Israel Bombs Gaza - Again

PALESTINE Israel Bombs Gaza - Again PressTV http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/07/02/473168/Israeli-jets-launch-several-airstrikes-on-Gaza Israeli warplanes launch several airstrikes on Gaza Strip Sat Jul 2, 2016 12:58AM Israeli warplanes have launched several airstrikes on the Gaza Strip in yet another act of aggression against the besieged Palestinian coastal territory. No casualties have yet been reported in the Saturday morning attacks that followed reports of an alleged rocket launch from Gaza on a vacant kindergarten in the town of Sderot in the occupied Palestinian territories. The Israeli warplanes reportedly hit the Zeitoun district of Gaza City and a site belonging to the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza came hours after Tel Aviv imposed a closure on the occupied West Bank city of al-Khalil (Hebron) and its surrounding areas following the killing of an Israeli man in a drive-by shooting there. Earlier on Friday, Israeli forces shot dead a 27-year-old Palestinian woman, identified as Sarah Tarayra, after she allegedly attempted to carry out a stabbing attack near the revered Muslim religious monument of the Ibrahimi Mosque in the city. The Israeli military frequently bombs the Gaza Strip. The disproportionate force is always used in violation of international law, and civilians are often killed or injured. In early July 2014, Israel waged a war on the Gaza Strip. The 50-day military aggression, which ended on August 26, 2014, killed nearly 2,200 Palestinians, including 577 children. Over 11,100 others – including 3,374 children, 2,088 women and 410 elderly people – were also wounded in the war. Israel continues to carry out attacks on the Palestinian strip from time to time. Gaza has been blockaded since 2007, a situation that has caused a decline in the standard of living, unprecedented levels of unemployment, and unrelenting poverty. The apartheid regime of Israel denies about 1.8 million people in Gaza their basic rights, such as freedom of movement, proper job, and adequate healthcare and education. http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2016/07/02/473168/Israeli-jets-launch-several-airstrikes-on-Gaza COMMENT The US-Anglo Capitalist Empire (and allied capitalist puppets) ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE 9-YEAR IMPRISONMENT OF PALESTINIANS BY ISRAELI BLOCKADE, as well as the decades long dispossession, decades long refugee status, and regular killings of Palestinians. Balfour Declaration (1917): "The British government hoped that the declaration would rally Jewish opinion, especially in the United States, to the side of the Allied powers against the Central Powers during World War I (1914–18). They hoped also that the settlement in Palestine of a pro-British Jewish population might help to protect the approaches to the Suez Canal in neighbouring Egypt and thus ensure a vital communication route to British colonial possessions in India. The Balfour Declaration was endorsed by the principal Allied powers and was included in the British mandate over Palestine, formally approved by the newly created League of Nations on July 24, 1922." [source]

