Baker Institute for Public Policy- ...The Baker Institute Student Forum recently hosted Colonel Ann Wright at an event. Colonel Wright had most recently organized the passage of the Gaza Flotilla. Colonel Wright was a dedicated State Department diplomat and former Army officer who resigned following the U.S. invasion of Iraq, putting an end to her years of government service to champion her own principles.
At Rice, Colonel Wright discussed her opposition to the violence used by the Israeli Navy to seize the six ships of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla on May 31. She gave an explicit, first-hand account of her experience on board 'The Challenger,' a ship which was filled with journalists who attempted to document Israeli soldiers' raids on the flotilla.
Passengers were attacked by Israeli soldiers who occupied the ship. She strove to give the audience an alternative view of the Israel-Palestine issue. In addition, Wright discussed some of her experiences protesting the U.S. government's actions in Iraq, including protesting outside of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. Read more
Friday, December 3, 2010
Robert Fisk: 'America really doesn't care about injustice in the Middle East'
The Independent- ...It's not that US diplomats don't understand the Middle East; it's just that they've lost all sight of injustice. Vast amounts of diplomatic literature prove that the mainstay of Washington's Middle East policy is alignment with Israel, that its principal aim is to encourage the Arabs to join the American-Israeli alliance against Iran, that the compass point of US policy over years and years is the need to tame/bully/crush/oppress/ ultimately destroy the power of Iran.
There is virtually no talk (so far, at least) of illegal Jewish colonial settlements on the West Bank, of Israeli "outposts", of extremist Israeli "settlers" whose homes now smallpox the occupied Palestinian West Bank – of the vast illegal system of land theft which lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian war. And incredibly, all kinds of worthy US diplomats grovel and kneel before Israel's demands – many of them apparently fervent supporters of Israel – as Mossad bosses and Israel military intelligence agents read their wish-list to their benefactors. Read more
There is virtually no talk (so far, at least) of illegal Jewish colonial settlements on the West Bank, of Israeli "outposts", of extremist Israeli "settlers" whose homes now smallpox the occupied Palestinian West Bank – of the vast illegal system of land theft which lies at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian war. And incredibly, all kinds of worthy US diplomats grovel and kneel before Israel's demands – many of them apparently fervent supporters of Israel – as Mossad bosses and Israel military intelligence agents read their wish-list to their benefactors. Read more
Helen Thomas comments on anti-Arab bias in US media
Free Press- Striking a defiant tone, journalist Helen Thomas, 90, said today she absolutely stands by her controversial comments about Israel made earlier this year that led to her resignation. But she stoked additional controversy with new remarks, claiming that "Zionists" control U.S. foreign policy and other American institutions. The local Jewish community strongly condemned her remarks.
"I can call a president of the United States anything in the book but I can't touch Israel, which has Jewish-only roads in the West Bank," Thomas said. "No American would tolerate that -- white-only roads."
Thomas, who grew up in Detroit the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, was in Dearborn today for an Arab Detroit workshop on anti-Arab bias. The Free Press asked her about her comments, which critics have said were anti-Israel.
"I paid the price for that," said Thomas, a longtime White House correspondent. "But it was worth it, to speak the truth." Read more
"I can call a president of the United States anything in the book but I can't touch Israel, which has Jewish-only roads in the West Bank," Thomas said. "No American would tolerate that -- white-only roads."
Thomas, who grew up in Detroit the daughter of Lebanese immigrants, was in Dearborn today for an Arab Detroit workshop on anti-Arab bias. The Free Press asked her about her comments, which critics have said were anti-Israel.
"I paid the price for that," said Thomas, a longtime White House correspondent. "But it was worth it, to speak the truth." Read more
Wikileaks: Israel planned 'defeat' of Hamas, US surveillance of Palestinian officials
Ma'an- Israel approached the PA and Egypt about potentially assuming control of the Gaza Strip following a theoretical "defeat" of Hamas before Israel's winter war on Gaza, a leaked US diplomatic cable revealed Sunday.
Made public by The New York Times, the document is a report on a conversation between US Senator Bob Casey, Representative Gary Ackerman, and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak from June 2009.
...A separate cable, provided to The Guardian by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks, lays out a "national human intelligence collection directive" asking US personnel to obtain "Details of travel plans such as routes and vehicles used by Palestinian Authority leaders and HAMAS members." Read more
Made public by The New York Times, the document is a report on a conversation between US Senator Bob Casey, Representative Gary Ackerman, and Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak from June 2009.
...A separate cable, provided to The Guardian by the whistleblower group WikiLeaks, lays out a "national human intelligence collection directive" asking US personnel to obtain "Details of travel plans such as routes and vehicles used by Palestinian Authority leaders and HAMAS members." Read more
Video: Reporters challenge State Department on Israel
Daily Press Briefing
Nov. 30, 2010
U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Assistant Secretary Philip Crowley at the State Department.
Transcript:
MR. CROWLEY: ...Finally, we have consulted with – been watching a situation in the Middle East and consulted to make sure that statements made in recent days were firm before we were commenting. But regarding a claim by a senior Palestinian official that the Western Wall is an Islamic Waqf, we strongly condemn these comments and fully reject them as factually incorrect, insensitive, and highly provocative. We have repeatedly raised with the Palestinian Authority leadership the need to consistently combat all forms of delegitimization of Israel, including denying historic Jewish connections to the land. As the United States has long maintained, the status of Jerusalem must be resolved in final status negotiations between the parties. We recognize that Jerusalem is a deeply important issue to Israelis and Palestinians, to Jews, to Muslims, and to Christians everywhere. We believe it is possible to reach an outcome that both realizes the aspirations of all parties for Jerusalem and safeguards its stature for the future.
QUESTION: Before moving on, P.J., on that, if you recognize that the Jerusalem – status of Jerusalem is so important to all sides, why were you so noncommittal when I asked the other day about the Israeli approval of new Jewish construction – new Jewish housing in East Jerusalem?
MR. CROWLEY: I was only noncommittal in the sense of before commenting to affirm that we had, in fact, raised our concerns with the Israeli Government as we have in the past. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government, as we’ve said many times. This Jerusalem, in all of its dimensions, must be part of a negotiated settlement. But I would be (inaudible) caution that there’s not necessarily an equivalence, that the kind of statements that we heard the other day, we think deserve strong condemnation. I was only noncommittal in the sense of before commenting to affirm that we had, in fact, raised our concerns with the Israeli Government as we have in the past. We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government, as we’ve said many times. This Jerusalem, in all of its dimensions, must be part of a negotiated settlement. But I would be (inaudible) caution that there’s not necessarily an equivalence, that the kind of statements that we heard the other day, we think deserve strong condemnation.
