A Stand For Justice
The Crisis That Wasn’t by Philip Giraldi
the truly amazing part was that the America Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) was so confident of the outcome that it didn’t even bother to hide very much of what it was doing, hardly deigning to engage in its usual clandestine arm twisting and slipped under the door "position papers." It immediately issued a public statement slamming the White House, asserting that "The Obama Administration’s recent statements regarding the US relationship with Israel are a matter of serious concern. AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State." It then unleashed its friends in Congress and the media. Its brazen campaign against the American president was executed all out on public view, right up front and recorded on the AIPAC website. I conjure you to read this excellent article by former CIA Philip Giraldi, my fellow citizens.
Israeli troops kill four Palestinians as West Bank unrest deepens
Two Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers who said that the men had attacked one of their comrades with pitchforks at a checkpoint outside Nablus. The unrest was prompted by Palestinian anger at restrictions on access to farmland which is close to an Israeli settlement, near the village of Iraq Burin......This followed the funerals of two other Palestinians, Mohammed Kaddous, 16, and his cousin, Osaid, 17, shot dead by Israeli troops confronting stone-throwing Palestinian youths
Palestinians warn Israel after troops kill 4
Palestinian medics said Mohammed Kaddous, 16, and Osaid Kaddous, 17, were killed by gunfire during a confrontation on Saturday between Israeli forces and Palestinian youths. Ahmad Hammad, a Nablus doctor, showed a Reuters journalist a photograph of what he said was a bullet entry wound in Mohammed Kaddous's chest and an exit wound in his back.....Villagers in Iraq Burin have been staging protests over Israeli–imposed restrictions on access to farmland that lies near the Jewish settlement of Har Bracha. Jewish residents there say they are anxious to expand their land holdings rapidly.
Gaza rocket kills Thai farm worker in Israel
A small Islamist faction calling itself Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack. Similar hardline groups, which are inspired by al-Qaida's radical ideology and see Gaza's Hamas rulers as too moderate, have been responsible for most of the attacks since the Gaza war ended in January 2009.
UN chief says Israeli settlements must be stopped
Visiting U.N. chief Ban Ki–moon said Saturday that Israeli settlement building anywhere on occupied land is illegal and must be stopped, while a Palestinian teenager was killed in clashes with Israeli troops elsewhere in the West Bank.
Israel: East Jerusalem construction to continue
The Israeli military, meanwhile, said troops in the West Bank shot dead two Palestinians carrying pitchforks and an ax who tried to attack a soldier. A third Palestinian died of a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by an Israeli soldier at a demonstration the day before. His brother died Saturday in the same protest.
U.N.'s Ban in Gaza, calls on Israel to end closures
Ban's visit to the blockaded territory follows a trip made by the European Union's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, who entered the coastal enclave last week. "The Palestinian people are living under very difficult circumstances where normal lives are restricted by closures security checks and road blocks," Ban said.
Clinton: US wants biting sanctions on Iran
Headline should be changed to : 'Clinton: AIPAC said that the US wants biting sanctions on Iran'
Congress speaks in 'one voice' in support of Israel: lawmaker
"We in Congress stand by Israel,"
Besieged Gaza Denied Water
80 per cent of Gazans lack access to clean water.
Egypt destroys tunnel under Gaza border in bid to curb smuggling
Anonymous security sources last week told the Egyptian daily al-Shorouq that Egypt had almost completed a reinforced, underground steel wall along the border.
A Third Muslim-World War?
"Secure in the support of its powerful friend, the weak ally can choose the objectives and methods of its foreign policy to suit itself," Morgenthau warned. "The powerful nation then finds it must support interests not its own and that it is unable to compromise on issues that are vital not to itself, but only to its ally." This is what George Washington warned us about in his Farewell Address - the evils of a passionate attachment. Read entire article if you can, paying attention to the last paragraph.
US Department of Justice Asked to Regulate AIPAC as a Foreign Agent of the Israeli Government
2.AIPAC's founder Isaiah L. Kenen was the chief information officer for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs in New York and for a time duly registered in that role. http://www.IRmep.org/Kenen.pdf The Justice Department ordered Kenen to personally re-register after he formally left the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs to head up private lobbying and publicity for the Israeli government at the nonprofit American Zionist Council. Kenen never complied with the order
Rupert Cornwell: Obama won't restrain Israel - he can't
power lies in the perception of power, and no organisation in Washington is perceived to wield more power than AIPAC, the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee. For proof, look no further than January 2009, when most of the rest of the world was horrified at the Israeli offensive in Gaza. At that moment the US House of Representatives, by a vote of 390 to five, chose to blame the entire crisis on Hamas.
Obama: No crisis in U.S. ties with Israel
"Israel is one of our closest allies, and we and the Israeli people have a special bond that's not going to go away," Obama said in an interview with Fox News.
US Lawmakers Stand Up Against Obama for Israel
For whom do they work?
Mideast Quartet tells Israel to halt settlements
"The Quartet urges the government of Israel to freeze all settlement activity," UN Secretary General Ban Ki–moon said after the meeting of the Quartet of the United States, the United Nations, European Union and Russia.
Israeli settlements buried two-state solution -expert
With Israel seeking to keep large settlement blocs under any deal, Benvenisti said only 40 percent of West Bank land was actually up for discussion, making Palestinian statehood unviable.
UN chief backs Palestinian state on Mideast mission
The international community "strongly supports" Palestinian efforts to build a state, UN chief Ban Ki–moon said, branding all Israeli settlement activity illegal.
U.S. holds firm against Israel settlement policy
A senior Republican member of the House of Representatives, Eric Cantor, criticized the Obama administration's firm line on Israeli settlements, highlighting what could become an emotive issue in this year's U.S. congressional elections.
Obama fails to move Netanyahu on settlement construction
Netanyahu, who was showered with expressions of support Tuesday in a visit to Capitol Hill , has successfully refused White House demands – relayed directly by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton – that Israel halt construction in the eastern sector of the holy city, also claimed by the Palestinians.
Netanyahu in U.S.: Jerusalem not a settlement
E. Jerusalem is occupied Palestinian territory, according to international law. Any Israeli settlements therein are a violation of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Conventions.
Israeli leader gets warmer welcome in Congress
The bipartisan welcome underscored the breadth of congressional support for Israel even when a U.S. president wants to keep his distance. And it pointed to the limited options, beyond verbal rebukes, that the Obama administration faces in pressuring the Jewish state.
Congress is Israeli-occupied territory.
Israeli settlements threaten world security
Zbigniew Brzezinski: Absolutely. It threatens the lives of American soldiers stationed in the Middle East and fighting in Afghanistan because it intensifies support for Muslim extremism.
Israel approves new building in east Jerusalem
The Obama administration is seeking "clarification" of the latest building plan and continues to believe Israeli construction in Jerusalem is destructive to the Mideast peace process, said White House spokesman Tommy Vietor.
Clinton: US commitment to Israel 'rock solid'
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the settlements were "illegal as well as being a roadblock" in the effort to achieve peace through a two–state solution.
Israel to ask US for bombs in the fight against Iran's Nuclear sites
Binyamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, will use a visit to Washington this week to press the US to release sophisticated bunker-busting bombs needed for a possible strike on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Abbas: Palestinian people have national right to resistance
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday said that the Palestinian people had a national right to resistance against Israeli occupation, adding that his government would not acquiesce to any Israeli demands with which it disagreed. Did our colonists not resist the British occupation in the 1700s?
Pressure on Israel?
The ties that bind America to Israel are beginning to fray and break
Two meetings, but no agreement between Obama and Netanyahu
the second meeting between the two also ended in disagreement, and they could not even reach a consensus on a joint statement. Netanyahu and Ehud Barak then left the White House for the Israeli embassy in Washington
Former Obama Aide New Head of AIPAC
Lee “Rosy” Rosenberg, a jazz recording industry veteran capitalist who accompanied U.S. President Barack Obama on his campaign trip to Israel two years ago, takes over on Sunday as the new president of American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Rosenberg also served on the president’s national campaign finance committee.
UnPACking AIPAC’s White House Slam, Israeli style
according to AIPAC, all responsibility for the disharmony between Israel and the US lies with the misguided American administration, and none with any of the politicians on the Israeli side.
British warning: Watch your passports
Amidst forged passport scandal, Britain updates Israel travel advisory; 'We recommend that you only hand your passport over to third parties including Israeli officials when absolutely necessary; Foreign Office says
U.S. presses Israel for Mideast goodwill steps
Officials, including U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell, held consultations in Netanyahu's Washington hotel even as new settlement expansion plans on disputed land in Jerusalem threatened further strains between Washington and its close ally. "The president asked the prime minister to take steps to build confidence for proximity talks so that progress can be made toward comprehensive peace," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters, referring to indirect negotiations.
Researchers dig up controversy in Jerusalem
Archaeologists in Jerusalem are competing to unearth artifacts pointing to the ancient city's Jewish past, which are used to justify Israel's claim to all of it as the indivisible capital of the modern Jewish state. But critics say some of "finds" are really just bending science to prove a "Biblical heritage" that is open to dispute.
I could probably find artifacts from MY ancestors all over Europe. Does that mean that I have the right to take by force the property of the current owners? Completely preposterous. Imagine if we all did that. It has no legal basis.
Is Obama anti-Semitic Netanyahu brother-in-law causes ruckus.
Analysis: Spat with Israel strengthens US hand
Analysis: Obama risks alienating Jewish voters
Jewish political activists are also important financial contributors, and their support will be important both in this year's midterm elections and in the 2012 presidential contest. If they decide to pare back those contributions because of misgivings about Obama's support for Israel, that could prove costly to Democratic candidates......Whereas the president usually leads on most foreign policy and national security issues, Congress appears to have a stronger hand on Israel–related matters because of the strength of the lobby and strong bipartisan support for Israel.
The pro–Israel lobby "is almost like a 51st state," said James Thurber, a political scientist at American University. "It's strong. It has one issue." And they are what, 2% of the population. What about the rest of us? I guess we don't matter.
UK to expel Israeli diplomat over Dubai case
Britain plans to expel an Israeli diplomat Tuesday to rebuke Israel for its alleged use of forged British passports in the assassination of a Hamas operative in a suspected Mossad hit, a U.K. government official said.
2nd mystery 'hit': Israeli jet flyover amid Hungary slay
In a possible sequel to the Dubai assassination, Israeli spy planes flew uninvited and unannounced over Budapest the same day a Syrian man was shot to death in his car, Hungarian media reported yesterday.
Clinton: Settlements undermine U.S. role
Eric Cantor to the Forward: Administration Is 'Bullying Israel'
Cantor and several other Republican lawmakers have criticized the administration’s tough stance on Israel in light of the dispute over the Jewish state’s approval of another 1,600 homes in contested East Jerusalem. Connecticut Senator Joseph Lieberman, an independent, and Senator John McCain, Republican of Arizona, have also said that the Obama administration was wrong in pressuring Israel. I'm going to remind readers what former CIA head of the Bin Laden unit has to say about Israel in this CSpan video. Long, but worth the watch.
Are Israel’s Policies a Threat to the U.S.?
Suggestions that Israeli policies might threaten American national security thus far seem not to have gained much traction among lawmakers, said an official with a pro-Israel organization in Washington, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said that the prevailing attitude on Capitol Hill is still that Israel is a security asset in the Middle East, not a burden. Congress- AIPAC's overwhelming influence thereof - is the real problem. We've got Congressmen and women that have the passionate attachment to Israel, and the rest are beholden to Israel's lobby. Our support for Israel is in fact a danger to this nation. And anyone in Congress that supports this is betraying the majority of the American people.
World will do "whatever it takes" to stop Iran nuke: Blair
"Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons capability. Iran must know that we will do whatever it takes to stop them getting it," Blair told the pro–Israel lobby AIPAC, adding it was a matter of global security.
Lebanese army fires on Israeli warplanes: military
Lebanese anti–aircraft guns opened fire on two Israeli warplanes that were violating its airspace at medium altitude on Sunday, the military said....Israel's regular overflights into southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold, are a breach of Resolution 1701 Why no sanctions for Israel?
Sen. Lindsey Graham: Any Attack on Iran Must Be Full-Scale
added Graham, a member of the Senate armed services committee, "sometimes it is better to go to war than to allow the Holocaust to develop a second time." And he told the crowd that "time is not on our side" and that this AIPAC conference could be the last of the lobby's annual get-togethers before Iran possesses nuclear weapons. Military action ought to be taken against Iran, he said, before the country acquires a nuclear bomb.
Netanyahu to AIPAC: Stop Iran or Israel Will
After the worst week in U.S.-Israel relations in 35 years, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington Monday and gave a powerful and effective speech at the AIPAC gala dinner at the Washington Convention Center, warning the world to stop Iran — or Israel will — and respectfully but directly challenging the Obama administration on Jerusalem and the peace process.....Netanyahu received scores of standing ovations from the 7,800 guests in attendance, the biggest event in the history of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee). More than half of the members of the U.S. House and Senate were there Note the comments by Schumer and Graham.
