Maybe it’s just a coincidence.
On May 6, just before dawn, Ameer Makhoul was arrested. Initial reports state that the Haifa home of the director of Ittijah, a network of NGOs and grassroots organizations representing the interests of Arab citizens of Israel, was invaded by 16 Israeli security agents police officers. They confiscated documents, maps, computer hard drives, a camera and a tape recorder belonging to the couple and their two daughters. Ameer was taken away, as another security service team raided Ittijah’s offices, taking possession of documents and computer hard drives.
On May 7, the IAEA released the preliminary agenda for its June 2010 meeting, and for the very first time, Israel’s nuclear program is slated to be scrutinized as never before.
So?
Ameer has a brother, Issam. Between 1999 and 2006, Issam was an elected member of Israel’s parliament (Knesset), representing the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, better known as Hadash (New), a small Arab-Jewish “communist” political party. Issam became the first Member of Knesset (MK) to break the taboo on any public discussion of Israel’s nuclear policy. In a speech he delivered to the Knesset on Feb. 2, 2000, he dared to speak the unspeakable:
The international community has recognized that the nuclear issue is not an internal affair of any state, but has implications that reach beyond national and geographic borders and require international attention. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and other treaties relating to this issue are the sum total of worldwide human wisdom mobilized to defend us from nuclear holocaust. Israel has chosen to remain outside the realm of human wisdom. That was a dangerous choice. The mentality of ‘a nation unto its own’ entails, in the context of the issue at hand, the syndrome of national suicide. Our lives and our security will not be guaranteed by the reactor in Dimona, nor by the hundreds of atomic bombs, nor by the millions of biological warfare germs that are produced at the Biological Institute in Nes Tsiona, nor by the chemical weapons that Israel is developing. Rather, our security would come from an inspired initiative to make the Middle East free of all weapons of mass destruction. Israel is the party that started the race, and it bears the responsibility for changing that course.
Makhoul praised the recent release of portions of the transcripts from the trial of Mordechai Vanunu. [Vanunu was a 31 year old technician at Israel’s Dimona nuclear reactor who described Israel’s secret nuclear weapons program in detail to the British Sunday Times,which published his revelations on Oct. 5, 1986. Subsequently, a seductive Mossad agent named “Cindy” facilitated Vanunu's involuntary repatriation to Israel, where he was tried in secret, and spent 18 years in prison, most of it in solitary confinement.] But more had to be done.
Makhoul declared that the Dimona reactor should be opened to international inspection, and Israel should declare a moratorium on the production of all weapons of mass destruction–nuclear, biological, and chemical. Not only did Makhoul propose the release of all information about the quantity of bombs that Israel possesses, but further demanded that Israel announce, as a confidence-building measure, its willingness to begin unilateral nuclear disarmament, to be completed in the framework of a general Middle East treaty.
Members of the Likud, the National Religious Party, Shas and several other Jewish parliamentarians had stormed out of the Knesset in protest even before Makhoul began to speak. Those who stayed excoriated Makhoul. The Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot reported the next day (Feb. 3, 2000) that the ruling coalition’s parliamentary chairman, the dovish Ophir Pines-Paz of the Labor party, had shouted at Makhoul, “You are committing a crime against Israeli Arabs today!” Yosef Pritzky of the secular and relatively progressive Shinui (Change) party told Makhoul, “If anyone needed justification why Arab Knesset Members should not be members of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, you just provided it.”
“What are you blabbering about? Makhoul yelled back at his hecklers. “What I said appears in every newspaper in the world. You’re dummies!”
In spite of an attempt on his life in 2003 – a small bomb rigged under the family car exploded, nearly killing his wife — Issam Makhoul hasn’t given up—or shut up—about Israel’s weapons of mass destruction program. This past October, he wrote an article for the Hiroshima Peace Media Center: “Hiroshima and the World: From the Old Nuclear Order to the New Anti-Nuclear Order”. In it, Makhoul pointed out:
What motivates the public debate in the nuclear question today is not really the dangers facing countries who possess nuclear weapons, but rather the obsessive desire of these countries to preserve the old nuclear order which grants them, arbitrarily, a monopoly of nuclear weapons, both globally as well as regionally. This is especially the case with countries that are not signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), such as Israel, but threaten disastrous war on those nations that aspire toward nuclear capability. Those who oppose the Iranian nuclear project and wish to stop it cannot turn a blind eye to the extensive Israeli nuclear arsenal without being accused, and rightfully so, of hypocrisy.
Issam’s brief bio appended to the above article noted that he is “a member of the International Planning Committee of the NPT Review Conference in May.” That NPT Review Conference is taking place right now in New York, (May 3-28, 2010). Whether Issam is actually there now, actively involved or on the sidelines, or just served on a planning committee whose work is done, is unclear at this time.
