Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Is there life after democracy?
Contributed by FUBAR
By Arundhati Roy
Sunday, 05 Jul, 2009
"While we’re still arguing about whether there’s life after death, can we add another question to the cart? Is there life after democracy? What sort of life will it be? By democracy I don’t mean democracy as an ideal or an aspiration. I mean the working model: Western liberal democracy, and its variants, such as they are.
So, is there life after democracy?......
The question here, really, is what have we done to democracy? What have we turned it into? What happens once democracy has been used up? When it has been hollowed out and emptied of meaning? What happens when each of its institutions has metastasised into something dangerous? What happens now that democracy and the Free Market have fused into a single predatory organism with a thin, constricted imagination that revolves almost entirely around the idea of maximising profit? Is it possible to reverse this process? Can something that has mutated go back to being what it used to be?....."
By Arundhati Roy
Sunday, 05 Jul, 2009
"While we’re still arguing about whether there’s life after death, can we add another question to the cart? Is there life after democracy? What sort of life will it be? By democracy I don’t mean democracy as an ideal or an aspiration. I mean the working model: Western liberal democracy, and its variants, such as they are.
So, is there life after democracy?......
The question here, really, is what have we done to democracy? What have we turned it into? What happens once democracy has been used up? When it has been hollowed out and emptied of meaning? What happens when each of its institutions has metastasised into something dangerous? What happens now that democracy and the Free Market have fused into a single predatory organism with a thin, constricted imagination that revolves almost entirely around the idea of maximising profit? Is it possible to reverse this process? Can something that has mutated go back to being what it used to be?....."
Vietnam War Architect Robert McNamara Dies at 93: A Look at His Legacy With Howard Zinn, Marilyn Young & Jonathan Schell
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara has died at the age of 93. McNamara was one of the key architects of the Vietnam war, which killed at least three million Vietnamese, around one million Cambodians and Laotians, and 58,000 American soldiers. We take a look at McNamara’s legacy with two pre-eminent historians: Howard Zinn and Marilyn Young. We also speak with Jonathan Schell, who covered Vietnam as a reporter in 1967 and met with McNamara in a secret Pentagon meeting...."
With Amy Goodman
"Former Defense Secretary Robert McNamara has died at the age of 93. McNamara was one of the key architects of the Vietnam war, which killed at least three million Vietnamese, around one million Cambodians and Laotians, and 58,000 American soldiers. We take a look at McNamara’s legacy with two pre-eminent historians: Howard Zinn and Marilyn Young. We also speak with Jonathan Schell, who covered Vietnam as a reporter in 1967 and met with McNamara in a secret Pentagon meeting...."
McNamara: From the Tokyo Firestorm to the World Bank
May He Rest in Darkness
By ALEXANDER COCKBURN
CounterPunch
"Robert McNamara, who died yesterday, July 6, served as Kennedy’s , then as Johnson’s defense secretary. He contributed more than most to the slaughter of 3.4 million Vietnamese (his own estimate). He went on to run the World Bank, where he presided over the impoverishment, eviction from their lands and death of many millions more round the world.
Just as George Kennan, one of the architects of the Cold War, helped bolt together the ramshackle scaffolding of bogus claims that provided the rationalization for Harry Truman’s great “arms scare” in 1948, launching the postwar arms race, McNamara tugged his forelock and said “Aye, aye, Sir” when Kennedy, campaigning against Nxon in the late 1950s attacked the Eisenhower/Nixon administration for having allowed a “missile gap” to develop that had now delivered America naked and helpless into the grip of the Soviet Union.
This was the biggest lie in the history of threat inflation and remains so to this day....."
By ALEXANDER COCKBURN
CounterPunch
"Robert McNamara, who died yesterday, July 6, served as Kennedy’s , then as Johnson’s defense secretary. He contributed more than most to the slaughter of 3.4 million Vietnamese (his own estimate). He went on to run the World Bank, where he presided over the impoverishment, eviction from their lands and death of many millions more round the world.
Just as George Kennan, one of the architects of the Cold War, helped bolt together the ramshackle scaffolding of bogus claims that provided the rationalization for Harry Truman’s great “arms scare” in 1948, launching the postwar arms race, McNamara tugged his forelock and said “Aye, aye, Sir” when Kennedy, campaigning against Nxon in the late 1950s attacked the Eisenhower/Nixon administration for having allowed a “missile gap” to develop that had now delivered America naked and helpless into the grip of the Soviet Union.
This was the biggest lie in the history of threat inflation and remains so to this day....."
The Honduras Coup: Is Obama Innocent?
By Michael Parenti
Is President Obama innocent of the events occurring in Honduras, specifically the coup launched by the Honduran military resulting in the abduction and forced deportation of democratically elected President Manuel Zelaya? Obama has denounced the coup and demanded that the rules of democracy be honored. Still, several troubling questions remain.
First, almost all the senior Honduran military officers active in the coup are graduates of the Pentagon's School of the Americas (known to many of us as "School of the Assassins"). The Honduran military is trained, advised, equipped, indoctrinated, and financed by the United States national security state. The generals would never have dared to move without tacit consent from the White House or the Pentagon and CIA.
Second, if Obama was not directly involved, then he should be faulted for having no firm command over those US operatives who were. The US military must have known about the plot and US military intelligence must have known and must have reported it back to Washington. Why did Obama's people who had communicated with the coup leaders fail to blow the whistle on them? Why did they not expose and denounce the plot, thereby possibly foiling the entire venture? Instead the US kept quiet about it, a silence that in effect, even if not in intent, served as an act of complicity.
Sixth, as James Petras reminded me, Obama has refused to meet with President Zelaya. He dislikes Zelaya mostly for his close and unexpected affiliation with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. And because of his egalitarian reformist efforts Zelaya is hated by the Honduran oligarchs, the same oligarchs who for many years have been close to and splendidly served by the US empire builders.
As president, Obama has considerable influence and immense resources that might well have thwarted the perpetrators and perhaps could still be applied against them with real effect. As of now his stance on Honduras is too little too late, as is the case with too many other things he does.
Statue of Liberty, by Leon Kuhn
My First Recession [A Cartoon From Australia]
Hamas' choice: Recognition or resistance in the age of Obama
Ali Abunimah, The Electronic Intifada, 6 July 2009
"....This is the dilemma that every Palestinian leadership, and perhaps almost every liberation movement, has eventually had to confront. It is a choice, as political scientist Tamim Barghouti has pointed out, between recognition and legitimacy.....
Some Palestinians worry that despite such assurances, Hamas has already set off down the very path Meshal warned about and risks squandering the sacrifices Palestinians made, especially in Gaza. Haidar Eid, an independent analyst in Gaza, wrote before Meshal's speech that some of the early enthusiastic Hamas responses to Obama's Cairo speech, as well as acceptance of the two-state solution, indicated "the beginning of a process of deterioration -- even Osloization -- not only in rhetoric, but also in action." This writer has heard similar fears voiced by Palestinians from the West Bank and recently in Amman. Given that many Palestinians consider that a previous generation of resistance leaders turned their backs on their people's most fundamental interests and rights -- all the while claiming to uphold them -- such fears are far from irrational or uncommon....... "
"....This is the dilemma that every Palestinian leadership, and perhaps almost every liberation movement, has eventually had to confront. It is a choice, as political scientist Tamim Barghouti has pointed out, between recognition and legitimacy.....
Some Palestinians worry that despite such assurances, Hamas has already set off down the very path Meshal warned about and risks squandering the sacrifices Palestinians made, especially in Gaza. Haidar Eid, an independent analyst in Gaza, wrote before Meshal's speech that some of the early enthusiastic Hamas responses to Obama's Cairo speech, as well as acceptance of the two-state solution, indicated "the beginning of a process of deterioration -- even Osloization -- not only in rhetoric, but also in action." This writer has heard similar fears voiced by Palestinians from the West Bank and recently in Amman. Given that many Palestinians consider that a previous generation of resistance leaders turned their backs on their people's most fundamental interests and rights -- all the while claiming to uphold them -- such fears are far from irrational or uncommon....... "
Video: Dennis Ross Moving to the White House
US Occupation of Iraq Continues Unabated
by Dahr Jamail
t r u t h o u t
""Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind."
- George Orwell
On July 4 in Baghdad, Vice President Joe Biden, who campaigned with Barack Obama on a platform of ending the occupation of Iraq, found himself in one of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's lavish buildings, the Al-Faw Palace. While one of Saddam Hussein's thrones sat on the side of the room, Biden presided over a swearing-in ceremony for 237 soldiers, who were becoming US citizens. Speaking of the ceremony, Biden said, "We did it in Saddam's palace, and I can think of nothing better. That S.O.B. is rolling over in his grave right now." Perhaps the irony of both the scene and his statement were lost to Biden. For if Saddam Hussein was rolling in his grave, the reason would have less to do with one of his palaces being used as a naturalization center for US soldiers, and more to do with the fact that the US government has no intention of withdrawing from Iraq anytime soon......."
'أولياء الفقيه' العرب
'أولياء الفقيه' العرب
عبد الباري عطوان
" من يتابع تصريحات المسؤولين الأمريكيين، والتحركات الاسرائيلية العسكرية المكثفة هذه الأيام يخرج بانطباع مفاده ان خطة عسكرية تتبلور بشكل متسارع لشن حرب ضد ايران، ومن غير المستبعد ان تكون 'ساعة الصفر' قد تحددت في هذا الاطار.واللافت ان التصعيد الامريكي الاسرائيلي المفاجئ، الذي جاء بعد صمت استمر حوالى الشهرين، يتزامن مع انحسار 'الانتفاضة المخملية' التي تفجرت فور اعلان فوز السيد محمود أحمدي نجاد لفترة رئاسية ثانية في الانتخابات الاخيرة، وهزيمة خصومه 'الاصلاحيين' برئاسة السيد مير حسين موسوي.من الواضح أن الادارة الامريكية كانت تراهن على هذه 'الانتفاضة' للقيام بعملية تقويض للنظام الايراني من الداخل، مما يوفر عليها أعباء الغزو الخارجي باهظ التكاليف ماديا وبشريا واستراتيجيا،
.......
إننا امام مفترق صعب، والأيام الحالية وما تشهده من تسريبات اعلامية، ومبالغات في القدرات النووية الايرانية، وتضخيم لملفات حقوق الانسان وانتهاكاتها في طهران، كلها تذكرنا بالفترة التي سبقت غزو العراق، والتحضيرات النفسية، والتعبئة الشعبية لتبريره وبالتالي دعمه.