QUESTION: Well, you’re right. There’s absolutely no equivalence between some guy mouthing off and giving his opinion, whether you agree with it or not, and actual bricks and mortar going up in an area that’s disputed. I mean, the equivalent – you come out and denounce this statement, which is mere – simply words, and it took a question from a reporter to get you to say anything about the actual, physical, on-the-ground construction there. So I don’t understand the equivalence that you’re – your idea of equivalence here. One seems to be much more serious than another. Well, you’re right. There’s absolutely no equivalence between some guy mouthing off and giving his opinion, whether you agree with it or not, and actual bricks and mortar going up in an area that’s disputed. I mean, the equivalent – you come out and denounce this statement, which is mere – simply words, and it took a question from a reporter to get you to say anything about the actual, physical, on-the-ground construction there. So I don’t understand the equivalence that you’re – your idea of equivalence here. One seems to be much more serious than another.
MR. CROWLEY: We agree, but I think we have a different view as to what that equivalence should be. Look, what we are saying again to all sides is that they both have responsibilities here. Both have to take the responsibility to create conditions for negotiations to resume. And when you have a senior Palestinian official who denies the historic connection that the Jewish people feel to the Western Wall, we have an obligation to speak out. At the same time, we do recognize that rather than changing facts on the ground, we want to see the parties return to negotiations. But we will continue to express our concern to both sides when appropriate that inflammatory remarks on the one hand and actions on the ground on the other hand both have the potential to undermine a return to negotiations. We agree, but I think we have a different view as to what that equivalence should be. Look, what we are saying again to all sides is that they both have responsibilities here. Both have to take the responsibility to create conditions for negotiations to resume. And when you have a senior Palestinian official who denies the historic connection that the Jewish people feel to the Western Wall, we have an obligation to speak out. At the same time, we do recognize that rather than changing facts on the ground, we want to see the parties return to negotiations. But we will continue to express our concern to both sides when appropriate that inflammatory remarks on the one hand and actions on the ground on the other hand both have the potential to undermine a return to negotiations.
QUESTION: You said we agreed that one is more serious than the other. Which one is more serious? You said we agreed that one is more serious than the other. Which one is more serious?
MR. CROWLEY: I mean – well, we see – I mean – well, we see –
QUESTION: You said, "We agree," so (inaudible) more serious. You said, "We agree," so (inaudible) more serious.
MR. CROWLEY: No, no, no. I’m just saying the United States condemns the words of a senior Palestinian official the other day. We have raised our concerns with the Palestinians directly, but we thought it was appropriate to make clear that these kinds of inflammatory remarks are uncalled for. They’re uncalled for any day, but they’re uncalled for particularly at a sensitive time in the process. No, no, no. I’m just saying the United States condemns the words of a senior Palestinian official the other day. We have raised our concerns with the Palestinians directly, but we thought it was appropriate to make clear that these kinds of inflammatory remarks are uncalled for. They’re uncalled for any day, but they’re uncalled for particularly at a sensitive time in the process.
We have raised our concerns with the Israeli Government, not only recently but successively going back many months, about developments on the ground and the need to come back to negotiations. And both sides have responsibilities here, but we thought that these particular words were inflammatory. We’ve called upon the Palestinians for a long time to avoid these kinds of statements that are not conducive to getting the parties into a negotiation or from – through that negotiation to a final agreement.
QUESTION: Well, we all know that diplomatic language is very important. Why won’t you condemn the approval of new construction in East Jerusalem by Israel, and yet you come out and you -- Well, we all know that diplomatic language is very important. Why won’t you condemn the approval of new construction in East Jerusalem by Israel, and yet you come out and you --
WikiLeaks: Israel's security concerns often clash with US interests
The Huffington Post- In an explosive WikiLeaks revelation, Maj. Gen. Amos Gilad, the head of the Political Military Bureau of Israel's Ministry of Defense, while discussing Israeli requests for U.S. military aid, "acknowledged the sometimes difficult position the U.S. finds itself in given its global interests, and conceded that Israel's security focus is so narrow that its QME [Qualitative Military Edge] concerns often clash with broader American security interests in the region," according to the State Department. Read more
Former US National Security adviser: Who is Really Leaking to Wikileaks?
Economic Policy Journal- Zbigniew Brzezinski doesn't think all the leaked information coming out of Wikileaks is a result of Army PFC Bradley Manning, as a matter of fact he suspects a foreign intelligence service may be providing the more embarrassing leaks. In a PBS interview with Judy Woodruff, ZB lays out his thinking:
This is clearly designed to embarrass the Chinese and our relationship with them. The very pointed references to Arab leaders could have as their objective undermining their political credibility at home, because this kind of public identification of their hostility towards Iran could actually play against them at home... Read more
*********Related Article********
Wikileaks, a touch of Assange and the stench of AIPAC
Niburu News- “Recent admissions that the Israeli lobby, AIPAC, routinely receives masses of classified information makes them suspect #1 for being the source of Wikileaks”
...This last week, in a lawsuit over an AIPAC, (Israel’s lobby) employee reputedly fired for being caught spying against the US, news stories across the United States reported that, as part of that $20 million civil case, evidence will be presented that masses of classified material come to AIPAC and Israel continually. Is AIPAC Wikileaks? The only evidence of any massive leak discovered in the Pentagon is AIPAC. Last week’s Washington Post story was buried quicker than a carp in a playground: Jeff Stein, at the Washinton Post, reports the following:
Rosen says his actions were common practice at the organization. He said his next move is to show that AIPAC, Washington’s major pro-Israeli lobbying group by far, regularly traffics in sensitive U.S. government information, especially material related to the Middle East. “I will introduce documentary evidence that AIPAC approved of the receipt of classified information,” he said by e-mail. “Most instances of actual receipt are hard to document, because orally received information rarely comes with classified stamps on it nor record’s alerts that the information is classified.”
But Rosen said he would produce “statements of AIPAC employees to the FBI, internal documents, deposition statements, public statements and other evidence showing that [the] receipt of classified information by employees other than [himself] … was condoned … for months prior to being condemned in March 2005 after threats from the prosecutors.”
How does this apply to Wikileaks? The answer, if we bother to put the pieces together, is staring us in the face. The proof, the ultimate proof, however, will be in the current batch of documents that have already been prepared, weeks of work by dozens with access to classified documents, and only one group has that access and can operate with impunity, as was shown in a recent story in Veterans Today:
AIPAC is a sham. The group has, over the years, destroyed anyone who has tried to have it named what it really is, a dangerous foreign lobby and nest of spies. AIPAC is the most feared organization in Washington and most powerful, above any law. A former employee of AIPAC, Steve Rosen, who AIPAC claims was a spy, more appropriately a “caught” spy, now claims his former employer does nothing but spy. Rosen stands to get $20 million in his defamation lawsuit against AIPAC. Read more
This is clearly designed to embarrass the Chinese and our relationship with them. The very pointed references to Arab leaders could have as their objective undermining their political credibility at home, because this kind of public identification of their hostility towards Iran could actually play against them at home... Read more
*********Related Article********
Wikileaks, a touch of Assange and the stench of AIPAC
Niburu News- “Recent admissions that the Israeli lobby, AIPAC, routinely receives masses of classified information makes them suspect #1 for being the source of Wikileaks”
...This last week, in a lawsuit over an AIPAC, (Israel’s lobby) employee reputedly fired for being caught spying against the US, news stories across the United States reported that, as part of that $20 million civil case, evidence will be presented that masses of classified material come to AIPAC and Israel continually. Is AIPAC Wikileaks? The only evidence of any massive leak discovered in the Pentagon is AIPAC. Last week’s Washington Post story was buried quicker than a carp in a playground: Jeff Stein, at the Washinton Post, reports the following:
Rosen says his actions were common practice at the organization. He said his next move is to show that AIPAC, Washington’s major pro-Israeli lobbying group by far, regularly traffics in sensitive U.S. government information, especially material related to the Middle East. “I will introduce documentary evidence that AIPAC approved of the receipt of classified information,” he said by e-mail. “Most instances of actual receipt are hard to document, because orally received information rarely comes with classified stamps on it nor record’s alerts that the information is classified.”
