Egypt in Israeli Gas Fine Squeeze / Israel in Egypt Gas Discovery Export Clamp

http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-may-forgive-half-of-egypts-1-7b-gas-fine/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter   Times of Israel Israel may forgive half of Egypt’s $1.7b gas fine Reported move would push along stalled talks over energy imports, amid steadily warming ties By Times of Israel staff May 19, 2016, 3:05 pm  [PHOTO] Flames rise from a gas pipeline explosion in el-Arish, Egypt in July. The pipeline that transports fuel to Israel and Jordan has been attacked more than a dozen times since the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak. (photo credit: AP/File) Israel may let Egypt slide on nearly $900 million from a fine over an energy deal, as Jerusalem courts warmer business ties with Cairo, according to a report this week. Egypt owes Israel $1.76 billion for a 2015 court judgment that found Cairo violated an agreement to supply natural gas. Egypt cut off talks to import Israeli natural gas after the ruling, but two officials close to the case quoted by Bloomberg Wednesday said Israel may forgive half the fine, paving the way to reopening negotiations. According to Bloomberg, payments would be spread over 14 years and talks are still underway. There was no official confirmation of the report, which comes as Israel has been signaling other moves to warm up to Cairo, including recently upgrading embassies in Cairo and Jerusalem. On Sunday, Israel is expected to return two Bronze-Age wooden anthropoid sarcophagus lids to new Egyptian Ambassador to Israel Hazem Khairat at a Foreign Ministry ceremony on Sunday, four years after they were discovered smuggled into the Jewish state. The $1.76 billion ruling, made by three arbitrators in a closed session in December, ended 3.5 years of deliberations in which the Israeli Electric Corporation was claiming over $4 billion in damages stemming from Egypt canceling their bilateral gas deal in 2012. Egyptian government-owned gas companies EGPC and EGAS were expected to foot the bill. In response, Egypt’s Oil Ministry ordered the gas import talks frozen until after the case is appealed and the ruling is clarified, according to Bloomberg at the time. Israel is set to become a major gas supplier with the discovery of a massive offshore field and has looked for regional buyers, including Jordan and Egypt. Before 2012, Israel imported natural gas from Egypt, though the pipeline, running through the restive Sinai Peninsula, was dogged by frequent sabotage. The deal, initially slated to last 20 years, was finally canceled by Egyptian authorities following the 2012 ouster of president Hosni Mubarak and election of Muslim Brotherhood president Mohamed Morsi. Morsi was ousted in 2014, and ties between Israel and Egypt, never warm, have steadily improved since.  [comment:  Pres = Abdel Fattah el-Sisi  / Launched 2013 coup d'etat removing Mohamed Morsi in aftermath 2013 protests. From Egypt's military class.  Won in election boycotted by most political parties & Muslim Brotherhood.  Sunni.  ] http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-may-forgive-half-of-egypts-1-7b-gas-fine/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter   Info from:   Abraham Rabinovich http://freebeacon.com/national-security/israel-announces-discovery-of-offshore-gas-field/ SUMMARY Dec. 2014 Israel announces discovery of offshore gasfield. Three located in Israeli waters in past five (5) years. Two larger fields:  2009 & 2010. Expected to serve bulk of Israel gas needs. Meanwhile the following are in urgent need of energy supplies: *Egypt *Palestine Authority (West Bank ?) *Jordan Until 5 years prior, Israel almost entirely coal & energy import dependent. Sites = potential Hamas (Gaza) & Hezbollah (Lebanon) targets. Israel has a policy of massive overkill as a deterrent to future attacks, so Hamas & Hezbollah may not be highly motivated to target drill sites. Another motivator is that they may also wish to drill and would not wish to risk retaliation.  LOL Info from:   Abraham Rabinovich http://freebeacon.com/national-security/israel-announces-discovery-of-offshore-gas-field/ source http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-10-things-to-know-about-israels-natural-gas/ SUMMARY   2009 - Leviathan - 90m Haifa - 450 bn cubic meters - rights negs Nov 2015 2009 - Tamar - 90m Haifa - 240 bn cubic meters - rights negs Nov 2015 Distribution:  Natgaz (Israel Natural Gas Lines) 2015 - Israel 60% electricity from natural gas 2015 - solar energy = 2% of Israel electricity Benefits: natural gas less pollutant than oil or coal / greenhouse reduction energy independence for Israel MASSIVE BACKLASH environmental groups hold massive protests re gas deal Tel Aviv protest over 10,000 Nov. 2015 Green Course one of those groups gas deal deemed dangerous for Israel allows for quick export of Israel gas (potentially leaving Israel w/out gas) gas deal deemed “organized robbery” govt despoiling greatest national resource dividing among a group of magnates monopoly that is selling Israeli gas back to Israelis govt puts out as concessions for:  Israel’s geostrategic standing Israelis don't buy that:  Bibi has turned Israel into country with:     -- most expensive housing in West     -- most expensive cars in West     -- most expensive food in West     -- most expensive gas in West -- Bibi pushed through deal -- public outcry & inter-govt. conflicts ensued -- Bibi forced to put to Knesset vote -- Knesset