Modern History - Israel vs. Palestine List

ꕤ History Israel vs. Palestine Israel War of Independence (1947-1949) Jewish militias vs. Arab militias turns to war on declaration of independence of Israel & intervention of several Arab armies settlement:  1949 Armistice Agreements signed by Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria armistice lines:  the Green Line Reprisal Ops (1950s-1960s) IDF military ops response to Arab guerilla incursions from Syria, Egypt & Jordan Israel declares:  high 'blood cost' to enemy side as deterrence from future attacks Suez Crisis (1956) Egypt attacked by:  Israel, Britain & France intention to occupy Sinai Peninsula & take over Suez Canal response to Egypt decision to nationalise Suez Canal (following US-Anglo withdrawal of offer to fund Aswan Dam) Conclusion: US & USSR (Soviet Russia) forced Israeli invasion to retreat Israel reopened Straits of Tiran & pacified southern border ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Six Day War (1967) Israel vs Egypt, Jordan & Syria (contributors:  Iraq, Saudi Arab, Kuwait & Algeria) Conclusion:  territory held by Israel expanded significantly -->  The Purpose Line West Bank (incl. East Jerusalem) - taken from Jordan Golan Heights - taken from Syria Sinai & Gaza - taken from Egypt ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- War of Attrition (1967-1970) Egyptians seek to recapture Sinai from Israel Egypt Jordan Syria PLO USSR ceasefire 1970 - frontiers remain same ---------------------- ꕤ ----------------------   Operation Gift (1968) 29 Dec. 1968 Israeli IDF commandos destroy 12 passenger aircraft 2 cargo planes at Beirut International Airport response to attack on:  Israeli Airliner El Al Flight 253 by Palestinian Lebanon-based militant org:  Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) 29 Dec. 1968 Israeli commandos destroy 14 aircraft #Lebanon 12 passenger aircraft + 2 cargo planes @ $43.8 million - British insurers would not cover all https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1968_Israeli_raid_on_Lebanon   ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Yom kuppur War (1973) 20-days Arab states coalition led by Egypt & Syria seek to recapture territories seized by Israel 6-Day War (1967) surprise attack Arab forces defeated no significant territorial changes ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Palestinian Insurgency  - South Lebanon (1971-1982) PLO relocated from Jordan to South Lebanon base for international ops attacks on Galilee, northern Israel Galilee 1948 Arab–Israeli war outcome: nearly the whole of Galilee came under Israel control large portion of the population fled or was forced to leave leaving dozens of entire villages empty large Israeli-Arab community remained based in and near the cities: Nazareth, Acre, Tamra, Sakhnin, & Shefa-'Amr ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Israel response:  Op Litani (1978) first Israel large-scale invasion of Lebanon IDF seek to expel PLO from Lebanon ground & rocket attacks from Lebanon Israel retaliation escalation --> leads to:  Lebanon War (1982) ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Lebanon War (1982) IDF invade southern Lebanon to expel PLO Israeli response to: 1.  terror attacks on northern Israel 2.  assassination attempt against Shlomo Argov, Israel to UK ambassador assassination attempt by:   Abu Nidal org Result: 1) exclusion of PLO from southern Lebanon 2) 'Israeli Security Zone' in southern Lebanon     (ie Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon)     IDF was allied with Christian militias     Israel eventually withdrew troops, May 2000 ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- South Lebanon Conflict (1982-2000) 20 years of warfare Israel IDF + Israel proxy (Lebanese Christian militias) vs. Muslim guerrillas (led by Iran-backed Hezbollah) in Israeli occupied southern Lebanon, claimed as 'security zone' ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- First Intifada (1987-1993) 6 years large-scale Palestinian uprising against Israel West Bank & Gaza Strip ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Second Intifada (2000-2005) large-scale Palestinian uprising against Israel ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Lebanon War (2006) Israeli military op response to abduction x2 Israeli reservists by Hezbollah led to wider confrontation Hezbollah vs IDF UN brokered ceasefire thereafter, Israel lifted naval blockade of Lebanon result: 1)  pacification of southern Lebanon 2)  weakness of Hezbollah (serious casualties) ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Gaza War (2008-2009) Dec-Jan - 3-week armed conflict Israel vs Hamas escalation of Israel-Palestine conflict rocket fire from Gaza Strip Israel response:  Op Cast Lead Op Cast Lead:  surprise Israel air-strike on Gaza Strip Israel attacked: military targets civilian targets police stations government buildings in opening assault ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- 2013 - Peaceful Period x50 rockets by Palestine x10 Israel air-strikes x44 Palestinians killed 100 plus Palestinians injured x6  Israel fatalities (x5 West Bank) x44 Israel injuries  Israel | Palestine 6 / 44 deaths 44 / 100 injuries ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Operation Pillar of Defence (2012) Israel military offensive on Gaza Strip 8-day IDF op killing of Ahmed Jabari, chief Hamas launch of large numbers of Hamas rockets IED explosion on Israeli side of tunnel under Israeli Est Bank barrier Hamas alleges:  IDF attacks on Gaza civilians in lead-up to op Hamas cites:  blockade of Gaza Strip & Occupation West Bank & East Jerusalem as reason for rocket attacks Hamas fired: over 1,456 rockets into Israel Op Pillar of Defence: IDF struck over 1,500 sites in Gaza Strip result:  Israel rockets killed x3 Israeli civilians a home in Kiryat Malachi received a direct hit Palestine UNHCR report: 174 Palestinians were killed 100s wounded large number of families displaced Israeli operation condemned by: Iran Russia Egypt Turkey + several other Arab & Muslim countries ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Operation Brother's Keeper IDF initiated 11-day op in search of x3 kidnapped Israeli teenagers 350 Palestinians arrested arrest of nearly all Hamas West Bank leaders x5 Palestinians killed Hamas denied responsibility for kidnapping suspect confessed under Israel Shin Bet (internal security) heavy torture ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- Gaza War (2014) Operation Protective Edge (2014) Miv'tza Tzuk Eitan (lit. Operation Strong Cliff) 50-day war Israel military offensive on Gaza Strip lead-up: kidnap & murder x3 Israeli teenagers kidnap & murder of Palestinian teenager increased rocket attacks on Israel by Hamas J. J. Goldberg, editor Forward:  Israel military indictment contains no evidence of orders from Hamas --> kidnapping organised by lone actors assumed that kidnappers planned prisoner swap Israel kills x2 suspects in shoot-out first suspect (lone-acting, member of Hamas) imprisoned - x3 life terms (+ compensation) Israel targeted destruction of homes of Hamas and other militia members violates international humanitarian law -- > constitute war crimes    [wikipedia] ** this is not full extent of the alleged war crimes 3,700 rockets fired towards Israel 32 Hamas tunnels destroyed by Israel 750 Palestinians - alleged Hamas militants & commanders killed by Israel 2014 Gaza War - COSTS Palestinians killed: 2,139 Palestinian children killed: 490 Israeli soldiers killed: 64 Israeli civilians killed: 6 Israeli children killed: 1 Palestinians wounded: 11,000 Palestinian children wounded: 3,000 Gaza residents displaced: Up to 500,000 Homes destroyed in Gaza: 20,000 Source: UN via Independent:  Independent Other cost:  international aid Israel  |  Palestine 71 dead / 2,193 dead ? wounded  / 11,000 wounded ? displaced / 500,000 displaced https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Israel ---------------------- ꕤ ---------------------- COMMENT Most of the above info is as per the Wikipedia entries. It's just my summary, in the hope of remembering some of this. Figures haven't been double-checked and I've not looked further  into the war crimes issue. 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