But Rosen said he would produce “statements of AIPAC employees to the FBI, internal documents, deposition statements, public statements and other evidence showing that [the] receipt of classified information by employees other than [himself] … was condoned … for months prior to being condemned in March 2005 after threats from the prosecutors.”
How does this apply to Wikileaks? The answer, if we bother to put the pieces together, is staring us in the face. The proof, the ultimate proof, however, will be in the current batch of documents that have already been prepared, weeks of work by dozens with access to classified documents, and only one group has that access and can operate with impunity, as was shown in a recent story in Veterans Today:
AIPAC is a sham. The group has, over the years, destroyed anyone who has tried to have it named what it really is, a dangerous foreign lobby and nest of spies. AIPAC is the most feared organization in Washington and most powerful, above any law. A former employee of AIPAC, Steve Rosen, who AIPAC claims was a spy, more appropriately a “caught” spy, now claims his former employer does nothing but spy. Rosen stands to get $20 million in his defamation lawsuit against AIPAC. Read more
Opinion: Thoughts on Germany and Palestine
Human Rights Web - Mazin Qumsiyeh - The conference in Stuttgart about Palestine was themed "Separated in the past, together in the future", was sold-out, and had some high powered speakers and lots of energy. We listened, spoke, networked, bought each others books, ate, hugged, cried, and laughed.
...Not in my name is the message that a brilliant Jewish German woman (Evelyn Hecht-Galinski) gave in her speech. Her clarion voice echoed those of prophets speaking to decadent kings of the past articulating in passionate moral clarity what horror awaits if they stay their destructive course. As human beings, we cannot choose to stand on the side line while a grave injustice is being committed. We cannot stand by and watch as Western governments succumb to lobbies and send weapons and money that are used to commit horrific crimes. As citizens of those countries we cannot be silent. I listen to Evelyn's words (translated from German to English) and to the tone of her strong voice and determined looks that penetrate to the hearts of a mesmerized audience. I think this is what decency and courage look like.
...I listen to my friend Dr. Haidar Eid describe life in Gaza and could only think about the absurdity that he is less than two-hour drive from where I am but that I could only get to meet him face to face for the first time thousands of kilometers away in Stuttgart, Germany of all places. It is not fair that he is imprisoned in the concentration camp with 1.5 million prisoners whose only crime is that they are not Jewish and as such were ethnically cleansed and occupied. Haidar's years in South Africa gave him the ability to really understand similarities and differences of our "hafrada" (Hebrew for segregation) with "Apartheid" (Afrikaaner for segregation). Ali Abunimah's articulate description of where we are with the BDS movement and the media struggle in the US complements nicely our talks about life and struggle in Palestine. Read more
...Not in my name is the message that a brilliant Jewish German woman (Evelyn Hecht-Galinski) gave in her speech. Her clarion voice echoed those of prophets speaking to decadent kings of the past articulating in passionate moral clarity what horror awaits if they stay their destructive course. As human beings, we cannot choose to stand on the side line while a grave injustice is being committed. We cannot stand by and watch as Western governments succumb to lobbies and send weapons and money that are used to commit horrific crimes. As citizens of those countries we cannot be silent. I listen to Evelyn's words (translated from German to English) and to the tone of her strong voice and determined looks that penetrate to the hearts of a mesmerized audience. I think this is what decency and courage look like.
...I listen to my friend Dr. Haidar Eid describe life in Gaza and could only think about the absurdity that he is less than two-hour drive from where I am but that I could only get to meet him face to face for the first time thousands of kilometers away in Stuttgart, Germany of all places. It is not fair that he is imprisoned in the concentration camp with 1.5 million prisoners whose only crime is that they are not Jewish and as such were ethnically cleansed and occupied. Haidar's years in South Africa gave him the ability to really understand similarities and differences of our "hafrada" (Hebrew for segregation) with "Apartheid" (Afrikaaner for segregation). Ali Abunimah's articulate description of where we are with the BDS movement and the media struggle in the US complements nicely our talks about life and struggle in Palestine. Read more
State Department bars staffers from WikiLeaks, warns students not to view documents or even comment on them on Internet
Democracy Now – The U.S. State Department has imposed an order barring employees from reading the leaked WikiLeaks cables. State Department staffers have been told not to read cables because they were classified and subject to security clearances. The State Department’s WikiLeaks censorship has even been extended to university students.
An email to students at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs says: "The documents released during the past few months through Wikileaks are still considered classified documents. [The State Department] recommends that you DO NOT post links to these documents nor make comments on social media sites such as Facebook or through Twitter. Engaging in these activities would call into question your ability to deal with confidential information, which is part of most positions with the federal government."
An email to students at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs says: "The documents released during the past few months through Wikileaks are still considered classified documents. [The State Department] recommends that you DO NOT post links to these documents nor make comments on social media sites such as Facebook or through Twitter. Engaging in these activities would call into question your ability to deal with confidential information, which is part of most positions with the federal government."
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Israeli organized crime transcends borders, American ambassador expresses concern in US foothold
Y-Net News- Leaked document reveals US ambassador's concern over Israeli crime families' growing foothold in his country. Embassy 'using every available tool to limit organized crime travel to the United States, but such efforts are not always successful,' he writes in cable to State Department, FBI
Americans concerned by growing organized crime in Israel in past few years: In a cable sent from the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to the State Department in Washington and the FBI, American Ambassador James Cunningham showed impressive knowledge in the Israeli crime world and expressed his concern over its impact in the United States.
Naturally, Cunningham is mostly concerned about the influence of Israeli organized crime on the US. "Given the volume of travel and trade between the United States and Israel, it is not surprising that Israeli OC has also gained a foothold in America," he wrote. Read more
Americans concerned by growing organized crime in Israel in past few years: In a cable sent from the US Embassy in Tel Aviv to the State Department in Washington and the FBI, American Ambassador James Cunningham showed impressive knowledge in the Israeli crime world and expressed his concern over its impact in the United States.
Naturally, Cunningham is mostly concerned about the influence of Israeli organized crime on the US. "Given the volume of travel and trade between the United States and Israel, it is not surprising that Israeli OC has also gained a foothold in America," he wrote. Read more
Israel Lobby also dominates Canada
Al-Jazeera
...over the past five or six years, Canada has become one of Israel's most fervent supporters on the world stage. What are the implications for a country that has traditionally been seen as more of an honest-broker in the Israel-Palestinian conflict than the US, its more powerful neighbour to the south? On this episode of Fault Lines, Avi Lewis opens a window into the debate over Canada-Israel: The other special relationship.
