A Stand For Justice
IDF tank fire kills four Palestinians in Gaza, hospital officials say
Palestinian medics said the dead youths were aged 12, 16 and 17. The 58-year-old owner of the house was also killed.
Palestinian man stabbed by settler in Tuwani days after settler riot
Sadly, villagers think these events may have been triggered in part by
the recent killing of a settler couple and their children in Itamar
settlement near Nablus. No Palestinians have been charged or arrested
and it now appears possible that the murders may have been committed
by Thai workers who were angry because they had not been paid for
their labor.
Five Gazans killed by Israeli fire: medics
Five Palestinians, most of them minors, were killed on Tuesday when Israeli artillery fired on a house in Gaza City, an emergency services spokesman said.
Israel kills 9 in Gaza in deadliest day in months
Palestinian medical officials said three youths aged 12, 16 and 17 who were playing football and an adult relative were killed by Israeli shelling, and five militants were killed later in two separate air strikes elsewhere in the Gaza Strip.
PM: Palestinian unity government would kill off the peace process
Palestinian leader: No state with temporary border
Israeli warplanes raid Gaza City: witnesses
I apologize that some of the links in this newsbatch are a few weeks old.
Hamas militants say truce if Israel halts Gaza attacks
46% of Jewish Israelis support settler “price tag” terror, Congress blames Palestinians for incitement
The police investigation into the Itamar murders remains under a gag order. No individual Palestinian has been accused or even named as a suspect by the police. However, the resident of the neighboring Palestinian village Awarta, who have suffered for years from settler pogroms, are being collectively blamed and punished. According to a report by three International Solidarity Movement volunteers living under curfew in Awarta, Israeli soldiers and settlers have rampaged through the village in recent days, seeking murder suspects and the satisfaction that comes with retributive violence. Read the first sentence again. I am not sure if anyone has since been arrested in the Itamar murder case, but the blame is automatically laid at the feet of the Palestinians.
Militants fire on Israeli city as Gaza violence spirals
Hamas: If IDF continue to bomb Gaza, response will be severe
Settlers Blame Left For Itamar Murders
Read the dispatch from the Christian Peacekeeper Teams (in that area) in this news batch regarding the attack on the Itamar settlers. They claim that even the police suspect Thai workers committed the attack. Notice how in Israel, the blame automatically falls on the Palestinians. I don't believe any arrests have been made in this case. I could be wrong on that.
Hebron: An Eventful day in the West Bank - March 15, 2011
A horrible murder took place four days ago in the illegal settlement of Itamar near Nablus. Parents and three young children were stabbed to death, presumably in their sleep.
The attack followed a week of countless attacks on the Palestinian people by the illegal settlers. Houses had been set on fire, trees cut down and water sources destroyed.
,,,,,Yesterday, we read in the media that all foreign workers of Thai and Filipino origin had been interrogated about the crime. From our contacts with the ISM (International Solidarity Movement) we were told that it was a man from Thailand who carried out the attack. He had threatened to kill the family if he did not get his outstanding salary
No Palestinians have been found guilty of the terrible atrocity in Itamar.
After all the accusations and threats, not least from the Israeli leadership, we expected to hear some form of apology and corrections. Instead, it was announced that 500 new settlement houses will be built as a punishment for the alleged offense. In fact, bosättarhåll announced that a new settlement is already being built on Palestinian land, in memory of and in retaliation for the slain family. The information about the man from Thailand has been neither confirmed or denied. Read that again, kids. The murder of the settler family was not committed by Palestinians. Yet Israel still used it as an excuse to announce more settlement construction.
Abbas to Russia: Pressure Israel to halt Gaza escalation
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asked Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to put pressure on Israel to end the "escalation" of strikes in the Gaza Strip on Sunday, Palestinian news agency Ma'an reported.
Egypt warns Israel against military action in Gaza
He also warned others -- an apparent reference to Palestinian groups -- from giving Israel any excuse to use violence, adding that Egypt rejected and condemned violence against civilians.
Hamas threatens to retaliate for IDF killing of Gaza civilians
IDF military shelling aimed at Palestinian militants missed its target on Tuesday, killing three teens and their uncle and wounding 13 other family members as they played soccer in their backyard in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said.
Israel admits to arrest and detention of Gaza engineer
Israel admitted that they indeed arrested the Gazan engineer, Dirar Abu Sisi, who was reported to have gone missing from the Ukraine almost two weeks ago, the partial lifting of a gag order revealed.
Israel passes laws that critics say are anti-Arab
The first law denies state funding to any municipality that commemorates Israel's 1948 creation as the "nakba," or "catastrophe." Palestinians use the term to describe their defeat and exile in the war that surrounded Israel's founding.
The second law grants small communities the authority to reject admission to applicants that are perceived as not fitting into their social fabric.
French PM: Palestinian state must be created in 2011
UN Investigator: Israel Engaged in Ethnic Cleansing
Israel's expansion of settlements in East Jerusalem and eviction of Palestinians from their homes there is a form of ethnic cleansing, a United Nations investigator said on Monday.
A Farewell Address by Philip Giraldi
After seven years and hundreds of billions of dollars invested, one might note that perfection is also something that costs a lot. As ex-Trotskyites, neocons can be unyielding in their understanding that freedom doesn’t come cheap or easy, even if they have been able to avoid the fighting and paying on any personal level. They know that that’s why you have government and a professional army – to make someone else actually bear the pain and cough up the cash. I'll sit with you at the tomb for the reading, Mr. Giraldi. I know how you feel.
Military action if Iran sanctions fail: Netanyahu
Netanyahu said if military action was taken, he would prefer that it be lead by the United States. They got us to attack Iraq for them (by way of their minions, the neoconservatives - Feith, Perle, Wolfowitz, etc).
Robert Fisk: Palestinians understand Gaddafi better than we do
There was a time when this kind of drivel would be ignored but it is now part of an increasingly dangerous narrative in which charity is turned into evil, in which the one institution supplying help to perhaps 95 per cent of almost five million Palestinian refugees is to become a target. And since UNRWA in Gaza did appear to become a target in the 2008-9 bloodbath, this is pretty frightening stuff.
Egypt report: Israeli spy ring uncovered by Egyptian authorities
Is Another ‘Cast Lead’ in the Offing?
Indeed, the stars seem to be aligning for another brutal Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip two years after “Operation Cast Lead” killed some 1,400 Palestinians, the vast majority of them civilians, and completely destroyed 3,000 homes in what Judge Richard Goldstone termed a “deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish, humiliate and terrorize a civilian population.”
Sarah Palin dines with Netanyahu, skips Bethlehem
As expected, the former Alaska governor had dinner Monday night with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, becoming the fourth 2012 hopeful in the last three months to sit down with the top Israeli leader.
WikiLeaks: Lebanon army seized Hezbollah arms truck during 2006 war
According to the WikiLeaks cable, the Christian leaders told then U.S. envoy to Lebanon Jeff Feltman and Assistant Secretary of State David Welch that they would approve of another week or two of Israeli attacks against Hezbollah if it meant those actions would weaken the militant group.
Report: U.S. considering strategic outreach to Hezbollah
Reckoning Wrongly in a Massacre’s Wake
Again, were any Palestinians arrested for the murder of the settler family? It is automatically assumed it was the work of Palestinians.
Historic Canadian Jewish Congress To Be Merged Into New Communal Group
The Canadian Jewish Congress, which has functioned as Canadian Jewry’s primary advocacy group since 1919, is being merged into a larger super-agency that is expected to put greater emphasis on Israel advocacy.
Canadians, beware.
Sirhan Sirhan denied parole in 1968 RFK killing
I apologize that some of the links in this newsbatch are a few weeks old.
Hamas protests UN plans to teach Holocaust in Gaza
The United Nations has launched a new plan to teach the Holocaust in Gaza schools, drawing fierce condemnation from Gaza's militant Hamas rulers, school teachers – and even the body tasked with peace negotiations with Israel. Touche.The Israelis just passed a bill denying funding to muncipalities that commemorate the 'Palocaust' (the Nakba). I guess the difference between the two is that the Palocaust goes on to this day.
Victim was looking to build a better world for all
Ahmet Dogan, the father of a 19-year-old man killed by Israeli troops who violently attacked a humanitarian aid ship from Turkey, recently was in Washington to tell the truth about that attack. His commentary, "A father speaks for his son," appeared in the Times Union on Feb. 24.
Penn, De Niro Attend U.N. Screening of 'Anti-Israel' Film
Over the objections of the Israeli government and the American Jewish Committee, the United Nations yesterday hosted the American premiere of a movie sure to generate further controversy with its depiction of Israel’s 1948 founding.
Oh dear.
Helen Thomas: Playboy Interview
THOMAS: I knew I’d hit the third rail. You cannot say anything about Israel in this country. But I’ve lived with this cause for many years. Everybody knows my feelings that the Palestinians have been shortchanged in every way. Sure, the Israelis have a right to exist—but where they were born, not to come and take someone else’s home. I’ve had it up to here with the violations against the Palestinians. Why shouldn’t I say it? I knew exactly what I was doing—I was going for broke. I had reached the point of no return. You finally get fed up. God love her for never backing down, despite the overwhelming vitriol aimed at her. And kudos to Playboy for this interview. What happened to Helen Thomas is yet further proof that you can say anything you want in this country about Christians or Muslims, but don't you dare criticize Israel (or Jews), you're done for.
What's Palin Doing in Israel?
For the former Alaska governor, the trip offers a chance to distinguish herself as more pro-Israel than other American politicians and, perhaps, to make amends for her “blood libel” gaffe in January that angered many Jews. Palin has already pointed out that President Obama has yet to visit Israel during more than two years in office. At a meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, she was expected to distance herself from the position of some fellow Tea Partiers—chiefly Sen. Rand Paul—in favor of cutting aid to Israel. You can be sure that Sarah is going to need some Kleenex to wipe the Israeli feces off of her nose.
US politician Sarah Palin visits Israel
Stay there, Sarah.
The ‘Other Muslim’ in Congress
Carson, who visited Israel last August and met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and opposition leader Tzipi Livni, has a solid voting record on Israel and attended the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee last year. After the Gaza military operation of 2008, Carson supported a resolution backing Israel, a vote that triggered some criticism against him from pro-Palestinian activists.
So in other words, Carson is an 'Uncle Tom' Muslim.
Sarah Palin: The End of the Affair
At a minimum, we can assume that Kristol’s core operatives such as Randy Scheunemann and Michael Goldfarb will be with Palin for the long haul.
The Manipulative Pro-War Argument in Libya
my real question for Judis (and those who voice the same accusations against Libya intervention opponents) is this: do you support military intervention to protect protesters in Yemen, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and other U.S. allies from suppression, or to stop the still-horrendous suffering in the Sudan, or to prevent the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Ivory Coast? Did you advocate military intervention to protect protesters in Iran and Egypt, or to stop the Israeli slaughter of hundreds of trapped innocent civilians in Gaza and Lebanon or its brutal and growing occupation of the West Bank?
Israeli Government Rejects Orthodox Converts’ Bids To Immigrate as Jews
He added that although Fanny, who completed her conversion 10 years ago, could move to Israel registered as his non-Jewish wife, the Smiths cannot afford to do this. She would lose out on the financial benefit package that only new Jewish immigrants receive.