passed deal (59 / 51) -- approval (at time article) required from Anti-trust Commission / or economy minister -- economy minister resigned, refusing to be first to invoke A.52 -- LOL ... Bibi's taken over -- duopoly between Nobel and Delek Bill Clinton -- Bill Clinton has lobbied for Noble Energy in past directly w/ Bibi-- Noble Energy spox denies Clinton a paid lobbyist for Noble-- 2009  Leviathian discover prompts calls to renegotiate tax breaks exploration -- Due to size of discovery, Israel must renegotiate -- 2010 Bill Clinton complains to Bibi 2010 that Israel cannot tax US business retroactively whenever they feel like it -- 2015 - Clinton speaks at Rabin assassination mem. / gets booed by crowd -- re his lobbing for Noble Energy Egypt -- Italian company exploration off coast Egypt -- 'supergiant natural gas field discovery -- LARGEST EVER IN MEDITERRANEAN -- twice the size of Israel's offshore fields -- Egypt no longer potential buy of Israel energy Domestic Israel -- market Israel & Palestine depend on Israel infrastructure -- already using gas / domestic increase not substantial per annum -- DEVELOPERS & PARTNERS NEED *EXPORT MARKET* -- Israel & Westbank too small to justify expensive development -- companies will only invest in development if they can be assured of STABLE EXPORT MARKET -- talk of joint Italy-Egypt-Israel agreement -- other option:  TURKEY -- Turkey = economic sense but political hurdles (strained relations) Israel single gas pipeline from Tamar (2015) -- more pipes crucial to develop (for additional fields) -- single pipeline problem (monopoly) + in event of damage source http://www.timesofisrael.com/top-10-things-to-know-about-israels-natural-gas/ -------/\/\/ Delek Delek Group Israeli conglomerate and one of Israel's largest majorly owned by Yitzhak Tshuva EGYPT needs to get by until the offshore gas drilling is in operation (2-3 years) EGYPT ECONOMIC SHORTFALL 1.  SAUDI ADVANCE - $22 BILLION 2.  USA ADVANCE - pending 3.  IMF ADVANCE - pending http://nationalinterest.org/feature/will-sisi-squander-his-chance-fix-egypts-economy-16237 $22 billion Saudi aid   Saudis visit Egypt April Pres. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in damage control mode crisis:     1.  Egypt transferring sovereignty of x2 Red Sea islands to Saudi Arabia     2.  Saudis providing enormous 'economic aid' package to Cairo (ie credit) -- islands possibly sold -- without $22 billion Saudi aid, Egypt on way to economic collapse -- declining tourism -- declining Suez canal revenues [why? is shipping avoiding?] -- Islamist insurgency (ISIS-led) -- foreign reserves dwindling dangerous levels -- 9% annual inflation rate (deemed big) -- over 13% unemployment (not that big, in my view) -- annual budget deficit - 12% -- military sucks up large part of economy / 30% -- food & energy subsidies @ 20% -- bloated bureaucracy + food & energy subsidies = 80% govt budget p.a. -- babies born every 19 seconds - 2.6% replacement rate -- Egypt population poised to double to 180 million by 2050 -- almost half of Egyptians live on $2 day -- $20 billion goes right back to the Saudis in petroleum projects / so it's credit credit -- funding covers 5 years -- Italian discovered offshore gas coming on in 2-3 years -- Saudi credit helps bridge funding gaps until gas happening -- Sisi may be up for tax reforms, intro VAT & capital gains -- Sisi may reduce public sector wages -- Sisi may streamline regulations (business / environment) -- 2017:  stand by for revolution in Egypt -- govt cutting energy subsidies to poor by 43% -- tax reform would enable Egypt to raise food subsidies & to lower deficit -- unknown if Sisi will take this course ... lol -- 2013:  Saudi Arabia, UAE & Kuwait $20 billion aid to Egypt -- back then Egypt did not do any of the reforms it needed to do for enduring change -- pending:     -- USA loan     -- IMF loan http://nationalinterest.org/feature/will-sisi-squander-his-chance-fix-egypts-economy-16237 COMMENT Well, this looks exciting.  But now I can't remember how I got here.  LOL Oh, Israel's forgiving maybe half of Egypt's gas contract cancellation massive kick in the nuts fine.   But Egypt was going to appeal the eye-watering fine.  Israel's got masses of gas, but Egypt having twice the gas stuffs up Israel.  Egypt was going to be a buyer until the offshore discovery ... but now it has become a competitor for customers?  Wow, this could get exciting. So Israel and Egypt are in somewhat similar circumstances:  Egypt wants out of Israeli gas supply, presumably as Egypt has huge supply source of own discovered subsequent to contact that Egypt cancelled.  Similarly, Israel has a lemon of a deal re exploration with Noble Energy, as Noble got huge tax concessions (before the giant gas discovery).  Don't fancy Egypt's chances now that Egypt has a massive off-shore gas supply, twice the size of Israel's.  Uh-oh ... Israel will eat Egypt for breakfast.   Wonder what's going to happen? Israelis are highly political:  it's incredible how big the street protests were. Bill Clinton's a creep.  Punish him, Israel.  LOL -------/\/\/ PS ... wonder if any fall-out from this could have any impact on the Israel-Egypt-US special relationship, or if this is just business? Wow, things aren't good economically in Egypt.   It's like another Ukraine, getting raped by USA & IMF ... & Saudis. Egypt population massive growth + Africa population massive growth by 2050 cannot feasibly be supported, I believe.  There's probably going to be a war or something?