...over the past five or six years, Canada has become one of Israel's most fervent supporters on the world stage. What are the implications for a country that has traditionally been seen as more of an honest-broker in the Israel-Palestinian conflict than the US, its more powerful neighbour to the south? On this episode of Fault Lines, Avi Lewis opens a window into the debate over Canada-Israel: The other special relationship.
Attempt to bribe Israel by releasing spy ignores Israel's failure to keep secret promise to US and its harassment of US Navy team
Antiwar.com – Philip Giraldi – ...The latest demand appears to be freedom for Israeli spy Jonathan Jay Pollard, who is an Israeli citizen, has a holiday named after him, and is regarded as a national hero in many right wing Zionist circles. That Israel is completely dependent on Washington for its security and on the American taxpayer for its high standard of living has never inhibited the country’s security service Mossad from using agents like Pollard to steal everything not nailed down from the United States. Pollard currently is spending his time in a federal prison in North Carolina for walking off with a roomful of American top secrets in exchange for money back in the 1980s. I have already described the astonishing damage that he did as well as the reasons why he should never be released but politicians have short memories...
...For those who think it inconceivable that a large number of congressmen might petition seeking clemency for a convicted foreign spy who did enormous damage to the United States, think again. Pollard has recently obtained the services of Barney Frank and thirty-eight other Democratic congressmen who have signed on to a letter coordinated with a number of Jewish groups. They apparently believe that the poor guy has suffered enough in service to his country, which is of course Israel, making one wonder why American politicians should feel the pain. But no matter, as we all know where the faux compassion comes from.
...Ben Ami Kadish, who passed defense secrets to the same Mossad agent handler that worked with Pollard, was recently fined and freed without any jail time. Pollard is, in fact, the only Israeli spy to have done any hard time in a federal prison in spite of the fact that hundreds of Tel Aviv’s agents, including numerous Americans and Israeli "movers" detected red handed during 9/11, have been caught in the act. There are no other spies from "non-adversarial" nations, to use the phrase employed in the congressional letter, who have done anything at all comparable to what Pollard has done. Pollard is unique and, given the magnitude of the crime he committed and the fact that Israel is the major recipient of foreign aid from the US, he should rot in prison. ...a far better reason why Pollard should never be released is the failure of Israel to comply with the agreement it made with the United States Justice Department in the aftermath of his arrest. Israel long denied that Pollard was an Israeli spy, claiming instead that he was being run by a rogue operation without official sanction. Nevertheless, the Israeli government entered into a secret agreement with Washington because of concerns that the US might issue federal warrants for the identified Israeli case officers who had handled Pollard, some of whom were not protected by diplomatic status and might be seized by US Marshals anywhere in the world.
Key to US willingness to enter into the agreement was Israel’s agreement to return the documents stolen by Pollard so a damage assessment could be conducted. But it failed to do so. The team sent to Israel by the US Navy to investigate the crime was harassed, intimidated, and threatened with violence. Its luggage was clandestinely searched and personal possessions were stolen. It returned to Washington with a few dozen low level documents that were among the Pollard haul, meaning that the US will never know the true extent of the betrayal... Read more
...For those who think it inconceivable that a large number of congressmen might petition seeking clemency for a convicted foreign spy who did enormous damage to the United States, think again. Pollard has recently obtained the services of Barney Frank and thirty-eight other Democratic congressmen who have signed on to a letter coordinated with a number of Jewish groups. They apparently believe that the poor guy has suffered enough in service to his country, which is of course Israel, making one wonder why American politicians should feel the pain. But no matter, as we all know where the faux compassion comes from.
...Ben Ami Kadish, who passed defense secrets to the same Mossad agent handler that worked with Pollard, was recently fined and freed without any jail time. Pollard is, in fact, the only Israeli spy to have done any hard time in a federal prison in spite of the fact that hundreds of Tel Aviv’s agents, including numerous Americans and Israeli "movers" detected red handed during 9/11, have been caught in the act. There are no other spies from "non-adversarial" nations, to use the phrase employed in the congressional letter, who have done anything at all comparable to what Pollard has done. Pollard is unique and, given the magnitude of the crime he committed and the fact that Israel is the major recipient of foreign aid from the US, he should rot in prison. ...a far better reason why Pollard should never be released is the failure of Israel to comply with the agreement it made with the United States Justice Department in the aftermath of his arrest. Israel long denied that Pollard was an Israeli spy, claiming instead that he was being run by a rogue operation without official sanction. Nevertheless, the Israeli government entered into a secret agreement with Washington because of concerns that the US might issue federal warrants for the identified Israeli case officers who had handled Pollard, some of whom were not protected by diplomatic status and might be seized by US Marshals anywhere in the world.
Key to US willingness to enter into the agreement was Israel’s agreement to return the documents stolen by Pollard so a damage assessment could be conducted. But it failed to do so. The team sent to Israel by the US Navy to investigate the crime was harassed, intimidated, and threatened with violence. Its luggage was clandestinely searched and personal possessions were stolen. It returned to Washington with a few dozen low level documents that were among the Pollard haul, meaning that the US will never know the true extent of the betrayal... Read more
Israeli troops shoot Palestinian worker
IMEMC- On Wednesday, the Israeli military shot and injured a resident from Gaza, while he was working collecting stones and rubble in the northern area of the strip. The victim has moderate wounds, Ma'an News Agency reported. Read more
Weekly report on Israeli human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory
PCHR- ...During the reporting period, IOF used excessive force to disperse peaceful demonstrations organized in protest to Israeli settlement activities and the construction of the annexation wall. As a result, dozens of Palestinian civilians and international human rights defenders suffered from tear gas inhalation or sustained bruises.
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 35 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including Nayef al-Rajoub, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. They also summoned 13 Palestinian civilians for interrogation.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. Read more
Incursions:
During the reporting period, IOF conducted at least 35 military incursions into Palestinian communities in the West Bank, during which they arrested 8 Palestinian civilians, including Nayef al-Rajoub, Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. They also summoned 13 Palestinian civilians for interrogation.
In the Gaza Strip, IOF conducted one limited incursion into the northern Gaza Strip, during which they leveled areas of Palestinian land, which they had already razed.
Restrictions on Movement:
Israel had continued to impose a tightened siege on the OPT and imposed severe restrictions on the movement of Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem.
Gaza Strip
Israel has continuously closed all border crossings to the Gaza Strip for over three years. The illegal Israeli-imposed closure of the Gaza Strip, which has steadily tightened since June 2007, has had a disastrous impact on the humanitarian and economic situation in the Gaza Strip. Read more
Report: Israeli police used dogs in attacking Palestinian homeowners
IMEMC- The Jerusalem Center for Social and Economic Rights in Jerusalem (JCSER) reported that Israeli policemen used dogs during their Tuesday attack against Palestinian homeowners as the police attacked their homes before demolishing them earlier in the day in Al Esawiyya, in occupied East Jerusalem. Read more
Six Palestinians arrested during Israeli military raids in the Occupied Territories
IMEMC- A series of Israeli army raids held during Tuesday night and Wednesday morning concluded with six people being detained, PNN reported.