Israel - Palestine Conflict: Mads Gilbert & Noam Chomsky

ISRAEL / PALESTINE MADS GILBERT Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZzIf7Bk8CHM Talk to Al Jazeera - Mads Gilbert:  'People are questioning Israel' Mads Gilbert is a convincing voice for Palestine and it's worthwhile taking the time to view this video, which is from the perspective of a medical professional that has long been active in helping people in Palestine. Gilbert says that, according to international law, an occupied people have the right to take up arms to defend themselves.  That isn't something the mainstream media makes clear.  In fact, I think that's the first time I've ever heard anybody say that. It is also illegal to occupy a people!  Wow, I didn't even know that. During this interview, Gilbert calls into question the Israeli narrative of Israel as a people under attack. Gilbert goes on to say that the solution is a political one rather than a military one. NOAM CHOMSKY Which takes me back to another video that I watched about Palestine and Israel - Noam Chomsky's UN speech: Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2LNyZ6NNeE Noam Chomsky at UN (Oct 14th, 2014)  "Solutions To The Israel-Palestine Conflict" It's worthwhile taking the time to watch the Noam Chomsky video  because he explains the ways in which a political solution has been dodged. Watched this video some time ago and summarised some of the points Chomsky made during the first half hour or so of the video.   Summary below: Israel-Palestine conflict: general outlines of a diplomatic solution has been clear for at least 40 years. Resolution brought before UN 1976 called for two-state settlement internationally recognised border which guarantees rights of both states 1976 resolution brought to UN by 3 major Arab states -- Egypt, Jordan, Syria ('the Confrontation States') 1976 UN resolution -- Israel refused to attend the session. Resolution vetoed by US. 1976 UN Resolution> US veto typically DOUBLE-VETO  1) Non-implementation Resolution  2) Event vetoed from history .. 1976 UN Resolution> Israel refusal to attend + US veto of implementation of Resolution (& from history) SET PATTERN SINCE 1976 UN Resolution> most recent US VETO 2011 #Obama - vetoed implementation 4 official US policy / for opp. to expansion of settlements Opposition to expansion of settlements >*expansion* not issue / issue is illegal *settlements* + infrastructure projects for long time, overwhelming international consensus in support of a [illegal] settlement along these general lines UN pattern set 1976 continues to the present /Israel rejects settlement of terms with unremitting & decisive support of US UN pattern set 1976 continues with unremitting & decisive support of US -- military, economic, diplomatic & ideological pattern continues with support of US, establishing how conflict viewed & interpreted in US & within US sphere of influence pattern> ceasefire, Israel disregards >continues assault on Gaza, incl. continued siege, intermittent violence, settlement &  development. pattern> Hamas observe ceasefire until Israel escalation elicits Hamas response >Israel exercises 'mowing the lawn'  [ie military offensive against Palestinians] pattern > Israel 'mowing the lawn'  [ie military offensive against Palestinians] > each episode more fierce & destructive than the last -- in a series Agreement on Movement & Access Nov 2005, called for crossing between Gaza & Egypt (Rafah) 2005 Agreement > for export of goods & transit of people , continuous op of crossings between Israel & Gaza 4 import/export + transit of people 2005 Agreement > called for reduction of obstacles to movement w/in the West Bank, bus & truck convoys between West Bank & Gaza ... 