Israel's Role in Syria Destruction

ꕤ Article SOURCE http://www.globalresearch.ca/israel-supports-isis/5492807 Israel Supports ISIS By Stephen Lendman Global Research, December 02, 2015 Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon admitted Israeli support for ISIS and other takfiri terrorists,  calling them Syrian rebels – failing to explain they’re  imported from scores of countries… There are no so-called “moderates” among them. Since Obama waged war on Syria in March 2011, Israel bombed government targets multiple times.  It continues supplying terrorist elements with weapons, munitions and other support. Over 1,000 of their wounded fighters were treated in Israeli hospitals, helping them recover to resume waging terror on Syria. Ya’alon claiming Israeli policy excludes “getting involved in the Syrian war” is a lie. Israel’s long-range goal is unchallenged regional hegemony, independent governments eliminated in Syria, Iran and Lebanon, area nations balkanized into mini-states for easier control, undeclared Israeli borders expanded to incorporate territory of neighboring states. On November 24, The Voltaire Network said journalist Sharri Markson got firsthand accounts from wounded jihadist terrorists receiving treatment at Israel’s Ziv Medical Centre, “specialising in war traumology…government-run and linked to the Israeli Defence Forces.” Their recovery is aided to help them “continue the jihad in Syria.” Israeli security forces detained and interrogated her in a “heavy-handed” way for exposing what they want kept secret. In September 2014, a photo of Netanyahu and Ya’alon visiting terrorists receiving care in an Israeli hospital went viral online – Netanyahu seen shaking a terrorist’s hand. According to the al-Araby al-Jadeed newspaper, “Israel has in one way or another become the main marketer of ISIS oil. Without them, most ISIS-produced oil would have remained going between Iraq, Syria and Turkey. Even the three companies would not receive the oil if they did not have a buyer in Israel.” In October, Iraqi security forces captured an Israeli colonel, Yuri Oulen Shahak, working directly with ISIS terrorists. He explained Netanyahu’s criminality during interrogation, one more example of Zionist evil. He directly “participated in the ISIL group’s terrorist operations,” according to Iraqi authorities. --------------------------- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago. He can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. His new book as editor and contributor is titled “Flashpoint in Ukraine: US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III.” http://www.claritypress.com/LendmanIII.html Visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- SMH Journalist Sharri Markson detained on Israeli visit Date November 23, 2015 A prominent Australian journalist was detained by Israeli security officials in tense scenes last week for breaching protocol during a visit to a hospital treating victims of the Syrian civil war. Sharri Markson, a senior writer at The Australian, was detained for questioning by security officials at the Ziv Medical Centre in northern Israel on Thursday. Markson was travelling with other Australian journalists on a week-long study tour organised by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council. ... Over 500 Syrians – including wounded fighters battling the Assad regime – have been treated at the Ziv Medical Centre in Safed, near the Syrian border. In a briefing before the tour began, hospital staff told the journalists that the patients could be at risk upon their return to Syria if it became known they had sought treatment in Israel. The hospital uses elaborate methods to secretly transfer the patients in and out of Syria. The eight journalists were instructed not to record the names of the patients or to take photos that could identify them. CONTINUED http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/journalist-sharri-markson-detained-on-israeli-visit-20151122-gl4xtf.html COMMENT It was all good until I got to the bit about the Israeli colonel.  I'm pretty sure that Times of Israel published an article denying the 'colonel capture' story.  I don't know enough about the oil trade to work out if Israel is involved.  But after seeing the article about the Australian journalist's (Markson's) visit to the Israeli hospital that's treating those attacking Syria, I'd believe just about anything. And, yes, there was a photo of Netanyahu visiting what I guess are jihadists in an Israeli hospital. The part about Balkanising the Middle East for easier control makes sense. Note also: Israel bombed government targets multiple times Israel continues supplying or weapons, munitions & other How is this even OK? Syria is being destroyed and Israel is patching up those that are attacking the government of a sovereign adjoining nation. Why isn't this declared terrorism?   ꕤ