Nevertheless, Issam Makhoul now has a support base of unknown but presumably somewhat influential nuclear experts from around the world who also are working on nuclear non-proliferation issues. From a public relations perspective, the Israeli government can’t afford another Vanunu scenario, especially right after the Dubai assassination of Mahmoud al-Mabhouh back in January, allegedly by Mossad-linked agents carrying forged international passports, which is currently being investigated by various governments, Is it conceivable that, rather than attempting to rein in Issam, the Israeli security apparatus might go after his brother Ameer instead?
About two weeks before the beginning of the NPT Review Conference, on April 21, Israeli Interior Eli Yishai had barred Ameer from leaving the country for 60 days for unspecified reasons of “national security.” The security officers and police who took Ameer from his Haifa home on May 6 claimed they had a warrant for his arrest signed on April 23. Why did the Israeli security services (not usually known for dragging their feet on matters concerning security threats) wait until two weeks after the warrant was issued to arrest him–one day before the IAEA announced its June agenda?
Understandably, human rights groups and political activists are viewing Ameer Makhoul’s arrest as another example of Israeli repression of Arabs, which, of course, it is. But no one yet appears to have considered the possibility of a link between Issam’s efforts to bring an end to Israeli nuclear “ambiguity” and to subject Israel to the kind of international accountability and scrutiny it demands be imposed on Iran.
Of course it might all just be a coincidence. Issam is not his brother’s keeper (Israeli security officials apparently are, at least at the moment), nor is Ameer responsible for Issam’s activities. Surely a “Jewish and democratic state” like Israel would never arrest an Arab political activist and hold him without charges—no discussion in the media allowed!—on account of something his brother had done? Like pinching Israel’s nuclear nerve again and again, and watching its politicians squirm…?
When the Israelis break the silence surrounding Ameer’s arrest, perhaps we’ll learn that these speculations are totally off base and the dots don’t connect at all. Even so, Issam’s writing on the Israeli nuclear issue–past and present– makes for some interesting and timely reading.
******
Updates: May 10, 8:30 am
The Israeli military censor’s gag order on any discussion of Ameer Makhoul’s arrest has now been lifted. Haaretz reports that Makhoul and Omar Said have been detained by the Shin Bet on suspicion of spying for Hezbollah:
Unofficial sources say Makhoul was in contact with a number of foreign activists, some with links to groups classified by the government as terror organizations. These include a Lebanese citizen, Hassan Geagea, who is married to the daughter of Palestinian writer and historian Akram Zaitar.
Hussein Abu Hasin, a lawyer who has handled several cases of spying charges, told Haaretz that espionage laws in Israel were so wide-ranging that an internet chat or telephone conversation with anyone in an ‘enemy state’ could lead to prosecution.
In another Haaretz article, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak insists that there is “No Threat to Israel’s Policy of Nuclear Ambiguity“:
Despite recent international pressure pressure on the Netanyahu government to answer claims it holds atomic weapons, there is no real threat to Israel’s policy of nuclear ambiguity, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said on Monday.
“I do not think there is a real or significant danger to Israel’s traditional stance of nuclear ambiguity,” Barak told the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committee.
Israel has neither confirmed nor denied having nuclear arms. But the country is widely believed to have begun a weapons program in the 1950s and analysts estimate that Israel now has as many as 200 atomic warheads.
This post originally appeared on Lobelog.
The evolution of Israel into a police state is now quite advanced. In effect, the Shin Bet is now the ultimate authority in any matter they choose, overruling any ministry but the Prime.
This was discussed in yet another Ha’aretz article recently, by Bradley Burston: link to haaretz.com
The redoubtable Gideon Levy as well: link to haaretz.com
Typical Lobe crap. Doesn’t really matter who is in Makhoul’s support base. They will be visiting him in prison.
Collective punishment as evidenced by the siege on Gaza is a favored tactic by Israel’s goons.
Circumstantial at best ala “My cousin knows this guy’s brother who knows his wife, who went to school with his daughter who worked at the mall with another person’s niece”.
“…Hizbollah ends up being the go-to group for trumped up charges. ”
Exactly Avi, you see the same accusation of Azmi Bishara, who, once again is “accused of giving Hizbullah information on strategic locations in Israel…”
It is similar to every terrorist act in the USA either immediately or a little later being a plan of Al-Qaeda, the trumping up always is supposed to give excuse or reason for further oppressive activity, either foreign or domestic. This is true in both Israel and the USA that are always looking for an “excuse,” and are always trying to make any activity a “worldwide conspiracy.”