Israel & Aid By Ralph Nader
Since 1996, the American taxpayers are still sending Israel $3 billion a year and providing assorted loan guarantees, waivers, rich technology transfers and other indirect assistance. Before George W. Bush left office a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. and Israel stipulated an assistance package of $30 billion over the next ten years to be transferred in a lump sum at the beginning of every fiscal year. Israel’s wars and colonies still receive U.S. taxpayer monies....the U.S. economy is mired in a recession, with large rates of growing poverty, unemployment, consumer debt and state and federal deficits. In some states, public schools are shutting, public health services are being slashed, and universities are increasing tuition while also cutting programs. Even state government buildings are being sold off. Read on.
Zionism’s Dark Forces Don’t Want the Lights On
blind though AIPAC is for that reason, it’s not completely out of touch with reality. It knows that the more Zionism’s on-going colonisation is exposed to the light, the more the world understands that Israel is the obstacle to peace. (The world now includes some of the U.S.’s top military men who are going on the public record with their view that support for Israel right or wrong is not in the best interests of America).
Report: Current Knesset most racist of all time
Year imprisonment to anyone who denies the existence of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic country – initiated by MK Zevulun Orlev (Habayit Hayehudi)
Syrian murder, Israeli planes not linked: official
Two Israeli airforce planes that made a low-level pass over Budapest this week had nothing to do with the killing of a Syrian man in the Hungarian capital on the same day, Hungarian officials said on Friday. Come on, really, Hungary?
Israel to replace 'Mossad officer' expelled by UK
The Israeli diplomat who is to be expelled from Britain over the alleged forgery of British passports connected to the killing of a top Hamas militant, is a Mossad officer who will be replaced by the Jewish state, Israeli media reports said on Wednesday.
The American Conservative » Neocons Target Rand Paul
neoconservatives still set the foreign-policy agenda for the GOP. But they’re genuinely worried that the combination of a grassroots movement and an independently-minded candidate will deliver a blow to their power — especially if Rand Paul becomes only the first of many by showing that there is an alternative to Bushes and Kristols.
The ADL targeting ….Gen. Petraeus
Squeeze Israel by cutting US aid? Not likely
Notice how the author attempts to downplay the amount of aid to Israel by stating that the US aid really only makes its way back into the US anyway (by way of military purchases). Um, yes, SOME of it does, but much of it also comes back in the form of political contributions; a win-win cycle for Israel and its minions here in the US. But there is other peripheral aid Israel receives as well, that makes it the recipient of the most US foreign aid by any country on the planet.
Israel Lobby Wants Iran, not the Peace Process to Top the U.S. Agenda
The amateur activists were preparing for Tuesday's blitz of Congress that has become a ritual of the annual policy conference of AIPAC, one of the nation's most influential interest groups. This year, according to Aserkoff, as many as 4,000 activists will hold roughly 500 meetings with their members of Congress or their staff.
This is possible, this overwhelming influence on Congress by the Israeli lobby, because YOU are not paying attention. The apathy on the part of the American people is half the problem. The lobby fills the void that should be filled by ordinary Americans that have no passionate attachment to Israel.
Analysis: Israel weathers round with White House
a half–measure offered by Israel that Washington accepts because it fears the consequences of a full confrontation with Israel and its powerful supporters in the United States.
Israel’s ‘No renting to Arabs’ policy
“I have always loved Israel,” said Mrs Zakai, 43. “But to see the depth of the racism of our neighbours has made me question why we live in this country.”
Israel's Troubling Tilt Toward Apartheid
the Obama administration’s complaint about Atias’s housing decision during Biden’s visit prompted Netanyahu’s brother-in-law, Hagai Ben Artzi, to label Obama as “anti-Semitic,” adding: “it's not that Obama doesn't sympathize with [Netanyahu]. He doesn't sympathize with the people of Israel."
Behind the Biden Flap
So what explains the tragedy of errors that has marked Israel’s officials these last several weeks? Some analysts charge it to incompetence, others to the vagaries of coalition government, which in the current instance has led to an especially unruly Cabinet of 29 members. Some think it all a result of Israel’s obsession with Iran, explaining the insult to Vice President Biden as a way of expressing Israel’s displeasure with what it perceives as America’s sluggishness in implementing meaningful sanctions against Iran, while others think it a clumsy rebuke of the Obama administration or, more Machiavellian, an effort to weaken Obama et al. in the hope that he will be a one-term president and be followed by a Bushier president, one who leaves Israel to its own devices
Why AIPAC Feels 'Like Shit'
Note how effortlessly this kid moves from "anti-semitism" to "anti-Israel." That's how AIPAC has always recruited youth: Take Americans who have never experienced anti-semitism personally and make them believe that, even if they haven't seen any enemies, those enemies are out there, lurking everywhere, disguised as "critics of Israel," just waiting to pounce on poor, unsuspecting Jews.
U.S. aviation security pick favors Israeli model
President Barack Obama's nominee to oversee security at U.S. airports said on Tuesday he wants to shift screening closer to the Israeli model to include more behavior detection in a bid to thwart terrorism plots.
Yes, that's just what we need - to become more like Israel. We wouldn't need much if any security measures were it not for our support for Israel. THAT'S the real problem.
AIPAC's Talking Points On Iran and Palestinians
AIPAC has also posted their talking points memo regarding making the case for final passage of "crippling" Iran sanctions and pressing for better enforcement of existing sanctions - Crippling Sanctions Needed to Prevent Nuclear Iran .
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Headlines for March 11 - March 17
A Stand For Justice
UN humanitarian chief warns of disaster if Gaza siege continues
"If those tunnels were blocked, however undesirable they may be, and however undesirable the effect they're having on the Gazan society and Gazan economy, the situation without the tunnels would be completely unsustainable," said Holmes, who visited the region for four days earlier this month.
“This is Starting to Get Dangerous”
“The vice president told his Israeli hosts that since many people in the Muslim world perceived a connection between Israel’s actions and US policy, any decision about construction that undermines Palestinian rights in East Jerusalem could have an impact on the personal safety of American troops fighting against Islamic terrorism.”
Poodle Biden Gets Kicked by Patrick J. Buchanan
Israeli and U.S. interests often run parallel, but they are not the same. Israel is concerned with a neighborhood. We are concerned with a world of 300 million Arabs and a billion Muslims. Our policies cannot be the same.
If they are, we will end up with all of Israel’s enemies, who are legion, and only Israel’s friends, who are few.
Pentagon vs. Israel?
"Not surprisingly, what Biden told Netanyahu reflected the importance the administration attached to Petraeus's Mullen briefing: 'This is starting to get dangerous for us,' Biden reportedly told Netanyahu. 'What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us and it endangers regional peace.'
Palestinians Should Now Declare Their Independence
This is a great article that gives you a history of what happened to the Palestinians in a nutshell, by The Independent UK
Gaza swimmers hope to make splash at Asia games
"I'm very happy because I will represent Palestine,"
The Petraeus Briefing: Biden’s Embarrassment Is Not The Whole Story
UPDATE: A senior military officer denied Sunday that Petraeus sent a paper to the White House.
Israeli Raids Target Children
Fundamentalist settler groups held an opening ceremony for a synagogue constructed against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which was seen as a provocation to the Palestinian community in the area........ "arresting, detaining and imprisoning Palestinian children is in direct violation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child."
Women in charge in West Bank's key district
At 35, Leila Ghanem is the first woman to become a Palestinian governor, the latest in a group of trailblazing women leaders who are slowly winning acceptance in this traditional society....."Yet one more taboo has been broken,"
US Israel criticism ignites firestorm in Congress
The Obama administration's fierce denunciation of Israel last week has ignited a firestorm in Congress and among powerful pro–Israel interest groups who say the criticism of America's top Mideast ally was misplaced.
U.S. affirms bond with Israel as Palestinians riot
"We have come to throw stones because that's all we have and the situation in Jerusalem is dangerous," one demonstrator said during a confrontation at an Israeli military checkpoint.
Mitchell Mideast travel in flux amid U.S.-Israel row
In a sign the administration may be trying to appear more even–handed, the State Department said it was "deeply disturbed" by unspecified Palestinian comments about Israel's consecration of an ancient synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, a tinderbox site in the conflict. "We call upon Palestinian officials to put an end to such incitement,"
Israeli troops, Palestinians clash near Jerusalem
Five Palestinians were injured later Saturday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, Palestinian medics said. Residents of a village near Nablus said they tried to prevent settlers from bathing in a water cistern they depend on for agriculture.
Israeli leader urges calm over row with Washington
"Israel and the U.S. have mutual interests," Netanyahu told the Cabinet, then pointedly added, "but we will act according to the vital interests of the state of Israel."
And the US should act according to ITS vital interests. So, why doesn't it?
Biden: Bond with Israel ‘unbreakable’ but U.S. will note missteps
"Every time progress is made, it's been made when the rest of the world knows there's no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security, none -- no space," the vice president said.
AT-TUWANI VIDEO AND ARTICLE: Israeli soldiers attacking and arresting Palestinian shepherds
US envoy cancels Mideast trip amid US-Israel feud
Washington notified Israel early Tuesday that envoy George Mitchell had put off his trip. The visit will be rescheduled at an undetermined time, officials on both sides said.
Israeli envoy sees "historic crisis" with U.S.- report
Israeli–U.S. relations have hit a 35–year low over a West Bank settlement plan that threatens to derail peacemaking efforts with the Palestinians, Israel's envoy to Washington was quoted as saying on Monday
Petraeus Confirms Link Between Israel-Palestine and U.S. Security
Petraeus’ willingness to publicly — and in uniform with all those decorations on his chest — make the connection between Israeli treatment of the Palestinians and the spread of “anti-American sentiment” and the deterioration of the U.S. position in the region — a connection which, of course, is completely evident to any casual observer of Middle East — marks what can only be considered a major breakthrough in the debate over the relationship between the United States and Israel.
Israeli apology gets cool reception in Washington
Even after Netanyahu's apology Sunday, the U.S. condemnation showed no sign of easing.
Speaking on NBC television, President Barack Obama's chief political adviser, David Axelrod, called Israel's action an "affront" and an "insult."
Israel vows more settlement building despite crisis with US
Israeli troops wounded 10 Palestinians on Monday as they opened fire on dozens of students hurling stones at a West Bank checkpoint to protest against Israel's actions in east Jerusalem, Palestinian medics and witnesses said.
"Insulted" by Israel, U.S. scrambles to save talks
In Washington, the Anti–Defamation League, which lobbies for Israel with U.S. lawmakers, called Clinton's remarks on the diplomatic debacle a "gross over–reaction."
"We are shocked and stunned at the administration's tone and public dressing down of Israel," the ADL's Abraham Foxman said.
Netanyahu defies U.S. over Jerusalem settlement
The U.S. criticism of Israel prompted a backlash on Monday from U.S. lawmakers and pro–Israel lobby groups who urged the Obama administration to tone down its rhetoric.
Netanyahu voices regret in settlement row with U.S.
Writing in the left–leaning Haaretz newspaper, commentator Aluf Benn said Netanyahu has reached "the moment of truth."
He said Netanyahu must choose between political cooperation with the right and his need for U.S. support in curbing Iran's nuclear program the West says is aimed a producing nuclear weapons, an allegation Iran denies.
White House: Israel construction plan an 'insult'
President Barack Obama's chief political adviser says the Israelis' action was both an "affront" and an "insult."
Deputy FM tells U.S.: Israel won't make any more concessions
According to Ayalon, the United States' condemnation on the matter was due to the timing of the announcement and not the content of the issue.
Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state
Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem.
U.S. gave Israel green light for East Jerusalem construction
Israel essentially received an American green light for approving even more building plans in East Jerusalem.
Clinton: Israel must prove commitment to peace
the lack of a direct formal reply from Israel forced the cancellation of special Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell's planned visit to the region, the State Department said
Report: Petraeus Warns Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mullen that Israel Is Jeopardizing US Security Interests
Dark Clouds Behind Survey’s Silver Lining
That sort of millennial Christian theo-politics got a big boost in the course of the Bush presidency and the war on terror, precisely the years in which Gallup shows Republican sympathy for Israel soaring. President Bush repeatedly portrayed America’s struggles against Islamic extremism as a war of good against evil, in which Israel’s enemies were hardly, if at all, distinguishable from America’s. Israel and its most vocal American defenders welcomed Bush’s embrace
Jews Displaced From Arab Lands Finally Recognized
In April 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution urging that every reference to Palestinian refugees raised in international forums be matched by a similarly explicit reference to the uprooting of Jewish communities from Arab countries. Say, I wonder which group was behind that legislation?
Two IDF soldiers charged with using 9-year-old 'human shield' in Gaza war
We Can’t Afford to Give Up on the United Nations
Like it or not, the U.N. does matter. Successive Israeli governments have predicated peace negotiations on the terms of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. For all the trouble getting agreement from Russia and China, the Security Council is the venue for promoting multilateral Iran sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency is the authority to monitor Iranian compliance. And the secretary-general embodies one-quarter of the Mideast Quartet that drives Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy. The supreme irony here is that Israel is and has been in violation of many UN resolutions for decades, has never signed on to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and opened up to inspection its nuclear weapons program, and was found in violation of international law at the ICJ in 2004 for building its wall and settlments on occupied Palestinian territory. Yet, they haven't had to comply with any law, nor have they been punished for non-compliance. Israel and its supporters are the worst supremacists and hypocrites this world has ever seen. One set of rules for them, and one set of rules for everyone else.