يبدو ان 'الولي الفقيه' العربي السني قرر ان يقف مع الحلفاء الامريكيين في هذه الحرب ضد ايران، مثلما ساندهم في حربهم السابقة ضد العراق، ونتنياهو لم يكن يتحدث من فراغ، عندما اكد في خطابه الذي ألقاه رداً على خطاب اوباما، ان هناك قلقاً اسرائيلياً عربياً مشتركاً من تنامي القدرات النووية الايرانية، وحث 'اصدقاءه' العرب على التعاون معه لتدمير هذه القدرات التي جعلها على قمة اولويات حكومته.
انها ليست 'زلة لسان' عندما نقول بـ'الولي الفقيه' العربي السني. فجميع حكامنا العرب 'اولياء فقيه'، فهناك اكثر من اربعة زعماء عرب يحكمون بلادهم منذ ثلاثين عاماً او اكثر، وهي عمر الثورة الايرانية، والفارق بينهم وبين الولي الفقيه الايراني، غير الحكم بالشريعة، ان الأخير بنى دولة عظمى، وطور قدرات عسكرية هائلة، وكرس قرار بلاده المستقل، وبنى دولة مؤسسات، واحتكم الى صناديق الاقتراع.
فماذا قدم 'اولياء الفقيه' العرب لشعوبهم؟ الاجابة تترك لهذه الشعوب.
"
"Could you please have AIPAC support my son inheriting my Pharaonic rule? I know that Washington listens to what AIPAC recommends."
Monday, July 06, 2009
A Great Cartoon by Khalil Bendib: Free Gaza
(Click on cartoon to enlarge)
You see why Khalil is one of my favorite cartoonists.....
"Malcolm's House Negro versus Field Negro" -- You've got that right, Khalil!
MALCOLM X: THE HOUSE NEGRO AND THE FIELD NEGRO
Go.....Cynthia!
John Pilger on Honduras, Iran, Gaza, the Corporate Media, Obama’s Wars and Resisting the American Empire
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Award-winning investigative journalist and documentary filmmaker, John Pilger, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on on Honduras, Iran, Gaza, the media, health care, and Obama’s wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Pilger has has written close to a dozen books and made over 50 documentaries on a range of subjects including struggles around the world for a more just and peaceful society and against Western military and economic intervention....."
Israel Calls on Ultra-Orthodox Jews to Stop "Arab Takeover"
The Racism of Minister Atias
By JONATHAN COOK
CounterPunch
Nazareth.
"Israel’s housing minister called for strict segregation between the country’s Jewish and Arab populations last week as he unveiled plans to move large numbers of fundamentalist religious Jews to Israel’s north to prevent what he described as an “Arab takeover” of the region.
Ariel Atias said he considered it a “national mission” to bring ultra-Orthodox Jews -- or Haredim, distinctive for their formal black and white clothing -- into Arab areas, and announced that he would also create the north’s first exclusively Haredi town.
The new settlement drive, according to Mr Atias, is intended to revive previous failed efforts by the state to “Judaize”, or create a Jewish majority in, the country’s heavily Arab north......"
By JONATHAN COOK
CounterPunch
Nazareth.
"Israel’s housing minister called for strict segregation between the country’s Jewish and Arab populations last week as he unveiled plans to move large numbers of fundamentalist religious Jews to Israel’s north to prevent what he described as an “Arab takeover” of the region.
Ariel Atias said he considered it a “national mission” to bring ultra-Orthodox Jews -- or Haredim, distinctive for their formal black and white clothing -- into Arab areas, and announced that he would also create the north’s first exclusively Haredi town.
The new settlement drive, according to Mr Atias, is intended to revive previous failed efforts by the state to “Judaize”, or create a Jewish majority in, the country’s heavily Arab north......"
Cynthia McKinney and the Kidnapping of the Spirit of Humanity
Another Israeli Violation of International Norms
By FRANKLIN LAMB
CounterPunch
"....“Don’t sign Miss Cynthia don’t sign!” So chanted a boisterous group of Palestinian teens and pre-teens in Beirut’s Shatila Refugee Camp demonstrating support for the Freegaza Humanity boat abductees on the 4th of July.
The students understood that those illegally arrested while in International waters had been offered a “get out of Jail Free” pass if they confessed in writing to violating Israel’s territorial waters......
Cynthia Mckinney, without support from her own government, stood up for the principals on which her country was founded 233 years ago and spent Independence Day inside a foreign jail. All people of peace and good will salute her and her colleagues who sailed the Freegaza Spirit of Humanity with the universal message of self determination."
By FRANKLIN LAMB
CounterPunch
"....“Don’t sign Miss Cynthia don’t sign!” So chanted a boisterous group of Palestinian teens and pre-teens in Beirut’s Shatila Refugee Camp demonstrating support for the Freegaza Humanity boat abductees on the 4th of July.
The students understood that those illegally arrested while in International waters had been offered a “get out of Jail Free” pass if they confessed in writing to violating Israel’s territorial waters......
Cynthia Mckinney, without support from her own government, stood up for the principals on which her country was founded 233 years ago and spent Independence Day inside a foreign jail. All people of peace and good will salute her and her colleagues who sailed the Freegaza Spirit of Humanity with the universal message of self determination."
Real News Video: Full Spectrum Dominance
William Engdahl on his book Full Spectrum Dominance: Totalitarian Democracy in the New World Order
Group of Almost 100 US Activists Hoping to Bring Aid to Gaza Strip Arrive in Egypt
"CAIRO — About 100 U.S. activists arrived in Egypt Sunday on their way to Gaza, hoping to deliver medical aid, trucks and support for lifting a 2-year old Israeli-Egyptian blockade of the territory.
activists are part of a charity group called "Viva Palestina" that aims to send a convoy of at least 200 people - all Americans - to Gaza by July 13. If their convoy is allowed to proceed, it would mark one of the largest groups of U.S. activists to reach the strip since the Islamic militant group Hamas wrestled control of the territory from its rival Fatah in 2007.
Following the takeover, Egypt and Israel sealed their borders with the seaside territory, allowing in only a trickle of commercial goods and humanitarian aid......"
activists are part of a charity group called "Viva Palestina" that aims to send a convoy of at least 200 people - all Americans - to Gaza by July 13. If their convoy is allowed to proceed, it would mark one of the largest groups of U.S. activists to reach the strip since the Islamic militant group Hamas wrestled control of the territory from its rival Fatah in 2007.
Following the takeover, Egypt and Israel sealed their borders with the seaside territory, allowing in only a trickle of commercial goods and humanitarian aid......"
The Honduran Drama
Never a dull moment
by Justin Raimondo, July 06, 2009
".....Since the Honduran constitution forbids a president from succeeding himself or herself, Zelaya’s name would not even be on the ballot in the November election. How, then, could he have extended his term? Answer: He couldn’t, and, furthermore, he had no intention of doing so.
What’s happening in this poverty-stricken Central American banana republic is a lot more complex than a mere attempt by a self-interested politician to stay in office. The country is beset by multiple crises, all too many of which can be traced directly back to its longtime ally and big brother, the U.S. government.
For decades, Washington nurtured the coup-happy Honduran military, training its officers at the notorious School of the Americas and – during the Reagan years – using the country as a base for operations against Nicaragua’s Sandinista government......"
by Justin Raimondo, July 06, 2009
".....Since the Honduran constitution forbids a president from succeeding himself or herself, Zelaya’s name would not even be on the ballot in the November election. How, then, could he have extended his term? Answer: He couldn’t, and, furthermore, he had no intention of doing so.
What’s happening in this poverty-stricken Central American banana republic is a lot more complex than a mere attempt by a self-interested politician to stay in office. The country is beset by multiple crises, all too many of which can be traced directly back to its longtime ally and big brother, the U.S. government.
For decades, Washington nurtured the coup-happy Honduran military, training its officers at the notorious School of the Americas and – during the Reagan years – using the country as a base for operations against Nicaragua’s Sandinista government......"
PA uses foreign aid to scuttle human rights, civil liberties
By Khalid Amayreh in the West Bank
"On 11 June, members of the Palestinian security agencies detained Haitham Amr, a resident of the small village of Beit al-Rush, 25 kilometers south west of Hebron .
Two days later, Amr, 32 and father of three small children, was found dead in his cell at the Mukhabarat (General Intelligence) headquarters in downtown Hebron .
Amr apparently died after he was subjected to an unusually harsh session of torture resulting in a massive internal bleeding.
At first, PA security officials claimed that Amr had jumped from the second floor of the building in an attempt to escape. However, the claim seemed to have been totally concocted and contained no iota of truth.
The PA did carry out an autopsy on Amr’s body at al-Quds University Medical College immediately after his death. However, the forensic report has not been made public, despite the passage of nearly one month after the incident........
The western rationale for keeping the PA afloat, at least financially, is ostensibly to prepare for the creation of a Palestinian state.
However, it is obvious that the West is actually helping create a police state, and in the Palestinian case, a police state without a state, an entity that very much looks like a graveyard for human rights, civil liberties and simple human decency......"
"On 11 June, members of the Palestinian security agencies detained Haitham Amr, a resident of the small village of Beit al-Rush, 25 kilometers south west of Hebron .
Two days later, Amr, 32 and father of three small children, was found dead in his cell at the Mukhabarat (General Intelligence) headquarters in downtown Hebron .
Amr apparently died after he was subjected to an unusually harsh session of torture resulting in a massive internal bleeding.
At first, PA security officials claimed that Amr had jumped from the second floor of the building in an attempt to escape. However, the claim seemed to have been totally concocted and contained no iota of truth.
The PA did carry out an autopsy on Amr’s body at al-Quds University Medical College immediately after his death. However, the forensic report has not been made public, despite the passage of nearly one month after the incident........
The western rationale for keeping the PA afloat, at least financially, is ostensibly to prepare for the creation of a Palestinian state.
However, it is obvious that the West is actually helping create a police state, and in the Palestinian case, a police state without a state, an entity that very much looks like a graveyard for human rights, civil liberties and simple human decency......"
The Crooks Get Cash While the Poor Get Screwed
By Chris Hedges
"If you have defrauded banks and customers and investment firms of billions of dollars, as AIG or Citibank has, you get taxpayer money. If you are moral scum in America we take care of you. But if you are poor, if you are, say, Tearyan Brown of Trenton, N.J., you are in trouble......."
"If you have defrauded banks and customers and investment firms of billions of dollars, as AIG or Citibank has, you get taxpayer money. If you are moral scum in America we take care of you. But if you are poor, if you are, say, Tearyan Brown of Trenton, N.J., you are in trouble......."
Cry for the prisoners, express your outrage
Monday, 06 July 2009 08:59
The Free Gaza Movement
"There are 11,000 Palestinian prisoners, many without benefit of trial, many in prison for years without being able to see their families. Israel outdoes the U.S. in torture, imprisonment and brutality...."
"We are NOT the Story, Its Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers.