In Nablus, in the Northern West Bank, two brothers, ages 26 and 27, were arrested after Israeli troops raided their family home.
In addition, in Tulkarm several houses were searched Tuesday night, and two men were taken to an Israeli police office for questioning, but were released on Wednesday morning. Read more
In Nablus, in the Northern West Bank, two brothers, ages 26 and 27, were arrested after Israeli troops raided their family home.
In addition, in Tulkarm several houses were searched Tuesday night, and two men were taken to an Israeli police office for questioning, but were released on Wednesday morning. Read more
Israel Education Ministry rethinks plan to give priority to Arabs who did national service
Haaretz- Plan to award points to Arab teachers who have completed national service is unreasonable, the ministry says.
The Education Ministry is reconsidering its recent decision to give job priority to Arab candidates who have volunteered for national service, Haaretz has learned. The ministry is now likely to rescind that initiative or at least drastically reduce its effects.
...MKs Jamal Zahalka and Hanin Zuabi of Balad demanded Saar rescind the decision.
"The decision shows the Education Ministry is not concerned with education, but rather with political considerations, and makes use of political coercion," he wrote.
"The ministry ... is turning itself into an arm of the Shin Bet security service in its attempt to control Arab citizens' thoughts and identity," Zuabi said. Read more
The Education Ministry is reconsidering its recent decision to give job priority to Arab candidates who have volunteered for national service, Haaretz has learned. The ministry is now likely to rescind that initiative or at least drastically reduce its effects.
...MKs Jamal Zahalka and Hanin Zuabi of Balad demanded Saar rescind the decision.
"The decision shows the Education Ministry is not concerned with education, but rather with political considerations, and makes use of political coercion," he wrote.
"The ministry ... is turning itself into an arm of the Shin Bet security service in its attempt to control Arab citizens' thoughts and identity," Zuabi said. Read more
Germany asked US to force settlement freeze on Israel, WikiLeaks cables show
Haaretz- ...According to a telegram published by the whistleblowing website, two weeks before Israel's inner cabinet decided on a settlement construction freeze in November 2009, a senior German government official urged the United States to threaten Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if he did not agree to a moratorium, Washington would withdraw its support for blocking a vote on the Goldstone Report at the United Nations Security Council.
...The German official is quoted in the telegram as saying that Germany believes that Netanyahu needed "to do more" to bring the Palestinians to the negotiating table. "With Palestinians in East Jerusalem getting notices from Israeli authorities that their houses will be destroyed, it would be 'suicide' for President Abbas to move under the current circumstances. Heusgen said he could not fathom why Netanyahu did not understand this," according to the telegram. Read more
...The German official is quoted in the telegram as saying that Germany believes that Netanyahu needed "to do more" to bring the Palestinians to the negotiating table. "With Palestinians in East Jerusalem getting notices from Israeli authorities that their houses will be destroyed, it would be 'suicide' for President Abbas to move under the current circumstances. Heusgen said he could not fathom why Netanyahu did not understand this," according to the telegram. Read more
New WikiLeaks revelations show Ireland limiting complicity in US arms transfer to Israel
Haaretz- The Irish government has acted to limit transfers of American weapons to Israel and Iraq through Shannon Airport in the wake of public outrage after the Second Lebanon War, an American diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks reveals.
...The cable, sent from the Dublin embassy in September 2006, says that "although supportive of continued U.S. military transits at Shannon Airport, the Irish Government has informally begun to place constraints on U.S. operations at the facility, mainly in response to public sensitivities over U.S. actions in the Middle East."
According to the ambassador, "Segments of the Irish public ... see the airport as a symbol of Irish complicity in perceived U.S. wrongdoing in the Gulf/Middle East." He said the Irish government "has recently introduced more cumbersome notification requirements for equipment-related transits in the wake of the Lebanon conflict." Read more
...The cable, sent from the Dublin embassy in September 2006, says that "although supportive of continued U.S. military transits at Shannon Airport, the Irish Government has informally begun to place constraints on U.S. operations at the facility, mainly in response to public sensitivities over U.S. actions in the Middle East."
According to the ambassador, "Segments of the Irish public ... see the airport as a symbol of Irish complicity in perceived U.S. wrongdoing in the Gulf/Middle East." He said the Irish government "has recently introduced more cumbersome notification requirements for equipment-related transits in the wake of the Lebanon conflict." Read more
Israeli students protest army freeze on 'gap year' before mandatory service
Haaretz- More than 150 youths from the Upper Galilee demonstrated yesterday against the army's decision to freeze quotas for graduating high school students seeking to complete a gap year of volunteer work before mandatory conscription.
Army officials say the decrease in the number of new inductees prevents the Israel Defense Forces from preparing a multiyear plan that would increase the quotas.
"We believe in working toward building a model society with values of mutual dependence and contribution to the community," said Ili Kindler, a 12th-grader at Emek Hahula High School and one of the protest's main organizers. Read more
Army officials say the decrease in the number of new inductees prevents the Israel Defense Forces from preparing a multiyear plan that would increase the quotas.
"We believe in working toward building a model society with values of mutual dependence and contribution to the community," said Ili Kindler, a 12th-grader at Emek Hahula High School and one of the protest's main organizers. Read more
History: Behind the Balfour Declaration – Britain's Great War Pledge To Lord Rothschild
[The following article was emailed to us today. Although it was written some years ago, we feel its information is of considerable interest and contains a number of facts not widely known. For that reason we are posting it here.]
By Robert John
Arthur Koestler wrote that in the letter "one nation solemnly promised to a second nation the country of a third." More than that, the country was still part of the Empire of a fourth, namely Turkey.
It read:
Then why was the "Declaration" made a year before the end of what was called The Great War?
"The people" were told at the time that it was given as a return for a debt of gratitude which they were supposed to owe to the Zionist leader (and first President of Israel), Chaim Weizman, a Russian-born immigrant to Britain from Germany who was said to have invented a process of fermentation of horse chestnuts into scarce acetone for production of high explosives by the Ministry of Munitions.
This horse chestnut propaganda production was not dislodged from the mass mind by the short bursts of another story which was used officially between the World Wars.
So let us dig into the records and bury the chestnuts forever.
By Robert John
Robert John – foreign affairs analyst, diplomatic historian, author and psychiatrist – was educated in England. He graduated from University of London King's College, and then studied at the Middle Temple, Inns of Court, in London. He was the author, with Sami Hadawi, of The Palestine Diary: British, American and United Nations Intervention, 1914-1948. This detailed two-volume work, first published in 1970, includes a foreword by British historian Arnold Toynbee. Robert John died on June 4, 2007, age 86.The Balfour Declaration may be the most extraordinary document produced by any Government in world history. It took the form of a letter from the Government of His Britannic Majesty King George the Fifth, the Government of the largest empire the world has even known, on which -- once upon a time -- the sun never set; a letter to an international financier of the banking house of Rothschild who had been made a peer of the realm.