Only Jews receive the financial package? Really? I call that discrimination. Supremacism.
Israeli-Arab leaders under fire for Libya visit
Ukraine seeks answers on Palestinian's detention
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Wednesday it plans to summon Israel's ambassador for an explanation of how a Palestinian engineer disappeared from Ukraine and ended up jailed in Israel.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Headlines for March 10 - March 16
A Stand For Justice
Israelis and Palestinians in shock after Fogel family massacre
Palestinians: Three killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza
Israeli jets bomb target in Gaza; 2 dead
Israel hunts for killers of sleeping settlers
Ron Nahman, mayor of the Ariel settlement, called on the government to respond to the "massacre" by resuming construction in earnest. He said anything else would send a message to Arabs that "you can do anything against the settlers."
...The White House condemned the attack and offering condolences to the Israeli people.
UN suspects Israel in kidnapping of Palestinian
The Israeli group HaMoked, which defends the rights of Palestinians, says Abu Sisi has been held in an Israeli prison since Feb 19. He is being kept in the Shikma detention center outside the coastal city of Ashkelon, the group said.
Fatah snubs new Hamas Palestinian unity initiative
Gaza: Investigate Torture of Protest Organizer
Hamas authorities in Gaza should investigate claims that security officials tortured a blogger and activist and prosecute any officials responsible, Human Rights Watch said today.
Olive Trees Destroyed in West Bank village of At-Tuwani
On the morning of March 16^th , residents of the Palestinian village of
At-Tuwani woke to discover that someone had destroyed six of their olive
trees in the night. The villagers said that the perpetrators were almost
certainly Israeli settlers from the nearby illegal outpost of Havat
Ma'on.
Israel accused of abducting Palestinian in Ukraine
The Palestinian engineer vanished from a Ukrainian train in the middle of the night.
Now, authorities are trying to verify his wife's claims that he is being held in prison by the Israeli secret service, whom she accuses of kidnapping the man two weeks ago.
Roger Waters voices support for Israel boycott
In the letter Waters wrote announcing his support of a cultural boycott of Israel, he said that in his "view, the abhorrent and draconian control that Israel wields over the besieged Palestinians in Gaza, and the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, coupled with its denial of the rights of refugees to return to their homes in Israel, demands that fair minded people around the world support the Palestinians in their civil, nonviolent resistance." Bravo, Roger Waters!
Abbas: I won't seek re-election in next Palestinian polls
Hebron: Palestinians demand the opening of Shuhada Street
An estimated one thousand Palestinians, joined by Israeli and international activists, took to the streets on Friday to demand the opening of Shuhada (Martyrs) Street, a former thoroughfare in the West Bank city of Hebron. Israeli occupying forces fired foam-tipped bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades resulting in the serious injury of nine protestors, in addition to the many who suffered the adverse effects of tear gas inhalation.
Abbas offers to visit Gaza after Israeli arms haul
Mahmoud Abbas' gesture to Hamas suggests he has given up on reaching peace with Israel and will instead seek internal reconciliation at the risk of jeopardizing relations with the West. The U.S., Israel and EU consider Hamas a terror group.
A Huge Palestinian Demonstration Marks “Unity Day” for Hebron
Uruguay recognizes Palestinian state
Israel gags talk on jailed Gaza power plant chief
While the reasons for Mr Abu Sisi's detention were unclear, it was widely assumed in Gaza that it was somehow linked to his position at the power plant and the successful efforts of Hamas to reduce the station's dependency on industrial diesel fuel imported from Israel.
EU recognition of Palestinian state a 'possibility': France
Faced with a lack of progress in Israeli–Palestinian peace talks, a number of countries have upgraded the status of Palestinian delegations, most recently Denmark on March 9.
Israel to expand settlements after family killing
The decision to approve 500 housing units was taken on Saturday night, less than 24 hours after the Fogel family were attacked with knives as they slept in their home in the isolated settlement of Itamar, deep in the West Bank. All five had their throats slit.
US criticizes Israeli settlement construction plan
The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv said Monday it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's plans to build hundreds of new homes in the West Bank following a deadly attack on a settler family, calling Israeli settlements "illegitimate" and an obstacle to peacemaking.
The settlements are illegal, not just 'illegitimate'. Cut off all aid.
Israeli PM: Military must remain in West Bank
Barak also told the newspaper that Israel might seek an additional $20 billion in U.S. military aid to help it deal with potential threats arising from the turmoil in the Arab world. Are your communities seeing draconian budget cuts? Do you know how many trillions of dollars we have given, yes given over to the Middle East? This is why we are having to make budget cuts, including cuts to schools. Strange how we don't have to hand Britain billions each year to be our 'ally'.
Israel to build settler homes after Palestinian attack
Israel said on Sunday it would build several hundred homes for settlers in the occupied West Bank, a day after a Palestinian attack killed an Israeli couple and three of their children in a settlement.
Video: Pat Buchanan interviewed about American Intervention in Libya
Great interview with Mr. Patrick J. Buchanan, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable political commentators in America. Love him.
The J Street Scam by Philip Giraldi
J Street really only differs from AIPAC in tone, not in substance. It advocates continued and unlimited United States support for Israel, militarily, economically, and politically. J Street wants Israel to have an overwhelming military advantage over its Arab neighbors and it wants that margin to be provided by Washington. It wants Republicans and Democrats together to provide political cover for Israel when it attacks Lebanon or bombs the Gazans. It does not object when Israel exercises a military option against its neighbors. In spite of the fact that the United States is in deep trouble economically while Israel is one of the richest countries in the world and is enjoying an economic boom, J Street was one of the first organizations to complain when Senator Rand Paul called for an end to all foreign aid.
Hebron: Settlers from Harsina Attack Palestinian Home
At 2:30 pm fifteen settlers from Harsina Settlement began throwing stones at the Jabber home but were stopped by the Israeli Military. They returned at 6:30pm and stoned the house for one hour with no interference from the Army.
PM says IDF to build fence along Jordan border
"The illegal infiltrators from Africa enter the Negev's cities, as well as cities all across Israel; they change the make-up of the population and take away jobs from Israelis," the PM continued to say, adding that "the infiltration threatens to alter the Jewish and democratic character of the state. We must stop the flood of infiltrators to protect our future." The Master Race must be preserved at all costs.
US group fights ban on Israel 'war crime' bus ads
A US lobby group is taking legal action to challenge a local authority's refusal to let it put posters on Seattle buses criticizing Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza.
David Horowitz's Displays His Hatred Of Palestinians And Muslims In General.
He would appear to be an utterly delusional and prejudiced individual. And angry to boot. He writes for the neocon/pro-Israel FrontPageMag.
Netanyahu's exploitation of the murders at Itamar
In Opposing Federal Budget Cuts, Unity Is Elusive
For Jewish groups, in particular the federation system, any change in funding for Medicaid or Medicare could have significant consequences. The federations’ affiliated agencies receive 75% of their public funding — some $7.5 billion per year — through these two programs.
What?
2 US warships cross Egypt's Suez Canal
US military officials have ordered warships into the Mediterranean in case they are needed for Libya-related operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to possible military action.
Thousands in Beirut demand Hezbollah disarm
a slew of billboards has popped up in Beirut lately, saying "Israel also wants Hezbollah disarmed" – a clear message that Hezbollah sees its weapons as a necessary safeguard against its enemies.
Republicans in Congress aim to cut foreign aid
But yet not one dime will be cut from our aid to Israel, the most flagrant violator of international law on earth.
Palestine release: Palestinian women call for justice on Internation
All across the occupied Palestinian territories, women took to the streets on Tuesday in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Hebron: A Call to Let Go of All Fear for the Sake of Justice
Now into my third year as a member of the Christian Peacemaker team in Hebron, West Bank, I think about the truth of Williamson’s words. I’ve been living in the reality of the Israeli Occupation. I daily encounter these Palestinian people whose freedom has been taken from them. The separation wall has turned their towns and villages into prisons separating them from one another. Israeli settlements control their water and natural resources and their ability to raise their crops.
Egypt swears in new post-Mubarak Cabinet
Egypt's military rulers on Monday swore in a new Cabinet that includes new faces in key ministries, responding to protesters' demands that the new government be free of stalwarts of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
The history of the Camp David Accords reveals that even a sympathetic president could not stand up for the Palestinians
To recall this history is to recognize that so long as the Israel lobby is more powerful than the justice lobby, the United States is constitutionally incapable of being an honest broker in the Middle East. This unpalatable fact has asserted itself repeatedly, with Carter, Brzezinski and Vance, with George H.W. Bush and James Baker, and with Presidents Clinton and Obama. If a trend can be observed, it is that the United States has become even less able to stand up to Israel with each passing decade.
What Obama Should Say to Israelis
The 'Beacon That Is Israel'
Koch's claim that the Arab protests point only to repressive Arab regimes denies the 63 years of repressive policies carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people
Israelis and Palestinians in shock after Fogel family massacre
Palestinians: Three killed in Israeli air strike on Gaza
Israeli jets bomb target in Gaza; 2 dead
Israel hunts for killers of sleeping settlers
Ron Nahman, mayor of the Ariel settlement, called on the government to respond to the "massacre" by resuming construction in earnest. He said anything else would send a message to Arabs that "you can do anything against the settlers."
...The White House condemned the attack and offering condolences to the Israeli people.
UN suspects Israel in kidnapping of Palestinian
The Israeli group HaMoked, which defends the rights of Palestinians, says Abu Sisi has been held in an Israeli prison since Feb 19. He is being kept in the Shikma detention center outside the coastal city of Ashkelon, the group said.
Fatah snubs new Hamas Palestinian unity initiative
Gaza: Investigate Torture of Protest Organizer
Hamas authorities in Gaza should investigate claims that security officials tortured a blogger and activist and prosecute any officials responsible, Human Rights Watch said today.
Olive Trees Destroyed in West Bank village of At-Tuwani
On the morning of March 16^th , residents of the Palestinian village of
At-Tuwani woke to discover that someone had destroyed six of their olive
trees in the night. The villagers said that the perpetrators were almost
certainly Israeli settlers from the nearby illegal outpost of Havat
Ma'on.
Israel accused of abducting Palestinian in Ukraine
The Palestinian engineer vanished from a Ukrainian train in the middle of the night.
Now, authorities are trying to verify his wife's claims that he is being held in prison by the Israeli secret service, whom she accuses of kidnapping the man two weeks ago.
Roger Waters voices support for Israel boycott
In the letter Waters wrote announcing his support of a cultural boycott of Israel, he said that in his "view, the abhorrent and draconian control that Israel wields over the besieged Palestinians in Gaza, and the Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, coupled with its denial of the rights of refugees to return to their homes in Israel, demands that fair minded people around the world support the Palestinians in their civil, nonviolent resistance." Bravo, Roger Waters!
Abbas: I won't seek re-election in next Palestinian polls
Hebron: Palestinians demand the opening of Shuhada Street
An estimated one thousand Palestinians, joined by Israeli and international activists, took to the streets on Friday to demand the opening of Shuhada (Martyrs) Street, a former thoroughfare in the West Bank city of Hebron. Israeli occupying forces fired foam-tipped bullets, tear gas, and sound grenades resulting in the serious injury of nine protestors, in addition to the many who suffered the adverse effects of tear gas inhalation.
