RSS Feeds
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil,    but because of the people who don't do anything about it    
Related Issues

TitleDescriptionDate
Bernie Sanders: We Need to End the 50-year-long Israeli OccupationAmor Tibon - Haaretz - "We can oppose the policies of President Trump without being anti-American. We can oppose the policies of Netanyahu without being anti-Israel. We can oppose the policies of Islamic extremists without being anti Muslim. Peace means security not only for every Israeli but also for every Palestinian." Senator Sanders at J Street conference [bz]28/2/2017
...
Why can’t Democratic leaders say they support Palestinian rights?Michael F. Brown - EI - “Wednesday’s debate raises a question that is all the more urgent at a time when unrestrained bigotry is again widespread in American politics: why can’t would-be leaders of the Democratic Party stand both against anti-Semitism and clearly for Palestinians’ freedom in the face of rampant Israeli violations of their human rights?” [ry]27/2/2017
...
Israel walks back barring Human Rights Watch worker from countryAgencies and Times of Israel Staff - NGO’s regional director Omar Shakir, who previously campaigned against Israel and led BDS efforts, may now enter on a tourist visa and then seek work visa; 2 US Jewish groups protested earlier ban [ry]27/2/2017
...
PEN America drops Israel sponsorshipCharlotte Silver - EI - PEN America came under heavy criticism last year for accepting funding from the Israeli government, which jails Palestinian journalists and writers in Israel and the occupied West Bank for their work. More than 250 writers, poets and publishers, many members of PEN, had signed an appeal urging the group to end the relationship with Israel’s government. They include Wallace Shawn, Alice Walker, Eileen Myles, Louis Erdrich, Russel Bank, Cornel West, Junot Díaz and Viet Thanh Nguyen. [bz for dn]26/2/2017
...
Israeli warplanes shoot down Hamas drone: armyAgence France Presse - The Daily Star "OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli warplanes on Thursday shot down over the Mediterranean a drone controlled by the Gaza Strip`s Islamist rulers Hamas, the army said."An (Israeli) fighter aircraft shot down a Hamas-owned unmanned aircraft flown from the Gaza Strip to the Mediterranean," an army spokeswoman said.The drone fell into the sea without entering Israeli territory, she added." ca 24/2/2017
...
Why the Dutch Are Drawn to Right-Wing Populist Geert WildersSebastiaan Faber - The Nation "Amsterdam, The Netherlands—On January 23, Mark Rutte, the Dutch prime minister and leader of the center-right Liberal Party (VVD), wrote a 500-word letter “to all Dutch people” that appeared as a full-page ad in the country’s major newspapers...Polls predict that Wilders—who wants to leave the European Union, “de-Islamicize” the Netherlands by putting a ban on Muslim immigrants and refugees, lower taxes, abolish public broadcasting, and dramatically increase military spending—will garner close to 20 percent of the vote, corresponding to 30 deputies in the 150-seat Parliament. Rutte’s own party will likely end up in second place, with around 16 percent of the ballots." ca24/2/2017
...
Israel: Human Rights Watch Denied Work PermitHuman Rights Watch - " Israeli authorities denied Human Rights Watch’s application for a work permit for its Israel and Palestine director on the grounds that it is not a real human rights group, the organization said today.In its February 20, 2017 letter denying a work permit for Omar Shakir, the Interior Ministry cited an opinion received from the Foreign Ministry that Human Rights Watch’s “public activities and reports have engaged in politics in the service of Palestinian propaganda, while falsely raising the banner of ‘human rights.’” The denial comes as the authorities seek to limit the space for local and international human rights groups to operate in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories." ca 24/2/2017
...
Film about Israeli imprisonment of Palestinians wins top award in BerlinCeline Hagbard - IMEMC - "A film depicting the torture, humiliation and violence experienced by Palestinians imprisoned by Israel won the first ever “Silver Bear” award at the Berlinale international film festival. The film, “Istiyad Ashbah” (Ghost Hunting), was produced by Palestinian filmmaker Raed Andoni." - id22/2/2017
...
A prison sentence that tells the true story of the occupationNoam Sheizaf - +972 - "An 18-month prison sentence for Elor Azaria, who shot and killed a wounded Palestinian attacker last year, is a reminder that the occupation has no place for law and justice." - id 22/2/2017
...
Hamas and Hezbollah no longer terror organizations, says Lieberman: Ynet - "It`s vexing, it`s bothersome, but when you speak of Hamas and Hezbollah, they`re without a doubt no longer terror organizations; each of them has built its own army." [bz]21/2/2017
...