Arthur Koestler wrote that in the letter "one nation solemnly promised to a second nation the country of a third." More than that, the country was still part of the Empire of a fourth, namely Turkey.
It read:
Foreign Office, November 2nd,1917It was decided by Lord Allenby that the "Declaration" should not then be published in Palestine where his forces were still south of the Gaza-Beersheba line. This was not done until after the establishment of the Civil Administration in 1920.
Dear Lord Rothschild,
I have much pleasure in conveying to you on behalf of His Majesty's Government the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations, which has been submitted to and approved by the Cabinet:
"His Majesty's Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country."
I should be grateful if you would bring this Declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation.
Yours sincerely,
Arthur James Balfour.[1]
Then why was the "Declaration" made a year before the end of what was called The Great War?
"The people" were told at the time that it was given as a return for a debt of gratitude which they were supposed to owe to the Zionist leader (and first President of Israel), Chaim Weizman, a Russian-born immigrant to Britain from Germany who was said to have invented a process of fermentation of horse chestnuts into scarce acetone for production of high explosives by the Ministry of Munitions.
This horse chestnut propaganda production was not dislodged from the mass mind by the short bursts of another story which was used officially between the World Wars.
So let us dig into the records and bury the chestnuts forever.
Israel Foreign Minister blames Arab leaders for rising racism among Israeli Jews
Haaretz- 'Every day brings news about new manifestations of hate for Israel, of active cooperation with Israel's enemies.'
The leadership of the Arab minority is responsible for rising racism among Israeli Jews toward Israeli Arabs, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
The interview followed the annual democracy index poll, the results of which were released by the Israel Democracy Institute earlier this week. According to the poll, 33 percent of Israeli Jews think Israeli Arabs should be placed in internment camps in the event of a war, and 53 percent of Israeli Jews voiced support for the state encouraging Arabs to emigrate. Read more
The leadership of the Arab minority is responsible for rising racism among Israeli Jews toward Israeli Arabs, Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told Israel Radio on Wednesday.
The interview followed the annual democracy index poll, the results of which were released by the Israel Democracy Institute earlier this week. According to the poll, 33 percent of Israeli Jews think Israeli Arabs should be placed in internment camps in the event of a war, and 53 percent of Israeli Jews voiced support for the state encouraging Arabs to emigrate. Read more
Analysis: Israel can't be a democracy with two classes of citizens
Haaretz- ...Almost all the survey's findings point to this trend. A majority of the public supports predicating voting rights on a declaration of loyalty to the state; only of the public believes the state's self-definition as a democracy should take precedence over its self-definition as Jewish; an absolute majority believes that only Jews should be involved in decisions crucial to the state; a majority supports allocating more resources to Jews than Arabs; a third of Jewish citizens support putting Arab citizens in detention camps in wartime; and about two-thirds think Arabs should not become ministers.
These findings follow campaigns of hatred and incitement by rabbis and politicians against Israel's Arab citizens. They also follow anti-democratic bills that have been discussed, and in some cases even passed, by the Knesset. And all this happened without the voices of the prime minister, education minister and leader of the opposition being heard.
The survey results are therefore not surprising, but they are extremely disturbing. At their root lies the twisted belief that democracy means the tyranny of the majority, and that equal rights for all the state's citizens is not an integral part of the democratic system. Read more-
These findings follow campaigns of hatred and incitement by rabbis and politicians against Israel's Arab citizens. They also follow anti-democratic bills that have been discussed, and in some cases even passed, by the Knesset. And all this happened without the voices of the prime minister, education minister and leader of the opposition being heard.
The survey results are therefore not surprising, but they are extremely disturbing. At their root lies the twisted belief that democracy means the tyranny of the majority, and that equal rights for all the state's citizens is not an integral part of the democratic system. Read more-
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Palestinian woman abducted while visiting detained brother
IMEMC- Palestinian Palestinian sources reported that resident Miriam al-Hour was abducted by the Israeli soldiers, on Monday, while visiting her detained brother, Jamal al-Hour, at the Nafha Israeli prison. Read more
Israeli forces demolish Palestinian in Jerusalem, clashes reported
IMEMC- Clashes were reported between dozens of Palestinian residents and Israeli policemen after the Jerusalem municipality demolished a Palestinian home in al-Isawiyya, in occupied East Jerusalem. Read more
Britain placates Israel with war crimes arrest law change
Ma'an- Britain sought Wednesday to soothe strained ties with Israel by publishing an amendment to a law that puts visiting officials at risk of arrest for alleged war crimes, sparking outrage from rights groups.
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the change would ensure that private arrest warrants for offenses under certain international laws, including the Geneva Convention, would first have to be approved by the chief prosecutor.
The move was welcomed by Israel, whose politicians and officials have been targeted by warrants brought by pro-Palestinian campaign groups, but Amnesty International said it gave war criminals a "free ticket to escape the law". Read more
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the change would ensure that private arrest warrants for offenses under certain international laws, including the Geneva Convention, would first have to be approved by the chief prosecutor.
The move was welcomed by Israel, whose politicians and officials have been targeted by warrants brought by pro-Palestinian campaign groups, but Amnesty International said it gave war criminals a "free ticket to escape the law". Read more
Arab Orthodox orgs slam church-Israel 'collaboration'
Ma'an- The Arab Orthodox Central Council in Palestine and Jordan and the Council of Arab Orthodox Organizations in Palestine issued a statement on Tuesday "strongly condemning" cooperation between Greek Orthodox church officials and Israel's Ministry of Tourism.
..."The inauguration of an Israeli road in the Jordan Valley is another tool to further consolidate Israel’s settlement enterprise and control the area. Just a few days earlier, Israeli occupation forces demolished a mosque and threatened to demolish a Bedouin village at the Tubas District. Such an action make us question the ability of the current Greek Patriarch to defend the values of solidarity, compassion, peace and justice brought to this world by Our Lord Jesus Christ," the statement continued, asking the Palestinian Authority to "take strong action" against the church and "reevaluate its relationship with the Patriarchate, including boycotting entrance of the Greek Patriarch in Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations." Read more
..."The inauguration of an Israeli road in the Jordan Valley is another tool to further consolidate Israel’s settlement enterprise and control the area. Just a few days earlier, Israeli occupation forces demolished a mosque and threatened to demolish a Bedouin village at the Tubas District. Such an action make us question the ability of the current Greek Patriarch to defend the values of solidarity, compassion, peace and justice brought to this world by Our Lord Jesus Christ," the statement continued, asking the Palestinian Authority to "take strong action" against the church and "reevaluate its relationship with the Patriarchate, including boycotting entrance of the Greek Patriarch in Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations." Read more
Israeli forces abduct Hamas lawmaker
Press TV- Israeli military forces have arrested a member of the Palestinian Hamas movement during a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron).
Nayef Rajoub, 52, was detained in an overnight operation on Wednesday after Israeli troops broke into his house in Kariseh neighborhood, west of al-Khalil, The Palestinian Information Center reported.