Abbas offers to visit Gaza after Israeli arms haul
Mahmoud Abbas' gesture to Hamas suggests he has given up on reaching peace with Israel and will instead seek internal reconciliation at the risk of jeopardizing relations with the West. The U.S., Israel and EU consider Hamas a terror group.
A Huge Palestinian Demonstration Marks “Unity Day” for Hebron
Uruguay recognizes Palestinian state
Israel gags talk on jailed Gaza power plant chief
While the reasons for Mr Abu Sisi's detention were unclear, it was widely assumed in Gaza that it was somehow linked to his position at the power plant and the successful efforts of Hamas to reduce the station's dependency on industrial diesel fuel imported from Israel.
EU recognition of Palestinian state a 'possibility': France
Faced with a lack of progress in Israeli–Palestinian peace talks, a number of countries have upgraded the status of Palestinian delegations, most recently Denmark on March 9.
Israel to expand settlements after family killing
The decision to approve 500 housing units was taken on Saturday night, less than 24 hours after the Fogel family were attacked with knives as they slept in their home in the isolated settlement of Itamar, deep in the West Bank. All five had their throats slit.
US criticizes Israeli settlement construction plan
The U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv said Monday it was "deeply concerned" by Israel's plans to build hundreds of new homes in the West Bank following a deadly attack on a settler family, calling Israeli settlements "illegitimate" and an obstacle to peacemaking.
The settlements are illegal, not just 'illegitimate'. Cut off all aid.
Israeli PM: Military must remain in West Bank
Barak also told the newspaper that Israel might seek an additional $20 billion in U.S. military aid to help it deal with potential threats arising from the turmoil in the Arab world. Are your communities seeing draconian budget cuts? Do you know how many trillions of dollars we have given, yes given over to the Middle East? This is why we are having to make budget cuts, including cuts to schools. Strange how we don't have to hand Britain billions each year to be our 'ally'.
Israel to build settler homes after Palestinian attack
Israel said on Sunday it would build several hundred homes for settlers in the occupied West Bank, a day after a Palestinian attack killed an Israeli couple and three of their children in a settlement.
Video: Pat Buchanan interviewed about American Intervention in Libya
Great interview with Mr. Patrick J. Buchanan, one of the most experienced and knowledgeable political commentators in America. Love him.
The J Street Scam by Philip Giraldi
J Street really only differs from AIPAC in tone, not in substance. It advocates continued and unlimited United States support for Israel, militarily, economically, and politically. J Street wants Israel to have an overwhelming military advantage over its Arab neighbors and it wants that margin to be provided by Washington. It wants Republicans and Democrats together to provide political cover for Israel when it attacks Lebanon or bombs the Gazans. It does not object when Israel exercises a military option against its neighbors. In spite of the fact that the United States is in deep trouble economically while Israel is one of the richest countries in the world and is enjoying an economic boom, J Street was one of the first organizations to complain when Senator Rand Paul called for an end to all foreign aid.
Hebron: Settlers from Harsina Attack Palestinian Home
At 2:30 pm fifteen settlers from Harsina Settlement began throwing stones at the Jabber home but were stopped by the Israeli Military. They returned at 6:30pm and stoned the house for one hour with no interference from the Army.
PM says IDF to build fence along Jordan border
"The illegal infiltrators from Africa enter the Negev's cities, as well as cities all across Israel; they change the make-up of the population and take away jobs from Israelis," the PM continued to say, adding that "the infiltration threatens to alter the Jewish and democratic character of the state. We must stop the flood of infiltrators to protect our future." The Master Race must be preserved at all costs.
US group fights ban on Israel 'war crime' bus ads
A US lobby group is taking legal action to challenge a local authority's refusal to let it put posters on Seattle buses criticizing Israel's "war crimes" in Gaza.
David Horowitz's Displays His Hatred Of Palestinians And Muslims In General.
He would appear to be an utterly delusional and prejudiced individual. And angry to boot. He writes for the neocon/pro-Israel FrontPageMag.
Netanyahu's exploitation of the murders at Itamar
In Opposing Federal Budget Cuts, Unity Is Elusive
For Jewish groups, in particular the federation system, any change in funding for Medicaid or Medicare could have significant consequences. The federations’ affiliated agencies receive 75% of their public funding — some $7.5 billion per year — through these two programs.
What?
2 US warships cross Egypt's Suez Canal
US military officials have ordered warships into the Mediterranean in case they are needed for Libya-related operations ranging from humanitarian assistance to possible military action.
Thousands in Beirut demand Hezbollah disarm
a slew of billboards has popped up in Beirut lately, saying "Israel also wants Hezbollah disarmed" – a clear message that Hezbollah sees its weapons as a necessary safeguard against its enemies.
Republicans in Congress aim to cut foreign aid
But yet not one dime will be cut from our aid to Israel, the most flagrant violator of international law on earth.
Palestine release: Palestinian women call for justice on Internation
All across the occupied Palestinian territories, women took to the streets on Tuesday in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day.
Hebron: A Call to Let Go of All Fear for the Sake of Justice
Now into my third year as a member of the Christian Peacemaker team in Hebron, West Bank, I think about the truth of Williamson’s words. I’ve been living in the reality of the Israeli Occupation. I daily encounter these Palestinian people whose freedom has been taken from them. The separation wall has turned their towns and villages into prisons separating them from one another. Israeli settlements control their water and natural resources and their ability to raise their crops.
Egypt swears in new post-Mubarak Cabinet
Egypt's military rulers on Monday swore in a new Cabinet that includes new faces in key ministries, responding to protesters' demands that the new government be free of stalwarts of ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
The history of the Camp David Accords reveals that even a sympathetic president could not stand up for the Palestinians
To recall this history is to recognize that so long as the Israel lobby is more powerful than the justice lobby, the United States is constitutionally incapable of being an honest broker in the Middle East. This unpalatable fact has asserted itself repeatedly, with Carter, Brzezinski and Vance, with George H.W. Bush and James Baker, and with Presidents Clinton and Obama. If a trend can be observed, it is that the United States has become even less able to stand up to Israel with each passing decade.
What Obama Should Say to Israelis
The 'Beacon That Is Israel'
Koch's claim that the Arab protests point only to repressive Arab regimes denies the 63 years of repressive policies carried out by Israel against the Palestinian people
Monday, March 21, 2011
Headlines for March 3 - March 9
A Stand For Justice
Diplomat: I can no longer represent Israel
Ilan Baruch says he quit because "Israel's foreign policy is wrong," pointing to the Palestinian issue.
Should this trend continue, he warned, Israel will turn into a pariah state and face growing de-legitimization.
Palestine accuses UNSC of double standard as its people''s right to freedom being ignored
Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour on Friday accused the Security Council of double standard as it seeks to protect the rights of people in the Middle East, especially in Libya these days, and turns a blind eye to the Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
Egypt considers easing Gaza blockade, says diplomat
Working with Israel, former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak greatly restricted the movement of people and goods out of the coastal strip after Hamas militants seized power in Gaza nearly four years ago. Mubarak was ousted last month.
Egypt's ambassador promises big change in policy towards Gaza
Britain to upgrade status of Palestinian delegation to 'mission'
Denmark to upgrade status of Palestinian representation to 'mission'
Denmark to upgrade status of Palestinian representation to 'mission'
IDF is preparing for mass civil uprising in West Bank
Photo by: AP
Senior officers now serving, or who once served, in the West Bank say they have long felt there is no way to effectively contend with a widespread, nonviolent civil uprising. During the first intifada which begain in 1988, the IDF used live rounds on protestors. 40000 children alone were maimed, hundreds were killed. At the end of that intifada in 1993, the first suicide bombings occurred, right after the Baruch Goldstein massacre.
"Hebron" Settlers Take One More Piece of Land in Al Bweireh
After CPT asked to see the official permission to level this land for the settlers, the Israeli security guard showed a yellow scrap of paper with a paragraph written in Hebrew. When one CPTer insisted this was not an official document, the security guard made no effort to defend himself.
Israel: No Palestinian peace deal possible now
In related news, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reported that settlers began building up to 500 apartments and homes in the West Bank after a 10–month moratorium on settlement construction expired in late September.
Former AIPAC Staffer Loses Lawsuit
In his civil suit, Rosen sought to prove that receiving secret government information and distributing it was regarded as acceptable practice by AIPAC and therefore that the lobby’s claim that when Rosen did so he acted beneath AIPAC’s standards was defamatory. To prove this point Rosen listed other cases in which AIPAC officials allegedly received classified information.
R
Report: Mubarak's sons received millions of dollars for backing Israeli gas sales
George Galloway: Gaza war as bad as WW2
Speaking to LSE students on Monday, the former Respect MP called Israel an “apartheid” state and compared scenes in Gaza after Operation Cast Lead to those in the Second World War.
Extradited to L.A., the Abergils Get Ready To Face the Music
The Abergil brothers, whom federal prosecutors label one of “the most powerful crime families in Israel,” face an indictment that alleges a trail of drug dealing, murder, money laundering, racketeering and extortion, as they hopscotched from Belgium to Thailand, from Jerusalem to Miami, to Malaga in Spain, and myriad locations around the globe, including, of course, Los Angeles.
Kissinger asks Obama to release spy for Israel
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is urging President Barack Obama to release an American convicted of spying for Israel 24 years ago.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Kissinger wrote to Obama, "I believe justice would be served by commuting" Jonathan Pollard's life sentence. This story was evidently removed at the time of this writing.
NPR ‘appalled’ by former exec’s comments -
Also, Ron Schiller doesn't appear to interject when the two men make outlandish comments about Jews controlling the media and laughs when they jokingly refer to NPR as "National Palestinian Radio."
Mubarak Regime ‘Provoked’ Attacks on Christians
Analysts say there is growing evidence that Egyptian security forces planned attacks on Christian churches and clergy, or allowed them to happen. The apparent purpose of the attacks was to reinforce the idea to sympathetic Western governments that without Mubarak, radical Islamist groups would gain a foothold in Egypt and wage a holy war on its Christian community.
Israel to 'finally' impose sanctions on Iran
Pennsylvania Cuts 40,000 From Low-Income Insurance Program
Meanwhile, the billions in US taxpayer dollars flow freely each year to Israel.
Why Is Israel Aid Exempt From Cuts?
It no longer comes as much of a surprise that the average Democrat or Republican will rule that Israel aid cuts are off the table -- while supporting cuts in programs like Head Start, which educates poor children, or WIC, which provides nutrition assistance to disadvantaged women and their infants. (See this list of the proposed GOP aid cuts for the rest of FY2010).
...AIPAC produced a letter for the Republican first-termers to sign in which they pledged that, no matter what else they cut, Israel would be exempt. And almost immediately, 65 of the 87 Republican freshmen signed on.
Where were the calls for a no-fly zone when Israel attacked Gaza, asks George Galloway
As Western powers look for an excuse to intervene in Libya, George Galloway, interviewed by the BBC, asks where were the calls for a no-fly zone when Israel attacked Gaza. Would the West call for a no-fly zone to support the rebels if there was a revolution in Saudi Arabia?