How the Israel lobby is using Owen JonesAsa Winstanley - EI - Last week the U.K. Jewish Labour Movement announced that Guardian columnist Owen Jones will be the big name speaker at an event the group is holding on 2 April. Jones will lecture on “left anti-Semitism, the Middle East and the Labour Party.” Scoring Jones appears to be a high-profile instance of a new push endorsed by Israel’s government to ensure that Palestine solidarity “instigators” are “singled out” from so-called “soft critics” of Israel, accepting progressive critics of Israel” while also demanding “an all-out assault on leading critics of Israel, sometimes using covert means.” Al Jazeera’s recent undercover documentary The Lobby revealed the Jewish Labour Movement’s close ties to the Israeli embassy, as well as its campaign against BDS. [bz] 21/2/2017
...
PNC chairman urges suspension of Israeli Parliament’s membership in IPUWAFA/Tehran - At a Tehran International Conference, Salim Zanoun noted that there will never be regional security and peace without East Jerusalem as the capital of the future Palestinian state. Zanoun slammed the so-called “Regularization Bill” as a serious threat to the efforts to secure a peaceful solution to the conflict in the Middle East, including the two-state solution, noting that it would undermine regional stability and security. He also called for the implementation of the UN Security Council resolution 2334 in order to halt Israeli settlement construction. [bz] 21/2/2017
...
Elor Azarya sentenced to 1.5 years in prison for point-blank shooting of wounded PalestinianMa`an - Leading up to the announcement of the sentence, the panel of three judges weighed the “complexity” and “competing values” of the case; while they agreed Azarya acted with the intent to kill and not because he felt threatened, a two-judge majority believed the “unique post-terror attack” atmosphere should work heavily in his favor. [bz]21/2/2017
...
Prominent Australians write open letter opposing Benjamin Netanyahu`s visitGuardian staff and agencies - Israel’s prime minister will be its first serving PM to visit Australia but he is expected to face protests [ry]20/2/2017
...
US offered Israel secret peace deal in 2016 `but Netanyahu walked away`Aron Heller - Independent - John Kerry reportedly proposed regional recognition of Israel as a Jewish state - a key Netanyahu demand - alongside a renewal of peace talks with the Palestinians with support of Arab countries [ry]20/2/2017
...
Reform Judaism Movement Opposes David Friedman’s Nomination for U.S. Ambassador to IsraelRabbi Rick Jacobs - Reform Judaism Movement - Following a private meeting with David Friedman, Rabbi Jacobs noted: "This is a critical moment. Never before have we opposed the nomination of a U.S. Ambassador. We do so now because of the imperative need for us to voice our concerns about this critically important appointment. After extensive consideration of his lengthy public record on issues related to Israel and the U.S.- Israel relationship, as well as hearing from Mr. Friedman during his confirmation hearing and a one-on-one private meeting between Mr. Friedman and URJ President Rabbi Rick Jacobs, we oppose the nomination of David Friedman and urge all Senators to join us and vote against Mr. Friedman’s nomination. It is our firm belief that Mr. Friedman is the wrong person for this essential job". [ak for dn]19/2/2017
...
London college invests in makers of Israel’s weaponsShahd Abusalama and David Cronin - Electronic Intifada "A group called Demilitarise King’s has researched how the college invests – via funds – in such companies as BAE Systems and GE. The group has calculated that King’s has invested more than £1.5 million ($1.9 million) in the weapons trade.Rather than address the concerns raised by the group, the chief administrator at King’s has tried to fob them off." ca 17/2/2017
...
Shin Bet Has Bad Case of TransphobiaRichard Silverstein - Tikun Olam - "The Shin Bet is a perfect exemplar of the Israeli nation: suspicious of The Other.  Ready to brand anyone who isn’t “like us” as an exotic animal.  Akin to medieval bear-baiting rituals." - id15/2/2017
...
President Rivlin: "Applying sovereignty to an area gives citizenship to all those living there" Daniel K. Eisenbud - Jerusalem Post - Stating that he believes “Zion is entirely ours,” and that “the sovereignty of the State of Israel must be in all the blocs,” President Rivlin may have tested the waters for the one-state solution he has long championed.“It must be clear: If we extend sovereignty, the law must apply equally to all,” he told a packed auditorium of mostly right-wing participants. “Applying sovereignty to an area gives citizenship to all those living there.” [ak]14/2/2017
...
Palestine activists in Spain could face prison over Matisyahu boycott callAli Abunimah - EI - The legal complaint follows tactics advocated by the Israeli government to pursue and punish supporters of Palestinian rights using all means, including covert “black ops” and lawfare, lawsuits and prosecutions to sabotage and attack activists. Gilad Erdan, Israel’s minister in charge of combating the BDS movement, vowed last year that “Soon, any activist who uses their influence to delegitimize the only Jewish state in the world will know they will pay a price for it.” [bz]14/2/2017
...