2005 Agreement > called for the building of a sea port in Gaza, the reopening of airport in Gaza (that Israel had destroyed) Terms of 2005 Movement & Access Agreement are essentially terms of successive ceasefires, incl. one reached few weeks ago. 2005 Agreement timing significant > it was moment of Israel's disengagement from Gaza & removal several thousand Israeli settlers 2005 Israel disengagement stated goal was the FREEZING of the peace process to prevent establishment of Palestinian state 2005 Israel disengagement stated goal was to ensure that diplomacy has been removed indefinitely from agenda ... Israel-Palestine:'05 Israel disengagement reality:  ruined territory not released for even single day from Israel military grip or occupation '05 Israel disengagement stated reality - Israel left behind scorched earth, devastated services & people with no present or future 2005 Israel disengagement stated reality: settlements were destroyed in an ungenerous move by an unenlightened occupier 2005 Israel disengagement >occupier continues to control territory kill & harass inhabitants >means of formidable military might Oslo Accords established 20 years ago >> Gaza & West Bank are INDIVISIBLE TERRITORIAL UNITY > integrity cannot be broken up For 20 years US & Israel dedicated to separating Gaza & West Bank in VIOLATION of the ACCORDS they had ACCEPTED Separation of Gaza & West bank look at map explains why: Gaza offers only access to outside world to Palestine. if Gaza is separated from the West Bank whatever autonomy it might be granted in West Bank would be imprisoned. September. West Bank = Imprisoned; Israel on one side & hostile Jordan (ally of  Israel)  on other and Israel-US Jordan valley takeover Israel's slow & steady US-backed policy is to take over Jordan Valley, about 1/3 of West Bank & much of arable land Jordan Valley take-over is major geostrategic reason for Israel with US backing INSISTENCE on SEPARATING Gaza & West Bank Jan 2006 = first full free election in the Arab world (monitored & recognised) occurred> HAMAS won control of Parliament Hamas win election result in 2006 was not what US & Israel wanted 2006 Hamas win of Parliament good test of US 'democracy promotion' agenda > Fail: Palestine harsh siege instituted US/IS following 2006 Hamas win of Parliament, US began to immediately organise a military coup - as per standard US record post 2006 election, US organised military coup >> to its shame & discredit, European Union went along with this. sounds like the punishment, violence, US arranged coup (accepted by EU) led to Israeli escalation + end to Nov 2005 Agreement 2007 Hamas committed even greater crime than winning fair election; it pre-empted planned military coup & took over Gaza! 2007 elected Hamas PREVENTING US-arranged coup is described in West as Hamas taking Gaza over by 'force'. Hamas preventing planned & US-arranged military coup against the Hamas elected government led to substantial attacks on Gaza. Jan 2008 another. ceasefire reached. Similar to 2005 terms. Israel publicly rejected ceasefire. Hamas observed the ceasefire. one-sided ceasefire cont. to Nov 4, 2008 - day of US election - Israeli forces invaded Gaza & killed Hamas militants ... Nov 2008 Israel attack on Gaza led 2 rocket fire on Israel, a huge Israeli response, lots killings: Palestinians, as usual mid Dec 2008, Hamas offer to renew the ceasefire, Israeli doveish Cabinet rejected & launched next military op 'Cast Lead' 2008 Israel Op 'Cast Lead' >> horrible Op .. caused substantial international reaction, investigation: UN, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch 2008 Israel Op 'Cast Lead'  >> precisely timed to end before  #Obama inauguration .. so Obama didn't have to respond. no comment / let's forget about the past & look to the future is standard slogan for those engaged in serious crime Jan 8, 2009 >> UN Resolution passed (US abstaining) >> calling for immediate cease-fire with usual terms - NEVER OBSERVED > UN ceasefire Resolution of Jan 8, 2009 > broke down completely w. next episode of 'mowing the lawn' in Nov. 2012 >Nov. 2012 'mow the lawn' [ie military offensive against Palestinians] >> get good sense what going on looking @ casualty figures: 79 killed / 78 of them Palestinians The above points were summarised weeks ago, and this is one of the things I didn't get around to finishing.  Hopefully it makes sense. I thought the Chomsky UN video was amazing.  It explains in simple terms what's really going on, which was a revelation to me, as I'm new to politics and as you don't get this sort of information from mainstream media.  [Excuse any typos.  Another all-nighter, no sleep.  Getting to be a baaaaad habit.]