Do Neocons Want Democracy?
Maintaining the window dressing for their racket is always job one, even ahead of their Israel-first ideology.
Democracy in Egypt
I actually don’t have a problem with recognizing and promoting US interests in the region, but my concern is, inevitably, that it will turn out to be all about Israel yet again given the conjunction of McCain, Lieberman, and Kagan.
Uncle NED Comes Calling by Philip Giraldi
Rather Than Defend Obama, J Street Is Now Pushing Him
Conference organizers say that more than 50 members of Congress were in attendance, a good turnout for a young organization, although significantly fewer than the numbers seen at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual national conference, where more than half of Congress attends the dinner.
R
GOP Slogan for 2012: Who Lost The Empire?
Diplomat: I can no longer represent Israel
Ilan Baruch says he quit because "Israel's foreign policy is wrong," pointing to the Palestinian issue.
Should this trend continue, he warned, Israel will turn into a pariah state and face growing de-legitimization.
Palestine accuses UNSC of double standard as its people''s right to freedom being ignored
Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour on Friday accused the Security Council of double standard as it seeks to protect the rights of people in the Middle East, especially in Libya these days, and turns a blind eye to the Israeli practices in the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem.
Egypt considers easing Gaza blockade, says diplomat
Working with Israel, former Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak greatly restricted the movement of people and goods out of the coastal strip after Hamas militants seized power in Gaza nearly four years ago. Mubarak was ousted last month.
Egypt's ambassador promises big change in policy towards Gaza
Britain to upgrade status of Palestinian delegation to 'mission'
Denmark to upgrade status of Palestinian representation to 'mission'
Denmark to upgrade status of Palestinian representation to 'mission'
IDF is preparing for mass civil uprising in West Bank
Photo by: AP
Senior officers now serving, or who once served, in the West Bank say they have long felt there is no way to effectively contend with a widespread, nonviolent civil uprising. During the first intifada which begain in 1988, the IDF used live rounds on protestors. 40000 children alone were maimed, hundreds were killed. At the end of that intifada in 1993, the first suicide bombings occurred, right after the Baruch Goldstein massacre.
"Hebron" Settlers Take One More Piece of Land in Al Bweireh
After CPT asked to see the official permission to level this land for the settlers, the Israeli security guard showed a yellow scrap of paper with a paragraph written in Hebrew. When one CPTer insisted this was not an official document, the security guard made no effort to defend himself.
Israel: No Palestinian peace deal possible now
In related news, Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics reported that settlers began building up to 500 apartments and homes in the West Bank after a 10–month moratorium on settlement construction expired in late September.
Former AIPAC Staffer Loses Lawsuit
In his civil suit, Rosen sought to prove that receiving secret government information and distributing it was regarded as acceptable practice by AIPAC and therefore that the lobby’s claim that when Rosen did so he acted beneath AIPAC’s standards was defamatory. To prove this point Rosen listed other cases in which AIPAC officials allegedly received classified information.
R
Report: Mubarak's sons received millions of dollars for backing Israeli gas sales
George Galloway: Gaza war as bad as WW2
Speaking to LSE students on Monday, the former Respect MP called Israel an “apartheid” state and compared scenes in Gaza after Operation Cast Lead to those in the Second World War.
Extradited to L.A., the Abergils Get Ready To Face the Music
The Abergil brothers, whom federal prosecutors label one of “the most powerful crime families in Israel,” face an indictment that alleges a trail of drug dealing, murder, money laundering, racketeering and extortion, as they hopscotched from Belgium to Thailand, from Jerusalem to Miami, to Malaga in Spain, and myriad locations around the globe, including, of course, Los Angeles.
Kissinger asks Obama to release spy for Israel
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is urging President Barack Obama to release an American convicted of spying for Israel 24 years ago.
In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Kissinger wrote to Obama, "I believe justice would be served by commuting" Jonathan Pollard's life sentence. This story was evidently removed at the time of this writing.
NPR ‘appalled’ by former exec’s comments -
Also, Ron Schiller doesn't appear to interject when the two men make outlandish comments about Jews controlling the media and laughs when they jokingly refer to NPR as "National Palestinian Radio."
Mubarak Regime ‘Provoked’ Attacks on Christians
Analysts say there is growing evidence that Egyptian security forces planned attacks on Christian churches and clergy, or allowed them to happen. The apparent purpose of the attacks was to reinforce the idea to sympathetic Western governments that without Mubarak, radical Islamist groups would gain a foothold in Egypt and wage a holy war on its Christian community.
Israel to 'finally' impose sanctions on Iran
Pennsylvania Cuts 40,000 From Low-Income Insurance Program
Meanwhile, the billions in US taxpayer dollars flow freely each year to Israel.
Why Is Israel Aid Exempt From Cuts?
It no longer comes as much of a surprise that the average Democrat or Republican will rule that Israel aid cuts are off the table -- while supporting cuts in programs like Head Start, which educates poor children, or WIC, which provides nutrition assistance to disadvantaged women and their infants. (See this list of the proposed GOP aid cuts for the rest of FY2010).
...AIPAC produced a letter for the Republican first-termers to sign in which they pledged that, no matter what else they cut, Israel would be exempt. And almost immediately, 65 of the 87 Republican freshmen signed on.
Where were the calls for a no-fly zone when Israel attacked Gaza, asks George Galloway
As Western powers look for an excuse to intervene in Libya, George Galloway, interviewed by the BBC, asks where were the calls for a no-fly zone when Israel attacked Gaza. Would the West call for a no-fly zone to support the rebels if there was a revolution in Saudi Arabia?
Do Neocons Want Democracy?
Maintaining the window dressing for their racket is always job one, even ahead of their Israel-first ideology.
Democracy in Egypt
I actually don’t have a problem with recognizing and promoting US interests in the region, but my concern is, inevitably, that it will turn out to be all about Israel yet again given the conjunction of McCain, Lieberman, and Kagan.
Uncle NED Comes Calling by Philip Giraldi
Rather Than Defend Obama, J Street Is Now Pushing Him
Conference organizers say that more than 50 members of Congress were in attendance, a good turnout for a young organization, although significantly fewer than the numbers seen at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual national conference, where more than half of Congress attends the dinner.
R
GOP Slogan for 2012: Who Lost The Empire?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Headlines for February 24 - March 2
A Stand For Justice
IDF kills Palestinian approaching Gaza border
Housing for Jews approved in east Jerusalem
"They (the Jewish settlers) will expand. They attack residents, trying to create anger and anexiety and to push people to leave."
Iran warships dock in Syria, Israeli fears dismissed
The ships arrived on Wednesday night after passing through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, the first Iranian navy vessels to do so since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Pete Seeger Officially Joins BDS Movement
Seeger contributes half of the royalties from "Turn, Turn Turn" to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
On Monday, Seeger withdrew his support of a project associated with the Jewish National Fund's American branch, after Israeli and Palestinian activists told him of the JNF's role in driving the Bedouins out of their Negev areas. Kudos to you, Pete Seeger!!!
Gaza Protesters Prepare for March 15
a broader coalition of youth has now coalesced around plans for a March 15 sit-in, demanding that Hamas and Fatah halt their propaganda campaign against each other, include all Palestinian factions in a restructured PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization), force their senior representatives in the two governments (West Bank and Gaza) to resign their posts, and call new elections after agreeing to work together.
Israel investing $1.6 million in new media warriors
In early February, military spokesperson Avi Benayahu announced that approximately $1.6 million would be invested to train more than a hundred Israeli "media warriors," who would use social media tools to disseminate Israeli propaganda to audiences around the world. Beware, my fellow Americans, this is aimed at YOU. For, without American taxpayer dollars and the use of the American veto at the UN Security Council, Israel would be finished. All they care about is that the American people remain brainwashed into believing that Israel is good, and a victim.
Israel: Pressure must be mounted on Iran
The officials were responding to a confidential document leaked over the weekend that signaled the UN body’s growing frustration at Iran’s lack of cooperation.
....
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has conveyed this message in recent days during private meetings, including one on Sunday with a congressional delegation Now you know why McCain and Lieberman were over there.
Merkel chides Netanyahu for failing to make 'a single step to advance peace'
Netanyahu told Merkel he was disappointed by Germany's vote and by Merkel's refusal to accept Israel's requests before the vote, the source added. Merkel was furious.
"How dare you," she said, according to the official. "You are the one who disappointed us. You haven't made a single step to advance peace." It's pleasing to see people treat Israeli leaders as they should be treated. Too bad American leaders are too gutless to do so.
Obama talks Mideast peace with Jewish leaders at White House
U.S. President Barack Obama held a meeting with a 50-member delegation of Jewish leaders at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations at the White House on Tuesday, stressing Washington's support for Israel and its security.
How the System Works by Philip Giraldi
It is reassuring to note that at a time when governments are toppling left and right Ros-Lehtinen has the time to assure her fellow GOPers that some things will never change. I wonder, however, why her letter had absolutely zero content relating to the national interest of the United States. Surely Ros-Lehtinen understands the giving $3 billion to Israel every year makes the United States a safer, though somewhat poorer, place?
Possibly connected to Ros-Lehtinen’s effort is an announcement posted on the AIPAC website that boasts that all 67 freshman GOP congressmen have signed a letter pledging “no cuts” in aid to Israel. So much for any change coming from the Tea Parties.
The Veto from Hell by Philip Giraldi
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen criticized the resolution: "Support for this anti-Israel statement is a major concession to enemies of the Jewish State and other free democracies. Offering to criticize our closest ally at the UN isn’t leadership, it’s unacceptable." And just to make sure that Israel will have the money to expand its settlements, last Wednesday sixty-seven freshmen Republican House members sent a letter to their party’s leadership supporting full funding of aid to Israel. The letter cited the lawmakers’ "recognition that the national security of the United States is directly tied to the strength and security of the State of Israel." Congress = Israeli occupied territory (to the detriment of all Americans).
Two wounded in Gaza in Israel bombing raids: medics
Israeli warplanes bombed half a dozen targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, wounding a seven–month–old girl and a Palestinian man, medics in the coastal territory said.
UN Delegates 'Walked Out' During Clinton Speech
Palestine's delegation to the UN Human Rights Council walked out Monday in protest of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's speech in which she criticized the council for bias against Israel.
Pro-Peace Jewish Lobby Group Urges Obama to Seize Moment
Protesters picket Portland event launching an Oregon-Israel business alliance
Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski spoke to more than twice that number at the Oregon-Israel Business Alliance kickoff inside the University of Oregon White Stag Building in Old Town. Kulongoski, who led a trade mission to Israel last year near the end of his term, favors increased dealings with Israel.
Palestinian-American Entrepreneur Re-Envisions West Bank Development
His intended purchase was Nof Zion, a private neighborhood where 90 Jewish families live in the predominantly Arab Jebl Mukaber district. He had hoped to market the remaining 300 apartments in the blueprint to Arabs, but the deal fell through after right-wing Israelis voiced their fury and the contracting company, Digal Holdings, accepted an offer from Israeli businessman Rami Levy instead......Masri remains unfazed. “When the radicals on both sides are criticizing you, you know you are doing something right,” he said.