Jewish Lobby Sits Out Vote On Armenian Genocide
This year, no major Jewish groups lobbied for or against the resolution. As Jess Hordes, Washington director of the Anti-Defamation League, put it, “Inevitably, for some people the enthusiasm isn’t as great as it was in the past, because of concerns about Turkey’s policy on Israel.”....In the wake of the committee vote, there are signs that Turkey’s leaders are reassessing the strategy of distancing themselves from American Jews against the backdrop of chilling ties with Israel. Erdogan has now included a meeting with Jewish leaders as part of his scheduled April visit to Washington.
Would siding with Turkey on this issue help shift Turkey back to a more positive approach toward Israel?
Joe Biden: I am a Zionist
Israel’s threatening message to Biden and Obama
Why Israel jailed me for ‘talking too much’
Israel has taken this opportunity to crack down on Palestinians who advocate nonviolent protests against the Israeli West Bank segregation barrier and charged them based on questionable or false evidence. ....Critics in America say the solution is for a Palestinian Gandhi to emerge from within our society. This seems increasingly untenable when unarmed teens and real life Palestinian Gandhis such as Bassem Abu Rahma are killed by an occupying army that regularly meets nonviolence with violence.
SANDS OF U.S.-ISRAELI RELATIONS CONTINUE TO SHIFT
Since the beginning of the Obama administration, the Netanyahu administration's position has been to announce more and more settlements, thus eating up land that either belongs to Palestinians or that would be part of a Palestinian state.
Why Bibi Humiliated Biden
three developments seem to have emboldened Netanyahu
US-Israel Showdown?
"AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State. ... The Administration should make a conscious effort to move away from public demands and unilateral deadlines directed at Israel."
Abe Foxman of the Anti–Defamation League, a knee–jerk defender of everything Israel does, accused the US of a "gross overreaction" to the Israeli insult
Unfriendly Fire
Contrary to the spin generated in some quarters, the Obama administration has gone out of its way to support Israel and the Netanyahu government. As the Forward has reported, cooperation between the two nations is flourishing — the Obama administration has worked hard to bolster Israel’s qualitative military edge, which had eroded during the final year of the presidency of George W. Bush. America continues to do the heavy lifting required to fend off unfair criticism of Israel in unfriendly venues. And American Jews continue to pour money, resources and energy into ensuring Israel’s future.
Corrie's sister to Haaretz: U.S. encouraged family to sue Israel
"My father served in the military in Vietnam and was responsible for bulldozer operations," Simpson added. "He said there is no way that what happened to Rachel would have happened on his watch."
'I saw Israeli bulldozer kill Rachel Corrie'
Within weeks of her death, the Israel Defence Forces accused Ms Corrie and the ISM of behaviour that was "illegal irresponsible and dangerous". In 2004, Lawrence Wilkerson, an aide to the then US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, wrote to the Corries saying Israel had failed to carry out the "thorough, credible, and transparent" investigation promised at the time by Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon.
Rightists prepare banner denouncing Obama as 'PLO agent'
Egypt arrests Israeli journalist along the border
Egyptian security officials arrested an Israeli journalist as he tried to sneak across the porous Israeli–Egyptian border with African migrants, his newspaper reported Monday.
Why is the EU failing to comply with its international law obligations over Israel?
If you lived on a street where a neighbour frequently and flagrantly broke the law, you would want something done about it, especially if that neighbour took part of your garden, replaced the fence with a 30ft wall, cut down your trees and redirected your water supply. Suppose the authorities to whom you complained merely denounced the illegalities and took no action? You might think that this situation is inconceivable. But that is precisely what has been happening to the Palestinians for the best part of 60 years.
Knesset to Biden: For Smooth Relations, Free Pollard
With impeccable timing, a broadly representative group of Israeli Knesset members sent a joint letter to Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday and asked him to work to free confessed spy Jonathan Pollard from federal prison in honor of the Passover holiday and “as an expression of the good relations and friendship between our two peoples.” It was signed by party whips or representatives of eight of the nine Jewish parties in the Knesset
Israeli FM reportedly boycotts Brazil's President Lula
Mr Lieberman was reportedly upset that Mr Lula refused to visit the grave of the founder of the Zionist movement.
Mr Lula also opposes sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program
Oh dear.
Foxman: Don't blame the Jews
Eytan Gilboa, a political science professor at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan and a specialist on US-Israeli relations, said the government needed to frontally counter this argument because it risked eroding support for Israel among the US public.
Notice the knee-jerk reaction by Foxman to label this as anti-Jewish (read, anti-Semitic).
Spy Takes US/Israeli Secrets to Grave
Extensive evidence now exists that Begin’s preference for Reagan led the Israelis to join in a covert operation with Republicans to contact Iranian leaders behind Carter’s back, interfering with the President’s efforts to free the 52 American hostages before the November 1980 elections.
David Kimche could have been a key witness to these events. Ben-Menashe identified the Israeli spymaster as a middleman between Begin and CIA veterans who initially supported former CIA Director George H.W. Bush, who ran against Reagan before ending up as his vice presidential choice.
Analysis: US hamstrung on Israeli settlements
Through a year of ragged relations, the Obama administration had moved from stark demands that Israeli end all settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, to praise for the Netanyahu government for agreeing to a temporary suspension of settlement activity – except in east Jerusalem.
Taboo Thwarts Candor on Israel/Iran
Israel: Elephant Not Allowed in the Room
Gates appeals to Saudis to back sanctions on Iran
With China apparently the strongest holdout to sanctions among the five veto–wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Americans have turned to their Saudi allies to persuade China to reconsider.
Washington hopes the Saudis could guarantee China stable oil supplies in the event of disruption from Iran. And the Saudis in turn probably want progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, progress which we cannot obtain because of Israeli intransigence with respect to illegal settlements. This is a supreme irony since it is Israel that is behind this whole Iran-sanctions push.
Subservient Superpower by Philip Giraldi
The real indication of whether or not the White House will or can begin to break the chains that bind will come at the end of this week when AIPAC holds its annual conference. AIPAC is keenly aware of the need to pull the American colossus back in line and will do so by playing the evil Iran card over and over again and by demanding obeisance from a long line of politicians and media pundits. The AIPAC lovefest will conclude with an address by Hillary Clinton next Monday.
Biden steers past spat over Israel settlement plan
Addressing a key Israeli security concern, Biden also said the U.S. is "determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
Arab world says hopes in Obama are dwindling
the mistrust has already hurt U.S. policy. U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations have rejected U.S. pressure to make diplomatic gestures to Israel to encourage it in the peace process, citing its hard line on settlements.
It could bleed over into other realms, such as U.S. attempt to isolate Iran, which Washington and its allies accuse of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the claims.
Jerusalem Pitches Goldstone Report as a Threat to U.S. Military and its Allies
So far, based on the voting on the Feb. 26 U.N. resolution, many of the countries other than America toward whom Israel is aiming this argument seem unpersuaded. I wonder why that is?
Does anyone else find it odd that Israel is the most visited foreign country by US politicians?
I like Ron Paul’s solution to this issue: You guys want to grab other people’s land and blow each other up? Fine. But do it on your own dime and stop dragging us into your stupidity. We have enough of our own problems. We don’t need your help and we’d really like it if you’d stop calling us for help. Amen.
Knesset to Biden For Smooth Relations, Free Pollard
With impeccable timing, a broadly representative group of Israeli Knesset members sent a joint letter to Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday and asked him to work to free confessed spy Jonathan Pollard from federal prison in honor of the Passover holiday and “as an expression of the good relations and friendship between our two peoples.” It was signed by party whips or representatives of eight of the nine Jewish parties in the Knesset
Israeli Crackdown Puts Liberal Jews on the Spot
The government of Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to shut down Israel's premier human rights organizations, including B'Tselem, the New Israel Fund (NIF) and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. It is busy expelling or excluding peace activists and foreign nationals from the Palestinian territories.
Poll: Half of Israeli high schoolers oppose equal rights for Arabs
Nearly half of Israel's high school students do not believe that Israeli-Arabs are entitled to the same rights as Jews in Israel, according to the results of a new survey released yesterday. The same poll revealed that more than half the students would deny Arabs the right to be elected to the Knesset.
Deafening silence from corporate media (on silent IDF dinner protest)
Americans who solely read and watch corporate, mainstream media don’t know—about Goldstone, about the crimes of Israel, about why it is that there is a fundraiser on behalf of a foreign army in New York City, or that hundreds of people, including many Jews, were outraged enough to demonstrate against it.
Israel crisis: US must keep up the pressure
Promoting Israel As a ‘Cultural Hotbed’ Isn’t Always a Winner
Oscar nominations are only one element in Israel’s attempt to market itself as a world-leading cultural hotbed. Other elements include the adaptations of popular Israeli TV formats on American networks, which range from psychological dramas like HBO’s “In Treatment” to game shows and sitcoms, and the sponsoring of Israeli performing and visual arts.
Jordan's Abdullah: Israel trying to rid Jerusalem of Arabs
Brazil President in West Bank: I dream of a free Palestine
The Break on Palestine
Barack Obama abetted the Israeli drive to bury the Goldstone Report by allowing his government to say it was "one-sided and deeply flawed" and also the subject of "grave concerns."........Palestinians. There has been a danger, after all, over several months, that Palestinian protesters, aided by Israelis who sympathize with their cause, would crystallize into a movement essentially non-violent in orientation and catch the conscience of America and the world. The fear of Netanyahu and the Israeli right is that the Palestinian cause will indeed become a non-violent mass movement. Israel has taken strong measures against that possibility, especially in the last few months An interesting read.
'Government knew of Jewish terrorist's plan to open fire on Shfaram bus'
Newly discovered footage of a terrorist attack perpetrated by an Israel Defense Forces soldier in the Arab town of Shfaram five years ago indicates that authorities were aware of plans to commit the attack, a lawyer representing Israeli Arabs suspected of taking part in the subsequent lynching of the gunman said Sunday.
Hebron: Young men disappearing from the Old City
'U.S. administration is ignoring a host of Palestinian provocations'
Republican Whip Cantor (R-VA) called the U.S. reaction to the Israeli announcement "irresponsible."
U.S. TELLS ISRAEL: “YOU ARE UNDERMINING AMERICA, ENDANGERING TROOPS”
the extent of Israeli involvement in areas that had taken the “special relationship” into an area of disaster for the United States. This is what was discovered: Read on.
Capital Anglos mobilize against practice of spitting at Christians
One cleric said told a European news site that the spitting was "almost a daily experience."
UN humanitarian chief warns of disaster if Gaza siege continues
"If those tunnels were blocked, however undesirable they may be, and however undesirable the effect they're having on the Gazan society and Gazan economy, the situation without the tunnels would be completely unsustainable," said Holmes, who visited the region for four days earlier this month.
“This is Starting to Get Dangerous”
“The vice president told his Israeli hosts that since many people in the Muslim world perceived a connection between Israel’s actions and US policy, any decision about construction that undermines Palestinian rights in East Jerusalem could have an impact on the personal safety of American troops fighting against Islamic terrorism.”
Poodle Biden Gets Kicked by Patrick J. Buchanan
Israeli and U.S. interests often run parallel, but they are not the same. Israel is concerned with a neighborhood. We are concerned with a world of 300 million Arabs and a billion Muslims. Our policies cannot be the same.
If they are, we will end up with all of Israel’s enemies, who are legion, and only Israel’s friends, who are few.
Pentagon vs. Israel?
"Not surprisingly, what Biden told Netanyahu reflected the importance the administration attached to Petraeus's Mullen briefing: 'This is starting to get dangerous for us,' Biden reportedly told Netanyahu. 'What you're doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us and it endangers regional peace.'
Palestinians Should Now Declare Their Independence
This is a great article that gives you a history of what happened to the Palestinians in a nutshell, by The Independent UK
Gaza swimmers hope to make splash at Asia games
"I'm very happy because I will represent Palestine,"
The Petraeus Briefing: Biden’s Embarrassment Is Not The Whole Story
UPDATE: A senior military officer denied Sunday that Petraeus sent a paper to the White House.
Israeli Raids Target Children
Fundamentalist settler groups held an opening ceremony for a synagogue constructed against the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, which was seen as a provocation to the Palestinian community in the area........ "arresting, detaining and imprisoning Palestinian children is in direct violation of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child."
Women in charge in West Bank's key district
At 35, Leila Ghanem is the first woman to become a Palestinian governor, the latest in a group of trailblazing women leaders who are slowly winning acceptance in this traditional society....."Yet one more taboo has been broken,"
US Israel criticism ignites firestorm in Congress
The Obama administration's fierce denunciation of Israel last week has ignited a firestorm in Congress and among powerful pro–Israel interest groups who say the criticism of America's top Mideast ally was misplaced.
U.S. affirms bond with Israel as Palestinians riot
"We have come to throw stones because that's all we have and the situation in Jerusalem is dangerous," one demonstrator said during a confrontation at an Israeli military checkpoint.