Germany - Reportedly Funding Israel Nuclear Program for Over Half Century

Germany Reportedly Funding Israel Nuclear Program for Over Half Century  Since 1960 ꕤ COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Brief Summary Video In contravention of German constitution & in contravention of non-proliferation treaty to which Germany is signatory, Germany is subsidising Israeli nuclear program and has done so for over half a century, commencing 1960. Germany denies role in creation of nuclear Israel, just as Berlin denies knowledge of nuclear missiles deployed on German-built submarines, delivered to Israel. Germany's subsidy of Israel nuclear program has escalated under Angela Merkel.  Each time Israel attacks Gaza and the West Bank, German and American weapon are used. Cold War German gains, with Israel then sharing Soviet weapons evaluations with Germany, while Israel is currently sharing active military experience with Germany. Mordechai Vanunu Israeli whistleblower imprisoned 18 years 11 years solitary confinement Vanunu "The human spirit is free.  You cannot destroy the human spirit." source https://youtu.be/xYKOq3XoGIM ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Having read the (below) article about non-Jew killing laws in Israel's Haaretz newspaper, shortly before watching the above video, I'm now expecting Israel to nuke us all some day -- especially, knowing Israel practices the doctrine of pre-emptive attack.  It's probably not going to happen any time soon, but it could happen. As I understand, Benjamin Netanyahu gave his support to Rabbi Yaakov Yosef, who provided a letter of approval and expanded on various laws, including the following: “The King’s Torah − Laws of Killing Non-Jews.”  http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/netanyahu-and-the-goyim.premium-1.517024?v=0277EA796259F0A6E4341F73F3B96753 It's hard not to feel somewhat offended reading an article about special laws for killing non-Jews, after having read not so long ago that a revered rabbi (former Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel (1973-1983) -- and spiritual leader of the ultra-orthodox Shas Party -- Ovadia Yosef) considered non-Jews 'donkeys' in the service of the Jewish people.  Not sure what to make of this overall.  Perhaps comments of that rabbi were taken out of context?  The rabbi was talking about the rest day or holy day, I think.  Even so,  it's hard not to conclude that being a non-Jew is unfavourable and would be a significant disadvantage, where there is considerable emphasis placed on who's in and who's out.  As I understand, Israel started off as secular Zionist endeavour, as the early Zionists were atheists, and were cool with state-sharing with the existing communities, but the religious faction of Zionism took over and  things moved along a different path.  Some commentators advocate for a mixed Jewish Arab state as a solution to ongoing conflict and lack of resolution, but I'm of the opinion that they must be nuts thinking that this could possibly work or that Israel would survive as a Jewish state in those circumstances. Anyway, Jewish law (which is pretty much rabbinical law, as I understand) covers everything and is very extensive;  so that's probably why they've got a law on killing non-Jews -- as in, that's why it would have arisen. Haaretz referred to it as a blanket racist killing law (or something like that ... too lazy to check exact wording) and Haaretz pointed out that this isn't even paralleled in Islamic laws (although the Islamics have OK'd suicide attacks). Not sure how killing of non-Jews rabbinical laws fit into what I assume are still secular laws of the state of Israel (save for the family law arena).   Anyway, it's something to think about ... or not.  It's not like we're vulnerable to an Israeli attack.  But if we were, we can expect the Israelis to be merciless, is what I get out of this. PS ... it is rather odd subsidising a nukes program of those that follow doctrine of pre-emptive attack. Pre-emptive War Israel incorporates preemptive war in its strategic doctrine due to its lack of strategic depth. The Six-Day War, which began when Israel launched a successful attack on Egypt on June 5, 1967, has been widely described as a preemptive war and is, according to the United States State Department, "perhaps the most cited example [of preemption]". [...] One academic has claimed that Israel's attack was not permissible under the Caroline test, arguing that there was no overwhelming threat to Israel's survival. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preemptive_war ꕤ

Britian Refused to Play By Own Rules -- 112,000 Petition Calling for Arrest of Netanyahu for War Crimes - Not Debated In Parliament