Palestine, the world's largest openair prison- episode 5
The kidnapping of 21 international human rights workers attempting to deliver needed aid to a besieged people is an outrage, but it is hardly an isolated one.
Since its founding in 1948 the State of Israel has regularly kidnapped and tortured Palestinians, throwing them into forgotten prisons where they can languish for years. Today, over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners without benefit of due process, some never even charged - men, women, and children endure torture and isolation in Israeli jails, outdoor prison camps, and secret black sites. They come from all walks of life: doctors, journalists, parliamentarians, workers, resistance fighters, homemakers, students and others. They are our sisters and brothers.
From the first night, the Free Gaza 21 have been busy trying to get news out of the prison about the illegality of Israel's actions in relation to themselves and the other inmates inside Ramle Prison who have no voice.
Palestine, the world's largest open air prison are 5 episodes videos showing the actual prison like situation of Palestine. Edited by the Free Gaza Movement are available in ENGLISH, ITALIAN, FRENCH and SPANISH. PLEASE SEE PLAYLISTS TITLED IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE. "
The Free Gaza Movement
"There are 11,000 Palestinian prisoners, many without benefit of trial, many in prison for years without being able to see their families. Israel outdoes the U.S. in torture, imprisonment and brutality...."
"We are NOT the Story, Its Not Just Our 21 Kidnapped Passengers.
Palestine, the world's largest openair prison- episode 5
The kidnapping of 21 international human rights workers attempting to deliver needed aid to a besieged people is an outrage, but it is hardly an isolated one.
Since its founding in 1948 the State of Israel has regularly kidnapped and tortured Palestinians, throwing them into forgotten prisons where they can languish for years. Today, over 11,000 Palestinian political prisoners without benefit of due process, some never even charged - men, women, and children endure torture and isolation in Israeli jails, outdoor prison camps, and secret black sites. They come from all walks of life: doctors, journalists, parliamentarians, workers, resistance fighters, homemakers, students and others. They are our sisters and brothers.
From the first night, the Free Gaza 21 have been busy trying to get news out of the prison about the illegality of Israel's actions in relation to themselves and the other inmates inside Ramle Prison who have no voice.
Palestine, the world's largest open air prison are 5 episodes videos showing the actual prison like situation of Palestine. Edited by the Free Gaza Movement are available in ENGLISH, ITALIAN, FRENCH and SPANISH. PLEASE SEE PLAYLISTS TITLED IN THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE. "
Biden Says US Won't Stand in Israel's Way on Iran, Tehran Warns
Al-Manar
"06/07/2009 US Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview broadcast Sunday that the United States would not stand in the way of Israel in its dealings with Iran's nuclear program.
"Israel can determine for itself -- it's a sovereign nation -- what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else," Biden told ABC television's "This Week." "Whether we agree or not. They're entitled to do that... We cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do when they make a determination, if they make a determination, that they're existentially threatened.".....
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official, reacting to Biden’s comments, on Monday said his country would respond "in a very full-scale and very decisive way" if it were attacked by Israel......"That kind of erroneous judgment poses a threat to the entire Middle Eastern region and the world." He added: "If (an Israeli attack) occurred, then the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond in a very full-scale and very decisive way.""
"06/07/2009 US Vice President Joe Biden said in an interview broadcast Sunday that the United States would not stand in the way of Israel in its dealings with Iran's nuclear program.
"Israel can determine for itself -- it's a sovereign nation -- what's in their interest and what they decide to do relative to Iran and anyone else," Biden told ABC television's "This Week." "Whether we agree or not. They're entitled to do that... We cannot dictate to another sovereign nation what they can and cannot do when they make a determination, if they make a determination, that they're existentially threatened.".....
Meanwhile, a senior Iranian official, reacting to Biden’s comments, on Monday said his country would respond "in a very full-scale and very decisive way" if it were attacked by Israel......"That kind of erroneous judgment poses a threat to the entire Middle Eastern region and the world." He added: "If (an Israeli attack) occurred, then the Islamic Republic of Iran will respond in a very full-scale and very decisive way.""
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Hiyam, a Gaza teenager killed as she offered aid
Rami Almeghari writing from the occupied Gaza Strip, Live from Palestine, 5 July 2009
"Thursday was as normal and quiet an afternoon as you get in Johr al-Deek village in the central Gaza Strip. "Prepare yourself for I will be taking you to the dentist in half an hour," Salim Abu Ayish recalled telling his 17-year-old daughter Hiyam.
Moments later everything changed. "At 5:30 PM an Israeli shell landed on my brother's house," the father told visitors who had come to offer condolences for his daughter at the family's home on Friday. The shell injured a nephew and Salim Abu Ayish rushed to render aid.
"I asked Hiyam to bring me the car key from my bedroom," Salim Abu Ayish said. As she went, he recalled, "suddenly another shell struck my room, killing Hiyam instantly, as shrapnel rippled through her body. I was injured with some of the shrapnel in my back and my neck."......"
Al-Jazeera Video: Gaza activist talks to Al Jazeera from Israeli jail - 4 Jul 09
"The Israeli prison guards are denying the right for Mairead to access her medicine. Continue to email and call Mark Regev and Shlomo Dror and express your outrage over the treatment of the FreeGaza21 while they are imprisoned. The women have no access to their luggage or their clothing.
Mairead is fasting, not just for her friends incarcerated along with her, but for the 11,000 Palestinians also thrown into jail, many without benefit of trial.
Hear her eloquent interview with Al Jazeera.."
"Fourteen people remain in custody after an aid ship bound for Gaza was seized by the Israeli navy on Tuesday. Among them are a nobel peace prize winner, and two Al Jazeera journalists. The Free Gaza movement sent the ship loaded with humanitarian supplies from Cyprus, in defiance of Israel's crippling 2-year blockade.
Mairead Maguire, a peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke to us from inside Tel Aviv's Ramla Givon high security prison."
Mairead is fasting, not just for her friends incarcerated along with her, but for the 11,000 Palestinians also thrown into jail, many without benefit of trial.
Hear her eloquent interview with Al Jazeera.."
"Fourteen people remain in custody after an aid ship bound for Gaza was seized by the Israeli navy on Tuesday. Among them are a nobel peace prize winner, and two Al Jazeera journalists. The Free Gaza movement sent the ship loaded with humanitarian supplies from Cyprus, in defiance of Israel's crippling 2-year blockade.
Mairead Maguire, a peace activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner spoke to us from inside Tel Aviv's Ramla Givon high security prison."
The Israeli Idea of a 'Palestinian State'
By Saree Makdisi
Palestine Chronicle
Palestine Chronicle
"To judge by the next day’s headlines, Benjamin Netanyahu's policy speech last month was a great success. "Israeli Premier Backs State for Palestinians," declared the New York Times. "Israel Endorses Two-State Goal," said the Washington Post. "Netanyahu Backs Palestinian State," announced The Guardian.
He did no such thing, of course, unless by “state” one understands an amorphous entity lacking a definite territory, not allowed to control its own borders or airspace, shorn of any vestige of sovereignty (other than a flag and perhaps a national anthem), not allowed to enter into treaties with other states—and permanently disarmed and hence at the mercy of Israel......
The key moment in the speech came when he said that “the truth is that in the area of our homeland, in the heart of our Jewish Homeland, now lives a large population of Palestinians.” This attitude comes straight out of the primitive racialism and imaginary civilizational hierarchies of the nineteenth century. The Jews are a people with a homeland and hence they have a right to a state; the Palestinians are not a people at all, or certainly not one of the same order. They are merely a collection of vagabonds and trespassers intruding on the Jewish Homeland......"
He did no such thing, of course, unless by “state” one understands an amorphous entity lacking a definite territory, not allowed to control its own borders or airspace, shorn of any vestige of sovereignty (other than a flag and perhaps a national anthem), not allowed to enter into treaties with other states—and permanently disarmed and hence at the mercy of Israel......
The key moment in the speech came when he said that “the truth is that in the area of our homeland, in the heart of our Jewish Homeland, now lives a large population of Palestinians.” This attitude comes straight out of the primitive racialism and imaginary civilizational hierarchies of the nineteenth century. The Jews are a people with a homeland and hence they have a right to a state; the Palestinians are not a people at all, or certainly not one of the same order. They are merely a collection of vagabonds and trespassers intruding on the Jewish Homeland......"
A man of brutality and arrogance who knew how to play to American suspicions
By Patrick Cockburn
"The Saddam Hussein interviews are interesting for what they reveal and what they conceal. Probably right up to the end, Saddam was talking up the Iranian threat to Iraq, knowing that this would confirm American suspicions of Iran. The Iraqi leader would recall that a joint front against Iran had been the basis of Iraqi-American co-operation in the 1980s.....
The anti-Iranian theme is constant throughout, and no doubt Saddam believed it as well as saying it out of political calculation. Of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, he says: "Khomeini and Iran would have occupied all of the Arab world if it had not been for Iraq."
But US intelligence documents about Iraqi intentions in 1980 show Saddam Hussein and other leaders launching a surprise attack on Iran because they thought it was militarily weak following the Iranian revolution of 1979. In a disastrous miscalculation they believed the war would be over soon and they would win back territorial concessions they had made to the Shah in 1975......
Saddam Hussein's failing was not stupidity, but arrogance and brutality and this impression is confirmed by these interviews. He was a man of intelligence who came to believe that he had semi-divine attributes."
"The Saddam Hussein interviews are interesting for what they reveal and what they conceal. Probably right up to the end, Saddam was talking up the Iranian threat to Iraq, knowing that this would confirm American suspicions of Iran. The Iraqi leader would recall that a joint front against Iran had been the basis of Iraqi-American co-operation in the 1980s.....
The anti-Iranian theme is constant throughout, and no doubt Saddam believed it as well as saying it out of political calculation. Of the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, he says: "Khomeini and Iran would have occupied all of the Arab world if it had not been for Iraq."
But US intelligence documents about Iraqi intentions in 1980 show Saddam Hussein and other leaders launching a surprise attack on Iran because they thought it was militarily weak following the Iranian revolution of 1979. In a disastrous miscalculation they believed the war would be over soon and they would win back territorial concessions they had made to the Shah in 1975......
Saddam Hussein's failing was not stupidity, but arrogance and brutality and this impression is confirmed by these interviews. He was a man of intelligence who came to believe that he had semi-divine attributes."
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
This poll asks:
Who do you support in the current Somali conflict, the government or the opposition?
With over 600 responding so far (it is early), 54% supported the opposition.
Who do you support in the current Somali conflict, the government or the opposition?
With over 600 responding so far (it is early), 54% supported the opposition.