Mitchell Mideast travel in flux amid U.S.-Israel row
In a sign the administration may be trying to appear more even–handed, the State Department said it was "deeply disturbed" by unspecified Palestinian comments about Israel's consecration of an ancient synagogue in the Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem's Old City, a tinderbox site in the conflict. "We call upon Palestinian officials to put an end to such incitement,"
Israeli troops, Palestinians clash near Jerusalem
Five Palestinians were injured later Saturday in clashes with Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, Palestinian medics said. Residents of a village near Nablus said they tried to prevent settlers from bathing in a water cistern they depend on for agriculture.
Israeli leader urges calm over row with Washington
"Israel and the U.S. have mutual interests," Netanyahu told the Cabinet, then pointedly added, "but we will act according to the vital interests of the state of Israel."
And the US should act according to ITS vital interests. So, why doesn't it?
Biden: Bond with Israel ‘unbreakable’ but U.S. will note missteps
"Every time progress is made, it's been made when the rest of the world knows there's no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security, none -- no space," the vice president said.
AT-TUWANI VIDEO AND ARTICLE: Israeli soldiers attacking and arresting Palestinian shepherds
US envoy cancels Mideast trip amid US-Israel feud
Washington notified Israel early Tuesday that envoy George Mitchell had put off his trip. The visit will be rescheduled at an undetermined time, officials on both sides said.
Israeli envoy sees "historic crisis" with U.S.- report
Israeli–U.S. relations have hit a 35–year low over a West Bank settlement plan that threatens to derail peacemaking efforts with the Palestinians, Israel's envoy to Washington was quoted as saying on Monday
Petraeus Confirms Link Between Israel-Palestine and U.S. Security
Petraeus’ willingness to publicly — and in uniform with all those decorations on his chest — make the connection between Israeli treatment of the Palestinians and the spread of “anti-American sentiment” and the deterioration of the U.S. position in the region — a connection which, of course, is completely evident to any casual observer of Middle East — marks what can only be considered a major breakthrough in the debate over the relationship between the United States and Israel.
Israeli apology gets cool reception in Washington
Even after Netanyahu's apology Sunday, the U.S. condemnation showed no sign of easing.
Speaking on NBC television, President Barack Obama's chief political adviser, David Axelrod, called Israel's action an "affront" and an "insult."
Israel vows more settlement building despite crisis with US
Israeli troops wounded 10 Palestinians on Monday as they opened fire on dozens of students hurling stones at a West Bank checkpoint to protest against Israel's actions in east Jerusalem, Palestinian medics and witnesses said.
"Insulted" by Israel, U.S. scrambles to save talks
In Washington, the Anti–Defamation League, which lobbies for Israel with U.S. lawmakers, called Clinton's remarks on the diplomatic debacle a "gross over–reaction."
"We are shocked and stunned at the administration's tone and public dressing down of Israel," the ADL's Abraham Foxman said.
Netanyahu defies U.S. over Jerusalem settlement
The U.S. criticism of Israel prompted a backlash on Monday from U.S. lawmakers and pro–Israel lobby groups who urged the Obama administration to tone down its rhetoric.
Netanyahu voices regret in settlement row with U.S.
Writing in the left–leaning Haaretz newspaper, commentator Aluf Benn said Netanyahu has reached "the moment of truth."
He said Netanyahu must choose between political cooperation with the right and his need for U.S. support in curbing Iran's nuclear program the West says is aimed a producing nuclear weapons, an allegation Iran denies.
White House: Israel construction plan an 'insult'
President Barack Obama's chief political adviser says the Israelis' action was both an "affront" and an "insult."
Deputy FM tells U.S.: Israel won't make any more concessions
According to Ayalon, the United States' condemnation on the matter was due to the timing of the announcement and not the content of the issue.
Biden says Palestinians deserve 'viable' state
Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday the Palestinians deserve a "viable" independent state with contiguous territory, seeking to reassure them of U.S. support after Israel announced plans to expand a Jewish neighborhood in disputed east Jerusalem.
U.S. gave Israel green light for East Jerusalem construction
Israel essentially received an American green light for approving even more building plans in East Jerusalem.
Clinton: Israel must prove commitment to peace
the lack of a direct formal reply from Israel forced the cancellation of special Mideast peace envoy George Mitchell's planned visit to the region, the State Department said
Report: Petraeus Warns Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mullen that Israel Is Jeopardizing US Security Interests
Dark Clouds Behind Survey’s Silver Lining
That sort of millennial Christian theo-politics got a big boost in the course of the Bush presidency and the war on terror, precisely the years in which Gallup shows Republican sympathy for Israel soaring. President Bush repeatedly portrayed America’s struggles against Islamic extremism as a war of good against evil, in which Israel’s enemies were hardly, if at all, distinguishable from America’s. Israel and its most vocal American defenders welcomed Bush’s embrace
Jews Displaced From Arab Lands Finally Recognized
In April 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a nonbinding resolution urging that every reference to Palestinian refugees raised in international forums be matched by a similarly explicit reference to the uprooting of Jewish communities from Arab countries. Say, I wonder which group was behind that legislation?
Two IDF soldiers charged with using 9-year-old 'human shield' in Gaza war
We Can’t Afford to Give Up on the United Nations
Like it or not, the U.N. does matter. Successive Israeli governments have predicated peace negotiations on the terms of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. For all the trouble getting agreement from Russia and China, the Security Council is the venue for promoting multilateral Iran sanctions. The International Atomic Energy Agency is the authority to monitor Iranian compliance. And the secretary-general embodies one-quarter of the Mideast Quartet that drives Israeli-Palestinian diplomacy. The supreme irony here is that Israel is and has been in violation of many UN resolutions for decades, has never signed on to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and opened up to inspection its nuclear weapons program, and was found in violation of international law at the ICJ in 2004 for building its wall and settlments on occupied Palestinian territory. Yet, they haven't had to comply with any law, nor have they been punished for non-compliance. Israel and its supporters are the worst supremacists and hypocrites this world has ever seen. One set of rules for them, and one set of rules for everyone else.
Jewish Lobby Sits Out Vote On Armenian Genocide
This year, no major Jewish groups lobbied for or against the resolution. As Jess Hordes, Washington director of the Anti-Defamation League, put it, “Inevitably, for some people the enthusiasm isn’t as great as it was in the past, because of concerns about Turkey’s policy on Israel.”....In the wake of the committee vote, there are signs that Turkey’s leaders are reassessing the strategy of distancing themselves from American Jews against the backdrop of chilling ties with Israel. Erdogan has now included a meeting with Jewish leaders as part of his scheduled April visit to Washington.
Would siding with Turkey on this issue help shift Turkey back to a more positive approach toward Israel?
Joe Biden: I am a Zionist
Israel’s threatening message to Biden and Obama
Why Israel jailed me for ‘talking too much’
Israel has taken this opportunity to crack down on Palestinians who advocate nonviolent protests against the Israeli West Bank segregation barrier and charged them based on questionable or false evidence. ....Critics in America say the solution is for a Palestinian Gandhi to emerge from within our society. This seems increasingly untenable when unarmed teens and real life Palestinian Gandhis such as Bassem Abu Rahma are killed by an occupying army that regularly meets nonviolence with violence.
SANDS OF U.S.-ISRAELI RELATIONS CONTINUE TO SHIFT
Since the beginning of the Obama administration, the Netanyahu administration's position has been to announce more and more settlements, thus eating up land that either belongs to Palestinians or that would be part of a Palestinian state.
Why Bibi Humiliated Biden
three developments seem to have emboldened Netanyahu
US-Israel Showdown?
"AIPAC calls on the Administration to take immediate steps to defuse the tension with the Jewish State. ... The Administration should make a conscious effort to move away from public demands and unilateral deadlines directed at Israel."
Abe Foxman of the Anti–Defamation League, a knee–jerk defender of everything Israel does, accused the US of a "gross overreaction" to the Israeli insult
Unfriendly Fire
Contrary to the spin generated in some quarters, the Obama administration has gone out of its way to support Israel and the Netanyahu government. As the Forward has reported, cooperation between the two nations is flourishing — the Obama administration has worked hard to bolster Israel’s qualitative military edge, which had eroded during the final year of the presidency of George W. Bush. America continues to do the heavy lifting required to fend off unfair criticism of Israel in unfriendly venues. And American Jews continue to pour money, resources and energy into ensuring Israel’s future.
Corrie's sister to Haaretz: U.S. encouraged family to sue Israel
"My father served in the military in Vietnam and was responsible for bulldozer operations," Simpson added. "He said there is no way that what happened to Rachel would have happened on his watch."
'I saw Israeli bulldozer kill Rachel Corrie'
Within weeks of her death, the Israel Defence Forces accused Ms Corrie and the ISM of behaviour that was "illegal irresponsible and dangerous". In 2004, Lawrence Wilkerson, an aide to the then US Secretary of State, Colin Powell, wrote to the Corries saying Israel had failed to carry out the "thorough, credible, and transparent" investigation promised at the time by Israel's Prime Minister, Ariel Sharon.
Rightists prepare banner denouncing Obama as 'PLO agent'
Egypt arrests Israeli journalist along the border
Egyptian security officials arrested an Israeli journalist as he tried to sneak across the porous Israeli–Egyptian border with African migrants, his newspaper reported Monday.
Why is the EU failing to comply with its international law obligations over Israel?
If you lived on a street where a neighbour frequently and flagrantly broke the law, you would want something done about it, especially if that neighbour took part of your garden, replaced the fence with a 30ft wall, cut down your trees and redirected your water supply. Suppose the authorities to whom you complained merely denounced the illegalities and took no action? You might think that this situation is inconceivable. But that is precisely what has been happening to the Palestinians for the best part of 60 years.
Knesset to Biden: For Smooth Relations, Free Pollard
With impeccable timing, a broadly representative group of Israeli Knesset members sent a joint letter to Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday and asked him to work to free confessed spy Jonathan Pollard from federal prison in honor of the Passover holiday and “as an expression of the good relations and friendship between our two peoples.” It was signed by party whips or representatives of eight of the nine Jewish parties in the Knesset
Israeli FM reportedly boycotts Brazil's President Lula
Mr Lieberman was reportedly upset that Mr Lula refused to visit the grave of the founder of the Zionist movement.
Mr Lula also opposes sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program
Oh dear.
Foxman: Don't blame the Jews
Eytan Gilboa, a political science professor at Bar-Ilan University in Ramat Gan and a specialist on US-Israeli relations, said the government needed to frontally counter this argument because it risked eroding support for Israel among the US public.
Notice the knee-jerk reaction by Foxman to label this as anti-Jewish (read, anti-Semitic).
Spy Takes US/Israeli Secrets to Grave
Extensive evidence now exists that Begin’s preference for Reagan led the Israelis to join in a covert operation with Republicans to contact Iranian leaders behind Carter’s back, interfering with the President’s efforts to free the 52 American hostages before the November 1980 elections.
David Kimche could have been a key witness to these events. Ben-Menashe identified the Israeli spymaster as a middleman between Begin and CIA veterans who initially supported former CIA Director George H.W. Bush, who ran against Reagan before ending up as his vice presidential choice.
Analysis: US hamstrung on Israeli settlements
Through a year of ragged relations, the Obama administration had moved from stark demands that Israeli end all settlement building in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, to praise for the Netanyahu government for agreeing to a temporary suspension of settlement activity – except in east Jerusalem.
Taboo Thwarts Candor on Israel/Iran
Israel: Elephant Not Allowed in the Room
Gates appeals to Saudis to back sanctions on Iran
With China apparently the strongest holdout to sanctions among the five veto–wielding permanent members of the UN Security Council, the Americans have turned to their Saudi allies to persuade China to reconsider.
Washington hopes the Saudis could guarantee China stable oil supplies in the event of disruption from Iran. And the Saudis in turn probably want progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, progress which we cannot obtain because of Israeli intransigence with respect to illegal settlements. This is a supreme irony since it is Israel that is behind this whole Iran-sanctions push.
Subservient Superpower by Philip Giraldi
The real indication of whether or not the White House will or can begin to break the chains that bind will come at the end of this week when AIPAC holds its annual conference. AIPAC is keenly aware of the need to pull the American colossus back in line and will do so by playing the evil Iran card over and over again and by demanding obeisance from a long line of politicians and media pundits. The AIPAC lovefest will conclude with an address by Hillary Clinton next Monday.
Biden steers past spat over Israel settlement plan
Addressing a key Israeli security concern, Biden also said the U.S. is "determined to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons."
Arab world says hopes in Obama are dwindling
the mistrust has already hurt U.S. policy. U.S. allies Saudi Arabia and Gulf nations have rejected U.S. pressure to make diplomatic gestures to Israel to encourage it in the peace process, citing its hard line on settlements.
It could bleed over into other realms, such as U.S. attempt to isolate Iran, which Washington and its allies accuse of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies the claims.
Jerusalem Pitches Goldstone Report as a Threat to U.S. Military and its Allies
So far, based on the voting on the Feb. 26 U.N. resolution, many of the countries other than America toward whom Israel is aiming this argument seem unpersuaded. I wonder why that is?
Does anyone else find it odd that Israel is the most visited foreign country by US politicians?