Palestinians Can Propose Temporary Government Ministers on Facebook
Benayahu: I entered UK with pseudonym
In an interview with the British magazine Defense News, IDF Spokesperson Avi Benayahu revealed he had recently flown to Britain using a pseudonym so as to avoid getting arrested and investigated for war crimes.
Don’t Mess With Jewish Porn King Michael Lucas
Lucas went on the attack. “I’m preparing to organize a boycott that would certainly involve some of the Center’s most generous donors,” he said in the release. “It was an inexcusable decision on the Center’s part to associate itself with a hate group like Israeli Apartheid Week.”
Father of Furkan Dogan, slain on flotilla, seeks justice
he left the airport and went the short distance to the forensics building. He found his 19-year-old son lying among the unidentified victims, his young body riddled with bullets that, according to a UN report, were fired execution style at "point-blank" range. The report was published and submitted to the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2010.
The report, the result of an independent investigation conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), found Israel responsible for "grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention," and guilty of "willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, and willfully causing great suffering or serious injury." Furthermore, the killings of at least six of the passengers were in a manner "consistent with arbitrary and summary execution" ("Report of the international fact-finding mission ..." [PDF]).
Diplomats: Syria evades nuke probe
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano had directly asked Syria's foreign minister in November to allow a new visit — in an unprecedented direct request. But a senior diplomat said Friday the foreign minister's response avoided mention of that site, promising only cooperation in vague terms.
Other diplomats said that amounts to a rejection of the request Say, I wonder from which country those other diplomats would hail?
Israel could still strike Iran, despite Mideast unrest
Middle East protests: Jordan sees biggest reform rally
U.S. lawmaker, Syria's Assad working to renew peace talks with Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been briefed on Kerry's talks with Assad, opposes the plan, since he does not believe Assad is serious about making peace with Israel.
U.S.:Neo-Con Hawks Take Flight over Libya
In a distinct echo of the tactics they pursued to encourage U.S. intervention in the Balkans and Iraq, a familiar clutch of neo-conservatives appealed Friday for the United States and NATO to "immediately" prepare military action to help bring down the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and end the violence that is believed to have killed well over a thousand people in the past week.
Two prominent senators whose foreign policy views often reflect neo-conservative thinking, Republican John McCain and Independent Democrat Joseph Lieberman, called Friday in Tel Aviv for Washington to supply Libyan rebels with arms, among other steps, including establishing a no-fly zone over the country. Leiberman and McCain were in Tel Aviv, where US foreign policy in the Middle East is dictated.
Russia to sell anti-ship rockets to Syria
Russia will press ahead with plans to sell anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria despite Israeli concerns, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Republicans and Democrats Agree: Cut Aid for Poor People, Not Israel
Paul's fellow Tea Partiers aren't any better. Of the 87 freshmen House Republicans elected on platforms of cut-baby-cut, at least three-fourths have now signed a letter declaring that, “As Israel faces threats from escalating instability in Egypt” – where have we heard that line of argument before? – “security assistance to Israel … has never been more important.” Subsidies are for militaries, you see, not poor people. Get with the program, Tea Partiers.
High-Profile Law Professor Dershowitz Joins WikiLeaks’ U.S. Defense Team
Dershowitz is a noted Israel firster. Given that, would his decision to represent Assange be because Assange's release of Wikileaks information somehow bolstered Israel's position on some issues?
For Israel, a Lonely Day at Turtle Bay
Israel, of course, says it’s all the Palestinians’ fault. It says their U.N. gambit is just the latest move in their campaign to isolate and delegitimize Israel, proving again that they won’t accept Israel’s existence. Israel has no choice but to resist their assault using the tools at its disposal, including the American veto.
This coming straight from the horse's mouth : the Jewish Forward, a well respected newspaper that has been around for nearly 100 years, basically telling you that Israel runs the show here, folks. Believe it.
Arab revolt is a tidal wave. Does the West get what's really behind it
This tidal wave is not about Islam, nor Israel, nor the West. It is an internally driven demand for rights and freedoms from a new generation of Arabs who see the way their societies have been stolen by their own rulers. The institutions of democracy may have been denied for decades, but the human spirit’s demand for freedom remains universal and unchanged. This is what our prudent intelligence analysis and policy constructs fail to understand.
IDF kills Palestinian approaching Gaza border
Housing for Jews approved in east Jerusalem
"They (the Jewish settlers) will expand. They attack residents, trying to create anger and anexiety and to push people to leave."
Iran warships dock in Syria, Israeli fears dismissed
The ships arrived on Wednesday night after passing through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, the first Iranian navy vessels to do so since Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Pete Seeger Officially Joins BDS Movement
Seeger contributes half of the royalties from "Turn, Turn Turn" to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.
On Monday, Seeger withdrew his support of a project associated with the Jewish National Fund's American branch, after Israeli and Palestinian activists told him of the JNF's role in driving the Bedouins out of their Negev areas. Kudos to you, Pete Seeger!!!
Gaza Protesters Prepare for March 15
a broader coalition of youth has now coalesced around plans for a March 15 sit-in, demanding that Hamas and Fatah halt their propaganda campaign against each other, include all Palestinian factions in a restructured PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization), force their senior representatives in the two governments (West Bank and Gaza) to resign their posts, and call new elections after agreeing to work together.
Israel investing $1.6 million in new media warriors
In early February, military spokesperson Avi Benayahu announced that approximately $1.6 million would be invested to train more than a hundred Israeli "media warriors," who would use social media tools to disseminate Israeli propaganda to audiences around the world. Beware, my fellow Americans, this is aimed at YOU. For, without American taxpayer dollars and the use of the American veto at the UN Security Council, Israel would be finished. All they care about is that the American people remain brainwashed into believing that Israel is good, and a victim.
Israel: Pressure must be mounted on Iran
The officials were responding to a confidential document leaked over the weekend that signaled the UN body’s growing frustration at Iran’s lack of cooperation.
....
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has conveyed this message in recent days during private meetings, including one on Sunday with a congressional delegation Now you know why McCain and Lieberman were over there.
Merkel chides Netanyahu for failing to make 'a single step to advance peace'
Netanyahu told Merkel he was disappointed by Germany's vote and by Merkel's refusal to accept Israel's requests before the vote, the source added. Merkel was furious.
"How dare you," she said, according to the official. "You are the one who disappointed us. You haven't made a single step to advance peace." It's pleasing to see people treat Israeli leaders as they should be treated. Too bad American leaders are too gutless to do so.
Obama talks Mideast peace with Jewish leaders at White House
U.S. President Barack Obama held a meeting with a 50-member delegation of Jewish leaders at the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations at the White House on Tuesday, stressing Washington's support for Israel and its security.
How the System Works by Philip Giraldi
It is reassuring to note that at a time when governments are toppling left and right Ros-Lehtinen has the time to assure her fellow GOPers that some things will never change. I wonder, however, why her letter had absolutely zero content relating to the national interest of the United States. Surely Ros-Lehtinen understands the giving $3 billion to Israel every year makes the United States a safer, though somewhat poorer, place?
Possibly connected to Ros-Lehtinen’s effort is an announcement posted on the AIPAC website that boasts that all 67 freshman GOP congressmen have signed a letter pledging “no cuts” in aid to Israel. So much for any change coming from the Tea Parties.
The Veto from Hell by Philip Giraldi
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen criticized the resolution: "Support for this anti-Israel statement is a major concession to enemies of the Jewish State and other free democracies. Offering to criticize our closest ally at the UN isn’t leadership, it’s unacceptable." And just to make sure that Israel will have the money to expand its settlements, last Wednesday sixty-seven freshmen Republican House members sent a letter to their party’s leadership supporting full funding of aid to Israel. The letter cited the lawmakers’ "recognition that the national security of the United States is directly tied to the strength and security of the State of Israel." Congress = Israeli occupied territory (to the detriment of all Americans).
Two wounded in Gaza in Israel bombing raids: medics
Israeli warplanes bombed half a dozen targets in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, wounding a seven–month–old girl and a Palestinian man, medics in the coastal territory said.
UN Delegates 'Walked Out' During Clinton Speech
Palestine's delegation to the UN Human Rights Council walked out Monday in protest of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's speech in which she criticized the council for bias against Israel.
Pro-Peace Jewish Lobby Group Urges Obama to Seize Moment
Protesters picket Portland event launching an Oregon-Israel business alliance
Former Gov. Ted Kulongoski spoke to more than twice that number at the Oregon-Israel Business Alliance kickoff inside the University of Oregon White Stag Building in Old Town. Kulongoski, who led a trade mission to Israel last year near the end of his term, favors increased dealings with Israel.
Palestinian-American Entrepreneur Re-Envisions West Bank Development
His intended purchase was Nof Zion, a private neighborhood where 90 Jewish families live in the predominantly Arab Jebl Mukaber district. He had hoped to market the remaining 300 apartments in the blueprint to Arabs, but the deal fell through after right-wing Israelis voiced their fury and the contracting company, Digal Holdings, accepted an offer from Israeli businessman Rami Levy instead......Masri remains unfazed. “When the radicals on both sides are criticizing you, you know you are doing something right,” he said.
Palestinians Can Propose Temporary Government Ministers on Facebook
Benayahu: I entered UK with pseudonym
In an interview with the British magazine Defense News, IDF Spokesperson Avi Benayahu revealed he had recently flown to Britain using a pseudonym so as to avoid getting arrested and investigated for war crimes.
Don’t Mess With Jewish Porn King Michael Lucas
Lucas went on the attack. “I’m preparing to organize a boycott that would certainly involve some of the Center’s most generous donors,” he said in the release. “It was an inexcusable decision on the Center’s part to associate itself with a hate group like Israeli Apartheid Week.”
Father of Furkan Dogan, slain on flotilla, seeks justice
he left the airport and went the short distance to the forensics building. He found his 19-year-old son lying among the unidentified victims, his young body riddled with bullets that, according to a UN report, were fired execution style at "point-blank" range. The report was published and submitted to the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2010.
The report, the result of an independent investigation conducted by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), found Israel responsible for "grave breaches of the Fourth Geneva Convention," and guilty of "willful killing, torture or inhumane treatment, and willfully causing great suffering or serious injury." Furthermore, the killings of at least six of the passengers were in a manner "consistent with arbitrary and summary execution" ("Report of the international fact-finding mission ..." [PDF]).
Diplomats: Syria evades nuke probe
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano had directly asked Syria's foreign minister in November to allow a new visit — in an unprecedented direct request. But a senior diplomat said Friday the foreign minister's response avoided mention of that site, promising only cooperation in vague terms.
Other diplomats said that amounts to a rejection of the request Say, I wonder from which country those other diplomats would hail?
Israel could still strike Iran, despite Mideast unrest
Middle East protests: Jordan sees biggest reform rally
U.S. lawmaker, Syria's Assad working to renew peace talks with Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been briefed on Kerry's talks with Assad, opposes the plan, since he does not believe Assad is serious about making peace with Israel.
U.S.:Neo-Con Hawks Take Flight over Libya
In a distinct echo of the tactics they pursued to encourage U.S. intervention in the Balkans and Iraq, a familiar clutch of neo-conservatives appealed Friday for the United States and NATO to "immediately" prepare military action to help bring down the regime of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and end the violence that is believed to have killed well over a thousand people in the past week.