ISRAEL - Miscellaneous

ISRAEL Denmark / EU Trade Agreement #Denmark foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard says time to reconsider Denmark's & EU's Trade Agreements with Israel http://goo.gl/2nMuP8 >> ie Cairo Gaza peace talks - If peace talks don't result in serious concessions from the Israelis “Lidegaard wants to see Israel commit to ending its eight-year blockade of Gaza and stop its “illegal settlements”. The foreign minister is also calling on Hamas and other militant groups in Gaza to lay down their weapons. “ “Opposition parties the Conservatives and the Danish People's Party immediately spoke out against the threat of sanctions, while the trade minister, Mogens Jensen, told Jyllands-Posten that sanctions should only be considered with a broad international backing. “  [ http://www.thelocal.dk/20140922/fm-calls-for-tougher-approach-to-israel ] Mossad #Israel >>> Mossad has it's own YouTube channel ... & is on a recruitment drive >> http://goo.gl/iswOSA   VIDEO >>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&list=UUDRnbEnhND3zNvduaI4ruew&v=qX9ZoKO1H8E … Cybersecurity #Israel / creating new #cybersecurity authority/alleged #Iran attacks / increase in co-op b/w govt agencies, bus. & in civilian sector /RIA Obituary | Mossad  #Israel Mossad spy Mike Harari 87 died in Tel Aviv - http://goo.gl/uz1slD-  Operation Wrath of God - 'Black September' group - 1972 Munich Olympics >> reported to have had close relations with #Panama dictator Manuel Noriega / arms trade Noriega | Panama Manuel Noriega - military dictator of #Panama from 1983 to 1989 / invasion by USA / He's been to COUP SCHOOL! School of the Americas [wiki]  >#Panama > Noriega worked with CIA from the late 1950s until the 1980s/  Medellín Cartel /  Pablo Escobar / 'narcokleptocracy' >> George H. W. Bush, former CIA director / Vice President 1981-89 (President 1989-93 /close friend of Noriega [wikipedia] Reagan bypass Congress / NSC / Iran-Contra Affair of 1986–1987, facilitated contra funding thru proceeds of arms sales to #Iran! >officer Lt. Col. Oliver North in charge "The Enterprise"/+ govt  agencies, esp. from CIA in Central Am./no govt accountability http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contras Hey, there's a #UN watch: "UN Watch, an Israel-linked group that monitors the multinational body for compliance to the UN charter." [Times of Israel] http://www.unwatch.org/site/c.bdKKISNqEmG/b.1313899/k.948D/Issues_in_Focus.htm COMMENT The stuff about Noriega, CIA, bypassing Congress, sale of arms to Iran and secretly financing Contra just blew me away. I've vaguely heard of Black September but didn't know what it was about.  Thought it was related to a foiled airport bombing in Italy. It's cool that there's someone watching the UN.