I like Ron Paul’s solution to this issue: You guys want to grab other people’s land and blow each other up? Fine. But do it on your own dime and stop dragging us into your stupidity. We have enough of our own problems. We don’t need your help and we’d really like it if you’d stop calling us for help. Amen.
Knesset to Biden For Smooth Relations, Free Pollard
With impeccable timing, a broadly representative group of Israeli Knesset members sent a joint letter to Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday and asked him to work to free confessed spy Jonathan Pollard from federal prison in honor of the Passover holiday and “as an expression of the good relations and friendship between our two peoples.” It was signed by party whips or representatives of eight of the nine Jewish parties in the Knesset
Israeli Crackdown Puts Liberal Jews on the Spot
The government of Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to shut down Israel's premier human rights organizations, including B'Tselem, the New Israel Fund (NIF) and the Association for Civil Rights in Israel. It is busy expelling or excluding peace activists and foreign nationals from the Palestinian territories.
Poll: Half of Israeli high schoolers oppose equal rights for Arabs
Nearly half of Israel's high school students do not believe that Israeli-Arabs are entitled to the same rights as Jews in Israel, according to the results of a new survey released yesterday. The same poll revealed that more than half the students would deny Arabs the right to be elected to the Knesset.
Deafening silence from corporate media (on silent IDF dinner protest)
Americans who solely read and watch corporate, mainstream media don’t know—about Goldstone, about the crimes of Israel, about why it is that there is a fundraiser on behalf of a foreign army in New York City, or that hundreds of people, including many Jews, were outraged enough to demonstrate against it.
Israel crisis: US must keep up the pressure
Promoting Israel As a ‘Cultural Hotbed’ Isn’t Always a Winner
Oscar nominations are only one element in Israel’s attempt to market itself as a world-leading cultural hotbed. Other elements include the adaptations of popular Israeli TV formats on American networks, which range from psychological dramas like HBO’s “In Treatment” to game shows and sitcoms, and the sponsoring of Israeli performing and visual arts.
Jordan's Abdullah: Israel trying to rid Jerusalem of Arabs
Brazil President in West Bank: I dream of a free Palestine
The Break on Palestine
Barack Obama abetted the Israeli drive to bury the Goldstone Report by allowing his government to say it was "one-sided and deeply flawed" and also the subject of "grave concerns."........Palestinians. There has been a danger, after all, over several months, that Palestinian protesters, aided by Israelis who sympathize with their cause, would crystallize into a movement essentially non-violent in orientation and catch the conscience of America and the world. The fear of Netanyahu and the Israeli right is that the Palestinian cause will indeed become a non-violent mass movement. Israel has taken strong measures against that possibility, especially in the last few months An interesting read.
'Government knew of Jewish terrorist's plan to open fire on Shfaram bus'
Newly discovered footage of a terrorist attack perpetrated by an Israel Defense Forces soldier in the Arab town of Shfaram five years ago indicates that authorities were aware of plans to commit the attack, a lawyer representing Israeli Arabs suspected of taking part in the subsequent lynching of the gunman said Sunday.
Hebron: Young men disappearing from the Old City
'U.S. administration is ignoring a host of Palestinian provocations'
Republican Whip Cantor (R-VA) called the U.S. reaction to the Israeli announcement "irresponsible."
U.S. TELLS ISRAEL: “YOU ARE UNDERMINING AMERICA, ENDANGERING TROOPS”
the extent of Israeli involvement in areas that had taken the “special relationship” into an area of disaster for the United States. This is what was discovered: Read on.
Capital Anglos mobilize against practice of spitting at Christians
One cleric said told a European news site that the spitting was "almost a daily experience."
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Headlines for March 4 - March 10
A Stand For Justice
European Parliament endorses Goldstone Gaza report
The parliamentary move, which would give the EU an unprecedented role in evaluating the progress of Israel's war crimes probe, was sharply criticized by Israel. Our Congress would never do so.
Mullen Wary of Israeli Attack on Iran
Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came home with sweaty palms from his mid-February visit to Israel. He has been worrying aloud that Israel will mousetrap the U.S. into war with Iran.....Mullen, for his part, seems acutely aware that the Constitution he has sworn to defend makes no provision for the kind of war he might be sucked into in order to defend Israel. God bless you, Admiral Mullen. Bless your heart.
Many Voices Calling for War with Iran by Philip Giraldi
Sarah Palin is on the Pipes bandwagon, showing up at the mid-February Nashville Tea Party convention sporting an Israeli flag lapel pin and subsequently urging the president to do the right thing in supporting Israel by attacking Iran. .... As Israel knows its air force cannot cripple Iran, its government has had to devise a scheme to get the US to do it instead, which is precisely what is being promoted by Anne Applebaum, Daniel Pipes, and all the other usual suspects who have already brought America fun and games in Iraq and Afghanistan....Cohen and Applebaum together make the case that preemptive war against Iran is somehow both justifiable and inevitable, ignoring the fact that Iran has never threatened the United States. Their Israel-centric view makes it appear completely acceptable for Washington to yet again go to war on behalf of Tel Aviv.
Excellent article.
PLO gives approval for indirect talks with Israel
The indirect format is meant to give the Palestinians the necessary political cover to resume talks. However, they warned they would walk away if the outlines of a border deal with Israel have not emerged after four months. They also ruled out subsequent direct talks without a complete Israeli settlement construction freeze.
U.S. Can't Afford Military Aid to Israel
Data published recently by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation shows that U.S. military aid to Israel comes at a financial and moral price that this country cannot afford to pay. Its website reveals that this same $3 billion earmark for Israel could be used instead to provide more than 364,000 low-income households with affordable housing vouchers, or to retrain 498,000 workers for green jobs, or to provide early reading programs to 887,000 at-risk students, or to provide access to primary health care services for more than 24 million uninsured Americans.
US pledges 'unvarnished' commitment to Israel security
"The cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel's security," said Biden, who was in the region to encourage indirect Israeli–Palestinian peace talks and discuss international efforts to halt Iran's nuclear drive.
"Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security."
Irish FM urges EU to pressure Israel to end Gaza blockade
"What I witnessed in Gaza, amidst all the rubble and devastation, was a population traumatized and reduced to poverty by an unjust and completely counterproductive blockade." Evidently, the Irish are free from the taint of any Israeli lobby. Good for you, laddies!
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: Three children detained while gathering herbs
'Temple Mount clashes may spark religious war'
The permanent Palestinian observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, welcomed the council statement, adding that the U.S. decision not to block it "is a signal that the United States wants this effort to succeed" and Israel to restrain itself. A U.S. official, however, told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the American delegation had not agreed with the statement and said it was adopted due to what the official described as "procedural confusion". Translation: the US was later smacked down by its Israeli massa .
US lawmakers push for tougher Iran sanctions
Massa Israel pleased!
U.S. envoy seeks Mideast talks deal, tension rises
A demonstration against Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem by several thousand Palestinians and Israeli peace activists passed off peacefully on Saturday night. Trouble had been feared with settlers who claim a religious right to all of the city. In the West Bank, relatives buried six members of a single Palestinian family who were killed when their car collided with an Israeli military vehicle on Friday. Reflecting popular anger, officials from Fatah said the soldiers were to blame.
What’s In a Name by Philip Giraldi
The Mossad assassination could also result in real consequences from the European governments whose passports were cloned or stolen, though the French and Germans are unlikely to make waves and the British are already backpedalling to make sure they do not offend Israel.
Biden condemns new Israeli settlement plan
"With such an announcement, how can you build trust? This is destroying our efforts to work with Mr. Mitchell," Erekat said. "It's a really disastrous situation. I hope that this will be an eye–opener for all in the international community."
Israel apologizes for embarrassing Biden
Israel apologized Wednesday for disrupting the visit of Vice President Joe Biden with its announcement of 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem, but made clear it had no intention of reversing the order that has cast a shadow over the latest U.S. push for Mideast peace.
Israel OKs 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem
Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war and subsequently annexed east Jerusalem. When the world said they wanted to see Middle East peace, Israel thought they meant PIECE, as in, another PIECE of Palestine.
Violent clashes in Jerusalem, West Bank
Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian stone–throwers at two contested holy sites and in a West Bank village Friday, seriously injuring a Palestinian woman and a 14–year–old boy, officials and witnesses said.
Biden to try to boost Middle East peace prospects
An Israeli cabinet minister, commenting on Joe Biden's visit, pointed to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's description of the September 11 attacks in the United States as a "big fabrication" as cause for concern. "What we have here is a madman, and crazy people can do only crazy things," Industry and Trade Minister Binyamin Ben–Eliezer told Israel Radio. "The Americans ... must see how they can create a reality in which they stop the madman." An Israeli political source said Israel expected Biden's main message would be "Don't bomb Iran," a cautionary note Washington has sounded before in contacts with Israeli leaders.......The Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will meet Biden, was "disappointed" by sanctions proposed thus far by the United States. "This is not what we've been promised," he said.
Arab director of Oscar film sparks Israeli outrage
"I cannot represent a country that does not represent me," he added. The remarks brought howls of outrage from cabinet ministers, legislators and a member of the Israeli Film Academy.
'Ajami' casts harsh light on Israel's other Arab conflict
"It shows you how deep the difference is, how segregated this reality is. And when you live in this reality, it's not surprising that every once in a while you see an outburst of horrifying violence," Shani said.
AT-TUWANI UPDATE: FEBRUARY, 2010
Rachel Corrie Family Finally Puts Israel in Dock
A judge in the northern Israeli city of Haifa was due to be presented with evidence that 23-year-old Corrie was killed unlawfully as she stood in the path of the bulldozer, trying to prevent it from demolishing Palestinian homes in Rafah.
'Jewish lobby behind U.S. Armenia genocide vote'
Pro-Israel lobbyists had previously backed Turkey on the issue ? but changed tack in retaliation for Turkish condemnation of Israel's policies in the Gaza Strip, the Al-Quds Al-Arabi daily said in an editorial, according to Israel Radio reports
Respected Danish journalist admits 'I was a Mossad agent'
In the 1960s, Mossad chief Isser Harel used a few journalists, including Yeshayahu Ben Porat and the late Uri Dan, for the purpose of finding the addresses of German scientists who had helped Egypt's missile program. When the addresses were obtained, the Mossad waged a scare campaign on their families and sometimes even sent explosive packages and tried to assassinate the scientists.
Bowing to Jewish Pressure
Clearly, Israeli lobby has much more influence within the British cabinet than the USA
In Israel, the Most Popular 'Jewish Mother' Is an Arab Muslim
Interpol seeks arrest of 16 more suspects in Dubai hit
The international police agency Interpol on Monday issued arrest notices for an additional 16 suspects over the assassination of a Hamas operative in Dubai earlier this year.
'4-8 Weeks Left for Diplomacy on Iran'
Four to eight weeks remain to test the option of diplomatic engagement as means of stopping Iran’s nuclear program before sanctions will likely be imposed, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told an audience of foreign military officers and government officials in Herzliya on Monday.
US-Israel row highlights quandary over settlements
Biden's handshakes and embraces gave way to one of the strongest rebukes of Israel by a senior U.S. official in years after Israel's announcement during his visit that it plans to build 1,600 homes in disputed east Jerusalem. Israel apologized for the poor timing but is sticking to its plan to build the homes, enlarging one of the settlements that have impeded negotiations with Palestinians.
Bunning’s Best Game
In George W. Bush’s last full year in office, we spent $29 billion for “international affairs.” The lion’s share of that was foreign aid. In FY 2011, the year for which Congress has begun to budget, spending for international affairs and foreign aid is to jump to $54 billion and continue to surge through the Obama years.
What is the rationale for the United States, the world’s greatest debtor nation, putting itself deeper in debt to China to send foreign aid to nations that will never repay us and that vote habitually with China and against us in the United Nations?
America cannot afford to keep sending foreign aid to countries such as Israel, especially at a time when American Jews are moving to Israel because of a better economy there.
Israel, Syria announce nuclear energy ambitions
Both countries laid out their hopes at an international conference on civilian nuclear energy at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Israel: Did the Alleged Mossad Hit in Dubai Really Help?
If Netanyahu authorized the hit, though, the real question is whether he really considered the strategic implications. Look at the map. If Israel goes ahead and bombs Iran's nuclear facilities, it will need over–flight clearances from the Gulf Arabs. Antagonizing the U.A.E. in this way, leaving almost no doubt Israel was behind Mabhouh's assassination, does not seem the best way to facilitate such clearances. Nor does it help build an Arab Sunni coalition against Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hizballah.
New FBI Files Alleging AIPAC Theft of Government Property and Israeli Espionage Released
Declassified files detailing an FBI investigation targeting the American Israel Public Affairs Committee are now available on the Internet
Commentary: Move over Dubai
The worst case scenario came up at the Club of Monaco (retired senior statesmen and women from Europe, the Middle East, including Israel, and the United States) in Doha last week. Diplomatic code was "detonator," which was designed to conjure up an Israeli airstrike against an Iranian nuclear facility that would automatically unleash Iran's asymmetrical retaliatory capabilities against U.S. and pro-U.S. targets up and down the Persian Gulf. Most world governments would assume the United States had given Israel the green light, and Iran, in turn, would feel justified in "counterattacking" throughout the Gulf. Thus, Israel becomes the "detonator."