In the instance of Israel they make the accusations at the top of an organization which is determined to see Palestinian rights become a reality. By going to the top they try to make the whole organization look bad, while at the same time threatening all participants which are lower on the rung of leadership – i.e., everyone else. In essence it says “your next,” and it meant to chill any human rights activity.
1. Who do you think taught the U.S. the rules of the game when it comes to torture, ie enhanced interrogation techniques, detention without trial and other improvisations on the Law?
2. Israel has been detaining quite a few political and human rights’ activists in the cloak of night to make them an example for others who are going the route of peaceful resistance, and demonstrating great initiative in this regard, because protest, the war of words and revolutionary ideas just might bring down the Zionist state.
As a matter of fact, when Ahmedinejad spoke those “infamous” words that have been misinterpreted and conveniently used as an excuse for an attack on Iran, he was referring to the unsustainable and fragile foundation of Zionism. He was referring to the fact that sooner or later Zionism will be brought down, Zionism, meaning the ideology, the injustice and the oppression it creates.
The thing about Zionism is that it’s incompatible with Democracy and negates a Constitution which respects the rule of law, equality and human rights and it therefore requires repressive, oppressive and often violent and inhumane measures to protect and enforce it. The founders of Zionism themselves spoke of beating the Arabs into submission; this in itself is a delusion of staggering proportions.
“Circumstantial at best ala “My cousin knows this guy’s brother who knows his wife, who went to school with his daughter who worked at the mall with another person’s niece”.”
You read the Palaprop media and think you have the whole story.
Who are the rest of his contacts that are classified as terror organizations?
And your words belong in the National Enquirer.
On nuclear diversion from the US to Israel–newly released US government report:
link to original.antiwar.com
i only quickly scanned the antiwar article, but apparently no mention of that shit stain edward teller and his role in providing technical assistance in the development of isreal’s bomb, and just as importantly, advice on its policy of ‘ambiguity’.
and a belated happy mother’s day to all.
Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts,
whether our baptism be that of water or of fears!
Say firmly: “We will not have great questions decided by
irrelevant agencies. Our husbands shall not come to us, reeking
with carnage, for caresses and applause. Our sons shall not be
taken from us to unlearn all that we have been able to teach
them of charity, mercy and patience.
link to peace.ca
RE: In another Haaretz article, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak insists that there is “No Threat to Israel’s Policy of Nuclear Ambiguity” – Marsha B. Cohen
FROM GRANT SMITH, 05/10/10: …In 1968 as Israel noticeably ramped up activities at the Dimona nuclear weapons facility, Secretary of Defense Clark Clifford placed a final urgent call to Johnson, “Mr. President, I don’t want to live in a world where the Israelis have nuclear weapons.” President Johnson was abrupt before he hung up on Clifford, “Don’t bother me with this anymore.” By the time Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meier lobbied President Nixon to redefine U.S. non-proliferation policy as “ambiguity” toward Israeli nuclear weapons, Israel’s stockpile and number of deployed weapons was steadily growing….
SOURCE – link to original.antiwar.com
Clark Clifford should have thought of that when he twisted Truman’s arm to sell out American principle in order to get Jewish votes and campaign money.
keep digging, israel … you’ve almost got yourselves so far down that hole you’ll never get out and the rest of the world will thank you for immobilizing yourselves with your own outrageous conduct and it will be that much easier to keep your animal viciousness penned in
I think Finkelstein put it best, when he called Israel, ‘that Lunatic State’.
‘that’ – to emphasize the pissant/whiny nature of Zionism and obviously ‘Lunatic’ because well, Israel is a State founded by sociopaths and delusions of grandeur (like most if not all colonial-settler States, from Manifest Destiny to Zionism).
Treason is always noble – when its something that you’re in favor of. But its still treason, all the same.
“Treason is always noble – when its something that you’re in favor of. But its still treason, all the same.”
Funny. I never took you to be a fan of Mordechai Vanunu.
For 62 years now, the Jewish majority in Israel has been promising the non-Jewish minority groups (primarily Muslim and Christian), that their loyal devotion to the state of Israel will be rewarded in due time. Every time the Palestinians in Israel complained about the lack of equality and justice, the Jewish majority said, “You have to work harder. Show us that you really love this country”.
And so, much in the same way Israel has been dragging its feet with the so-called Peace Process with the Palestinians in the occupied territories for close to 20 years now, the Jewish majority in Israel has been leading its Palestinian citizens on with a stick and a carrot. The current favorable mantra among the bigots and liars like Normy here is that Arabs need to stop engaging in terrorism. Yet, ask Normy to support the claim that Israel’s Palestinian citizens engage in terrorism against the state, and Normy goes quiet.