ꕤ Article SOURCE PRESS TV http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/09/18/429735/UK-Parliament-Netanyahu-Arrest-Petition UK parliament under fire for declining Netanyahu arrest petition Fri Sep 18, 2015 2:46PM The British Parliament has come under increasing fire over its decision to skip a debate on a petition calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “It’s quite disappointing that the Parliament has refused to play by its own rules. The fact is that it’s a particular issue which receives over 100,000 signatures that ultimately allows to be debated on the floor of the House. The fact that it has been declined, gives rise to many questions,” said Anas al-Tikriti, chief executive of the Cordoba Foundation.     “It seems to me that the Parliament has failed in its duty. It seems to me that this is the continuation of the pro-Israel lobby in its attempt to sweep under the carpet the crimes committed by Israel,” he told Press TV’s UK Desk on Friday. ‘Important petition’ Al-Tikriti described the petition as an important bid, which shows the British people want an end to their government’s support for the Israeli regime. “I think that 112,000 signatures means that there is a quite tremendous disgust in British government’s continuous relationship with Israel… It demonstrates that there is a huge gap between what the British public feels and wants and how the British government and its politicians behave,…” he underscored. Earlier this week, the British parliament announced that it will not debate the petition calling for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes. The petition has already received over 112,000 signatures, well above 100,000 signatures necessary to qualify the motion for a debate in parliament. It was uploaded on the UK Parliament’s official website on August 7. Those signing the petition wanted Netanyahu to be brought to justice for the crimes committed against Palestinian people during Israel’s deadly war on the Gaza Strip last year. However, the House of Commons’ Petitions Committee announced Wednesday that it is not possible, neither under the international law, nor the UK law, to take action against the Israeli prime minister over Tel Aviv’s war crimes against the people of Gaza. ‘Staunch support for Israel’ The British government, which is seen as one of the staunch supporters of the Israeli regime, had already rejected the bid. “Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained,” the government said on the petition website. Earlier this month, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced that his country “remains staunch" in its "defense of Israel". Cameron made the pledge while meeting with visiting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 10 Downing Street in London on September 10.   Anti-Israel sentiments Netanyahu’s two-day visit to London provoked anger among many Britons with a number of them gathering outside Downing Street on to demand his arrest for war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Last year, Tel Aviv launched a 50-day war on the besieged coastal territory, killing nearly 22-hundred people, most of them civilians. Thousands more were injured and some 100-thousand houses were damaged during the indiscriminate attacks. The war drew global condemnation and prompted many people across the world to join campaigns against the Israeli regime, including BDS Movement (boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israel). http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/09/18/429735/UK-Parliament-Netanyahu-Arrest-Petition ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT "... announced Wednesday that it is not possible, neither under the international law, nor the UK law, to take action ..." It must depend on who's doing the bombing. If it was Serbia, I'm sure the Brits would oblige -- swiftly. But I guess US-NATO doesn't need Gaza for a Middle Eastern military base, as Israel has that strategic market cornered. So, the post WWII international laws were never intended to be respected by the US and its allies. It was just some humanitarian / international 'super-league' farce, passing a  fantasy benchmark of military propriety, intended to be imposed on minor players and targets only. PressTV Needs to upload audio to YouTube.  Found their audio difficult listening.  Constant stop-start.  Gave up. ꕤ

British Government Observes International Law Regarding Netanyahu Immunity | Violates International Law On Political Asylum Granted to Assange