Iranian missiles pose no threat to U.S. and Europe - Lavrov
"It is evident that Iran currently poses no threat to the U.S. and European countries... At the moment, Iran has no missiles capable of striking Europe, let alone the U.S., and is unlikely to develop [such missiles] in the foreseeable future," Lavrov said.
Why Israel jailed me for ‘talking too much’
Israel has taken this opportunity to crack down on Palestinians who advocate nonviolent protests against the Israeli West Bank segregation barrier and charged them based on questionable or false evidence. Great read.
Israel to unveil plans to create nuclear generated power
Israel will unveil this week plans to produce nuclear-generated electricity, officials said on Monday, a move that could draw fresh international attention towards its assumed atomic arsenal.....Unlike other countries in the region, Israel has not signed the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which curbs the spread of nuclear technologies with bomb-making potential. Yet Israel does have a delegation at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN watchdog. Yeh, that makes sense.
Bolton: Israel's Options – Attack Iran or Accept Nuclear Power
Neocon John Bolton back making the rounds. His American citizenship should be stripped from him. He works for Israel, not us.
Barak: Iran not currently posing existential threat to Israel
Biden's Israel visit is a year too late
Biden's visit is designed to open a new chapter in relations between Netanyahu and the U.S. administration, with a two-fold message: recognition of the political importance of Israel and its supporters in America in advance of the November Congressional elections; and giving Netanyahu the credit he's not yet earned for his statement in support of "two states for two peoples" and his settlement construction freeze. He will get it now under the threat of a preemptive war against Iran. Israel has our officials alarmed. Israel is threatening to attack Iran. Such an attack would automatically implicate us, Israel's big brother. Our troops in the region would come under attack. Israel knows this, and is hanging this threat of an attack on Iran over our heads. It's blackmail.
Syria hints Israel planted nuclear traces on its territory
In a closed-door debate by the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors, Syria reiterated its assertion that the uranium traces came with munitions Israel used to destroy the complex.
Israel’s New PR Scheme: Healthy Zionism or Sinister Stalinism?
“We decided to give Israelis who go abroad tools and tips to help them deal with the attacks on Israel in their conversations with people, media appearances and lectures before wide audiences They all must do the Hasbara. Why not cease the illegal settlements and occupation of Palestinian land instead? Would do wonders for Israeli PR.
AIPAC calls for swift action to block U.S. companies supporting Iran
To which Congress will respond, 'Yes Massa!'
‘Ajami’ Co-Director Says He Does Not Represent Israel
“I’m not here representing Israel,” he said. “I’m an Israeli citizen, but I cannot represent a state that doesn’t represent me,” Copti, an Arab Israel from Jaffa said.
European Parliament endorses Goldstone Gaza report
The parliamentary move, which would give the EU an unprecedented role in evaluating the progress of Israel's war crimes probe, was sharply criticized by Israel. Our Congress would never do so.
Mullen Wary of Israeli Attack on Iran
Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came home with sweaty palms from his mid-February visit to Israel. He has been worrying aloud that Israel will mousetrap the U.S. into war with Iran.....Mullen, for his part, seems acutely aware that the Constitution he has sworn to defend makes no provision for the kind of war he might be sucked into in order to defend Israel. God bless you, Admiral Mullen. Bless your heart.
Many Voices Calling for War with Iran by Philip Giraldi
Sarah Palin is on the Pipes bandwagon, showing up at the mid-February Nashville Tea Party convention sporting an Israeli flag lapel pin and subsequently urging the president to do the right thing in supporting Israel by attacking Iran. .... As Israel knows its air force cannot cripple Iran, its government has had to devise a scheme to get the US to do it instead, which is precisely what is being promoted by Anne Applebaum, Daniel Pipes, and all the other usual suspects who have already brought America fun and games in Iraq and Afghanistan....Cohen and Applebaum together make the case that preemptive war against Iran is somehow both justifiable and inevitable, ignoring the fact that Iran has never threatened the United States. Their Israel-centric view makes it appear completely acceptable for Washington to yet again go to war on behalf of Tel Aviv.
Excellent article.
PLO gives approval for indirect talks with Israel
The indirect format is meant to give the Palestinians the necessary political cover to resume talks. However, they warned they would walk away if the outlines of a border deal with Israel have not emerged after four months. They also ruled out subsequent direct talks without a complete Israeli settlement construction freeze.
U.S. Can't Afford Military Aid to Israel
Data published recently by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation shows that U.S. military aid to Israel comes at a financial and moral price that this country cannot afford to pay. Its website reveals that this same $3 billion earmark for Israel could be used instead to provide more than 364,000 low-income households with affordable housing vouchers, or to retrain 498,000 workers for green jobs, or to provide early reading programs to 887,000 at-risk students, or to provide access to primary health care services for more than 24 million uninsured Americans.
US pledges 'unvarnished' commitment to Israel security
"The cornerstone of the relationship is our absolute, total, unvarnished commitment to Israel's security," said Biden, who was in the region to encourage indirect Israeli–Palestinian peace talks and discuss international efforts to halt Iran's nuclear drive.
"Progress occurs in the Middle East when everyone knows there is simply no space between the United States and Israel. There is no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to Israel's security."
Irish FM urges EU to pressure Israel to end Gaza blockade
"What I witnessed in Gaza, amidst all the rubble and devastation, was a population traumatized and reduced to poverty by an unjust and completely counterproductive blockade." Evidently, the Irish are free from the taint of any Israeli lobby. Good for you, laddies!
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: Three children detained while gathering herbs
'Temple Mount clashes may spark religious war'
The permanent Palestinian observer to the United Nations, Riyad Mansour, welcomed the council statement, adding that the U.S. decision not to block it "is a signal that the United States wants this effort to succeed" and Israel to restrain itself. A U.S. official, however, told Reuters on condition of anonymity that the American delegation had not agreed with the statement and said it was adopted due to what the official described as "procedural confusion". Translation: the US was later smacked down by its Israeli massa .
US lawmakers push for tougher Iran sanctions
Massa Israel pleased!
U.S. envoy seeks Mideast talks deal, tension rises
A demonstration against Jewish settlement in East Jerusalem by several thousand Palestinians and Israeli peace activists passed off peacefully on Saturday night. Trouble had been feared with settlers who claim a religious right to all of the city. In the West Bank, relatives buried six members of a single Palestinian family who were killed when their car collided with an Israeli military vehicle on Friday. Reflecting popular anger, officials from Fatah said the soldiers were to blame.
What’s In a Name by Philip Giraldi
The Mossad assassination could also result in real consequences from the European governments whose passports were cloned or stolen, though the French and Germans are unlikely to make waves and the British are already backpedalling to make sure they do not offend Israel.
Biden condemns new Israeli settlement plan
"With such an announcement, how can you build trust? This is destroying our efforts to work with Mr. Mitchell," Erekat said. "It's a really disastrous situation. I hope that this will be an eye–opener for all in the international community."
Israel apologizes for embarrassing Biden
Israel apologized Wednesday for disrupting the visit of Vice President Joe Biden with its announcement of 1,600 new homes in disputed east Jerusalem, but made clear it had no intention of reversing the order that has cast a shadow over the latest U.S. push for Mideast peace.
Israel OKs 1,600 new homes in east Jerusalem
Israel captured both areas in the 1967 Mideast war and subsequently annexed east Jerusalem. When the world said they wanted to see Middle East peace, Israel thought they meant PIECE, as in, another PIECE of Palestine.
Violent clashes in Jerusalem, West Bank
Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian stone–throwers at two contested holy sites and in a West Bank village Friday, seriously injuring a Palestinian woman and a 14–year–old boy, officials and witnesses said.
Biden to try to boost Middle East peace prospects
An Israeli cabinet minister, commenting on Joe Biden's visit, pointed to Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's description of the September 11 attacks in the United States as a "big fabrication" as cause for concern. "What we have here is a madman, and crazy people can do only crazy things," Industry and Trade Minister Binyamin Ben–Eliezer told Israel Radio. "The Americans ... must see how they can create a reality in which they stop the madman." An Israeli political source said Israel expected Biden's main message would be "Don't bomb Iran," a cautionary note Washington has sounded before in contacts with Israeli leaders.......The Israeli official said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will meet Biden, was "disappointed" by sanctions proposed thus far by the United States. "This is not what we've been promised," he said.
Arab director of Oscar film sparks Israeli outrage
"I cannot represent a country that does not represent me," he added. The remarks brought howls of outrage from cabinet ministers, legislators and a member of the Israeli Film Academy.
'Ajami' casts harsh light on Israel's other Arab conflict
"It shows you how deep the difference is, how segregated this reality is. And when you live in this reality, it's not surprising that every once in a while you see an outburst of horrifying violence," Shani said.
AT-TUWANI UPDATE: FEBRUARY, 2010
Rachel Corrie Family Finally Puts Israel in Dock
A judge in the northern Israeli city of Haifa was due to be presented with evidence that 23-year-old Corrie was killed unlawfully as she stood in the path of the bulldozer, trying to prevent it from demolishing Palestinian homes in Rafah.
'Jewish lobby behind U.S. Armenia genocide vote'
Pro-Israel lobbyists had previously backed Turkey on the issue ? but changed tack in retaliation for Turkish condemnation of Israel's policies in the Gaza Strip, the Al-Quds Al-Arabi daily said in an editorial, according to Israel Radio reports
Respected Danish journalist admits 'I was a Mossad agent'
In the 1960s, Mossad chief Isser Harel used a few journalists, including Yeshayahu Ben Porat and the late Uri Dan, for the purpose of finding the addresses of German scientists who had helped Egypt's missile program. When the addresses were obtained, the Mossad waged a scare campaign on their families and sometimes even sent explosive packages and tried to assassinate the scientists.
Bowing to Jewish Pressure
Clearly, Israeli lobby has much more influence within the British cabinet than the USA
In Israel, the Most Popular 'Jewish Mother' Is an Arab Muslim
Interpol seeks arrest of 16 more suspects in Dubai hit
The international police agency Interpol on Monday issued arrest notices for an additional 16 suspects over the assassination of a Hamas operative in Dubai earlier this year.
'4-8 Weeks Left for Diplomacy on Iran'
Four to eight weeks remain to test the option of diplomatic engagement as means of stopping Iran’s nuclear program before sanctions will likely be imposed, Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon told an audience of foreign military officers and government officials in Herzliya on Monday.
US-Israel row highlights quandary over settlements
Biden's handshakes and embraces gave way to one of the strongest rebukes of Israel by a senior U.S. official in years after Israel's announcement during his visit that it plans to build 1,600 homes in disputed east Jerusalem. Israel apologized for the poor timing but is sticking to its plan to build the homes, enlarging one of the settlements that have impeded negotiations with Palestinians.
Bunning’s Best Game
In George W. Bush’s last full year in office, we spent $29 billion for “international affairs.” The lion’s share of that was foreign aid. In FY 2011, the year for which Congress has begun to budget, spending for international affairs and foreign aid is to jump to $54 billion and continue to surge through the Obama years.
What is the rationale for the United States, the world’s greatest debtor nation, putting itself deeper in debt to China to send foreign aid to nations that will never repay us and that vote habitually with China and against us in the United Nations?
America cannot afford to keep sending foreign aid to countries such as Israel, especially at a time when American Jews are moving to Israel because of a better economy there.
Israel, Syria announce nuclear energy ambitions
Both countries laid out their hopes at an international conference on civilian nuclear energy at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Israel: Did the Alleged Mossad Hit in Dubai Really Help?
If Netanyahu authorized the hit, though, the real question is whether he really considered the strategic implications. Look at the map. If Israel goes ahead and bombs Iran's nuclear facilities, it will need over–flight clearances from the Gulf Arabs. Antagonizing the U.A.E. in this way, leaving almost no doubt Israel was behind Mabhouh's assassination, does not seem the best way to facilitate such clearances. Nor does it help build an Arab Sunni coalition against Iran and its Lebanese proxy, Hizballah.
New FBI Files Alleging AIPAC Theft of Government Property and Israeli Espionage Released
Declassified files detailing an FBI investigation targeting the American Israel Public Affairs Committee are now available on the Internet
Commentary: Move over Dubai
The worst case scenario came up at the Club of Monaco (retired senior statesmen and women from Europe, the Middle East, including Israel, and the United States) in Doha last week. Diplomatic code was "detonator," which was designed to conjure up an Israeli airstrike against an Iranian nuclear facility that would automatically unleash Iran's asymmetrical retaliatory capabilities against U.S. and pro-U.S. targets up and down the Persian Gulf. Most world governments would assume the United States had given Israel the green light, and Iran, in turn, would feel justified in "counterattacking" throughout the Gulf. Thus, Israel becomes the "detonator."
Iranian missiles pose no threat to U.S. and Europe - Lavrov
"It is evident that Iran currently poses no threat to the U.S. and European countries... At the moment, Iran has no missiles capable of striking Europe, let alone the U.S., and is unlikely to develop [such missiles] in the foreseeable future," Lavrov said.
Why Israel jailed me for ‘talking too much’
Israel has taken this opportunity to crack down on Palestinians who advocate nonviolent protests against the Israeli West Bank segregation barrier and charged them based on questionable or false evidence. Great read.
