews, the fight against Zionism, impoverished victimised Arabs, everything.

    Enjoy!

  29. suzanne on March 3rd, 2008 7:02 pm

    zionist =/= nazi
    Learn the definitions.

    Anyway,

    “From the Department of Irony: The Grad rocket that landed next to the Barzilai Hospital in Ashkelon on Saturday narrowly missed killing two premature palestinian babies from Gaza who were admitted to the facility. In other news, Israeli hospitals are treating palestinians.”
    http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/142610

    evil jews!

  30. Zionist=Nazi on March 3rd, 2008 8:03 pm

    Nice… it’s commical how quick all you racist zionist twits jump up in such weak defense of your Nazi aparthied supremist regime….

    It is straight up cowardice to bomb from an F-16 or apache straight into a residential area

    Nice to see the racist zionist in all it’s glory:
    “Tough better tell Arabs not to attack”

    -So yes it’s confirmed the zionist supremist have no problem with killing babies, becuase you are of course the big strong latter day Nazi’s…might equal’s right…..right?

    Andrew, no one fears the Israeli Army, Hezbollah proved that when those weak ass 18 year old European immigrants got fucked the fuck up. Just like yourself in your pathetic life.

    If the Isn’treali army is so feared then why are it’s neighbor’s not subordinated? (Since you’re such a twit that’s sarcasim….everyday we’re provided with an example of resistance)

    Zioniest=Ho ass bitches till the end of time

  31. Ron on March 3rd, 2008 8:58 pm

    Good move by Al-Nur, finally some Darfurians returning to their West Africa roots and being strong and honorable.

    Salaam

  32. Drima on March 4th, 2008 2:25 am

    Erm, guys, let’s stick to the topic and play nice. Or even better, I just made a new fresh post to “lounge” in for the meantime.

    Ron, the political “Arab” identity of many Darfurians is collapsing. More and more are starting to see themselves as African Muslims (not even Arabized). Hence, people like Taraji Mustafa and Al-Nur, giving a symbolic middle finger to Arabism by expressing friendliness towards Israel.

    Ponder,

    “I am opposite to the sudanese regime in some issues yet i have to take off my cap and loudly clap for its leader!!!”

    Why am I not surprised. Do you oppose its policies in Darfur?

  33. Ron on March 4th, 2008 3:51 am

    I oppose mythology of Arab supremacy through the worshipping of the Prophet (p.b.u.h). As a muslim, I would like for a more tolerant form of Islam. The Fulanis seem to be the only extremists in West Africa. Although the Fulanis sometimes use the Hausa as foot soldiers. African Islam is very tolerant. As you know the love of the drum and dance is integral to Sudan’s core identity, so is tolerance and kindness of Northerners.

    We know that Nubians have always been considered the most pious on earth for millenia.

    Salaam

  34. Howie on March 4th, 2008 4:53 am

    Ron-

    You sound like a totally cool dude…

    Please try to mass clone yourself.

  35. The Raccoon on March 4th, 2008 9:09 am

    Drima -

    Hmmm. By itself, this development is meaningless. But if there is a growing independent and unique African-Muslim identity, that is a good thing (unless we’re talking Somali African Muslim identity :/ ). Arabism didn’t do Africa much good.

    Ron - amen :)

  36. Drima on March 4th, 2008 10:40 am

    Amen to that Ron. :)

    Raccoon, there is a growing shedding of the Arabization-induced “Arab” identity. Many Nubians, Darfurians and some Southerns (who weren’t really fully Arabized except maybe in terms of language) are increasingly implicitly and explicitly rejecting “Arab” identity.

  37. Andrew Brehm on March 4th, 2008 11:29 am

    “We know that Nubians have always been considered the most pious on earth for millenia.”

    I didn’t know that but am willing to believe it. I have never heard anything bad about Nubians. Not from the British, not from Muslims, not from Christians, not from any reputable source.

    (And sources of ill repute never mentioned the Nubians specifically.)

    “there is a growing shedding of the Arabization-induced “Arab” identity.”

    Good. That will be the death of Arab nationalism.

    Again, the image of the first Israeli ship in a Sudanese harbour greeted by a jubilant population comes to mind.

  38. Ponder on March 4th, 2008 1:06 pm

    Darforian are muslim and muslim are brothers, thus equal… etc. assuming you have a sister, will agree to mary her to one of the Darforian?

    This was just to show how complex is it. pointing a fingure on the goverment, Abdu-Alwahid, Israel, or USA will not determine the cause this crisis. It’s bigger and more far than what we think of .

    again as i always keep saing “Talking is the easiest thing a human being can do”.

    Most of Darfor Rebellion leaders are made by this goverment and if you make something you can destroy it. For example, The called Al-Qadda and Taliban were made by the CIA during USA- Soviet Union called war to help USA. Then later when Taliban along with Osama went against USA policies in the middle east and muslim world, They were destroyed.

    “Do you oppose its policies in Darfur?”
    It took USA 2 weeks to enter a peaceful Irag “compared to the current Irag” alleging there were Mass Destruction Weapons, Al-Qadda, and to change the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussain. Now why they can’t do the same with sudan and its regime, simply because US doesn’t want….., plz don’t ask me why?
    Dear Dirma, I am opposite to USA regime in its all policies and therefore and to some estend i am opposite to the goverment in its Policies in Darfur remebering the goverment is not the main initiator of Darfur crisis!

    I have something better for you, go and read “Sura Al Kahaf”, try to understand it may answer some of your probblems.

  39. Andrew Brehm on March 4th, 2008 2:35 pm

    “It took USA 2 weeks to enter a peaceful Irag “compared to the current Irag” alleging there were Mass Destruction Weapons, Al-Qadda, and to change the terrorist regime of Saddam Hussain. Now why they can’t do the same with sudan and its regime”

    Give them time. They can’t be everywhere.

  40. Ron on March 4th, 2008 6:39 pm

    The Darfurians should continue to make friends with freedom loving people. Israel is the only country in the region besides Turkey that respects individual rights. If Darfurians truly seek a pluralistic society, I cannot see any better place to open up an office.

    Salaam

  41. asma ana on March 5th, 2008 3:39 am

    Yet again, Israel enters into the fray in Sudanese history, giving hope to the oppressed. Aluta continua

  42. Howie on March 5th, 2008 4:41 am

    Asma ana-

    Huh?

  43. Roman Kalik on March 5th, 2008 10:15 am

    Howie,

    I think Asma Ana is referring to previous Israeli involvement in Sudan - granting support to the rebels in the South.

  44. Suzanne on March 5th, 2008 10:47 am

    Drima, did you receive my e-mail with the advertisement? :)

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