Petition  Benjamin Netanyahu to be arrested for war crimes when he arrives in London Benjamin Netanyahu is to hold talks in London this September. Under international law he should be arrested for war crimes upon arrival in the U.K for the massacre of over 2000 civilians in 2014 Sign this petition 76,065 signatures SOURCE | here SOURCE http://rinf.com/alt-news/editorials/british-government-benjamin-netanyahu-immune-from-arrest/ British Government: Benjamin Netanyahu immune from arrest Aug 22, 2015 RINF Alternative News As the petition for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reaches in excess of 75,000 signatures, the British Government has issued an official statement which clears the war criminal of any wrong doing, despite tens of thousands of UK citizens calling for his arrest for the massacre of more than 2000 civilians in 2014. Today the British Government issued this statement: Under UK and international law, visiting heads of foreign governments, such as Prime Minister Netanyahu, have immunity from legal process, and cannot be arrested or detained. The British Government has invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as head of the Israeli Government, to visit the UK in September. Under UK and international law, certain holders of high-ranking office in a State, including Heads of State, Heads of Government and Ministers for Foreign Affairs are entitled to immunity, which includes inviolability and complete immunity from criminal jurisdiction. We recognise that the conflict in Gaza last year took a terrible toll. As the Prime Minister said, we were all deeply saddened by the violence and the UK has been at the forefront of international reconstruction efforts. However the Prime Minister was clear on the UK’s recognition of Israel’s right to take proportionate action to defend itself, within the boundaries of international humanitarian law. We condemn the terrorist tactics of Hamas who fired rockets on Israel, built extensive tunnels to kidnap and murder, and repeatedly refused to accept ceasefires. Israel, like any state, has the right to ensure its own security, as its citizens also have the right to live without fear of attack. The UK consistently urged Israel to do everything possible to avoid civilian casualties, to exercise restraint, and to help find ways to bring the situation to an end. The UK continues to urge the parties to give priority to reaching a durable solution for Gaza which addresses the underlying drivers of conflict, and to take the necessary practical steps to ensure Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery. We welcome the fact that Israel is conducting internal investigations into specific incidents during Operation Protective Edge. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing those responsible must be held accountable whatever their position in society. Both parties must also demonstrate robust and credible internal investigations which are in line with international standards. We have also encouraged the Israeli authorities, as we do all countries, to cooperate with the independent Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) regarding the preliminary examination into the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories since 13 June, 2014, whilst noting that Israel is not a State Party to the ICC. The UK is a close friend of Israel and we enjoy an excellent bilateral relationship, built on decades of cooperation between our two countries across a range of fields. Our priority for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains the achievement of a two-state solution, based on 1967 borders. We continue to believe that negotiations will be necessary in order to achieve this, and that both parties need to focus on steps that are conducive to peace. The UK Government will reinforce this message to Mr Netanyahu during his visit. SOURCE http://rinf.com/alt-news/editorials/british-government-benjamin-netanyahu-immune-from-arrest/ ---------------------- ꕤ  ---------------------- COMMENT Britain’s David Cameron and his government are selective when it comes to observing international law. Israel may commit large-scale civilian slaughter with impunity, and David Cameron's Britain is in full support.  But, of course.  That's to be expected. Cameron relies on 'international law' in this instance, to justify Britain’s refusal to act against Israel. On the other hand, Britain doesn't have the same regard for international law when it comes to the political asylum granted by Ecuador to Julian Assange. 1. The Right of a State to Grant Asylum. The right of a state to grant asylum is well established in international law. It follows from the principle that every sovereign state is deemed to, have  exclusive control over its territory and hence over persons present in its territory. One of the implications of this generally recognized rule is that every sovereign state has the right to grant or deny asylum to persons located within its boundaries.' Traditionally, thus, in international law, the right of asylum has been viewed as the right of a state, rather than the right of an individual.  There is little dispute as to this general principle of international law. It is confirmed in international and regional instruments as well as in state practice. First, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provides in Article 14(1) inter alia the right of each individual to "enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution".  The late Professor Hersch Lauterpacht noted that this wording was introduced by the British delegation, interpreting it as meaning "the right of every state to offer refuge and to resist all demands for extradition.".. Professor Lauterpacht commented that such a right is one, "which every state.., possesses under international law. Second, the Declaration on Territorial Asylum adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1967 provides in Article 1(1) that, "[a]sylum granted by a State, in the exercise of its sovereignty, to persons entitled to invoke Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,... shall be respected by all other States."  Further, the Article 1(3) of this Declaration vests the state of asylum with authority "to evaluate the grounds for the grant of asylum."   [...] Under international law, states have a right to grant asylum and a duty not to prevent those who wish to emigrate or seek asylum elsewhere from doing so. SOURCE |  PDF - Duke University | here Ecuador relies on Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human rights (1948), among an extensive number of other instruments  | here British hypocrites own words regarding asylum here: "the right of every state to offer refuge and to resist all demands for extradition." Check out what else the sneaky, hypocritical, British government is getting up to: Tories plan to withdraw UK from European convention on human rights [Chris] Grayling said a Tory government would withdraw from the convention if parliament failed to secure the right to veto judgments from the European court of human rights (ECHR). Tories would reverse more than half a century’s tradition of human rights authority residing in Europe by giving parliament the right to veto judgments. The authority of the court in Strasbourg would be severely curtailed, with parliament given the final say in deciding whether or not to adopt ECHR decisions. SOURCE |  here Move also clears the way for military abuses: "The impact would be wide-ranging. UK armed forces would cease to be subject to human rights legislation overseas"  [ibid] ꕤ

FOREIGN SERVICE UPDATES

Anti Benjamin Netanyahu protest: 35,000 -- #Israel Tel Aviv's Rabin Square Saturday 35,000 - anti #NETANYAHU rally reckon ignoring domestic / obsessed with Iran Dissenters say Bibi focus on Iran = avoiding Palestine issue also 'ISIS excuse' >made the security of Israel hostage settlers Issues raised by speech-makers: >peace with Palestine >occupation >economy >housing crisis >damage to relations with USA Ditch Ron Dermer Writer suggests #Netanyahu get rid of 'political hack' at embassy - Ron Dermer  presumably -  replace with competent and professional ambassador http://www.thejewishweek.com/blogs/political-insider/israel-wants-change -- Israel - Non-residents Voting - General Election Israel elections limited absentee votes for citizens abroad mainly for diplomats & other official emissaries Israel - other citizens return to Israel to vote / civic commitment driving force Israel - Woman interviewed says overseas voters not fair having say a on issues affecting her & other permanent residents. Well, yeah, I'd be complaining about that as well ... if it's people that have been away for ages. http://www.jewishaz.com/us_worldnews/israel/for-some-israelis-abroad-cost-and-distance-no-barrier-to/article_7c6104a8-c777-11e4-a102-8f52dd54429f.html -- LatAm  Venezuela Following US sanctions, Venezuela demand: Washington cut embassy staff from about 100 to 17 {same number Caracas is allowed in WA} LatAm Venezuela vehemently criticised new US sanctions. Washington goal:  for new govt to be installed. LatAm Venezuela US = Venezuela top trading partner Venezuela in 2014 = 4th largest oil supplier to USA *trade unaffected by sanctions row http://www.spyghana.com/venezuela-vents-her-anger-on-new-us-sanctions/ --- Rev. Hyeon Soo Lim, 60, #Canada detained #NorthKorea in Feb. #Sweden embassy mediating for US (US = no ties) http://www.christiandaily.com/article/canada.church.prays.for.pastor.detained.in.north.korea/49931.htm #Indonesia #auspol Jakarta = abt 10 death row prisoners to finish legal appeals before setting a date for executions  http://www.echo.net.au/2015/03/sukumaran-paints-jokowi-portrait/ #India Delhi Police baton charged & detained exiled Tibetans staging a protest outside #Chinese Embassy. #Tibet March 10 Tibetan National Uprising Day (1959) http://www.newkerala.com/news/2015/fullnews-29562.html Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between #EU & #KoreaSouth is in effect South Koreans want to suspend NorKs nukes program Bilateral buddies #Latvia  #Latvia   http://www.baltic-course.com/eng/legislation/?doc=103532 -- Said it before and I'll say it again:  look how buddied up the Swedes are with the US, standing in for the US in negotiations with North Korea.