Israel to unveil plans to create nuclear generated power
Israel will unveil this week plans to produce nuclear-generated electricity, officials said on Monday, a move that could draw fresh international attention towards its assumed atomic arsenal.....Unlike other countries in the region, Israel has not signed the 1970 Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which curbs the spread of nuclear technologies with bomb-making potential. Yet Israel does have a delegation at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a UN watchdog. Yeh, that makes sense.
Bolton: Israel's Options – Attack Iran or Accept Nuclear Power
Neocon John Bolton back making the rounds. His American citizenship should be stripped from him. He works for Israel, not us.
Barak: Iran not currently posing existential threat to Israel
Biden's Israel visit is a year too late
Biden's visit is designed to open a new chapter in relations between Netanyahu and the U.S. administration, with a two-fold message: recognition of the political importance of Israel and its supporters in America in advance of the November Congressional elections; and giving Netanyahu the credit he's not yet earned for his statement in support of "two states for two peoples" and his settlement construction freeze. He will get it now under the threat of a preemptive war against Iran. Israel has our officials alarmed. Israel is threatening to attack Iran. Such an attack would automatically implicate us, Israel's big brother. Our troops in the region would come under attack. Israel knows this, and is hanging this threat of an attack on Iran over our heads. It's blackmail.
Syria hints Israel planted nuclear traces on its territory
In a closed-door debate by the IAEA's 35-nation board of governors, Syria reiterated its assertion that the uranium traces came with munitions Israel used to destroy the complex.
Israel’s New PR Scheme: Healthy Zionism or Sinister Stalinism?
“We decided to give Israelis who go abroad tools and tips to help them deal with the attacks on Israel in their conversations with people, media appearances and lectures before wide audiences They all must do the Hasbara. Why not cease the illegal settlements and occupation of Palestinian land instead? Would do wonders for Israeli PR.
AIPAC calls for swift action to block U.S. companies supporting Iran
To which Congress will respond, 'Yes Massa!'
‘Ajami’ Co-Director Says He Does Not Represent Israel
“I’m not here representing Israel,” he said. “I’m an Israeli citizen, but I cannot represent a state that doesn’t represent me,” Copti, an Arab Israel from Jaffa said.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Headlines for February 25 - March 3
A Stand For Justice
Under blockade, coastal Gaza now a fish importer
Under a sea blockade, the coastal Gaza Strip has now become a seafood importer. Its desperate fishermen – cut off from plentiful fishing grounds by Israeli patrol boats – have turned to sneaking into Egyptian waters in tiny motorboats to buy their catch and bring it home.
Jerusalem plan would demolish Palestinian homes
Jerusalem's mayor unveiled a plan Tuesday to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes to make room for a tourist center in one of the disputed city's most volatile neighborhoods, drawing criticism from Palestinians and the United Nations...."There is no way the Palestinians can accept the demolishing of houses in Jerusalem and the continuation of building settlements for the Jewish settlers, while the United States is trying to bring the parties together,"
Al Khaliil/Hebron: Israeli military respond with tear gas to Open Shuhada Street demonstration
Although there was brief localised stone throwing by Palestinian boys watching the demonstrators walk through their neighbourhood, the Palestinian leadership was determined that the demonstration would be free from violence. Despite the Israeli military’s prolonged and repeated use of tear gas and percussion grenades the demonstrators’ discipline held and the action remained non-violent throughout.
Dubai to use profiling to detect Israeli arrivals
Europe wary of following Dubai killers' trail
Experts say arresting Israeli agents – or even digging up further evidence that Israel was involved – could be politically costly....."Countries such as Germany have a special relationship with Israel because of their history and therefore wouldn't be interested in investigating,"
Hamas leader disowns son for spying for Israel
Israeli police, Palestinians clash at holy site
As in similar incidents in the past, Sunday's protests appeared to have erupted because of rumors that Jewish extremists planned to enter the holy compound, according to the Waqf's director, Abdul Azim Samhadana. He blamed Israeli police for "provoking" the youths.
U.S. answers not yet enough for Mideast talks: Dahlan
A Palestinian official said Monday the United States had yet to give adequate answers to Palestinian queries on a proposal for indirect negotiations with Israel.
'U.K. police in Israel to probe passports used in Dubai hit'
Dubai police said on Friday they have DNA proof of the identity of at least one of the killers of senior Hamas strongman Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the emirate country last month.
Two Suspects Entered U.S. After Killing In Dubai
Although Interpol is assisting in the investigation and has put out alert notices about the suspects, United States officials have been silent about it. On Monday, the State Department again refused to comment on the case.
The US will do nothing.
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: Israeli settlers intimidate Palestinian school children after
As the
children ran from the settlers, Israeli military jeeps appeared ahead of them,
but stopped while soldiers spoke with the three settlers. Meanwhile, soldiers
detained the children, refusing to provide them safe passage around the
settlement. One soldier said: "We have things more important to do."
Syria, Iran affirm ties despite US calls
"I find it strange how they talk about Middle East stability and at the same time talk about dividing two countries," Assad told reporters when asked about Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's call Wednesday for Syria to move away from Iran.
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: CPT video highlights ongoing soldier-settler collaboration to
Netanyahu intervenes in sensitive Jerusalem project
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing concern over Israel's international image, persuaded Jerusalem's mayor on Tuesday to put on hold any demolition of Palestinian homes in a municipal tourism project.
In U.S., Barak signals Israeli autonomy against Iran
Washington's clout over its Middle East ally is under scrutiny after Israel's veiled threats to attack Iran preemptively if international diplomacy fails to rein in Tehran's uranium enrichment, a process with bomb–making potential.
Arab source: Mitchell wanted to quit over U.S. bias for Israel
Peace talks were halted more than a year ago over the war in the Gaza Strip and have not resumed, due largely to a Palestinian demand that Israel first impose a complete freeze on building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and Israel's refusal to do so. Who is the problem here? When the world says peace, Israel thinks they say 'PIECE' as in, another piece of Palestine. To which they reply 'don't mind if we do!'.
Israel urges U.S. to adopt Cuba-like embargo on Iran
"We are a little worried by the pace of developments in the international arena," Lieberman told reporters. "I think that from now on Israel should perhaps change its Iran policy a little, and we should ask the United States to adopt the Cuban model ... Here the United States alone can do everything in order to stop this (Iranian) program."
US Visits to Israel Seen Trying to Prevent Attack on Iran
A form of blackmail: 'give us what we want (sanctions), or we will draw you into a regional war'.
Canada pushes G8 nations on Iran sanctions
Mr. Cannon signalled that, before the June leaders summit in Huntsville, Ont., Canada will press for the G8 to take action at the meeting on March 29 and 30, when he hosts the foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. Israel's puppets busily doing their master's bidding.
Clinton: Iran sanctions months away
The United States is working "expeditiously and thoroughly" to win new international penalties on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday night.
Israel's puppets busily doing their master's bidding.
Will the UN put off the Goldstone report another five months
One head-scratcher is why Arab countries, which might be expected to relish the prospect of subjecting Israel to international disgrace, would spearhead a move to put off consideration of the report another five months.
Did they know? Israel-U.S. startup linked to Dubai hit
Thirteen of the 27 suspects used prepaid MasterCards issued by MetaBank, a regional American bank, in order to purchase plane tickets and book hotel rooms, said the Dubai police. The police then tied MetaBank to Payoneer....Payoneer is a privately held New York-based company, with a research and development center in Tel Aviv.....Complicating matters even more is the fact that Payoneer CEO Yuval Tal was a commentator for Fox News during the Second Lebanon War, and described himself as a former Israeli special operations soldier. No kidding?
Dubai seeks Netanyahu's arrest over killing of Hamas man
"Thirteen of the 27 suspects used prepaid MasterCards issued by MetaBank, a regional American bank, to purchase plane tickets and book hotel rooms," the newspaper said, quoting Dubai police.
SMH: Australia abandons Israel in UN vote
At a vote in the UN General Assembly - where Australia has been one of Israel's strongest supporters - the government abstained from a resolution demanding that Israel and the Palestinians investigate possible war crimes during the assault on Gaza that Israel began in December 2008. The poor Aussies too live in Israeli-occupied territory.
14 of Hamas murder team used "real" Israeli IDs - reports
At least 14 of the 26 suspects named by Dubai police as involved in the murder of Palestinian militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh belong to real people living in Israel, media reports said Thursday.
British journalist warns of Israeli plot to draw USinto war with Iran
Patrick Seale who is here attending the Monaco Club conference told reporters on the sidelines of the event that Israel believes that if it wages a war against Iran on its own public opinion would force the White House to intervene, especially if Tehran targets US military interests in the Gulf.
Al Khaliil/Hebron February 1-14 2010 Update
There is considerable concern among international NGOs about the Israeli authorities' restrictions on visas for many of their staff, refusing them permission to work.
Reporters with Conflicts of Interest in Israel
Ethan Bronner. He is the Jerusalem bureau chief who has been at the centre of a controversy since it was revealed last month that his son is serving in the Israeli army. Despite mounting pressure to replace Bronner, the NYT’s editors have so far refused to consider that he might be facing a conflict of interest or that it would be wiser to post him elsewhere.
Irish town criticised for snubbing Israeli ambassador
"I think if a government is responsible for a wholesale disregard for international law then local authorities, as well as our own government, have a responsibility to tell them we expect a higher standard," Right on.
Report: US tells Lebanon can't stop Israeli strike
That was a war council in Damascus
The three-party meeting that took place in Damascus on Friday gathering the Syrian president Bashar al Assad, the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Hizbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was a war council to devise counterattack plans and assign tasks in the event of an Israeli offensive on one or all parties, wrote Abdelbari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds al Arabi.
Deputy FM: Israel will increase aid to S. America in return for support
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said "Israel intends to increase the aid it sends to South American and Latin American states, but in return it expects support from them in the UN." This is how Israel spends some of our billions of taxpayer aid dollars : buying votes at the UN.
Aliyah an Option for More North American Jews Escaping a Bad Economy
With unemployment rates hovering at around 10% (more than double what they were two years ago), one ripple effect of America’s recession is increased immigration to Israel. It is no panacea. But unemployment there is hovering at around 8%, while the economy overall has contracted less than in the United States and now appears on the way back to growth. “Israel has proved to be resilient to this particular global shock,” Then they don't need the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of true American patriots - those who pledge allegiance to the flag of this country alone.
Obama's inner GOP
Convicted Holocaust denier Zundel released
In February 2005, a Canadian judge ruled that Zundel's activities were a threat to national security as well as "the international community of nations," clearing the way for his deportation to Germany later that year.
It's the Muslims that are taking over Europe, this being one example of their laws to curb freedom of speech. Find out how many European nations (and also Canada) have these laws, and then tell me again that it's Islam that is the threat to our freedom..
The Annual Armenian Genocide Bloviation by Philip Giraldi
Looks like it passed. I wonder why the AIPACers let it slide? Perhaps because Turkey didn't kowtow to Israel with respect to the '08 assault on Gaza?
US, Israel resume 'strategic dialogue' on Iran
The meeting came during a visit to the United States by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in which he was to meet with several top US officials.
Israel's North Is 53% Arab
New figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics, an agency of the Israeli government, show that if you take Haifa out of the equation, there is already an Arab majority in Northern Israel. Some 53% of residents, the bureau reported, are Arabs. Oh dear, whatever will they do? Execute a repeat performance of 1948-9 (expulsion)?
Israel offers 'full intelligence picture' to get China to agree on Iran sanctions
At the very least, Israel wants to ensure that China does not oppose the sanctions when they come to vote. What else did they offer to China?
Universities across the globe mark Israeli Apartheid Week
In Canada, the legislature in the province of Ontario unanimously condemned Israeli Apartheid Week, voting for a resolution that denounced the campus events.
"If you're going to label Israel as Apartheid, then you are also... attacking Canadian values," It is especially sad to see Canada fall to pro-Israeli interests.
Hotel hit squad 'hiding out in Israel'
At least two, according ot an article in this news batch, are hiding out in America.
Ahmadinejad: Arab world will usher in new Mideast without Zionists
Ahmedinejad's trip comes on the heels of several important overtures to Syria by the U.S., including the nomination of the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005.
A "Good" Terrorist Captured by Iran
In a July 7, 2008, article for The New Yorker magazine, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh quoted Robert Baer, a former CIA clandestine officer who worked in South Asia and the Middle East for nearly two decades, as saying that Jundullah was one of the militant groups in Iran benefiting from U.S. support.
Sibel Edmonds: The Traitors Among Us
Edmonds said that Feith and Wolfowitz were involved in plans to break Iraq into U.S. and British protectorates months prior to 9/11. She also claimed that the duo shared information with Grossman on how to blackmail various officials and that Grossman had accepted cash to help procure and sell nuclear weapons technology to Israel and Turkey—and, from there, on to the foreign black market.
Secretary Clinton Urged To Press Israel To Remove Israel’s New Barrier — Against Foreign Gefilte Fish
Turns out that Israel has imposed a 120% import duty on processed gefilte fish — the famous Jewish Passover staple, and this decision made it to the floor of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. How our government spends its time - and our money.