NORTH CAROLINA - REPUBLICAN MORONS - BLOODLETTING PLATFORM

GOP hopes Obama foreign policy hurts Hagan By Renee Schoof McClatchy Washington BureauAugust 13, 2014  WASHINGTON — With international crises dominating the national agenda, could President Barack Obama’s low standing on foreign policy right now hurt Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan’s re-election bid in North Carolina? A McClatchy-Marist poll this week found voters widely disapprove of the president’s policies on the foreign front _ the greatest level of rejection in any year of his presidency. Very quickly the Republican National Committee issued a statement claiming that his poll numbers “are sinking Democrats.”  [WTF is the point of these polls?  As if the idiots surveyed have a CLUE, when the idiot politicians sure don't.] Foreign policy is part of what makes voters unhappy with the president, and that will affect turnout for the mid-term elections in November, said Jennifer Duffy, a Senate analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report.  [Not living conditions:  work, prices, fuel, taxes etc?  Yeah, right.] Democrats are trying to get voters to turn out in North Carolina, she said, “but the less popular the president is, the harder it will be.” In an email Wednesday, Thom Tillis, Hagan’s Republican opponent in the highly competitive race, called Obama’s foreign policy “reckless” and claimed that it has led to crises in Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine. Tillis, speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, said, “Instead of standing up to Obama, Kay Hagan has been a rubber-stamp for his failed policies, which have weakened America’s standing in the world and emboldened our enemies.” His campaign press secretary, Meghan Burris, said that Obama hadn’t taken seriously enough the threats from Russia or from the Islamic State, the jihadist group that controls parts of Iraq and Syria and which has prompted a re-injection of U.S. military personnel into Iraq. She also said that the administration “has not been fully supportive of Israel’s right to defend itself,” and that some Democrats had criticized the president, but Hagan had “remained silently supportive.” [Let the blood-letting begin!] Tillis made the same criticism of Hagan in a debate in April. Asked about the threat of Iran getting a nuclear bomb, Tillis said Hagan “sat idly by as the president has weakened our position in the Middle East.” He also said she didn’t support a strong military.  [WTF is Hagan supposed to do?  The talks have been going on FOREVER because this is what IRAN wants -- nuclear 'energy'.  Without resolving it diplomatically (as they're trying to do), the only other option is -- what?  Invade Iran to impose your will?  Morons.] Hagan’s campaign fired back Wednesday. It said that she opposed the administration in 2013 by joining a call from Congress for tougher sanctions on Iran at a time when the White House wanted to focus on negotiations instead. She also sponsored and voted for sanctions against Iran in previous years. Hagan also has voted for military aid to Israel and for legislation aimed at bolstering U.S.-Israel relations. On U.S. military spending, she opposed a budget plan in 2013 for making what she saw as military cuts that were too deep. She also said that year that she voted in favor of a budget deal that eliminated across-the-board spending cuts after military leaders said it would restore money the Pentagon needed. “As a member of the Armed Services Committee and the aunt of two nephews serving on active duty, Kay takes national security issues seriously and she will never play politics with them,” said campaign Spokeswoman, Sadie Weiner. “Speaker Tillis has shown a lack of understanding and a concerning tendency to fire first and aim second when it comes to matters of national security.” But come November, will any of this matter in the voting booth? Kenneth Fernandez, an assistant professor who directs polling at Elon University, said he didn’t think Obama’s foreign policy would have any noticeable effect on voters. He said Republican challengers would have to come up with an alternative course of action, such as doing nothing or escalating U.S. involvement in trouble spots. “Both alternatives are not very attractive and difficult to explain to the public,” he said. SOURCE http://www.kentucky.com/2014/08/13/3378808/gop-hopes-obama-foreign-policy.html?#storylink=cpy

What, they want Obama to go to Gaza and pull the trigger? Would that be more down their alley?