Netanyahu - Iran 2015 vs Iraq 2002

IRAN NETANYAHU 2002 Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. 2015 Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. 2012 Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research.  1984 Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. ............................................................... The above images obviously do not belong to me and were not created by me.  They're examples of political comments currently available online and they're politically topical. The first image and quote from 2002 on Iraq is certainly thought provoking. At this point in time, I have no set opinion on any potential danger of Iran.

Something Stinks: British Detention & FBI Investigation

Court reveals FBI still investigating WikiLeaks' Julian Assange Date     March 5, 2015 - 2:21PM     -     Philip Dorling A United States court has confirmed that WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange is still being targeted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation more than five years after the anti-secrecy website's first publication of a secret diplomatic cable leaked by US soldier Chelsea Manning. In a judgment handed down on March 4, 2015, US District Court judge Barbara Rothstein has stated that the FBI and the US Department of Justice are still pursuing an "ongoing criminal investigation of WikiLeaks" arising from the leaks of classified information by private Manning in early 2010. In largely rejecting an application by the US Electronic Privacy Information Centre for release of documents under US freedom of information laws, Judge Rothstein accepted FBI and Justice Department claims that the disclosure of any information would prejudice a "multi-subject investigation" into WikiLeaks that is "still active and ongoing." Judge Rothstein found that the FBI and Justice Department's National Security and Criminal Justice Divisions provided "sufficient specificity as to the status of the investigation, and sufficient explanation as to why the investigation is of long-term duration." She also confirmed that the WikiLeaks investigation is "separate and distinct" from the investigation and prosecution of private Manning who was convicted by a US military court of espionage and other offences in July 2013 and sentenced to 35 years' imprisonment. Judge Rothstein accepted claims by the FBI Justice Department that disclosure of any details about the investigation could "expose the scope and methods of the investigation, and tip-off subjects and other persons of investigative interest". The judge said she gave "appropriate defence to the executive on issues of national security..." In January it was revealed that that three journalists who have worked for WikiLeaks since 2010 – Sarah Harrison, Joseph Farrell and Kristinn Hrafnsson – had been informed by Google that all their Gmail account content, metadata, subscriber information, and other content were provided to US federal law enforcement in response to search warrants issued in March 2012. US laws referenced in the search warrants related to espionage, conspiracy, theft of US government property and computer fraud and abuse. WikiLeaks first published a US diplomatic cable leaked by Private Manning in February 2010. The anti-secrecy website subsequently published tens of thousands of secret documents covering US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and the conduct of US diplomacy. Australian diplomatic cables released to Fairfax Media under freedom-of-information laws later revealed that in December 2010 senior Justice Department officials privately described the WikiLeaks investigation as "unprecedented in scale and nature". Since June 2012, Mr Assange has lived at Ecuador's London embassy, where he has been granted political asylum by Ecuador on the grounds that he is at risk of extradition to the US to face espionage and conspiracy charges. British police are on guard outside the embassy 24 hours a day, waiting to arrest Mr Assange so he can be extradited to Sweden to face questioning about sexual assault and rape allegations first raised in August 2010. Mr Assange's lawyers have advised that his extradition to Sweden could facilitate his extradition to the US. A recent freedom of information application by Fairfax Media shows the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has largely given up reporting on Mr Assange's circumstances, with the Australian embassy in Washington mentioning WikiLeaks in only two brief diplomatic cables between November 2013 and January 2015. One cable referred without comment to a Washington Post article in November 2013 that quoted unnamed US administration sources as saying that it would be difficult to bring espionage charges against Mr Assange, although no final decision had been taken. http://www.theage.com.au/world/court-reveals-fbi-still-investigating-wikileaks-julian-assange-20150305-13vuwj.html?utm_source=FreeAssangeNow&utm_medium=Twitter COMMENT A frothing at the mouth USA launches an unprecedented investigation into the activities of publisher Julian Assange & WikiLeaks, following the 2010 publication of the whistleblower Chelsea Manning US classified information. Lo and behold, by August-September 2010 (on the eve of publication of further US classified material - Iraq war logs), Sweden (long-time political, intelligence and military partner of the US) is suddenly pursuing WikiLeaks publisher, Assange, in relation to sexual assault related allegations. Following an initial police investigation that was dismissed by a Swedish prosecutor and then quietly and mysteriously reactivated shortly thereafter by a Stockholm prosecutor, Sweden issued a dime-a-dozen European Arrest Warrant (see Sweden hypocritical 'concerns' re misuse of EAW for political persecution) and an Interpol Red Notice for the suspiciously convenient arrest of Assange. Taking a look at the WikiLeaks releases timeline, it's obvious (to all but the disturbingly naive or wilfully stupid) that multiple US government agencies must have been frantically deployed to shut down WikiLeaks operations by any means.  