Why Anglo-Israeli Ties Will Survive Dubai
Any remaining doubt that Miliband was doing anything other than simply going through the motions was removed when he later agreed to be guest of honor at a party at the Israeli embassy later this month, hosted by the Israeli ambassador. So much for British “outrage.”
Growing Tea Party Movement Is Still a Great Unknown on Israel
“Everyone I’ve met at the Tea Party movement is very pro-Israel,” he said, explaining that tea partiers are concerned that the Obama administration is “moving away from its allies around the world,” and they view Israel as “case in point.”.....For most Tea Party movement activists, the ideological chasm separating Paul and Palin on issues relating to Israel is of little interest. Foreign policy questions are rarely raised by Tea Party activists in articles and events.
Campus ‘Apartheid Week’ Drew Little, Varied Response
“Putting out 10 reasons why Israel is not an apartheid state when the Israeli defense minister said in the last several weeks that Israel is in danger of becoming an apartheid regime may not be successful,”
Under blockade, coastal Gaza now a fish importer
Under a sea blockade, the coastal Gaza Strip has now become a seafood importer. Its desperate fishermen – cut off from plentiful fishing grounds by Israeli patrol boats – have turned to sneaking into Egyptian waters in tiny motorboats to buy their catch and bring it home.
Jerusalem plan would demolish Palestinian homes
Jerusalem's mayor unveiled a plan Tuesday to demolish dozens of Palestinian homes to make room for a tourist center in one of the disputed city's most volatile neighborhoods, drawing criticism from Palestinians and the United Nations...."There is no way the Palestinians can accept the demolishing of houses in Jerusalem and the continuation of building settlements for the Jewish settlers, while the United States is trying to bring the parties together,"
Al Khaliil/Hebron: Israeli military respond with tear gas to Open Shuhada Street demonstration
Although there was brief localised stone throwing by Palestinian boys watching the demonstrators walk through their neighbourhood, the Palestinian leadership was determined that the demonstration would be free from violence. Despite the Israeli military’s prolonged and repeated use of tear gas and percussion grenades the demonstrators’ discipline held and the action remained non-violent throughout.
Dubai to use profiling to detect Israeli arrivals
Europe wary of following Dubai killers' trail
Experts say arresting Israeli agents – or even digging up further evidence that Israel was involved – could be politically costly....."Countries such as Germany have a special relationship with Israel because of their history and therefore wouldn't be interested in investigating,"
Hamas leader disowns son for spying for Israel
Israeli police, Palestinians clash at holy site
As in similar incidents in the past, Sunday's protests appeared to have erupted because of rumors that Jewish extremists planned to enter the holy compound, according to the Waqf's director, Abdul Azim Samhadana. He blamed Israeli police for "provoking" the youths.
U.S. answers not yet enough for Mideast talks: Dahlan
A Palestinian official said Monday the United States had yet to give adequate answers to Palestinian queries on a proposal for indirect negotiations with Israel.
'U.K. police in Israel to probe passports used in Dubai hit'
Dubai police said on Friday they have DNA proof of the identity of at least one of the killers of senior Hamas strongman Mahmoud al-Mabhouh in the emirate country last month.
Two Suspects Entered U.S. After Killing In Dubai
Although Interpol is assisting in the investigation and has put out alert notices about the suspects, United States officials have been silent about it. On Monday, the State Department again refused to comment on the case.
The US will do nothing.
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: Israeli settlers intimidate Palestinian school children after
As the
children ran from the settlers, Israeli military jeeps appeared ahead of them,
but stopped while soldiers spoke with the three settlers. Meanwhile, soldiers
detained the children, refusing to provide them safe passage around the
settlement. One soldier said: "We have things more important to do."
Syria, Iran affirm ties despite US calls
"I find it strange how they talk about Middle East stability and at the same time talk about dividing two countries," Assad told reporters when asked about Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's call Wednesday for Syria to move away from Iran.
AT-TUWANI RELEASE: CPT video highlights ongoing soldier-settler collaboration to
Netanyahu intervenes in sensitive Jerusalem project
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, citing concern over Israel's international image, persuaded Jerusalem's mayor on Tuesday to put on hold any demolition of Palestinian homes in a municipal tourism project.
In U.S., Barak signals Israeli autonomy against Iran
Washington's clout over its Middle East ally is under scrutiny after Israel's veiled threats to attack Iran preemptively if international diplomacy fails to rein in Tehran's uranium enrichment, a process with bomb–making potential.
Arab source: Mitchell wanted to quit over U.S. bias for Israel
Peace talks were halted more than a year ago over the war in the Gaza Strip and have not resumed, due largely to a Palestinian demand that Israel first impose a complete freeze on building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem and Israel's refusal to do so. Who is the problem here? When the world says peace, Israel thinks they say 'PIECE' as in, another piece of Palestine. To which they reply 'don't mind if we do!'.
Israel urges U.S. to adopt Cuba-like embargo on Iran
"We are a little worried by the pace of developments in the international arena," Lieberman told reporters. "I think that from now on Israel should perhaps change its Iran policy a little, and we should ask the United States to adopt the Cuban model ... Here the United States alone can do everything in order to stop this (Iranian) program."
US Visits to Israel Seen Trying to Prevent Attack on Iran
A form of blackmail: 'give us what we want (sanctions), or we will draw you into a regional war'.
Canada pushes G8 nations on Iran sanctions
Mr. Cannon signalled that, before the June leaders summit in Huntsville, Ont., Canada will press for the G8 to take action at the meeting on March 29 and 30, when he hosts the foreign ministers from Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia and the United States. Israel's puppets busily doing their master's bidding.
Clinton: Iran sanctions months away
The United States is working "expeditiously and thoroughly" to win new international penalties on Iran over its disputed nuclear program, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Monday night.
Israel's puppets busily doing their master's bidding.
Will the UN put off the Goldstone report another five months
One head-scratcher is why Arab countries, which might be expected to relish the prospect of subjecting Israel to international disgrace, would spearhead a move to put off consideration of the report another five months.
Did they know? Israel-U.S. startup linked to Dubai hit
Thirteen of the 27 suspects used prepaid MasterCards issued by MetaBank, a regional American bank, in order to purchase plane tickets and book hotel rooms, said the Dubai police. The police then tied MetaBank to Payoneer....Payoneer is a privately held New York-based company, with a research and development center in Tel Aviv.....Complicating matters even more is the fact that Payoneer CEO Yuval Tal was a commentator for Fox News during the Second Lebanon War, and described himself as a former Israeli special operations soldier. No kidding?
Dubai seeks Netanyahu's arrest over killing of Hamas man
"Thirteen of the 27 suspects used prepaid MasterCards issued by MetaBank, a regional American bank, to purchase plane tickets and book hotel rooms," the newspaper said, quoting Dubai police.
SMH: Australia abandons Israel in UN vote
At a vote in the UN General Assembly - where Australia has been one of Israel's strongest supporters - the government abstained from a resolution demanding that Israel and the Palestinians investigate possible war crimes during the assault on Gaza that Israel began in December 2008. The poor Aussies too live in Israeli-occupied territory.
14 of Hamas murder team used "real" Israeli IDs - reports
At least 14 of the 26 suspects named by Dubai police as involved in the murder of Palestinian militant Mahmoud al-Mabhouh belong to real people living in Israel, media reports said Thursday.
British journalist warns of Israeli plot to draw USinto war with Iran
Patrick Seale who is here attending the Monaco Club conference told reporters on the sidelines of the event that Israel believes that if it wages a war against Iran on its own public opinion would force the White House to intervene, especially if Tehran targets US military interests in the Gulf.
Al Khaliil/Hebron February 1-14 2010 Update
There is considerable concern among international NGOs about the Israeli authorities' restrictions on visas for many of their staff, refusing them permission to work.
Reporters with Conflicts of Interest in Israel
Ethan Bronner. He is the Jerusalem bureau chief who has been at the centre of a controversy since it was revealed last month that his son is serving in the Israeli army. Despite mounting pressure to replace Bronner, the NYT’s editors have so far refused to consider that he might be facing a conflict of interest or that it would be wiser to post him elsewhere.
Irish town criticised for snubbing Israeli ambassador
"I think if a government is responsible for a wholesale disregard for international law then local authorities, as well as our own government, have a responsibility to tell them we expect a higher standard," Right on.
Report: US tells Lebanon can't stop Israeli strike
That was a war council in Damascus
The three-party meeting that took place in Damascus on Friday gathering the Syrian president Bashar al Assad, the Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the Hizbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah was a war council to devise counterattack plans and assign tasks in the event of an Israeli offensive on one or all parties, wrote Abdelbari Atwan, the editor-in-chief of the pan-Arab newspaper Al Quds al Arabi.
Deputy FM: Israel will increase aid to S. America in return for support
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said "Israel intends to increase the aid it sends to South American and Latin American states, but in return it expects support from them in the UN." This is how Israel spends some of our billions of taxpayer aid dollars : buying votes at the UN.
Aliyah an Option for More North American Jews Escaping a Bad Economy
With unemployment rates hovering at around 10% (more than double what they were two years ago), one ripple effect of America’s recession is increased immigration to Israel. It is no panacea. But unemployment there is hovering at around 8%, while the economy overall has contracted less than in the United States and now appears on the way back to growth. “Israel has proved to be resilient to this particular global shock,” Then they don't need the hard-earned taxpayer dollars of true American patriots - those who pledge allegiance to the flag of this country alone.
Obama's inner GOP
Convicted Holocaust denier Zundel released
In February 2005, a Canadian judge ruled that Zundel's activities were a threat to national security as well as "the international community of nations," clearing the way for his deportation to Germany later that year.
It's the Muslims that are taking over Europe, this being one example of their laws to curb freedom of speech. Find out how many European nations (and also Canada) have these laws, and then tell me again that it's Islam that is the threat to our freedom..
The Annual Armenian Genocide Bloviation by Philip Giraldi
Looks like it passed. I wonder why the AIPACers let it slide? Perhaps because Turkey didn't kowtow to Israel with respect to the '08 assault on Gaza?
US, Israel resume 'strategic dialogue' on Iran
The meeting came during a visit to the United States by Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak in which he was to meet with several top US officials.
Israel's North Is 53% Arab
New figures from the Central Bureau of Statistics, an agency of the Israeli government, show that if you take Haifa out of the equation, there is already an Arab majority in Northern Israel. Some 53% of residents, the bureau reported, are Arabs. Oh dear, whatever will they do? Execute a repeat performance of 1948-9 (expulsion)?
Israel offers 'full intelligence picture' to get China to agree on Iran sanctions
At the very least, Israel wants to ensure that China does not oppose the sanctions when they come to vote. What else did they offer to China?
Universities across the globe mark Israeli Apartheid Week
In Canada, the legislature in the province of Ontario unanimously condemned Israeli Apartheid Week, voting for a resolution that denounced the campus events.
"If you're going to label Israel as Apartheid, then you are also... attacking Canadian values," It is especially sad to see Canada fall to pro-Israeli interests.
Hotel hit squad 'hiding out in Israel'
At least two, according ot an article in this news batch, are hiding out in America.
Ahmadinejad: Arab world will usher in new Mideast without Zionists
Ahmedinejad's trip comes on the heels of several important overtures to Syria by the U.S., including the nomination of the first U.S. ambassador to Damascus since 2005.
A "Good" Terrorist Captured by Iran
In a July 7, 2008, article for The New Yorker magazine, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh quoted Robert Baer, a former CIA clandestine officer who worked in South Asia and the Middle East for nearly two decades, as saying that Jundullah was one of the militant groups in Iran benefiting from U.S. support.
Sibel Edmonds: The Traitors Among Us
Edmonds said that Feith and Wolfowitz were involved in plans to break Iraq into U.S. and British protectorates months prior to 9/11. She also claimed that the duo shared information with Grossman on how to blackmail various officials and that Grossman had accepted cash to help procure and sell nuclear weapons technology to Israel and Turkey—and, from there, on to the foreign black market.
Secretary Clinton Urged To Press Israel To Remove Israel’s New Barrier — Against Foreign Gefilte Fish
Turns out that Israel has imposed a 120% import duty on processed gefilte fish — the famous Jewish Passover staple, and this decision made it to the floor of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. How our government spends its time - and our money.
Why Anglo-Israeli Ties Will Survive Dubai
Any remaining doubt that Miliband was doing anything other than simply going through the motions was removed when he later agreed to be guest of honor at a party at the Israeli embassy later this month, hosted by the Israeli ambassador. So much for British “outrage.”
Growing Tea Party Movement Is Still a Great Unknown on Israel
“Everyone I’ve met at the Tea Party movement is very pro-Israel,” he said, explaining that tea partiers are concerned that the Obama administration is “moving away from its allies around the world,” and they view Israel as “case in point.”.....For most Tea Party movement activists, the ideological chasm separating Paul and Palin on issues relating to Israel is of little interest. Foreign policy questions are rarely raised by Tea Party activists in articles and events.
Campus ‘Apartheid Week’ Drew Little, Varied Response
“Putting out 10 reasons why Israel is not an apartheid state when the Israeli defense minister said in the last several weeks that Israel is in danger of becoming an apartheid regime may not be successful,”
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