Threats from Russia?  More like US-NATO threat TO Russia. 

OMG!  The Republicans are basing their electoral platform or campaign on BLOODLETTING!!!

These ppl are fucked.

Think they might need to find a proper platform.

GAZA / PALESTINE - PROSTITUTION OF WESTERN PRESS FOR ISRAELI PROPAGANDA

‘Guardian’ runs anti-Hamas Wiesel ad but support for Israel still ebbs By JERRY LEWIS 08/13/2014 05:45 Ad saying “Jews rejected child sacrifice 3,500 years ago... now it’s Hamas’s turn” was penned by Elie Wiesel and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach. The traditionally anti-Israel Guardian newspaper angered many of its regular readers by publishing a full-page advertisement on Monday claiming that Hamas were child murderers. In agreeing to accept the advert, already published in several US newspapers including The New York Times, USA Today and The Wall Street Journal, a spokesman for the Guardian said that its decision followed a “full discussion” within the paper. It was made clear that acceptance of the text “does not equate to support or endorsement for the views expressed in that advertisement. The Guardian is fully committed to reporting from the Middle East and our coverage will continue to be independent and robust.”  [It's dissemination of propaganda for cash.  The Guardian, NYT, USA Today & The Wall Street Journal are disgraceful sell-outs that demonstrate the pointlessness of a money-driven press.] Last week the Times declined to accept the advert, despite being owned by Rupert Murdoch, who counts the Wall Street Journal in his portfolio. A spokesman explained that in reserving the right to reject advertisements, they felt that the opinions being expressed were “too strong” and would “cause concern” among readers. [...] Under a large photograph of a masked Hamas operative wielding a weapon, the advertisement urged British Prime Minister David Cameron and other world leaders to condemn Hamas’s use of children as human shields and demanded that Hamas must reject “child sacrifice.” Stop the War Coalition – an anti-war organization, who in conjunction with the Palestine Solidarity Campaign have organized mass protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, took action against the advert before it even appeared. On their website they accused the authors of placing “a wildly inaccurate and inflammatory advert from the supporters of Israel branding Palestinians opposing Israel in Gaza as ‘child killers.’” To date the Guardian has received over 250 complaints while the Advertising Standards Authority said on Monday it had received seven complaints about the advert, understood to relate to issues of accuracy, harm and offence. The cost of a full page black and white advert is approximately £50,000. The paper recorded losses of around £30.6 million in 2013. [...] Boteach, in Sderot on a solidarity mission told the Post that the purpose of the advert was “to go on the offensive rather than the defensive.” The story was not Israel harming children – but of Hamas “serving up its children in the form of an ancient barbaric practice of child sacrifice to pursue its murderous goals.” He said he was shocked at the Times’ decision not to run the advert, despite his offer to modify the text. Asked why he subsequently chose the Guardian, Boteach said “I know the place, I lived there... and I greatly respect their promotion of freedom of the press and expression.” http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Guardian-runs-anti-Hamas-Wiesel-ad-but-support-for-Israel-still-ebbs-370915 ...................................................................  COMMENT Israel are the child killers who pulverised Gaza and its civilians. This is perverse beyond belief.