حول ما يجري بعد الحرب
"- أثناء كل حرب سجلت فيها المقاومة صمودا هَزَمَ العدوانَ وأفشل أهدافَه كانت الناس تخرج للتظاهر تضامنا، مجترحة تعبيرات غير مسبوقة عن الغضب على إسرائيل وعلى العجز العربي. وأمل البعض أن يتحوَّل هذا المزاج الشعبي إلى إعصار، أو يستقر على الأقل كحالة دائمة من التضامن مع المقاومة ورفض التسوية. وفي كل مرة يثبت أمر آخر تماما. فالناس تعود إلى أشغالها، وهذا طبيعي. والجمهور لا يحترف التظاهر. تسييس حركة الاحتجاج هو ضمان ديمومتها. ولا يمكن تسييسها في غياب المشاريع السياسية الحاملة لأفكار المقاومة سوية مع هموم المواطن من ضمن مشروعها للنهوض بالأمة..
......
ونحن نعرف من سلوك الأنظمة مع شعوبها وقادة الطوائف مع أبناء طوائفهم والطوائف الأخرى من أبناء بلدهم بعض الأمور عن مدى حساسيتهم لمعاناة البشر. فهل يمكن أن تكون لدى هؤلاء حساسية فعلا لمعاناة الفلسطينيين؟
ترتبط ردود فعل القوى السياسية بما فيها الدول على الوقائع بموقفها السياسي وزاوية نظرها المختلفة بقدر ما ترتبط بالوقائع ذاتها. فبالنسبة لمن دعم في حينه حرب العراق على إيران لم تعن معاناة العراقيين والإيرانيين شيئا، ولم تنعت وسائل الإعلام العربية الداعمة مقتل مئات الآلاف في حرب عبثية بأنه إبادة شعوب، بل غضَّت النظر حين كان موقفها داعما للحرب التي كلّفت بعضُ أيّامها عشرات آلاف الضحايا.
وكذلك الأمر إبان العدوان الأميركي واحتلال العراق، لقد غضّت النظر عن حجم المعاناة الناجمة عن التدخل الأميركي بدايةً، أي حين كان الهدف إسقاط نظام العراق وضرب هذه الدولة (التي سقطت لأنها لا تملك سلاحا نوويا وليس لأنها تملك سلاحا كهذا).
يتم تحدي خصوم المقاومة بالصمود وتخفيف الآلام لا تضخيمها، وتطوير المقاومة وجعل الاحتلال يدفع الثمن، وتقليل خسائر المقاومة، وإظهار القوة على التحمل حين تقع الخسائر، والحفاظ على التواضع والعلاقة السليمة مع المجتمع دون تبجح وإملاء.
أما ما يسمى الشرعية الدولية والمؤسسات الحقوقية الدولية فتساوي بين المحتل وبين الاحتلال فيما يتعلق بجرائم الحرب. وهي في أفضل الحالات تصلح لضبط سلوك الدول في الحروب أو ضد المدنيين، أما المقاومة فليست هذه ساحتها
.....
لا تغيير في سياسات العرب الذين يصفقون لرئيس أميركا بغض النظر عما يطرح. وهم لن يعترفوا لنا بأننا نرى التغيير إلا إذا وافقنا على أن أميركا سوف تقوم بكل ما يلزم مع إسرائيل نيابة عن العرب
.....
خيار الدولة العربية القُطرية الأول هو التسوية، أو للدقة "عملية السلام"، ولو دون تسوية، وينقلب إلى تنسيق أمني من قبل أي كيان عربي مع إسرائيل ضد كيانات عربية أخرى في زمن الانحطاط... كما جرى بين الدولة الصليبية وبعض الكيانات المحيطة
......
المقاومة حين تندمج في المنطق القُطري القائم، أو في مسايرة ثقافته الطائفية والعشائرية القائمة، قد تضحي بالهدف حماية لنفسها. ولكن نفسها دون الهدف ليست نفسها
....."
......
ونحن نعرف من سلوك الأنظمة مع شعوبها وقادة الطوائف مع أبناء طوائفهم والطوائف الأخرى من أبناء بلدهم بعض الأمور عن مدى حساسيتهم لمعاناة البشر. فهل يمكن أن تكون لدى هؤلاء حساسية فعلا لمعاناة الفلسطينيين؟
ترتبط ردود فعل القوى السياسية بما فيها الدول على الوقائع بموقفها السياسي وزاوية نظرها المختلفة بقدر ما ترتبط بالوقائع ذاتها. فبالنسبة لمن دعم في حينه حرب العراق على إيران لم تعن معاناة العراقيين والإيرانيين شيئا، ولم تنعت وسائل الإعلام العربية الداعمة مقتل مئات الآلاف في حرب عبثية بأنه إبادة شعوب، بل غضَّت النظر حين كان موقفها داعما للحرب التي كلّفت بعضُ أيّامها عشرات آلاف الضحايا.
وكذلك الأمر إبان العدوان الأميركي واحتلال العراق، لقد غضّت النظر عن حجم المعاناة الناجمة عن التدخل الأميركي بدايةً، أي حين كان الهدف إسقاط نظام العراق وضرب هذه الدولة (التي سقطت لأنها لا تملك سلاحا نوويا وليس لأنها تملك سلاحا كهذا).
يتم تحدي خصوم المقاومة بالصمود وتخفيف الآلام لا تضخيمها، وتطوير المقاومة وجعل الاحتلال يدفع الثمن، وتقليل خسائر المقاومة، وإظهار القوة على التحمل حين تقع الخسائر، والحفاظ على التواضع والعلاقة السليمة مع المجتمع دون تبجح وإملاء.
أما ما يسمى الشرعية الدولية والمؤسسات الحقوقية الدولية فتساوي بين المحتل وبين الاحتلال فيما يتعلق بجرائم الحرب. وهي في أفضل الحالات تصلح لضبط سلوك الدول في الحروب أو ضد المدنيين، أما المقاومة فليست هذه ساحتها
.....
لا تغيير في سياسات العرب الذين يصفقون لرئيس أميركا بغض النظر عما يطرح. وهم لن يعترفوا لنا بأننا نرى التغيير إلا إذا وافقنا على أن أميركا سوف تقوم بكل ما يلزم مع إسرائيل نيابة عن العرب
.....
خيار الدولة العربية القُطرية الأول هو التسوية، أو للدقة "عملية السلام"، ولو دون تسوية، وينقلب إلى تنسيق أمني من قبل أي كيان عربي مع إسرائيل ضد كيانات عربية أخرى في زمن الانحطاط... كما جرى بين الدولة الصليبية وبعض الكيانات المحيطة
......
المقاومة حين تندمج في المنطق القُطري القائم، أو في مسايرة ثقافته الطائفية والعشائرية القائمة، قد تضحي بالهدف حماية لنفسها. ولكن نفسها دون الهدف ليست نفسها
....."
The Real Axis of Evil......Saudis give nod to Israeli raid on Iran
Times Online
"The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility.
The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials.
“The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.
Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained “working relations” with the Saudis.
John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations who recently visited the Gulf, said it was “entirely logical” for the Israelis to use Saudi airspace.....
Arab states would condemn a raid when they spoke at the UN but would be privately relieved to see the threat of an Iranian bomb removed, he said......."
"The head of Mossad, Israel’s overseas intelligence service, has assured Benjamin Netanyahu, its prime minister, that Saudi Arabia would turn a blind eye to Israeli jets flying over the kingdom during any future raid on Iran’s nuclear sites.
Earlier this year Meir Dagan, Mossad’s director since 2002, held secret talks with Saudi officials to discuss the possibility.
The Israeli press has already carried unconfirmed reports that high-ranking officials, including Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister, held meetings with Saudi colleagues. The reports were denied by Saudi officials.
“The Saudis have tacitly agreed to the Israeli air force flying through their airspace on a mission which is supposed to be in the common interests of both Israel and Saudi Arabia,” a diplomatic source said last week.
Although the countries have no formal diplomatic relations, an Israeli defence source confirmed that Mossad maintained “working relations” with the Saudis.
John Bolton, the former US ambassador to the United Nations who recently visited the Gulf, said it was “entirely logical” for the Israelis to use Saudi airspace.....
Arab states would condemn a raid when they spoke at the UN but would be privately relieved to see the threat of an Iranian bomb removed, he said......."
Saturday, July 04, 2009
What the 4th of July Means to People Around the World
"The Shining City Upon A Hill?" Hardly!
(Click on cartoon by Carlos Latuff to enlarge)
The game of nations
Without citizenship and a developed national consciousness, what has happened to Iran would explode Arab societies if the West chose to bring such intense meddling there
Another Good Analysis
By Azmi Bishara
Al-Ahram Weekly
I posted the Arabic version of this article on June 28.
"There is a difference between the outlook of a secular generation of Iranian youth, yearning for a life in which religion (in the form of a clergy directing a theological state) refrains from meddling in their personal lives and individual fates as citizens, and the foreign and domestic policy considerations of the reformist trend. A larger distance separates the premises of both of these groups from the calculations of the band of conservatives whose interests were harmed under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency and who now take issue with his domestic and foreign policies. As different as their interests are domestically, all three have converged against Ahmadinejad and in favour of reducing the power of the supreme guide. At the same time, their calculations converge in a national vision of Iran as a state that, in their opinion, should have matured beyond the founding principles of the Islamic Revolution. Arab causes, in particular, do not figure high in their priorities, especially if supporting them conflicts with the aim of ending the international isolation and blockade of Iran. If they are not opposed or reluctant to support Arab causes, they see such support primarily from an instrumental perspective......
While an organised nation state such as Iran can weather such a massive assault, shielding itself behind its national project and institutions, imagine what affect it would have on a pre-state region such as the Arab world. Everything in this region screams the absence of the nation and citizenship in equal measure. This absence produces only various configurations of rulers and subjects: tribal, sectarian and dynastic leaders and followers. Here, one still speaks in terms of family, kin, religious and regional origin and affiliations, not in terms of substance.
In their partial to total absence of a national and civic life, the Arabs are more than vulnerable to media winds: the slightest media breeze sweeps them up and scatters them like leaves. So you get reactions that vary from parroting The New York Times and even Twitter, and the translation into Arabic and dissemination of the most outrageous Israeli lies and rumours, to the deafening of ears to any piece of information or opinion, the only common denominator between them all being lack of scrutiny and critical thought."
Another Good Analysis
By Azmi Bishara
Al-Ahram Weekly
I posted the Arabic version of this article on June 28.