A large number of Israeli troops cordoned off and ransacked Rajoub's house in pursuit of 'documents.' The Palestinian politician was reportedly taken to a military detention camp to be questioned. Read more
Nayef Rajoub, 52, was detained in an overnight operation on Wednesday after Israeli troops broke into his house in Kariseh neighborhood, west of al-Khalil, The Palestinian Information Center reported.
A large number of Israeli troops cordoned off and ransacked Rajoub's house in pursuit of 'documents.' The Palestinian politician was reportedly taken to a military detention camp to be questioned. Read more
Israeli troops open fire on Lebanon
Press TV- Israeli troops have opened fire on Lebanon from two border posts across the Lebanese southern border, a Lebanese security source says.
The machine gun fire came from Israeli positions near Shebaa Farms on the border between Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian land on Wednesday, dpa reported.
According to the source, the Wednesday shooting came from Israeli troops stationed in al-Sammaqa and Rwaisat al-Alam positions. No casualties have been reported. Read more
The machine gun fire came from Israeli positions near Shebaa Farms on the border between Lebanon, Syria and the occupied Palestinian land on Wednesday, dpa reported.
According to the source, the Wednesday shooting came from Israeli troops stationed in al-Sammaqa and Rwaisat al-Alam positions. No casualties have been reported. Read more
Noam Chomsky: WikiLeaks, farce of US democracy, and statement on Gaza
Democracy Now- In a national broadcast exclusive interview, we speak with world-renowned political dissident and linguist Noam Chomsky about the release of more than 250,000 secret U.S. State Department cables by WikiLeaks. In 1971, Chomsky helped government whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg release the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret internal U.S. account of the Vietnam War. Commenting on the revelations that several Arab leaders are urging the United States to attack Iran, Chomsky says, "latest polls show] Arab opinion holds that the major threat in the region is Israel, that’s 80 percent; the second threat is the United States, that’s 77 percent. Iran is listed as a threat by 10 percent," Chomsky says. "This may not be reported in the newspapers, but it’s certainly familiar to the Israeli and U.S. governments and the ambassadors. What this reveals is the profound hatred for democracy on the part of our political leadership." Read more
Israeli military court to hear appeal of Palestinian non-violent leader
The court will hear the Military prosecution's appeal to harshen Abdallah Abu Rahmah's sentence. Abu Rahmah was supposed to be released on November 18th, but was kept in detention to the military prosecution's request, despite having finished serving his term.
...Despite international outrage over the mishandling of Abu Rahmah, the prosecution openly argues that the sentence should be extended for political reasons, namely "to serve as deterrence not only to [Abu Rahmah] himself, but also to others who may follow in his footsteps." Abdallah Abu Rahmah served as the coordinator of the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, until his arrest last year. Such arguments by the prosecution expose the real motivation behind the countless arrests of anti-Wall organizers and activists recently, which is to squash the popular struggle movement in the West Bank.
...Despite international outrage over the mishandling of Abu Rahmah, the prosecution openly argues that the sentence should be extended for political reasons, namely "to serve as deterrence not only to [Abu Rahmah] himself, but also to others who may follow in his footsteps." Abdallah Abu Rahmah served as the coordinator of the Bil'in Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements, until his arrest last year. Such arguments by the prosecution expose the real motivation behind the countless arrests of anti-Wall organizers and activists recently, which is to squash the popular struggle movement in the West Bank.
Israeli independent film features women's recount of military service in occupied Palestinian territories
Link TV- Israel is the only country in the world where 18-year-old girls are drafted for compulsory military service. In the award-winning documentary To See If I Am Smiling, the frank testimonials of six female Israeli soldiers stationed in Gaza and the West Bank pack a powerful emotional punch. The young women revisit their tours of duty in the occupied territories with surprising honesty and strip bare stereotypes of gender differences in the military. The former soldiers share shocking moments of negligence, flippancy, immaturity and power-tripping as they describe atrocities they witnessed and participated in.
The psychological transformation that these young women underwent as a result of military service is both upsetting and riveting. The culture of war transforms people: personalities change, moral codes are subverted, values are supplanted and masks are constructed to dull the pain of what they did and didn't do in uniform. Read more
The psychological transformation that these young women underwent as a result of military service is both upsetting and riveting. The culture of war transforms people: personalities change, moral codes are subverted, values are supplanted and masks are constructed to dull the pain of what they did and didn't do in uniform. Read more
Israeli-government endorsed campaign attacks US-based news publication
Electronic Intifada- ...NGO Monitor's campaign of public defamation against The Electronic Intifada has focused on a grant the publication receives from the Dutch foundation ICCO. NGO Monitor has pressured the Dutch government, which subsidizes ICCO, to end its support for The Electronic Intifada. Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal has apparently already lent public credence to NGO Monitor's campaign against The Electronic Intifada, an independent publication established in February 2001 and read by thousands daily.
NGO Monitor's attack on The Electronic Intifada is part of a well-financed, Israeli-government endorsed effort to silence reporting about and criticism of Israel by attacking so-called "delegitimizers" -- those who speak about well-documented human rights abuses, support boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), or promote full equality for Palestinians. Last February, The Electronic Intifada reported that a leading Israeli think-tank had recommended a campaign of "sabotage" against Israel's critics as a matter of state policy ("Israel's new strategy: "sabotage" and "attack" the global justice movement," 16 February 2010). Read more
60 Israeli professionals speak out at violence against Palestinian children
Al-Awda News– On 24 November 2010, 60 prominent Israeli professionals sent a letter to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other senior officials raising their concerns about the violent treatment of Palestinian children at the hands of the authorities in occupied East Jerusalem.
China calls on Israel to immediately end all settlement activity in occupied Palestinian territory
Xinhua News- China on Tuesday called on Israel to immediately stop all settlement activity in the occupied Palestinian territory in order to revive the peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
The statement came as Wang Min, the Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at a two-day meeting of the UN General Assembly to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
..."Regrettably, because of the serious consequences of the Israeli settlement activity, the direct Palestinian-Israeli talks were brought to a complete standstill in less than a month after it was relaunched in early September, creating extensive concerns and anxiety in the international community," Wang said. Read more
The statement came as Wang Min, the Chinese deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, was taking the floor at a two-day meeting of the UN General Assembly to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.
..."Regrettably, because of the serious consequences of the Israeli settlement activity, the direct Palestinian-Israeli talks were brought to a complete standstill in less than a month after it was relaunched in early September, creating extensive concerns and anxiety in the international community," Wang said. Read more
Panel remembers British photojournalist shot dead by Israeli forces
Trolley News- Tom Hurndall, a young British photojournalist and peace worker, was shot in the head in Gaza in April 2003 whilst carrying Palestinian children to safety. He died nine months later in a London hospital. The book will contain Tom’s photographs in the weeks running up to his shooting, as well as his personal writing from his diaries and poems, and contains a preface by Robert Fisk.