Buoyed by Trump-Netanyahu summit, ministers openly scratch annexation itchMarissa Newman - The Times of Israel - Right-wing lawmakers, policy wonks and several government ministers gathered to fete what they see as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity created by the ascension of Donald Trump to the US presidency. Undampened by some warning signals from Trump`s White House itself, the annexationists` reached fever pitch, demanding that Netanyahu discard his declared support for the two-state solution - lip service as it is generally perceived to be. There was, however, considerable dispute about the details - especially, on which devious scheme to use in order to carry out annexation and still avoid giving civil rights to the Palestinians. [ak]14/2/2017
...
Efforts To Fight BDS Have Failed, Says ADL, ReutJosh Nathan-Kazis - Forward - While the report’s authors acknowledge that the Israeli government’s own actions play a role in the worldwide growth of anti-Israel sentiment, they propose their own action plan for what they call the “pro-Israel network.” The prescription seems to contain a contradiction. On the one hand, it calls for a big tent approach that accepts progressive critics of Israel. And the other, it demands an all-out assault on leading critics of Israel, sometimes using covert means. “The instigators must be singled out from the other groups, and handled uncompromisingly, publicly or covertly,” the report reads. [bz for dn]12/2/2017
...
Dutch artist creates beauty from rubble of warHamza Abu Eltarabesh - Electronic Intifada "The unusual idea is the brainchild of Dutch artist Marjan Teeuwen, who for years has worked with the concept that buildings can become sculptures, adding a sense of temporality by working on buildings slated for demolition.Seven such installations have been created: five in her native Holland, one in South Africa and one in Russia. But Gaza was a departure for her in more ways than one: here, the building had already been destroyed." ca 11/2/2017
...
US moves to block Salam Fayyad as UN Libya envoyAl Jazeera and news agencies - "United States says acting in the interests of Israel as it objects to appointment of former prime minister Salam Fayyad...Fayyad served as the Palestinian Authority`s prime minister from 2007-2013." ca11/2/2017
...
What Happens When Refugees Are Resettled in the US?Michelle Chen - The Nation "They—and the communities into which they’re placed—thrive." ca11/2/2017
...
Israel Apologizes for Airport Questioning of New Israel Fund LeaderBen harris - Forward "The agency that manages Israel’s border crossings apologized for any “anguish” caused by the questioning of the leader of the New Israel Fund at Ben-Gurion Airport...The questioning of Gorovitz prompted Knesset member Tamar Zandberg, from the left-wing Meretz party, to complain to Interior Minister Aryeh Deri." ca10/2/2017
...
Nablus` only oud maker keeps city in tuneAhmed el-Komi - Al-Monitor - "Cultural and musical life in Palestine is going through a kind of renaissance, with the emergence of a number of cultural centers, conservatories and numerous art festivals, most notably the Palestine International Festival, which hosts top Arab and international singers and musicians." - id8/2/2017
...
11-strong NFL stars’ trip to Israel now down to sevenJessica Steinberg - Times of Israel - Michael Bennett was first to quit Holy Land tour, saying he didn’t want to be ‘used’ - after reading comments about the trip made by Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan and Tourism Minister Yariv Levin in a press release. [bz]14/2/2017
...
Yahya Sinwar elected new leader of Hamas in Gaza StripAl Jazeera - Hani Habeeb, a Gaza political analyst, said Sinwar`s victory sent a message of defiance to Israel and was also likely to complicate efforts further to conclude a stalled reconciliation with rival Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas`s Fatah faction. [bz]14/2/2017
...
A painful embrace to the White House’s darlingOrly Azoulay - Ynet - While Trump showers Netanyahu with compliments and smiles, he will also make it clear to him that the party is over and that he finds the settlement construction in the West Bank unacceptable [ry]13/2/2017
...
Trump: Israeli Embassy Is Not Moving to JerusalemJason Ditz - AntiWar - Message Delivered to Palestinians at Behest of Jordan`s King [ry]13/2/2017
...
Widespread destruction in wake of Israeli attacksMohammed Asad - The Arab Daily News - "The air strikes took place the day before by Israeli forces against alleged Hamas movement targets in the Gaza Strip, but the damage was sustained by civilians." - id 8/2/2017
...
European Union condemns Regulation Bill in sharp statement.Itamar Eichner - Ynet - The law may provide for `legalizing` numerous settlements and outposts previously considered as illegal even under Israeli law, which would be contrary to previous commitments by Israeli governments and illegal under international law. "In passing this new law, the Israeli parliament has legislated on the legal status of land within occupied territory, which is an issue that remains beyond its jurisdiction," said Mogherini. "Should it be implemented, the law would further entrench a one-state reality of unequal rights, perpetual occupation and conflict." [bz] 7/2/2017
...