GAZA - Israel - International Criminal Court - War Crimes

Published on Thursday, August 07, 2014 by Common Dreams Netanyahu Urges US Lawmakers to Defend Israel Against ICC "War Crimes" Prosecution As calls grow for additional investigation and possible prosecution, nation's prime minister looks to allies in US Congress for support by Jon Queally, staff writer According to U.S. Congressman Steve Israel (D-NY), the Israeli government hopes that he and his colleagues in Washington, DC will do everything in their power to prevent the International Criminal Court from pushing forward with possible war crimes charges against his nation over its recent attack on the Gaza Strip which resulted in the killing over nearly 1,900 Palestinians, including a large proportion of civilians and hundreds of children. Speaking to the New York Post from Israel, where he was travelling at the invitation of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (or AIPAC), Rep. Israel described the meeting between U.S. lawmakers in the delegation, AIPAC officials, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “The prime minister asked us to work together to ensure that this strategy of going to the ICC does not succeed,” the congressman told the Post. “[Netanyahu] wants the US to use all the tools that we have at our disposal to, number one, make sure the world knows that war crimes were not committed by Israel, they were committed by Hamas. And that Israel should not be held to a double standard.” During a meeting at The Hague on Tuesday of this week, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki told prosecutors at the International Criminal Court that "clear evidence" of war crimes by Israel against the people of Gaza exists. "Everything that has happened in the last 28 days is clear evidence of war crimes committed by Israel, amounting to crimes against humanity," Malki said. "There is no difficulty for us to show or build the case. Evidence is there for people to see and collect. Israel is in clear violation of international law." Prior to his trip, Rep. Israel released a statement announcing, "I have always been one of Israel’s strongest supporters in the U.S. Congress, and I will always stand up for its needs.” Recently, during the height of the conflict the congressman was among lawmakers who signed a letter to the United Nations calling on it to "condemn Hamas’ use of civilians as human shields, which is a direct violation of international law." That the Hamas government "uses human shields" in Gaza is a familiar Israeli government talking point, but no independent evidence exists to support the accusation and the claim is widely dismissed as straight propaganda by agencies and experts on the ground in Gaza. Despite Congressman Israel's characterization of the conflict in Gaza—and the consistent defense by Netanyahu and other Israeli officials that its military's behavior in the Strip was and is justified—global indignation and condemnation has resulted from the fact that while three civilians and just over 60 soldiers were killed on the Israeli side during the fighting, official estimates on the Palestinian side put the death toll at 1,865 people killed, including 429 children under the age of 18; 79 people over the age of 60; and 243 women. The Israeli government continues to repeat that it killed "900+ terrorists" during what it called Operation Protective Edge, but it offers no convincing argument on how it distinguishes an adult Palestinian male sleeping in his bed, seeking shelter, or fleeing hostilities from someone acting in a military or offensive capacity. Meanwhile, Amnesty International on Thursday announced that is has seen mounting and "alarming" evidence that the IDF launched what it called "apparently deliberate attacks" against hospitals and health professionals in Gaza during Israel's incursion. “Such attacks are absolutely prohibited by international law and would amount to war crimes," aid Philip Luther, Middle East and North Africa Director at Amnesty International. "They only add to the already compelling argument that the situation should be referred to the International Criminal Court.” Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch said it has now documented cases in which Israel fired on civilians who were fleeing the violence and stated that "deliberate attacks on civilians who are not participating in the fighting are war crimes." “The horrors of war are bad enough for civilians even when all sides abide by the law,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, HRW's regional director for the Middle East and North Africa. “But it’s abhorrent that Israeli forces are making matters even worse by so blatantly violating the laws of war designed to spare civilians.” [...] continued @ source http://www.commondreams.org/news/2014/08/07/netanyahu-urges-us-lawmakers-defend-israel-against-icc-war-crimes-prosecution

What's the bet that nothing ever comes of the International Criminal Court proposed charges.

There is a WikiLeaks cable disclosing IDF soldiers' claims that Israel used human shields - blogger post and link here.

Anyway, regarding Operation Protective Edge, it's inconceivable that Israel will be prosecuted because everything is stacked against it.


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Link to Palestine News Network - here.

In addition to the death toll, there are thousands injured (burns; rehab; lifelong support etc)
30% displaced in Gaza
$5b estimated damage
10,000 lost homes
134 factories damaged