"There is a difference between the outlook of a secular generation of Iranian youth, yearning for a life in which religion (in the form of a clergy directing a theological state) refrains from meddling in their personal lives and individual fates as citizens, and the foreign and domestic policy considerations of the reformist trend. A larger distance separates the premises of both of these groups from the calculations of the band of conservatives whose interests were harmed under Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's presidency and who now take issue with his domestic and foreign policies. As different as their interests are domestically, all three have converged against Ahmadinejad and in favour of reducing the power of the supreme guide. At the same time, their calculations converge in a national vision of Iran as a state that, in their opinion, should have matured beyond the founding principles of the Islamic Revolution. Arab causes, in particular, do not figure high in their priorities, especially if supporting them conflicts with the aim of ending the international isolation and blockade of Iran. If they are not opposed or reluctant to support Arab causes, they see such support primarily from an instrumental perspective......
While an organised nation state such as Iran can weather such a massive assault, shielding itself behind its national project and institutions, imagine what affect it would have on a pre-state region such as the Arab world. Everything in this region screams the absence of the nation and citizenship in equal measure. This absence produces only various configurations of rulers and subjects: tribal, sectarian and dynastic leaders and followers. Here, one still speaks in terms of family, kin, religious and regional origin and affiliations, not in terms of substance.
In their partial to total absence of a national and civic life, the Arabs are more than vulnerable to media winds: the slightest media breeze sweeps them up and scatters them like leaves. So you get reactions that vary from parroting The New York Times and even Twitter, and the translation into Arabic and dissemination of the most outrageous Israeli lies and rumours, to the deafening of ears to any piece of information or opinion, the only common denominator between them all being lack of scrutiny and critical thought."
Friday, July 03, 2009
The Iran Canard
U.S. Uses False Taliban Aid Charge to Pressure Iran
By GARETH PORTER
CounterPunch
"The Barack Obama administration has given new prominence to a Bush administration charge that Iran is providing military training and assistance to the Taliban in Afghanistan, for which no evidence has ever been produced, and which has been discredited by data obtained by IPS from the Pentagon itself.
The new twist in the charge is that it is being made in the context of serious talks between NATO officials and Iran involving possible Iranian cooperation in NATO's logistical support for the war against the insurgents in Afghanistan......"
By GARETH PORTER
CounterPunch
"The Barack Obama administration has given new prominence to a Bush administration charge that Iran is providing military training and assistance to the Taliban in Afghanistan, for which no evidence has ever been produced, and which has been discredited by data obtained by IPS from the Pentagon itself.
The new twist in the charge is that it is being made in the context of serious talks between NATO officials and Iran involving possible Iranian cooperation in NATO's logistical support for the war against the insurgents in Afghanistan......"
UN Expert denounces seizure of aid boat by Israeli forces
Friday, 03 July 2009 01:13
Written by Free Gaza Movement
"GENEVA - The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, denounced the unlawful naval seizure by an Israeli gunboat on the high seas of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material to blockaded people of Gaza.
“This Israeli action implements its cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits any form of collective punishment directed at an occupied people”, said the human rights expert.
Mr. Falk pointed to a recent report on the impact on health resulting from the two year blockade, issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressing that Israeli actions not only restrict such vital supplies as food, medicine, and fuel to bare subsistence levels, but has in unprecedented fashion, disallowed the entry to Gaza of building materials and spare parts needed for repairing some of the widespread damage caused by its attacks on the Strip that took place for 22 days starting on December 27, 2008.
“Such a pattern of continuing blockade under these conditions amounts to such a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions as to constitute a continuing crime against humanity”, added the independent human rights expert......"
Written by Free Gaza Movement
"GENEVA - The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Richard Falk, denounced the unlawful naval seizure by an Israeli gunboat on the high seas of a ship carrying medicine and reconstruction material to blockaded people of Gaza.
“This Israeli action implements its cruel blockade of the entire Palestinian population of Gaza, in violation of Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention that prohibits any form of collective punishment directed at an occupied people”, said the human rights expert.
Mr. Falk pointed to a recent report on the impact on health resulting from the two year blockade, issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross, stressing that Israeli actions not only restrict such vital supplies as food, medicine, and fuel to bare subsistence levels, but has in unprecedented fashion, disallowed the entry to Gaza of building materials and spare parts needed for repairing some of the widespread damage caused by its attacks on the Strip that took place for 22 days starting on December 27, 2008.
“Such a pattern of continuing blockade under these conditions amounts to such a serious violation of the Geneva Conventions as to constitute a continuing crime against humanity”, added the independent human rights expert......"
Video: Cynthia McKinney calls WBAIX from Israeli prison - Dprogram.net
"Cynthia and 20 others were detained after being seized by Israeli Navy while in international waters. They were attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza."
Hamas' Political Impasse: Between Principle and Necessity
By Ramzy Baroud
Palestine Chronicle
".....Carter’s insistence on involving Hamas in any future peace arrangement took him from Damascus, to Cairo to the West Bank, then, to Gaza. His recent visit to the Strip on June 16 was more than that of solidarity, but it was aimed at convincing Hamas to agree to the vision of two states and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. The alternative conditions are meant to present a more dignified exit than the belligerent and one-sided demands of the quartet. It’s unclear whether Hamas would fully embrace his call. But what is clear is that Hamas is sending various signals, such as its willingness to engage in dialogue with the Obama administration, and, again, acceptance of the two-state solution, which according to any reasonable estimation of the Israeli ‘facts on the ground’ created in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, is now a far-fetched possibility.
Needless to say, Hamas as a political movement, with an elected government with some jurisdiction over nearly one-third of the Palestinian people has the right, and even more, the obligation to politically maneuver, reposition and even re-brand itself. Breaking the siege on Gaza requires steadfastness, true, but political ingenuity as well. That said, Hamas must be wary of the political, and historic price that will be paid if it fails to learn from the experience of the discredited and corrupted Fatah. Palestinian rights are enshrined in international law, and corroborated by the endless sacrifices of the Palestinian people, in Gaza and elsewhere. Therefore, the price of engagement, dialogue and political validation must not happen at the expense of the Palestinian people wherever they are, as stipulated in numerous UN resolutions including 194, pertaining to the right of return of Palestinian refugees. "
Palestine Chronicle
".....Carter’s insistence on involving Hamas in any future peace arrangement took him from Damascus, to Cairo to the West Bank, then, to Gaza. His recent visit to the Strip on June 16 was more than that of solidarity, but it was aimed at convincing Hamas to agree to the vision of two states and the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. The alternative conditions are meant to present a more dignified exit than the belligerent and one-sided demands of the quartet. It’s unclear whether Hamas would fully embrace his call. But what is clear is that Hamas is sending various signals, such as its willingness to engage in dialogue with the Obama administration, and, again, acceptance of the two-state solution, which according to any reasonable estimation of the Israeli ‘facts on the ground’ created in occupied Jerusalem and the West Bank, is now a far-fetched possibility.
Needless to say, Hamas as a political movement, with an elected government with some jurisdiction over nearly one-third of the Palestinian people has the right, and even more, the obligation to politically maneuver, reposition and even re-brand itself. Breaking the siege on Gaza requires steadfastness, true, but political ingenuity as well. That said, Hamas must be wary of the political, and historic price that will be paid if it fails to learn from the experience of the discredited and corrupted Fatah. Palestinian rights are enshrined in international law, and corroborated by the endless sacrifices of the Palestinian people, in Gaza and elsewhere. Therefore, the price of engagement, dialogue and political validation must not happen at the expense of the Palestinian people wherever they are, as stipulated in numerous UN resolutions including 194, pertaining to the right of return of Palestinian refugees. "
Masters of hypocrisy
By Khalid Amayreh in occupied East Jerusalem
"....This week, Peres participated in an interfaith conference in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan , where he had the audacity to lecture delegates representing the world’s major religions on peace, human dignity, moral ethics and religious tolerance.
During his speech, Peres, whose country carried out a virtual genocide in Gaza only six months ago, urged believers to show respect toward those who differ with them.
He also called on the King of Saudi Arabia to meet with him in occupied Jerusalem , in Riyadh or in any other place “in order to fulfill his prayer for peace among all people, without differences of religion.”.....
So, Peres wants to make peace with the Saudis, the Kazakhs, the Indonesians, the Mauritanians, even Muslims in the innermost parts of Black Africa. It is only the Palestinians he insists on stealing their land, arrogating their rights and narrowing their horizons.
Peres represents and embodies a country that lives and thrives on murder, theft and mendacity. Hence, it is sufficiently obvious that he can’t be honest about Israel’s criminal behavior.....
It was also sad that only one delegation, the Iranian delegation, walked out of the conference hall when the terrorist President of Israel began giving his speech.
Unfortunately, many of these official delegates represented tyrannical and despotic regimes which are only Muslim by name and don’t really represent the real spirit of Islam which upholds the dignity of human beings and rejects racism, tyranny and oppression."
"....This week, Peres participated in an interfaith conference in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan , where he had the audacity to lecture delegates representing the world’s major religions on peace, human dignity, moral ethics and religious tolerance.
During his speech, Peres, whose country carried out a virtual genocide in Gaza only six months ago, urged believers to show respect toward those who differ with them.
He also called on the King of Saudi Arabia to meet with him in occupied Jerusalem , in Riyadh or in any other place “in order to fulfill his prayer for peace among all people, without differences of religion.”.....
So, Peres wants to make peace with the Saudis, the Kazakhs, the Indonesians, the Mauritanians, even Muslims in the innermost parts of Black Africa. It is only the Palestinians he insists on stealing their land, arrogating their rights and narrowing their horizons.
Peres represents and embodies a country that lives and thrives on murder, theft and mendacity. Hence, it is sufficiently obvious that he can’t be honest about Israel’s criminal behavior.....
It was also sad that only one delegation, the Iranian delegation, walked out of the conference hall when the terrorist President of Israel began giving his speech.
Unfortunately, many of these official delegates represented tyrannical and despotic regimes which are only Muslim by name and don’t really represent the real spirit of Islam which upholds the dignity of human beings and rejects racism, tyranny and oppression."
Now, it Finally Dawned on Hamas.....Those "Leaders" are Such Fast Learners!
حماس تشكو انحياز مصر لفتح
الجزيرة نت-خاص
"علمت الجزيرة نت من مصادر فلسطينية موثوقة أن حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) جددت رفضها خلال جلسة الحوار السادسة التي أعلن تعليقها قبل يومين في القاهرة التعامل المصري معها وتفضيل حركة التحرير الوطني الفلسطيني (فتح) عليها.
وتشكو حركة حماس من تعامل الوسيط المصري معها في جانبين، الأول رفضه الاعتراف بشرعيتها المنتخبة، إضافة إلى رفضها التعامل الأمني المصري مع الملف الداخلي الفلسطيني.
وقالت المصادر التي اشترطت عدم كشف هويتها إن القيادي البارز في حركة حماس محمود الزهار اعترض على الضغوط التي مارسها مدير المخابرات المصرية عمر سليمان على وفد حركته، وأنه طالب بممارسة الضغوط على حركة فتح والرئيس محمود عباس.