Umm al-Hiran driver`s widow: `They said "terrorist" without investigating`Attila Somfalvi - Ynet - Criticizing officials` immediate leap to paint her deceased husband as a terrorist, Dr. Amal Abu Saad tells Ynet that her husband was clearly intending to visit his mother, not carry out an attack and calls for governmental inquiry. [bz] 7/2/2017
...
Netanyahu’s visit comes amid tensions between UK and EU over IsraelPatrick Wintour - The Guardian - EU leaders are concerned that Theresa May could soften UK’s opposition to settlements as she seeks closer ties with Donald Trump [ry]6/2/2017
...
Israel debates controversial anti-boycott bill banning BDS supporters from the countryBethan McKernan - Independent - Critics say proposed legislation, which would affect anyone who has publicly called for a boycott of Israel, violates international law [ry]6/2/2017
...
Appointment of US ambassador to Israel delayed over political concernsAlex Fishman and Orly Azoulay - Ynet - Friedman`s appointment is reportedly being delayed by senior Republican party officials who have expressed concerns over Friedman`s outspoken views against the two-state solution and in favor of the settlements. [bz]5/2/2017
...
G4S turned to UK government after Israeli threatsAli Abunimah - Electronic Intifada "The multinational security and incarceration firm G4S wrote to the UK government after an Israeli minister threatened it for yielding to pressure from the Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) movement, according to emails obtained by the Financial Times under a freedom of information request...Earlier in 2016, after G4S revealed its intention to divest, Gilad Erdan, Israel’s minister tasked with combatting BDS, accused the firm of caving in to pressure." ca3/2/2017
...
Middle Eastern cinema has so much to say, and we need to be listening now more than ever Glenn Dunks - The Guardian "In Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman, a husband seeks the truth behind a violent assault on his wife. In Hussein Hassan’s The Dark Wind, two families are torn apart by the ramifications of an Islamic State ambush. And Orlando von Einsiedel’s documentary The White Helmets follows Syrian volunteers as they help rescue women and children from airstrike rubble. All three films have collected awards, nominations and critical acclaim for, among other things, the insights they offer into countries of the Middle East." ca 3/2/2017
...
We have nowhere else to go’: Bedouins say they will continue to rebuild as Israel carries out home demolitions at a record pace Sheren Khalel - Mondoweiss - On the morning of Wednesday, January 25th, Israeli forces escorted two bulldozers down from the main road up to the small Bedouin community. Mohammed Jahalin and his family were ordered out of their houses and forcefully gathered together on the edge of their encampment where they watched as the metal blades of bulldozers smashed through their homes.-rh 1/2/2017
...
Articles Archive
Current Articles
7/2017
6/2017
5/2017
4/2017
3/2017
2/2017
1/2017
12/2016
11/2016
10/2016
9/2016
8/2016
7/2016
6/2016
5/2016
4/2016
3/2016
2/2016
1/2016
12/2015
11/2015
10/2015
9/2015
8/2015
7/2015
6/2015
5/2015
4/2015
3/2015
2/2015
1/2015
12/2014
11/2014
10/2014
9/2014
8/2014
7/2014
6/2014
5/2014
4/2014
3/2014
2/2014
1/2014
12/2013
11/2013
10/2013
9/2013
8/2013
7/2013
6/2013
5/2013
4/2013
3/2013
2/2013
1/2013
12/2012
11/2012
10/2012
9/2012
8/2012
7/2012
6/2012
5/2012
4/2012
3/2012
2/2012
1/2012
12/2011
11/2011
10/2011
9/2011
8/2011
7/2011
6/2011
5/2011
4/2011
3/2011
2/2011
1/2011
12/2010
11/2010
10/2010
9/2010
8/2010
7/2010
6/2010
5/2010
4/2010
3/2010
2/2010
1/2010
12/2009
11/2009
10/2009
9/2009
8/2009
7/2009
6/2009
5/2009
4/2009
3/2009
2/2009
1/2009
12/2008
11/2008
10/2008
9/2008
8/2008
7/2008
6/2008
5/2008
4/2008
3/2008
2/2008
1/2008
12/2007
11/2007
10/2007
9/2007
8/2007
7/2007
6/2007
5/2007
4/2007
3/2007
2/2007
1/2007
12/2006
11/2006
10/2006
9/2006
8/2006
7/2006
6/2006
5/2006
4/2006
3/2006
2/2006
1/2006
12/2005
11/2005
10/2005
9/2005
8/2005
7/2005
6/2005
5/2005
4/2005
3/2005
2/2005
1/2005
12/2004
11/2004
10/2004


Home page  back