Two prominent senators whose foreign policy views often reflect neo-conservative thinking, Republican John McCain and Independent Democrat Joseph Lieberman, called Friday in Tel Aviv for Washington to supply Libyan rebels with arms, among other steps, including establishing a no-fly zone over the country. Leiberman and McCain were in Tel Aviv, where US foreign policy in the Middle East is dictated.
Russia to sell anti-ship rockets to Syria
Russia will press ahead with plans to sell anti-ship cruise missiles to Syria despite Israeli concerns, Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Republicans and Democrats Agree: Cut Aid for Poor People, Not Israel
Paul's fellow Tea Partiers aren't any better. Of the 87 freshmen House Republicans elected on platforms of cut-baby-cut, at least three-fourths have now signed a letter declaring that, “As Israel faces threats from escalating instability in Egypt” – where have we heard that line of argument before? – “security assistance to Israel … has never been more important.” Subsidies are for militaries, you see, not poor people. Get with the program, Tea Partiers.
High-Profile Law Professor Dershowitz Joins WikiLeaks’ U.S. Defense Team
Dershowitz is a noted Israel firster. Given that, would his decision to represent Assange be because Assange's release of Wikileaks information somehow bolstered Israel's position on some issues?
For Israel, a Lonely Day at Turtle Bay
Israel, of course, says it’s all the Palestinians’ fault. It says their U.N. gambit is just the latest move in their campaign to isolate and delegitimize Israel, proving again that they won’t accept Israel’s existence. Israel has no choice but to resist their assault using the tools at its disposal, including the American veto.
This coming straight from the horse's mouth : the Jewish Forward, a well respected newspaper that has been around for nearly 100 years, basically telling you that Israel runs the show here, folks. Believe it.
Arab revolt is a tidal wave. Does the West get what's really behind it
This tidal wave is not about Islam, nor Israel, nor the West. It is an internally driven demand for rights and freedoms from a new generation of Arabs who see the way their societies have been stolen by their own rulers. The institutions of democracy may have been denied for decades, but the human spirit’s demand for freedom remains universal and unchanged. This is what our prudent intelligence analysis and policy constructs fail to understand.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Headlines for February 17 - February 23
A Stand For Justice
Three Gazans shot dead by Israeli army
Abu Selmiya said the three were fishermen and identified them as Jihad Khalaf, 20, Talaat al–Awagh, 25 and Ashraf al–Kteifan, 29.
Israeli military demolishes village of Amniyr
At 5 AM this morning the Israeli army, accompanied by members of the Israeli District Coordinating Office, arrived at the village of Amniyr and demolished five tent-houses, two cisterns and the village's olive trees. The demolitions effectively destroyed the entire village and left its three families homeless.
Four teens suspected of stabbing Arab youth to death in Jerusalem
Four youths were arrested for allegedly stabbing a young Arab man to death earlier this month, police revealed on Wednesday, after a gag order on the case was lifted.
The four boys, two of whom are from Jerusalem and two of whom are from settlements in the West Bank, were allegedly getting drunk together on the night of February 11. They encountered two Arab boys while in the city's center and allegedly attacked them unprovoked.
IDF fires on militants on Gaza border, wounding 11
Eleven Palestinians were injured Wednesday when Israeli Defense Forces fired at a group of militants on the border with Gaza, Palestinian news agencies reported.
Palestinians protest at 'despicable' Obama UN veto
Fatah central committee member Mahmud al–Alul told the crowd: "This decision is against the Palestinian people and its freedom, and it supports Israeli injustice, oppression and occupation.
AP Interview: Palestinian offers Hamas unity deal
The Palestinian prime minister appealed Sunday to the rival Hamas group to join him in a united government, offering to allow the Islamic militants to retain security control of the Gaza Strip until elections later this year.
Palestinian PM seeking to lure Hamas into unity government
Israel 'deeply appreciates' U.S. veto on UN resolution condemning settlements
Israel said it was deeply grateful to the United States on Saturday after it vetoed a United Nations resolution put forward by the Palestinian leadership condemning Israeli settlement activity.
Israel: Iranian naval vessels are provocation
Oh I see. But when Israelis attack vessels in international waters - such as the the Turkish
ship last year, or the USS Liberty - killing unarmed individuals some of whom were AMERICAN , that's not a provocation?
Double standard always applies to po little Israel.
Israel, US successfully test Arrow missile
Israel and the U.S. carried out a successful test of the Arrow anti–missile system off the coast of California, Israel's Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Guess who is paying for Israel's Arrow Missile System? Are you an American taxpayer like me? Look in the mirror for the answer to my first question. As budgets are slashed around the country, the billions upon billions flow freely to Israel to help her keep her ill-gotten gains, and help her oppress a once largely agrarian people.
Egypt decides to open Gaza crossing partially
Egyptian authorities decided on Friday to open the Rafah border crossing into the Gaza Strip for humanitarian cases and to allow Palestinians stuck in Egypt to return to the enclave, state television reported.
Palestinians rally for unity
Thousands of Palestinians have rallied in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank calling for unity between the Hamas and Fatah factions.
West Bank field trip for Israeli kids stirs anger
"Palestinian children in Hebron are forbidden to walk on the street (leading to the tomb compound) and visit the area – but Israeli schoolchildren can? It's incitement against the Palestinians," said Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist in Hebron.
A Middle East Without America? by Patrick J. Buchanan
What vital interest of a United States staring at bankruptcy would be imperiled if we got out of the way, stopped fighting these countries’ wars and paying these countries’ bills and let these people determine their own future for good or ill?
US uses veto again to block UN Resolution against Israeli settlements
Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations was on the Meet the Press this morning defending the recent use of our UN Security Council veto against the UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
Obama Warned Palestinians Of Repercussions if Abbas Goes to UN
DCI-PS - Major UK Union writes to Israeli Ambassador regarding children in Silwan
In the letter, the Union expresses its "horror at the continued assaults by the Israeli security forces on Palestinian children" and says these actions "can only be seen as a deliberate campaign of intimidation in connection with the continued construction of illegal settlements in the Silwan neighbourhood."
US restricts staff movement in Palestinian areas
In the nearby town of Tulkarem, a few hundred demonstrators marched to the nearby Israeli separation barrier and hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers in olive–green uniforms.
Soldiers grabbed one boy and tried to take him away, but were thwarted by a woman who ran toward them while clutching her handbag. She wrestled with the soldiers and took back the crying child.
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto: Abbas
"We do not seek to boycott the American administration and it is not in our interest to boycott anyone," Abbas told Palestinian Wafa news agency in Ramallah.
Palestinians to make fresh UN anti-settlement bid
A widely supported Palestinian drive to win the Council's condemnation of Israeli settlements was foiled by a US veto on Friday after Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas ignored sweeteners and reported strong–arm tactics from the White House to have the motion withdrawn.
But Abbas on Saturday told a group of university students at his Ramallah headquarters that the UN vote –– despite the US veto –– was a "victory" for Palestinian diplomacy.
Palestinians plan 'day of rage' after US vetoes resolution on Israeli settlements
According to the Palestinian press, Obama also suggested US aid to the Palestinian Authority could be halted if the resolution went ahead.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, made a further telephone call to Abbas on Friday to put pressure on him to abandon the resolution.
However, the Palestinian president – aware of the volatile mood in the region and the backlash he would face if he acceded to Obama's demands – refused to withdraw. One Palestinian official told Reuters that "people would take to the streets and topple the president" if he backed down.
....Underlying the growing gap between the US and Europe on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement saying settlement construction was against international law.
Palestinian house inside cage in Jewish settlement
The family's 10 members, four of them children, can only reach the house via a 40–yard (meter) passageway connecting them to the Arab village of Beit Ijza farther down a hill. The passageway passes over a road used by Israeli army jeeps and is lined on both sides with a 24–foot–high (8–meter) heavy–duty metal fence.
The same fence rings the simple one–story house, separating it from the surrounding settlement houses. Some of those dwellings are so close that the family can hear the insults shouted by a nearby Jewish neighbor.
Toddler takes first steps to a new life
Abdallah, a shy boy who left his twin brother behind in Gaza, arrived in Melbourne on Saturday after an arduous journey.
He is one of five Palestinians, aged from three years to 19, here with Children First Foundation for life-changing treatment.
Hamas says US veto of UN settler vote 'outrageous'
Hamas said on Saturday that the US use of its veto to block a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements was "outrageous" and urged an end to Palestinian–Israeli contacts.
Israeli tanks strike Gaza after mortar attack
Israeli tank fire wounded 11 people, including at least six militants, in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday following an attack on an Israeli patrol, the military and Palestinian officials said. One of the wounded later died in a hospital.
The Israeli military said its tanks opened fire after the militants detonated a bomb targeting the Israeli patrol near the border and then fired mortars at the soldiers.
The U.N. Voting Record of Susan Rice on Palestinian Rights, 2009–2010
Rice and her bosses, Obama and Clinton, have supported not a single General Assembly resolution on The Question of Palestine, and voted with Israel on 30 of the 34 resolutions over the two-year period. Israel—the close U.S. voting partner—was the only U.N. member state to reject all 34 such General Assembly resolutions in 2009 and 2010, the record of which appears below. Given this sweeping and near total denial of Palestinian right under international law, it is hardly credible that the United States under President Obama (like previous presidents with similar U.N. voting records) would serve as an impartial mediator of the Israel-Palestine “peace process.”
How school trips to Hebron resemble visits to Auschwitz
Does Helen Thomas regret comments on Israel ‘Hell no’
Watch the video. Kudos to Helen Thomas for having the guts to speak the truth - and to keep standing by her words, despite the overwhelming pressure on her to back down. God bless her.
Helen Thomas: Jews didn't have to leave Europe following Holocaust
The Jews did not have to leave Germany and Poland following the Holocaust since they were not being persecuted anymore, former White House correspondent Helen Thomas said in an interview on Thursday, adding that the Jews had no right to take other people's land. She spoke the truth. God love her for not backing down.
Meet the IDF Facebook-Twitter Commando
Arutz Sheva met the soldiers of the IDF Spokesman's Unit New Media desk on another routine day in which they surf the Web's blogs and social networks
Israeli foreign minister accused of apartheid in attempted citizen's arrest
UC Davis faculty members want charges dropped against Muslim students who disrupted speech at UC Irvine [Updated]
About 20 current and retired faculty members at UC Davis have joined a group of 100 UC Irvine faculty members in asking the Orange County district attorney to drop criminal charges against 11 Muslim students who disrupted a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
....The letter stated that the criminal charges will have a “chilling effect” on free speech. “To respond to such an act with criminal prosecution is excessive,” These people were ARRESTED for heckling an Israeli ambassador. We all know who was behind the charges there. Fascist a%%holes.
Jordan's King Abdullah Seeks Rapid Change From New Government Amid Protest
Top US lawmaker assures Israel of US support
Boehner's meeting and comments came amid worries in the US Congress that the ouster of longtime Egypt president Hosni Mubarak, as well as protests in Bahrain and throughout the region, could ultimately endanger Israel. A disgusting display. Once again, I will reminder readers of the polls of 2010 that demonstrate that 2/3 of Americans want the US to take no side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, yet - as many articles in this news batch and throughout my archives demonstrate - Congress is wholly and staunchly pro-Israel, to the detriment of the American national interest.