وبينت المصادر أن كلاما بين الرجلين اقترب من المشادة الكلامية حصل عقب محاولة سليمان فرض الاتفاق على حماس والطلب بتأجيل ملف المعتقلين السياسيين من حماس في سجون السلطة الفلسطينية في الضفة، وهو ما تتمسك حماس برفضه.
غطاء شرعي
وأضافت أن "سليمان حاول خلال الجلسة الأولى للجولة السادسة أن يعطي غطاء شرعيا ودستوريا لحركة فتح، بينما حاول نزعه عن حماس التي تمتلك الغالبية في المجلس التشريعي الفلسطيني".
وذكرت المصادر أن حماس قدمت احتجاجا لسليمان على بعض وسائل الإعلام المصرية وخاصة التابعة للحكومة واتهمتها بتلفيق الأكاذيب عن الحركة وحكومتها في قطاع غزة، ودعت إلى ترك هذا الأسلوب الذي لن يجدي معها نفعا
......"
الجزيرة نت-خاص
"علمت الجزيرة نت من مصادر فلسطينية موثوقة أن حركة المقاومة الإسلامية (حماس) جددت رفضها خلال جلسة الحوار السادسة التي أعلن تعليقها قبل يومين في القاهرة التعامل المصري معها وتفضيل حركة التحرير الوطني الفلسطيني (فتح) عليها.
وتشكو حركة حماس من تعامل الوسيط المصري معها في جانبين، الأول رفضه الاعتراف بشرعيتها المنتخبة، إضافة إلى رفضها التعامل الأمني المصري مع الملف الداخلي الفلسطيني.
وقالت المصادر التي اشترطت عدم كشف هويتها إن القيادي البارز في حركة حماس محمود الزهار اعترض على الضغوط التي مارسها مدير المخابرات المصرية عمر سليمان على وفد حركته، وأنه طالب بممارسة الضغوط على حركة فتح والرئيس محمود عباس.
وبينت المصادر أن كلاما بين الرجلين اقترب من المشادة الكلامية حصل عقب محاولة سليمان فرض الاتفاق على حماس والطلب بتأجيل ملف المعتقلين السياسيين من حماس في سجون السلطة الفلسطينية في الضفة، وهو ما تتمسك حماس برفضه.
غطاء شرعي
وأضافت أن "سليمان حاول خلال الجلسة الأولى للجولة السادسة أن يعطي غطاء شرعيا ودستوريا لحركة فتح، بينما حاول نزعه عن حماس التي تمتلك الغالبية في المجلس التشريعي الفلسطيني".
وذكرت المصادر أن حماس قدمت احتجاجا لسليمان على بعض وسائل الإعلام المصرية وخاصة التابعة للحكومة واتهمتها بتلفيق الأكاذيب عن الحركة وحكومتها في قطاع غزة، ودعت إلى ترك هذا الأسلوب الذي لن يجدي معها نفعا
......"
Israel Sends Subs through Suez Canal
Al-Manar
"03/07/2009 The Israeli Navy has returned to sailing through the Suez Canal, recently sending one of its advanced Dolphin-class submarines through the waterway to participate in naval maneuvers off the Eilat coast in the Red Sea, the Jerusalem Post has learned.
According to the daily, Israeli sources said the decision to allow navy vessels to sail through the canal was made recently and was a definite "change of policy" within the service.......
However, the Dolphin-class submarine sailed through last month to get from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Israeli officials said it passed through the canal above water, and that it was not done covertly. "It is a question of policy," a senior officer explained. "Navy vessels have sailed through the canal on several occasions recently."
“The significance of the move was debatable, but it could be interpreted as a message to Iran and a demonstration of strengthening ties between Egypt and Israel,” the Post said.
In the event of a conflict with Iran, and if Israel decided to involve its three Dolphin-class submarines - which according to foreign reports can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and serve as a second-strike platform - the quickest route would be to send them through the Suez Canal......"
"03/07/2009 The Israeli Navy has returned to sailing through the Suez Canal, recently sending one of its advanced Dolphin-class submarines through the waterway to participate in naval maneuvers off the Eilat coast in the Red Sea, the Jerusalem Post has learned.
According to the daily, Israeli sources said the decision to allow navy vessels to sail through the canal was made recently and was a definite "change of policy" within the service.......
However, the Dolphin-class submarine sailed through last month to get from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea. Israeli officials said it passed through the canal above water, and that it was not done covertly. "It is a question of policy," a senior officer explained. "Navy vessels have sailed through the canal on several occasions recently."
“The significance of the move was debatable, but it could be interpreted as a message to Iran and a demonstration of strengthening ties between Egypt and Israel,” the Post said.
In the event of a conflict with Iran, and if Israel decided to involve its three Dolphin-class submarines - which according to foreign reports can fire nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and serve as a second-strike platform - the quickest route would be to send them through the Suez Canal......"
Assad Invites Obama to Damascus. The Way to "Liberate" the Golan (occupied for only 42 years)??
Al-Manar
"03/07/2009 Syrian president issued a public invitation Thursday night to US President Barack Obama to discuss peace efforts in the Middle East.
Assad told Sky News that he would be happy to meet with Obama on Syrian soil, and that the date of the meeting was up to the Americans to decide.
"We would like to welcome him in Syria, definitely. I am very clear about this," Assad told Sky's Middle East correspondent Dominic Waghorn. Asked whether this could happen soon, the Syrian president said, "That depends on him."
This invitation is a significant move on the part of Syria......"
"03/07/2009 Syrian president issued a public invitation Thursday night to US President Barack Obama to discuss peace efforts in the Middle East.
Assad told Sky News that he would be happy to meet with Obama on Syrian soil, and that the date of the meeting was up to the Americans to decide.
"We would like to welcome him in Syria, definitely. I am very clear about this," Assad told Sky's Middle East correspondent Dominic Waghorn. Asked whether this could happen soon, the Syrian president said, "That depends on him."
This invitation is a significant move on the part of Syria......"
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Move On.....
Nothing to See Here.....
Just a 17-Year Old Palestinian Girl, Named Hiyam......
Murdered by an Israeli Shell, Today in Gaza......
Now if This Were an Iranian Protester, You Would See This Face Splashed Around All Over Western Media.....
But She is Palestinian, So Who Cares!
Time for an Israeli Strike?
By John R. Bolton
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Washington Post
"With Iran's hard-line mullahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unmistakably back in control, Israel's decision of whether to use military force against Tehran's nuclear weapons program is more urgent than ever.....
Those who oppose Iran acquiring nuclear weapons are left in the near term with only the option of targeted military force against its weapons facilities. Significantly, the uprising in Iran also makes it more likely that an effective public diplomacy campaign could be waged in the country to explain to Iranians that such an attack is directed against the regime, not against the Iranian people. This was always true, but it has become even more important to make this case emphatically, when the gulf between the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the citizens of Iran has never been clearer or wider. Military action against Iran's nuclear program and the ultimate goal of regime change can be worked together consistently.
Otherwise, be prepared for an Iran with nuclear weapons, which some, including Obama advisers, believe could be contained and deterred. That is not a hypothesis we should seek to test in the real world. The cost of error could be fatal. "
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The Washington Post
"With Iran's hard-line mullahs and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps unmistakably back in control, Israel's decision of whether to use military force against Tehran's nuclear weapons program is more urgent than ever.....
Those who oppose Iran acquiring nuclear weapons are left in the near term with only the option of targeted military force against its weapons facilities. Significantly, the uprising in Iran also makes it more likely that an effective public diplomacy campaign could be waged in the country to explain to Iranians that such an attack is directed against the regime, not against the Iranian people. This was always true, but it has become even more important to make this case emphatically, when the gulf between the Islamic revolution of 1979 and the citizens of Iran has never been clearer or wider. Military action against Iran's nuclear program and the ultimate goal of regime change can be worked together consistently.
Otherwise, be prepared for an Iran with nuclear weapons, which some, including Obama advisers, believe could be contained and deterred. That is not a hypothesis we should seek to test in the real world. The cost of error could be fatal. "
أوباما و"حل الدولتين" التصفوي
"جاء انتخاب باراك أوباما حدثاً شاذاً بين رؤساء الولايات المتحدة الأميركية منذ استقلالها حتى تاريخه. وقد تمثل الشذوذ من خلال لون بشرته واسم أبيه، أما ما عدا ذلك من حيث خروجه من أحد الحزبين اللذين يتداولان السلطة ويحتكران الرئاسة ومجلسي النواب والشيوخ، أو من جهة رضا الأجهزة بما في ذلك رضا الجيش عن ترشيحه وانتخابه رئيساً أو من جانب الطبقة الرأسمالية المسيطرة، فهو ضمن القاعدة الأميركية في الترشح والانتخاب والوصول إلى الرئاسة.
....
التفريق بين ما هو شاذ وما هو ضمن القاعدة العامة في انتخاب باراك أوباما لرئاسة الولايات المتحدة، ضروري لئلا يؤدي الالتباس إلى إصدار أحكام خاطئة في فهم الرجل وعلاقته بالمؤسسة الأميركية الحاكمة وبالمصالح الأميركية العليا
....
أوباما أثبت منذ الآن وسيثبت أكثر مستقبلاً أنه ابن الحزب الديمقراطي وليس ابن أفريقيا أو حسين أوباما، وأنه ابن المؤسسة الأميركية الرأسمالية الإمبريالية العسكرية وليس ابن التغيير الذي وعد به
.....
لم يخرج أوباما وإدارته قيد أنملة عن السقف الذي وضعه بوش وإدارته للمشكلة الفلسطينية، سواء ما يتعلق بحل الدولتين أو الموقف من حماس أو الاعتراف بإسرائيل باستثناء المستوطنات، فبوش طالب بوقفها مع استمرار المفاوضات وأوباما طالب بوقفها قبل العودة إلى المفاوضات
......
انظروا إلى أوباما كيف يتصرف في الحرب التي يخوضها في باكستان وماذا يفعل في أفغانستان حتى يُرى ابنا باراً للمؤسسة الإمبريالية الصهيونية العدوانية الأميركية، على الضد من كلامه المعسول في تركيا ومصر وهو يخاطب العالم الإسلامي
......"
....
التفريق بين ما هو شاذ وما هو ضمن القاعدة العامة في انتخاب باراك أوباما لرئاسة الولايات المتحدة، ضروري لئلا يؤدي الالتباس إلى إصدار أحكام خاطئة في فهم الرجل وعلاقته بالمؤسسة الأميركية الحاكمة وبالمصالح الأميركية العليا
....