The Middle East Journals of Tom Hurndall Panel talk to launch fundraising campaign
Friday 26th November 2010
Watch video of panel here:
The Middle East Journals of Tom Hurndall Panel talk to launch fundraising campaign
Friday 26th November 2010
Watch video of panel here:
Israeli Prime Minister's office working to ban funding of Israeli human rights organizations
Haaretz- The government of Israel is waging an aggressive campaign to suppress internal dissent. Most of its targets have been organizations operating in the occupied territories, and the campaigners would have us believe that they are acting in the interest of "national security." However, a closer look indicates that they are motivated by a general disrespect for the role of civil society in a democracy. Any NGO in the government's way seems to have become fair game; indeed, officials have even started calling refugee-aid groups a fifth column.
Civil servants are playing an increasingly active role in this effort. A notable example is Ron Dermer, chief of policy planning in the Prime Minister's Office, who led the charge this past summer to suppress any group that dared to advocate on behalf of Palestinian human rights or to question the Israel Defense Forces' conduct during the Gaza campaign.
Dermer, whose legislative initiative to ban funding of Israeli human rights organizations by allied governments stalled in September, has now passed the ball to a political ally: Prof. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor. This organization has now partnered with the Institute for Zionist Strategies, led by Israel Harel, a founder of the Gush Emunim settler movement.
Steinberg is savvier than Dermer. Instead of a ban, he advocates "funding transparency." Next Tuesday, he is organizing a Knesset conference to "debate" the issue. Israel's beleaguered human rights activists are bracing for yet another round of demonization and delegitimization.
...If Steinberg really cares about "transparency," why does he not begin in his own backyard? Breaking the Silence, a frequent subject of his organization's wrath, has financial reports for 2006-2008 posted on its Web site. NGO Monitor's site lists only one small U.S. charity as its current funder, providing no links for further information. The Institute for Zionist Strategies' site says nothing about its funding. Read more
Civil servants are playing an increasingly active role in this effort. A notable example is Ron Dermer, chief of policy planning in the Prime Minister's Office, who led the charge this past summer to suppress any group that dared to advocate on behalf of Palestinian human rights or to question the Israel Defense Forces' conduct during the Gaza campaign.
Dermer, whose legislative initiative to ban funding of Israeli human rights organizations by allied governments stalled in September, has now passed the ball to a political ally: Prof. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor. This organization has now partnered with the Institute for Zionist Strategies, led by Israel Harel, a founder of the Gush Emunim settler movement.
Steinberg is savvier than Dermer. Instead of a ban, he advocates "funding transparency." Next Tuesday, he is organizing a Knesset conference to "debate" the issue. Israel's beleaguered human rights activists are bracing for yet another round of demonization and delegitimization.
...If Steinberg really cares about "transparency," why does he not begin in his own backyard? Breaking the Silence, a frequent subject of his organization's wrath, has financial reports for 2006-2008 posted on its Web site. NGO Monitor's site lists only one small U.S. charity as its current funder, providing no links for further information. The Institute for Zionist Strategies' site says nothing about its funding. Read more
Hamas ready to put peace deal to vote
Press TV- The Islamic resistance movement of Hamas says it will accept a peace deal with Israel if the Palestinian nation approves any such accord in a referendum.
Palestinian democratically elected Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday Israel has no intention of giving the Palestinians a fully sovereign state and that peace with Israel was "impossible."
However, he stressed that if the Palestinian nation supports a future peace treaty with Israel, their decision will be honored and followed even if it is in conflict with the movement's "ideology and principles."
Haniyeh said the resistance movement will accept a peace deal with Israel only if the long-sought demands of the group are met.
"We accept a Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the land occupied in 1967 with al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a solution to the issue of refugees," Haniyeh told a press conference with foreign journalists in the Gaza Strip. Read more
Palestinian democratically elected Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh said on Wednesday Israel has no intention of giving the Palestinians a fully sovereign state and that peace with Israel was "impossible."
However, he stressed that if the Palestinian nation supports a future peace treaty with Israel, their decision will be honored and followed even if it is in conflict with the movement's "ideology and principles."
Haniyeh said the resistance movement will accept a peace deal with Israel only if the long-sought demands of the group are met.
"We accept a Palestinian state with full sovereignty on the land occupied in 1967 with al-Quds (Jerusalem) as its capital, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a solution to the issue of refugees," Haniyeh told a press conference with foreign journalists in the Gaza Strip. Read more
Former British MP criticizes Canadian government support of Israel
The Link- Former British MP George Galloway criticized the Harper government’s support of what he called the Israeli siege of Palestine in front of a packed house at Montreal’s Université de Québec à Montréal last Wednesday.
Galloway’s speech, entitled “Free Palestine. Free Afghanistan. Free Speech,” was originally meant to be part of a five-city tour before the former MP was banned from coming to Canada in 2009, an issue that Galloway addressed with humour.
...Canadians, Galloway said, should stop treating Israel like a “legitimate member of the international community and start treating it like the international rogue terrorist state that it has become.”
Nearly two million Palestinians have been pushed from their home and currently live in the “open-air concentration camp” in the Gaza strip, said Galloway. Read more
Galloway’s speech, entitled “Free Palestine. Free Afghanistan. Free Speech,” was originally meant to be part of a five-city tour before the former MP was banned from coming to Canada in 2009, an issue that Galloway addressed with humour.
...Canadians, Galloway said, should stop treating Israel like a “legitimate member of the international community and start treating it like the international rogue terrorist state that it has become.”
Nearly two million Palestinians have been pushed from their home and currently live in the “open-air concentration camp” in the Gaza strip, said Galloway. Read more
Israel's reaction to 'War Criminals' website similar to US reaction to Wikileaks, avoiding the real issue
Redress- Gilad Atzmon argues that the publication of the names and other details of 200 Israeli war crimes suspects who participated in the onslaught against Gaza in 2008-09 is a clear warning that every Israeli complicit in this and other outrages, and not just senior commanders and leaders, is liable for the crimes committed by the state and its army.
But it goes further. More and more Israeli soldiers of all ranks are directly involved in an endless list of crimes: some stop pregnant women from receiving urgent medical attention , while others drop bombs on populated neighbourhoods; some use children as human shields, while a few perform executions of peace activists. And others just feed the cannons with white phosphorus shells.
One may also find it strange that in the so-called “only democracy in the Middle East” a list of 200 suspected war criminals is leaked – and the entire media is chasing a whistleblower instead of engaging with the real story. It shows clearly a society that is rapidly drifting away from any form of recognition of international law, let alone ethical awareness. Read more
But it goes further. More and more Israeli soldiers of all ranks are directly involved in an endless list of crimes: some stop pregnant women from receiving urgent medical attention , while others drop bombs on populated neighbourhoods; some use children as human shields, while a few perform executions of peace activists. And others just feed the cannons with white phosphorus shells.
One may also find it strange that in the so-called “only democracy in the Middle East” a list of 200 suspected war criminals is leaked – and the entire media is chasing a whistleblower instead of engaging with the real story. It shows clearly a society that is rapidly drifting away from any form of recognition of international law, let alone ethical awareness. Read more
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