By the time Sweden suddenly revived a tossed out allegations inquiry with which to pursue Assange, WikiLeaks had already enraged US government officials by publishing the explosive Manning material in April 2010, followed by publication of the Afghanistan war logs and announment of an imminent publication of the Iraq war logs:  WikiLeaks Timeline 2006-2009 Exposing government & corporate wrongdoing 2010 (April) Manning material incl. VIDEO:   Collateral Murder 2010 (July) Afghanistan - war logs 2010 (Oct) Iraq -  war logs With US determination to shut down the WikiLeaks organisation and to cripple all those associated with whistleblower publisher which exposed US wrongdoing, it's  unsurprising that Assange's political asylum has been blocked by cooperative allied governments, hang the cost to the British taxpayer:  https://govwaste.co.uk/ Let that be a terrifying warning to all journalists and would-be publishers of US secrets. Five years on, the US is actively investigating the publisher and those associated with the organisation and citing 'national security' interests to block release of further information regarding their multi-subject investigation. Declaring 'national security' is a government trump card for shutting down transparency and, basically, doing whatever the government officials choose to do, relieved of public scrutiny and therefore of accountability. Meanwhile, journalists and others associated with the non-US publisher organisation are being harassed and intimidated by what surely must be yet another example of US government overreach, seeing the non-US organisation and people associated with it are beyond American borders and have not committed any crime within their own national jurisdictions. Assange, in the meantime, has been deprived of liberty in Britain for over 4 years without charge and the Australian Foreign Affairs department has barely shown interest in Assange in the last year or so.  Never mind fighting fearlessly for the freedom of an Aussie journalist-publisher by strongly (and publicly) condemning Sweden, Britain and United States, and challenging what is de facto detention and obvious political persecution of Julian Assange. Israel Stands By Israelis / Australia Kowtows to America Were Assange an Israeli citizen, there would be no keeping Benjamin Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman from doing everything they possibly could do to protect their citizen, which is enough to make you want to be an Israeli. Take Jonathan Pollard, US citizen convicted of spying for Israel and others, arrested 1987.  Pollard was a US navy analyst who sold information.  Yet he was granted Israeli citizenship in 1995 and Israel has been doing everything it can to secure his release: Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard release talk infuriates US intel community http://www.smh.com.au/world/israeli-spy-jonathan-pollard-release-talk-infuriates-us-intel-community-20140401-zqpm5.html  ................................................ Israel fights for Pollard: 1998:  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted that Pollard was an Israeli agent, handled by high-ranking officials of the Israeli Bureau for Scientific Relations (Lekem). The Israeli government ... continues to ask for his release. Benjamin Netanyahu has been particularly vocal in lobbying for Pollard's release, visiting Pollard in prison in 2002. Netanyahu raised the issue with President Bill Clinton during the Wye River peace talks in 1998. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Pollard Netanyahu has characterized Pollard as "a warmhearted Jew, proud and a real Zionist." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Netanyahu Israel consistently and persistently stands by its own no matter what. Even over the passage of decades, regardless of a conviction for wrongdoing. In contrast, Australia sits on its hands doing nothing while an Australian journalist and publisher, who is has committed no offence, is trapped and deprived of liberty without charge, for over 4 years.  ................................................ Julian Assange has committed no crime in Australia: AFP http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/julian-assange-has-committed-no-crime-in-australia-afp-20101220-190eb.html December 20, 2010 Dylan Welch Neither WikiLeaks nor its founder Julian Assange has committed any crime in Australia over the leaking of official United States government documents, the Australian Federal Police announced this afternoon. This comes despite Prime Minister Julia Gillard labelling the actions of the group "illegal" two weeks ago. A statement released by the federal police just before 1pm said: "The AFP has completed its evaluation of the material available and has not established the existence of any criminal offences where Australia would have jurisdiction.  ................................................ End the persecution of Julian Assange, now http://www.australiantimes.co.uk/end-the-persecution-of-julian-assange-now/ Australian Times (UK) is a London publication for and by Aussies.  No idea who the author of the article in Australian Times (UK) is, but I rather liked the article and have linked it.    ................................................ SWEDEN -  Hypocrisy Selective Human Rights Concerns SWEDEN - Gregorian Bivolaru Asylum / European Arrest Warrant (EAW) In meetings 17th October [2013] in Brussels several Swedish MEPs expressed their concern and interest to work for the case, and the Romanian misuse of the European Arrest Warrant to pursue political persecution of the refugee Bivolaru.  ................................................ Blog post and link regarding the Gregorian Bivolaru matter in Sweden - here.