أوباما أثبت منذ الآن وسيثبت أكثر مستقبلاً أنه ابن الحزب الديمقراطي وليس ابن أفريقيا أو حسين أوباما، وأنه ابن المؤسسة الأميركية الرأسمالية الإمبريالية العسكرية وليس ابن التغيير الذي وعد به
.....
لم يخرج أوباما وإدارته قيد أنملة عن السقف الذي وضعه بوش وإدارته للمشكلة الفلسطينية، سواء ما يتعلق بحل الدولتين أو الموقف من حماس أو الاعتراف بإسرائيل باستثناء المستوطنات، فبوش طالب بوقفها مع استمرار المفاوضات وأوباما طالب بوقفها قبل العودة إلى المفاوضات
......
انظروا إلى أوباما كيف يتصرف في الحرب التي يخوضها في باكستان وماذا يفعل في أفغانستان حتى يُرى ابنا باراً للمؤسسة الإمبريالية الصهيونية العدوانية الأميركية، على الضد من كلامه المعسول في تركيا ومصر وهو يخاطب العالم الإسلامي
......"
Current Al-Jazeera (Arabic) Online Poll
The Poll asks:
Do you support the continuation of the dialog between Fatah and Hamas?
With over 1,600 responding so far, 62% said yes.
Do you support the continuation of the dialog between Fatah and Hamas?
With over 1,600 responding so far, 62% said yes.
Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire Speaks from Israeli Jail Cell After Arrest on Boat Delivering Humanitarian Aid to Gaza
Democracy Now!
With Amy Goodman
"Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire speaks to us from her jail cell in Israel. She was taken into custody along with twenty others, including former US Congress member Cynthia McKinney, when the Israeli military boarded their ship in international waters as it tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.....
JUAN GONZALEZ: We begin today with the latest news of the ship that was seized by the Israeli military Tuesday as it tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces boarded the ship and towed it to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The twenty-one activists on board include former Congress member and presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney and the Irish peace activist and Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire. Huwaida Arraf and Lubna Masarwa were released, while the other nineteen remain in detention.
AMY GOODMAN: Huwaida Arraf is the founder of the Free Gaza movement. She joins us now on the phone from Israel.
Huwaida, welcome to Democracy Now! Explain why you took this boat trying to get to Gaza and then what happened to you on board......"
With Amy Goodman
"Irish Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Maguire speaks to us from her jail cell in Israel. She was taken into custody along with twenty others, including former US Congress member Cynthia McKinney, when the Israeli military boarded their ship in international waters as it tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.....
JUAN GONZALEZ: We begin today with the latest news of the ship that was seized by the Israeli military Tuesday as it tried to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Israeli forces boarded the ship and towed it to the Israeli port of Ashdod. The twenty-one activists on board include former Congress member and presidential candidate Cynthia McKinney and the Irish peace activist and Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire. Huwaida Arraf and Lubna Masarwa were released, while the other nineteen remain in detention.
AMY GOODMAN: Huwaida Arraf is the founder of the Free Gaza movement. She joins us now on the phone from Israel.
Huwaida, welcome to Democracy Now! Explain why you took this boat trying to get to Gaza and then what happened to you on board......"
Dexia Bank decides to stop financing Israeli settlements
"The Belgian-French financial group, Dexia, has declared that it is stopping all financial support to Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, through its Israel Branch.
The decision came as an outcome of a tireless campaign in Belgium. The campaign was supported by NGO’s, local authorities, trade unions, political parties in Belgium and several other organizations.
The Bank administration stated that it found out that financing Israeli settlements in the occupied territories violates its own code of ethics, and decided to stop giving loans to Israel.
The Bank was pressured by organizations and institutions active in supporting the legitimate Palestinian rights.
The campaign lasted for one month and resulted in the Bank stopping all finances to Jewish settlements.
Israeli newspaper, Haaretz, stated that the Israel branch of Dexia provides huge loans and grants for settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories.
This issue pushed 61 Belgium organizations to collect thousands of signatures against the Bank’s conduct. The organizations also published advertisements raising awareness on the issue...."
Activists plan March to break Gaza siege
"BEIRUT: A coalition of activists belonging to various Palestinian solidarity organizations are planning an international march in Gaza aimed at ending the blockade of the territory. The event will aim to bring thousands of demonstrators from around the world to march alongside Gazans as they breach the blockade imposed upon the population since the election of Hamas in 2006......
The statement also outlines plans for the march, which will take place on January 1, 2010. “We will march the Long Mile across Erez checkpoint alongside the people of Gaza in a nonviolent demonstration that breaches the illegal blockade,” it said, adding that “We conceive this march as the first step in a protracted nonviolent campaign … If we bring thousands to Gaza and millions more around the world watch the march on the internet, we can end the siege without a drop of blood being shed.”
Professor Norman Finkelstein, a political analyst and author of several books on the Israel-Palestine conflict, is one of the organizers of the march. “We want to send over several thousand people from around the world to march alongside several hundred thousand Gazans,” he told The Daily Star.
Finkelstein hopes that large numbers of international activists and world leaders will attend the march, and as a result, prohibit a violent response from Israeli authorities. “If the likes of Jimmy Carter, Noam Chomsky, Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela are at the head of the march; if behind them are students holding high signs of the schools from which they hail - Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge; if behind them are the ill and the lame, the young and the innocent of Gaza; if behind them are hundreds of thousands of others, unarmed and unafraid, wanting only to enforce the law; if around the world hundreds of thousands are watching the internet to see what happens - Israel can’t shoot,” he said.
“The first formal organizational meeting of the coalition is set for July 13,” said Finkelstein......"
The statement also outlines plans for the march, which will take place on January 1, 2010. “We will march the Long Mile across Erez checkpoint alongside the people of Gaza in a nonviolent demonstration that breaches the illegal blockade,” it said, adding that “We conceive this march as the first step in a protracted nonviolent campaign … If we bring thousands to Gaza and millions more around the world watch the march on the internet, we can end the siege without a drop of blood being shed.”
Professor Norman Finkelstein, a political analyst and author of several books on the Israel-Palestine conflict, is one of the organizers of the march. “We want to send over several thousand people from around the world to march alongside several hundred thousand Gazans,” he told The Daily Star.
Finkelstein hopes that large numbers of international activists and world leaders will attend the march, and as a result, prohibit a violent response from Israeli authorities. “If the likes of Jimmy Carter, Noam Chomsky, Bishop Tutu and Nelson Mandela are at the head of the march; if behind them are students holding high signs of the schools from which they hail - Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, Cambridge; if behind them are the ill and the lame, the young and the innocent of Gaza; if behind them are hundreds of thousands of others, unarmed and unafraid, wanting only to enforce the law; if around the world hundreds of thousands are watching the internet to see what happens - Israel can’t shoot,” he said.
“The first formal organizational meeting of the coalition is set for July 13,” said Finkelstein......"
The Dayton Forces Doing Their Job; All in a Day's Work. But....the "Dialog" will go on; Stay Tuned for Breakthroughs!
Four citizens kidnapped, three taken to hospitals in W. Bank
"WEST BANK, (PIC)-- The PA security apparatuses kidnapped Wednesday four Palestinian citizens thought to be affiliated with Hamas in different West Bank areas, while three political prisoners were reportedly transferred from PA jails to hospitals as a result of their exposure to severe torture.
It was also reported that these security apparatuses refused to release prisoner Mahmoud Al-Hilo despite a court decision demanding his release.
Palestinian sources in Bethlehem reported the transfer of prisoner Fathi Al-Ramlawi, a noted reformer in the city, to the intensive care unit in Beit Jala hospital because of the torture inflicted on him by PA officers......"
Change We Can Believe in? Hmmmmm.....US remains silent over McKinney arrest by Israel
Press TV
"Nearly a day after the detention of former US lawmaker Cynthia McKinney by Israeli forces, Washington has yet to make a reaction.
Israeli Navy detained former US congresswoman and Nobel Prize laureate Cynthia McKinney and twenty other human rights activists on board a relief boat outside Israel's territorial waters on Tuesday as they were heading to Gaza on a humanitarian mission.....
Ms McKinney -- the 2008 Green Party nominee for President of the United States-- has accused Tel Aviv of violating the international law by seizing an aid vessel in international waters.
"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," McKinney said in a statement.
"We are asking the international community to demand our release so we can continue our journey," she added.
"My wife and I are very concerned about her safety," Cynthia's father told Press TV in a phone call.
Bill McKinney said that the US government should support Cynthia's message and added, "Her major concern is human."
Green Party leaders have called on the White House and the US State Department to intervene and demand the immediate release of all the activists......"
"Nearly a day after the detention of former US lawmaker Cynthia McKinney by Israeli forces, Washington has yet to make a reaction.
Israeli Navy detained former US congresswoman and Nobel Prize laureate Cynthia McKinney and twenty other human rights activists on board a relief boat outside Israel's territorial waters on Tuesday as they were heading to Gaza on a humanitarian mission.....
Ms McKinney -- the 2008 Green Party nominee for President of the United States-- has accused Tel Aviv of violating the international law by seizing an aid vessel in international waters.
"This is an outrageous violation of international law against us. Our boat was not in Israeli waters, and we were on a human rights mission to the Gaza Strip," McKinney said in a statement.
"We are asking the international community to demand our release so we can continue our journey," she added.
"My wife and I are very concerned about her safety," Cynthia's father told Press TV in a phone call.
Bill McKinney said that the US government should support Cynthia's message and added, "Her major concern is human."
Green Party leaders have called on the White House and the US State Department to intervene and demand the immediate release of all the activists......"
Future of Fatah in Doubt
Analysis by Mel Frykberg
"RAMALLAH, Jul 2 (IPS) - The future of Palestinian unity talks is far more complex than the bitter rivalry, bloodshed and division which represent the yawning chasm separating Palestine's two main political factions, Hamas and Fatah.
There are serious issues within Fatah that need to be resolved. After two decades of power struggles and acrimony within the organisation, Fatah's Revolutionary Council has agreed to hold its sixth general conference Aug. 4 in Bethlehem in the Palestinian West Bank. Fatah, founded in 1964, is affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls the West Bank.
The conference, due to be attended by over 1,500 members, is significant in that it is the first to be held on Palestinian territory. Hitherto, Israel banned leaders from returning to the Palestinian territories....
The conference will be an indicator whether the fragmented Fatah is a spent political force and a mere footnote in the history of the Palestinian national liberation struggle.....
But the divisions in Fatah go beyond generational and accountability issues. Fragmentation has come around patronage, shared history, geography and foreign policy.
Some members support the international peace process, while others call for a return to armed resistance. Some Fatah members want the PA, which was formed after Oslo, to be dismantled; others don't.
