[Dr. Aaron Lerner - IMRA: "Moderate" Abbas knows that if it was the goal of
the operation that the IDF could slaughter tens of thousands - if not
hundreds of thousands - of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in a matter of
days. And this without putting IDF ground forces in danger.

He also knows damn well that it doesn't serve Israel's interests to kill
civilians and that Israel is not targetting them. ]

President Denounces Deadly Israeli Assault on Gaza Strip, Calls for
International Protection for Palestinian People
www.wafa.ps/english/body.asp?id=11246

RAMALLAH, March 1, 2008 (WAFA - PLO news agency)- President Mahmud Abbas
denounced on Saturday a deadly Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip that has
killed at least 32 people as "more than a holocaust."

"It's very regrettable that what is happening is more than a holocaust. We
tell the world to see with its own eyes and judge for itself what is
happening and who is carrying out international terrorism," President told
reporters in Ramallah.

"It is regrettable that Israel uses this word, banned for more than 60
years, the word 'holocaust,' and we demand that the world respond," Abbas
said.

President called for "international protection for the Palestinian people"
while his office said he had contacted several world leaders to press for an
end to the Israeli assault.

"It is unthinkable that Israel's reaction to Palestinian rocket attacks --
which we condemn -- can be so terrible and frightening," Abbas said, adding
that the attacks were targeting "innocent women, children and old people.