US vs UN on Israeli Settlements
The United States has had no success whatsoever in getting the Netanyahu government to stop expanding settlements — to stop evicting Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem to make way for ultra-Orthodox settlers — and no success in getting Israel to crack down on settler violence, but we have had "some success" in keeping the issue out of the United Nations.
Attacking the Straw [Poll] Man, Ron Paul
The National Jewish Democratic Council issued a statement blasting the choice of Paul and arguing that he has been at odds with the Jewish community on many key issues including aid to Israel.
The Pauls seem to not curry favor with the pro-Israeli community. Why? Because they dare to put America's interests FIRST. Imagine.
A New Move to Sever U.S. Business From Iran
Two Republicans and two Democrats joined forces today to introduce a new piece of legislation meant to keep the pressure on the regime in Tehran. The Iran Transparency and Accountability Act is co-sponsored in the Senate by New York Democrat Kirstin Gillibrand and Illinois Republican Mark Kirk, and in the House by Indiana Republican Dan Burton and Florida Democrat Ted Deutch.
The motivation for such legislation, which was backed by pro-Israel advocacy groups 'Pro-Israel advocacy groups' bark orders, Congresspersons jump.
Jewish Groups Scramble To Adjust to New Mideast Reality
Israel has only a handful of Arab-language specialists dealing with public diplomacy aimed at the Arab world, a number that pales in comparison with the battalions of foreign service staffers serving in the same role in the United States and Europe.
You know why that is, don't you? Egypt isn't forking over the billions of dollars to Israel like the US taxpayers are. Israel needs to keep that money flowing. It wouldn't need that money flowing if it learned to make peace with its neighbors (ie, stop stealing land and driving the natives out).
Did Someone Lose Egypt? by Philip Giraldi
nd then there is Israeli security, the proverbial six hundred pound gorilla in the room as US concern for Egypt appears to really be all about Israel.
An End to Foreign Aid
Senate Democrats wrote Paul a letter stating: “These remarks are alarming and aim to weaken the decades-long bipartisan consensus on U.S. support for Israel…” Republicans like Sen. Jim DeMint, who is usually a reliable fiscal hawk and generally an ally of Paul, responded that it would be a “real mistake to suggest we might reduce support to Israel.” Sen. Lindsey Graham was even more blunt, saying of Paul’s proposal: “Over my dead body!”
A False Friend in the White House By Stephen M. Walt
As these commentators recognize, the real reason for Obama's misguided decision was the profound influence of the Israel lobby. Indeed, few observers have missed this simple and obvious fact.
Israel and Chile cooperated to spy on Iran, WikiLeaks reveals
Top Genocide Scholars Battle Over How To Characterize Israel’s Actions
“He’s an American Jew who’s gone to Israel, and he has invested a lot of his identity in Israel — whereas criticisms of the recent attack on Gaza don’t necessarily bring the whole existence of the state into question, this seems to him as an argument that strikes at the foundations,” Shaw said, speaking of Charny. “The other issue is that there is a problem with the language of genocide with anything having to do with Jews. For some Israeli and pro-Israeli scholars, genocide is something that happened to the Jews; it’s not something that Jews could ever really be involved in.”
That double standard again at play.
Mubarak's Ouster: Good for Egypt, Good for Israel
Ironically, most of the prominent American pundits and politicians claiming that the overthrow of the Mubarak dictatorship would threaten Israel are the very politicians who have encouraged Israel's wars on civilian populations in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip and other policies which have helped create extremist elements that really do threaten Israel. Similarly, those now claiming that Egypt's nonviolent indigenous struggle against Mubarak will result in a repressive Iranian-backed anti-Israel fundamentalist regime are some of the very people who supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq -- which has resulted in a repressive Iranian-backed anti-Israel fundamentalist regime.
A New Sense of Populist Empowerment Grips the Middle East
as populist rebellions spread across the Middle East, many old formulas of suppressing them are faltering, with protesters relentlessly defying their regimes in what amounts to a collective psychological realignment in the region.
Israeli PM: Iran exploiting regional instability
Israel's prime minister on Sunday accused Iran of trying to exploit the recent instability in Egypt by sending two warships through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, saying he views the move "with gravity."
Iran not behind Mideast protests: Mullen
Egypt is no longer committed to an alliance with Israel against Iran
Egypt is signaling that it is no longer committed to its strategic alliance with Israel against Iran, and that Cairo is now willing to do business with Tehran. This is precisely what Turkey has done in recent years under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. One by one the puppet regimes fall. And one day, hopefully as soon as possible, the foreign policy on Capitol Hill will reflect the will of the people (view polls mentioned by this writer in this news batch).
Palestinian Author Kept from Entering U.S. for BDS Speaking Tour
Effectively canceling a planned speaking tour, the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem has inexplicably delayed the granting of a visa for Omar Barghouti, founding member of the Palestinian Civil Society Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) campaign, due to tour the United States this April for the release of his new book, Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights.
On Elon's Indictment and Other Religious Leaders Facing Charges
Israeli police issued an arrest warrant against Kiryat Arba chief Rabbi Dov Lior for incitement because of a book he wrote that apparently advocates the murder of non-Jews. Although his supporters are furious and calling the arrest politically motivated, his detractors say that even this arrest is not enough to stop the perceived increase in racist attitudes in the religious community in Israel. This arrest warrant comes on the heels of such events as the rebbetzins’ anti-Arab dating petition, the rabbis’ anti-Arab renting petition, and the refusal of the Emmanuel religious girls’ school to heed Supreme Court directives and allow Sephardic girls to enroll in their school.
Hebrew-Language Charter Schools Overcome Stigma and Plan To Proliferate
Hebrew charter schools are not going away.
Enthusiasm for these publicly funded institutions, which are aimed at immersing a diverse group of students in Hebrew, is rising with the general tide of support for charter schools all over the country. They appear determined to ride out any controversy they may have provoked and prove they are true public schools rather than religious schools hiding behind foreign-language clothing.
Guess where this is happening? If you guessed America, then you're right. Yes, they said PUBLICLY FUNDED.
Egypt is no longer committed to an alliance with Israel against Iran
Bolstered with Congressional support, Netanyahu forced U.S. President Barack Obama into the veto - which he had avoided using to date.
From Libya to Bahrain, Mideast autocracy under fire
"Never, in our wildest imaginations, did we think this uprising would come from the people. Whatever happens, this ... is something no one can take away from them, or from us. It has been embedded in our memories."
Three Gazans shot dead by Israeli army
Abu Selmiya said the three were fishermen and identified them as Jihad Khalaf, 20, Talaat al–Awagh, 25 and Ashraf al–Kteifan, 29.
Israeli military demolishes village of Amniyr
At 5 AM this morning the Israeli army, accompanied by members of the Israeli District Coordinating Office, arrived at the village of Amniyr and demolished five tent-houses, two cisterns and the village's olive trees. The demolitions effectively destroyed the entire village and left its three families homeless.
Four teens suspected of stabbing Arab youth to death in Jerusalem
Four youths were arrested for allegedly stabbing a young Arab man to death earlier this month, police revealed on Wednesday, after a gag order on the case was lifted.
The four boys, two of whom are from Jerusalem and two of whom are from settlements in the West Bank, were allegedly getting drunk together on the night of February 11. They encountered two Arab boys while in the city's center and allegedly attacked them unprovoked.
IDF fires on militants on Gaza border, wounding 11
Eleven Palestinians were injured Wednesday when Israeli Defense Forces fired at a group of militants on the border with Gaza, Palestinian news agencies reported.
Palestinians protest at 'despicable' Obama UN veto
Fatah central committee member Mahmud al–Alul told the crowd: "This decision is against the Palestinian people and its freedom, and it supports Israeli injustice, oppression and occupation.
AP Interview: Palestinian offers Hamas unity deal
The Palestinian prime minister appealed Sunday to the rival Hamas group to join him in a united government, offering to allow the Islamic militants to retain security control of the Gaza Strip until elections later this year.
Palestinian PM seeking to lure Hamas into unity government
Israel 'deeply appreciates' U.S. veto on UN resolution condemning settlements
Israel said it was deeply grateful to the United States on Saturday after it vetoed a United Nations resolution put forward by the Palestinian leadership condemning Israeli settlement activity.
Israel: Iranian naval vessels are provocation
Oh I see. But when Israelis attack vessels in international waters - such as the the Turkish
ship last year, or the USS Liberty - killing unarmed individuals some of whom were AMERICAN , that's not a provocation?
Double standard always applies to po little Israel.
Israel, US successfully test Arrow missile
Israel and the U.S. carried out a successful test of the Arrow anti–missile system off the coast of California, Israel's Defense Ministry said Tuesday. Guess who is paying for Israel's Arrow Missile System? Are you an American taxpayer like me? Look in the mirror for the answer to my first question. As budgets are slashed around the country, the billions upon billions flow freely to Israel to help her keep her ill-gotten gains, and help her oppress a once largely agrarian people.
Egypt decides to open Gaza crossing partially
Egyptian authorities decided on Friday to open the Rafah border crossing into the Gaza Strip for humanitarian cases and to allow Palestinians stuck in Egypt to return to the enclave, state television reported.
Palestinians rally for unity
Thousands of Palestinians have rallied in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank calling for unity between the Hamas and Fatah factions.
West Bank field trip for Israeli kids stirs anger
"Palestinian children in Hebron are forbidden to walk on the street (leading to the tomb compound) and visit the area – but Israeli schoolchildren can? It's incitement against the Palestinians," said Issa Amro, a Palestinian activist in Hebron.
A Middle East Without America? by Patrick J. Buchanan
What vital interest of a United States staring at bankruptcy would be imperiled if we got out of the way, stopped fighting these countries’ wars and paying these countries’ bills and let these people determine their own future for good or ill?
US uses veto again to block UN Resolution against Israeli settlements
Susan Rice, US ambassador to the United Nations was on the Meet the Press this morning defending the recent use of our UN Security Council veto against the UN resolution condemning Israeli settlements.
Obama Warned Palestinians Of Repercussions if Abbas Goes to UN
DCI-PS - Major UK Union writes to Israeli Ambassador regarding children in Silwan
In the letter, the Union expresses its "horror at the continued assaults by the Israeli security forces on Palestinian children" and says these actions "can only be seen as a deliberate campaign of intimidation in connection with the continued construction of illegal settlements in the Silwan neighbourhood."
US restricts staff movement in Palestinian areas
In the nearby town of Tulkarem, a few hundred demonstrators marched to the nearby Israeli separation barrier and hurled rocks at Israeli soldiers in olive–green uniforms.
Soldiers grabbed one boy and tried to take him away, but were thwarted by a woman who ran toward them while clutching her handbag. She wrestled with the soldiers and took back the crying child.
Palestinians will not spurn U.S. despite veto: Abbas
"We do not seek to boycott the American administration and it is not in our interest to boycott anyone," Abbas told Palestinian Wafa news agency in Ramallah.
Palestinians to make fresh UN anti-settlement bid
A widely supported Palestinian drive to win the Council's condemnation of Israeli settlements was foiled by a US veto on Friday after Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas ignored sweeteners and reported strong–arm tactics from the White House to have the motion withdrawn.