Many Palestinians are disillusioned with a lack of democracy and human rights in the West Bank under Abbas's leadership. This is exacerbated by disappointment with a peace process which to many appears to be going nowhere."
"RAMALLAH, Jul 2 (IPS) - The future of Palestinian unity talks is far more complex than the bitter rivalry, bloodshed and division which represent the yawning chasm separating Palestine's two main political factions, Hamas and Fatah.
There are serious issues within Fatah that need to be resolved. After two decades of power struggles and acrimony within the organisation, Fatah's Revolutionary Council has agreed to hold its sixth general conference Aug. 4 in Bethlehem in the Palestinian West Bank. Fatah, founded in 1964, is affiliated with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Palestinian Authority (PA), which controls the West Bank.
The conference, due to be attended by over 1,500 members, is significant in that it is the first to be held on Palestinian territory. Hitherto, Israel banned leaders from returning to the Palestinian territories....
The conference will be an indicator whether the fragmented Fatah is a spent political force and a mere footnote in the history of the Palestinian national liberation struggle.....
But the divisions in Fatah go beyond generational and accountability issues. Fragmentation has come around patronage, shared history, geography and foreign policy.
Some members support the international peace process, while others call for a return to armed resistance. Some Fatah members want the PA, which was formed after Oslo, to be dismantled; others don't.
Many Palestinians are disillusioned with a lack of democracy and human rights in the West Bank under Abbas's leadership. This is exacerbated by disappointment with a peace process which to many appears to be going nowhere."
Enemies All Around Us
by Philip Giraldi
"......The drumbeat that terrorists are everywhere and that all terrorists are America’s problem continues. One of the most recurrent themes is that Hezbollah is the "A-team" of terrorist groups, far exceeding al-Qaeda in its proficiency and lethality. This view was first posited in 2003 by deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage. It was jumped on by Florida Democrat Senator Bob Graham, who was running for president at the time. Graham said "It has a significant presence of its trained operatives inside the United States waiting for the call to action. They are a violent terrorist group. And they have demonstrated throughout their now 25-year history a hatred of the United States and a willingness to kill our people." Graham did not provide a scintilla of evidence to support his assertion that the US is awash with Hezbollah operatives, information that might have proven to be of interest to the FBI if it were true.
The Hezbollah threat warnings have surfaced again, more recently, in a speech given by Richard Falkenrath, New York City’s Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism....."
"......The drumbeat that terrorists are everywhere and that all terrorists are America’s problem continues. One of the most recurrent themes is that Hezbollah is the "A-team" of terrorist groups, far exceeding al-Qaeda in its proficiency and lethality. This view was first posited in 2003 by deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage. It was jumped on by Florida Democrat Senator Bob Graham, who was running for president at the time. Graham said "It has a significant presence of its trained operatives inside the United States waiting for the call to action. They are a violent terrorist group. And they have demonstrated throughout their now 25-year history a hatred of the United States and a willingness to kill our people." Graham did not provide a scintilla of evidence to support his assertion that the US is awash with Hezbollah operatives, information that might have proven to be of interest to the FBI if it were true.
The Hezbollah threat warnings have surfaced again, more recently, in a speech given by Richard Falkenrath, New York City’s Deputy Commissioner for Counterterrorism....."
Video: Naomi Klein in Bil'in - 26-6-09
"Prior to the demonstration a press conference took place, where a representative of the village's popular committee, a member of the Palestinian Boycott National Committee and world renowned Canadian journalist and author Naomi Klein spoke of the local struggle, of the village's new court case in Canada against Canadian companies building the new neighborhoods on Bil'in land, on the boycott, and of the inability to detach art and politics."
Impunity for war crimes in Gaza and southern Israel a recipe for further civilian suffering
Amnesty International
2 July 2009
"Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, Amnesty International concluded in a new report published on Thursday. Operation 'Cast Lead': 22 days of death and destruction, is the first comprehensive report to be published on the conflict, which took place earlier this year.
"Israel's failure to properly investigate its forces' conduct in Gaza, including war crimes, and its continuing refusal to cooperate with the UN international independent fact-finding mission headed by Richard Goldstone, is evidence of its intention to avoid public scrutiny and accountability," said Donatella Rovera, who headed a field research mission to Gaza and southern Israel during and after the conflict.
"The international community, led by the UN Security Council, must use all its leverage to ensure that Israel cooperates fully with the Goldstone inquiry, which now offers the best means to establish the truth."......."
2 July 2009
"Israeli forces killed hundreds of unarmed Palestinian civilians and destroyed thousands of homes in Gaza in attacks which breached the laws of war, Amnesty International concluded in a new report published on Thursday. Operation 'Cast Lead': 22 days of death and destruction, is the first comprehensive report to be published on the conflict, which took place earlier this year.
"Israel's failure to properly investigate its forces' conduct in Gaza, including war crimes, and its continuing refusal to cooperate with the UN international independent fact-finding mission headed by Richard Goldstone, is evidence of its intention to avoid public scrutiny and accountability," said Donatella Rovera, who headed a field research mission to Gaza and southern Israel during and after the conflict.
"The international community, led by the UN Security Council, must use all its leverage to ensure that Israel cooperates fully with the Goldstone inquiry, which now offers the best means to establish the truth."......."
Israel 'wantonly destroyed Gaza'
Al-Jazeera
"Israel inflicted "wanton destruction" in the Gaza Strip during its 22-day war on the coastal enclave in December and January, Amnesty International, the London-based human rights group has said.
In a 117-page report released on Thursday, Amnesty cited evidence that Israeli troops put children and other civilians in harm's way "by forcing them to remain in or near houses which they took over and used as military positions".
Accusing Israel of "breaching laws of war", Amnesty said: "Much of the destruction was wanton and deliberate, and was carried out in a manner and circumstances which indicated that it could not be justified on grounds of military necessity."....."
"Israel inflicted "wanton destruction" in the Gaza Strip during its 22-day war on the coastal enclave in December and January, Amnesty International, the London-based human rights group has said.
In a 117-page report released on Thursday, Amnesty cited evidence that Israeli troops put children and other civilians in harm's way "by forcing them to remain in or near houses which they took over and used as military positions".
Accusing Israel of "breaching laws of war", Amnesty said: "Much of the destruction was wanton and deliberate, and was carried out in a manner and circumstances which indicated that it could not be justified on grounds of military necessity."....."
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Iraq Celebrates!
دايتون.. زعيم فلسطين
A Good Piece by Professor Abdul-Sattar Qassem, in Arabic
عبد الستار قاسم
"من هو دايتونفريق العمل الدايتونيالهدفآليات العملالنتيجة
يبدو أن العرب لم يتعلموا كثيرا منذ عهد لورانس العرب الذي مثّل عليهم وكسب ثقتهم وساقهم سوقا نحو القيام بالنشاطات التي خدمت بريطانيا وسياستها الاستعمارية في المنطقة؛ ولم يتعلموا من تجربتهم مع غلوب باشا الإنكليزي الذي كان قائدا للجيش العربي الأردني.
لورانس وغلوب موجودان الآن تحت اسم دايتون فلسطين، الذي يعرف تماما مدى سذاجة العقل العربي، ويعرف كيف يقوم بأدواره التمثيلية بهدف كسب ثقة الناس المستهدفين.
دايتون يقوم الآن بدور البطل الذي سيقيم دولة للفلسطينيين مثلما لعب لورانس دور البطل الذي كان سيقيم مملكة عربية متحدة بقيادة الشريف حسين؛ وهو الآن يدخل في قلوب العديد من العسكريين الفلسطينيين ويقنعهم بأن طريقته في التدريب والأداء والاستهداف هي التي ستؤدي حتما إلى قيام دولة فلسطينية مستقلة.
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دايتون هو الشخص الذي يسير الأمور السياسية الآن في الضفة الغربية، وهو الذي يتدخل مباشرة في النشاطات الأمنية، وهو الذي يقدر كيفية دعم الأجهزة الأمنية الفلسطينية وكيفية توجيهها نحو الأعمال التي ترضي إسرائيل وأميركا أمنيا"من هو دايتونفريق العمل الدايتونيالهدفآليات العملالنتيجة
يبدو أن العرب لم يتعلموا كثيرا منذ عهد لورانس العرب الذي مثّل عليهم وكسب ثقتهم وساقهم سوقا نحو القيام بالنشاطات التي خدمت بريطانيا وسياستها الاستعمارية في المنطقة؛ ولم يتعلموا من تجربتهم مع غلوب باشا الإنكليزي الذي كان قائدا للجيش العربي الأردني.
لورانس وغلوب موجودان الآن تحت اسم دايتون فلسطين، الذي يعرف تماما مدى سذاجة العقل العربي، ويعرف كيف يقوم بأدواره التمثيلية بهدف كسب ثقة الناس المستهدفين.
دايتون يقوم الآن بدور البطل الذي سيقيم دولة للفلسطينيين مثلما لعب لورانس دور البطل الذي كان سيقيم مملكة عربية متحدة بقيادة الشريف حسين؛ وهو الآن يدخل في قلوب العديد من العسكريين الفلسطينيين ويقنعهم بأن طريقته في التدريب والأداء والاستهداف هي التي ستؤدي حتما إلى قيام دولة فلسطينية مستقلة.
......
......
يركز دايتون وفريقه على ضرورة تحقيق المصلحة الوطنية الفلسطينية، ويتحدثون بإسهاب عن أهمية إقامة الدولة الفلسطينية, وفي كثير من الأحيان، يبدو دايتون وفريقه وكأنهم فلسطينيون أكثر من الفلسطينيين، وهذا جزء مهم من المقاربة لكسب الود والثقة
......
يقول دايتون إن قيادته لا تقبل للتدريب كل من يرغب في ذلك, حيث يتم فحص كل عنصر من قبل أجهزة الأمن الأميركية والإسرائيلية قبل الموافقة على الانضمام، وإذا كان التدريب سيتم في الأردن فإنه يتم فحص العنصر من قبل المخابرات الأردنية
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لا يبدو أن العقل العربي يستفيد من تجاربه، ولا يبدو أن المسؤولين يدرسون التاريخ, وما دام دايتون قد وعد بدولة، فما عليهم إلا أن ينتظروا
......"
Al-Jazeera Cartoon
Peres to Saudi king: We can realize your vision
Ynet
"In keynote address at interfaith conference in Kazakhstan, president calls on Abdullah to meet in Riyadh or Jerusalem, says 'we are aware of big change in positions of majority of Arab countries toward peace with Israel; Iranian delegates storm out of conference hall....."
"In keynote address at interfaith conference in Kazakhstan, president calls on Abdullah to meet in Riyadh or Jerusalem, says 'we are aware of big change in positions of majority of Arab countries toward peace with Israel; Iranian delegates storm out of conference hall....."