So now that the Palesitnains in Israel are fed up of their status as second, even third, class citizens and are speaking up, louder than ever, the Jewish majority is saying, “See. We told you all along. They hate us. They’re traitors, those uppity Arabs”.
The bottom line is that Israel is interested in equality between Jews and non-Jews inside the Green Line, as much as it has been interested in “peace” (whatever that entails) with the Palestinians under occupation.
For 62 years now, the Jewish majority in Israel has been promising the non-Jewish minority groups
maybe every new year old promises don’t count. what if we could erase our obligations every year and start fresh?
Treason? What treason? Oh, you mean not signing on to oppression and injustice, because anyone who exposes and protests Israel’s inhumanity is treasonous.
You have it all wrong. The state is committing treason against a vast number of its citizens.
In a short period of time we will see the indictments and if they make sense. After that, the courts will speak. All criticism is premature at this stage.
There is no Israeli justice system. Israel is a criminal State with bullshit law, after bullshit law.
Simply because your racist, pariah, apartheid State clears it’s own name in court, does not mean it is innocent.
All criticism is premature at this stage.
Not really. There is plenty to criticize right now. The Israeli “espionage” laws themselves are worthy of criticism.
Hussein Abu Hasin, a lawyer who has handled several cases of spying charges, told Haaretz that espionage laws in Israel were so wide-ranging that an internet chat or telephone conversation with anyone in an ‘enemy state’ could lead to prosecution
“The use of these laws has become draconian,” Hasin said.
3e: In a short period of time we will see the indictments and if they make sense. After that, the courts will speak. All criticism is premature at this stage.
A reasonable position – assuming the details of the indictment are made public (they are not always in such cases), which brings me to the criticism that is not premature:
1. Arrest without informing the suspect of the reasons for his arrest, citing “secret information”.
2. The apparent way in which the arrest was carried out – in the middle of the night, terrorising the suspect and his family.
3. The initial gag order.
4. The suspect’s position as a leader of Palestinian-Israeli civil society should have warranted greater circumspection, due to the issues of freedom of expression involved, especially in the context of recent statements and actions by Israeli leaders and lawmakers, delegitimising Israel’s Palestinian population.
never stopped you
A few corrections:
A few corrections:
A total of 1,200 pages of transcript of Vanunu’s 1986 closed door trial have been released, including Vanunu telling the court: “I wanted to confirm what everyone knew, I didn’t want Israel to go on denying that it had nuclear weapons, and Shimon Peres to go on lying to (then US president) Ronald Reagan, saying that we didn’t have a nuclear arsenal. I also wanted controls to be placed on these weapons.”
“What The WORLD Needs to know about Vanunu”
link to wearewideawake.org
Legend has it that Vanunu flew to Rome from London with Cindy/Cheryl, just to have sex, although opportunity for that already existed in London. In March 2006, I brought up the topic and asked Vanunu, “What were you thinking?”
He looked me directly in the eye and immediately replied, “No, it wasn’t like THAT. A tabloid paper published a story with some of the photos of the Dimona I had taken. They never contacted me for my side of the story but they published my photo with a bad report; lots of lies. I knew I was in danger and I wasn’t sure if the Times would still print my story. I thought I would just leave London with her for a few days.”
link to wearewideawake.org
I’m sure the charges are flimsy at best, complete with a flowchart of distant connections to Hizbollah and based on the usual paranoia that the state and its “authorities” suffer from.
Regarding Issam Makhoul, my advice to Israel is: THE WORLD IS WATCHING! With regards to his brother: We know what you’re doing and are taking note of all of it. The evidence of your criminal behavior is mounting.
The state of Israel exists in an alternate universe of its own making. Its citizens, the majority of which are in denial and suffer from acute apathy are governed by uninspired and even bigoted leaders who desperately cling to a false reality and impose it with an iron fist on those who dare to challenge their delusion and paranoia.
” my advice to Israel is: THE WORLD IS WATCHING!”
thankgodimatheist quoted Mahmoud Darwish a few days ago:-
“Gentlemen, you have transformed
our country into a graveyard
You have planted bullets in our heads,
and organized massacres
Gentlemen, nothing passes like that
without account
All that you have done
to our people is
recorded in notebooks ”
Mahmoud Darwish “Our Country Is A Graveyard”
The Israeli ‘security’ crackdown on Palestinian NGOs (and now ‘Israeli Arab’ NGOs) is more extensive than normally realised. See this summary of what’s going on right now:
link to guardian.co.uk
Israel is stepping up the aggression against Palestinians to demonstrated it will be a worthy member of the OECD.
link to counterpunch.com