But Abbas on Saturday told a group of university students at his Ramallah headquarters that the UN vote –– despite the US veto –– was a "victory" for Palestinian diplomacy.
Palestinians plan 'day of rage' after US vetoes resolution on Israeli settlements
According to the Palestinian press, Obama also suggested US aid to the Palestinian Authority could be halted if the resolution went ahead.
The US secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, made a further telephone call to Abbas on Friday to put pressure on him to abandon the resolution.
However, the Palestinian president – aware of the volatile mood in the region and the backlash he would face if he acceded to Obama's demands – refused to withdraw. One Palestinian official told Reuters that "people would take to the streets and topple the president" if he backed down.
....Underlying the growing gap between the US and Europe on the Israeli-Palestinian issue, Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement saying settlement construction was against international law.
Palestinian house inside cage in Jewish settlement
The family's 10 members, four of them children, can only reach the house via a 40–yard (meter) passageway connecting them to the Arab village of Beit Ijza farther down a hill. The passageway passes over a road used by Israeli army jeeps and is lined on both sides with a 24–foot–high (8–meter) heavy–duty metal fence.
The same fence rings the simple one–story house, separating it from the surrounding settlement houses. Some of those dwellings are so close that the family can hear the insults shouted by a nearby Jewish neighbor.
Toddler takes first steps to a new life
Abdallah, a shy boy who left his twin brother behind in Gaza, arrived in Melbourne on Saturday after an arduous journey.
He is one of five Palestinians, aged from three years to 19, here with Children First Foundation for life-changing treatment.
Hamas says US veto of UN settler vote 'outrageous'
Hamas said on Saturday that the US use of its veto to block a UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements was "outrageous" and urged an end to Palestinian–Israeli contacts.
Israeli tanks strike Gaza after mortar attack
Israeli tank fire wounded 11 people, including at least six militants, in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday following an attack on an Israeli patrol, the military and Palestinian officials said. One of the wounded later died in a hospital.
The Israeli military said its tanks opened fire after the militants detonated a bomb targeting the Israeli patrol near the border and then fired mortars at the soldiers.
The U.N. Voting Record of Susan Rice on Palestinian Rights, 2009–2010
Rice and her bosses, Obama and Clinton, have supported not a single General Assembly resolution on The Question of Palestine, and voted with Israel on 30 of the 34 resolutions over the two-year period. Israel—the close U.S. voting partner—was the only U.N. member state to reject all 34 such General Assembly resolutions in 2009 and 2010, the record of which appears below. Given this sweeping and near total denial of Palestinian right under international law, it is hardly credible that the United States under President Obama (like previous presidents with similar U.N. voting records) would serve as an impartial mediator of the Israel-Palestine “peace process.”
How school trips to Hebron resemble visits to Auschwitz
Does Helen Thomas regret comments on Israel ‘Hell no’
Watch the video. Kudos to Helen Thomas for having the guts to speak the truth - and to keep standing by her words, despite the overwhelming pressure on her to back down. God bless her.
Helen Thomas: Jews didn't have to leave Europe following Holocaust
The Jews did not have to leave Germany and Poland following the Holocaust since they were not being persecuted anymore, former White House correspondent Helen Thomas said in an interview on Thursday, adding that the Jews had no right to take other people's land. She spoke the truth. God love her for not backing down.
Meet the IDF Facebook-Twitter Commando
Arutz Sheva met the soldiers of the IDF Spokesman's Unit New Media desk on another routine day in which they surf the Web's blogs and social networks
Israeli foreign minister accused of apartheid in attempted citizen's arrest
UC Davis faculty members want charges dropped against Muslim students who disrupted speech at UC Irvine [Updated]
About 20 current and retired faculty members at UC Davis have joined a group of 100 UC Irvine faculty members in asking the Orange County district attorney to drop criminal charges against 11 Muslim students who disrupted a speech by the Israeli ambassador to the United States.
....The letter stated that the criminal charges will have a “chilling effect” on free speech. “To respond to such an act with criminal prosecution is excessive,” These people were ARRESTED for heckling an Israeli ambassador. We all know who was behind the charges there. Fascist a%%holes.
Jordan's King Abdullah Seeks Rapid Change From New Government Amid Protest
Top US lawmaker assures Israel of US support
Boehner's meeting and comments came amid worries in the US Congress that the ouster of longtime Egypt president Hosni Mubarak, as well as protests in Bahrain and throughout the region, could ultimately endanger Israel. A disgusting display. Once again, I will reminder readers of the polls of 2010 that demonstrate that 2/3 of Americans want the US to take no side in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, yet - as many articles in this news batch and throughout my archives demonstrate - Congress is wholly and staunchly pro-Israel, to the detriment of the American national interest.
US vs UN on Israeli Settlements
The United States has had no success whatsoever in getting the Netanyahu government to stop expanding settlements — to stop evicting Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem to make way for ultra-Orthodox settlers — and no success in getting Israel to crack down on settler violence, but we have had "some success" in keeping the issue out of the United Nations.
Attacking the Straw [Poll] Man, Ron Paul
The National Jewish Democratic Council issued a statement blasting the choice of Paul and arguing that he has been at odds with the Jewish community on many key issues including aid to Israel.
The Pauls seem to not curry favor with the pro-Israeli community. Why? Because they dare to put America's interests FIRST. Imagine.
A New Move to Sever U.S. Business From Iran
Two Republicans and two Democrats joined forces today to introduce a new piece of legislation meant to keep the pressure on the regime in Tehran. The Iran Transparency and Accountability Act is co-sponsored in the Senate by New York Democrat Kirstin Gillibrand and Illinois Republican Mark Kirk, and in the House by Indiana Republican Dan Burton and Florida Democrat Ted Deutch.
The motivation for such legislation, which was backed by pro-Israel advocacy groups 'Pro-Israel advocacy groups' bark orders, Congresspersons jump.
Jewish Groups Scramble To Adjust to New Mideast Reality
Israel has only a handful of Arab-language specialists dealing with public diplomacy aimed at the Arab world, a number that pales in comparison with the battalions of foreign service staffers serving in the same role in the United States and Europe.
You know why that is, don't you? Egypt isn't forking over the billions of dollars to Israel like the US taxpayers are. Israel needs to keep that money flowing. It wouldn't need that money flowing if it learned to make peace with its neighbors (ie, stop stealing land and driving the natives out).
Did Someone Lose Egypt? by Philip Giraldi
nd then there is Israeli security, the proverbial six hundred pound gorilla in the room as US concern for Egypt appears to really be all about Israel.
An End to Foreign Aid
Senate Democrats wrote Paul a letter stating: “These remarks are alarming and aim to weaken the decades-long bipartisan consensus on U.S. support for Israel…” Republicans like Sen. Jim DeMint, who is usually a reliable fiscal hawk and generally an ally of Paul, responded that it would be a “real mistake to suggest we might reduce support to Israel.” Sen. Lindsey Graham was even more blunt, saying of Paul’s proposal: “Over my dead body!”
A False Friend in the White House By Stephen M. Walt
As these commentators recognize, the real reason for Obama's misguided decision was the profound influence of the Israel lobby. Indeed, few observers have missed this simple and obvious fact.
Israel and Chile cooperated to spy on Iran, WikiLeaks reveals
Top Genocide Scholars Battle Over How To Characterize Israel’s Actions
“He’s an American Jew who’s gone to Israel, and he has invested a lot of his identity in Israel — whereas criticisms of the recent attack on Gaza don’t necessarily bring the whole existence of the state into question, this seems to him as an argument that strikes at the foundations,” Shaw said, speaking of Charny. “The other issue is that there is a problem with the language of genocide with anything having to do with Jews. For some Israeli and pro-Israeli scholars, genocide is something that happened to the Jews; it’s not something that Jews could ever really be involved in.”
That double standard again at play.
Mubarak's Ouster: Good for Egypt, Good for Israel
Ironically, most of the prominent American pundits and politicians claiming that the overthrow of the Mubarak dictatorship would threaten Israel are the very politicians who have encouraged Israel's wars on civilian populations in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip and other policies which have helped create extremist elements that really do threaten Israel. Similarly, those now claiming that Egypt's nonviolent indigenous struggle against Mubarak will result in a repressive Iranian-backed anti-Israel fundamentalist regime are some of the very people who supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq -- which has resulted in a repressive Iranian-backed anti-Israel fundamentalist regime.
A New Sense of Populist Empowerment Grips the Middle East
as populist rebellions spread across the Middle East, many old formulas of suppressing them are faltering, with protesters relentlessly defying their regimes in what amounts to a collective psychological realignment in the region.
Israeli PM: Iran exploiting regional instability
Israel's prime minister on Sunday accused Iran of trying to exploit the recent instability in Egypt by sending two warships through the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean, saying he views the move "with gravity."
Iran not behind Mideast protests: Mullen
Egypt is no longer committed to an alliance with Israel against Iran
Egypt is signaling that it is no longer committed to its strategic alliance with Israel against Iran, and that Cairo is now willing to do business with Tehran. This is precisely what Turkey has done in recent years under Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. One by one the puppet regimes fall. And one day, hopefully as soon as possible, the foreign policy on Capitol Hill will reflect the will of the people (view polls mentioned by this writer in this news batch).
Palestinian Author Kept from Entering U.S. for BDS Speaking Tour
Effectively canceling a planned speaking tour, the U.S. consulate in Jerusalem has inexplicably delayed the granting of a visa for Omar Barghouti, founding member of the Palestinian Civil Society Boycott, Divestment, Sanction (BDS) campaign, due to tour the United States this April for the release of his new book, Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions: The Global Struggle for Palestinian Rights.
On Elon's Indictment and Other Religious Leaders Facing Charges
Israeli police issued an arrest warrant against Kiryat Arba chief Rabbi Dov Lior for incitement because of a book he wrote that apparently advocates the murder of non-Jews. Although his supporters are furious and calling the arrest politically motivated, his detractors say that even this arrest is not enough to stop the perceived increase in racist attitudes in the religious community in Israel. This arrest warrant comes on the heels of such events as the rebbetzins’ anti-Arab dating petition, the rabbis’ anti-Arab renting petition, and the refusal of the Emmanuel religious girls’ school to heed Supreme Court directives and allow Sephardic girls to enroll in their school.
Hebrew-Language Charter Schools Overcome Stigma and Plan To Proliferate
Hebrew charter schools are not going away.
Enthusiasm for these publicly funded institutions, which are aimed at immersing a diverse group of students in Hebrew, is rising with the general tide of support for charter schools all over the country. They appear determined to ride out any controversy they may have provoked and prove they are true public schools rather than religious schools hiding behind foreign-language clothing.
Guess where this is happening? If you guessed America, then you're right. Yes, they said PUBLICLY FUNDED.
Egypt is no longer committed to an alliance with Israel against Iran
Bolstered with Congressional support, Netanyahu forced U.S. President Barack Obama into the veto - which he had avoided using to date.
From Libya to Bahrain, Mideast autocracy under fire
"Never, in our wildest imaginations, did we think this uprising would come from the people. Whatever happens, this ... is something no one can take away from them, or from us. It has been embedded in our memories."
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