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The War of Ideas in the Middle East
As a European, I am really unhappy that despite a majority of its citizens supporting Palestinian rights, the political leadership is far behind. It doesn't help that foreign policy is now collective and Catherine Ashton has only issued stern rebukes and has always shied away from proposing that the EU-Israel trade agreements be suspended until such time as Israel respects International Law and numerous UNSC and ICJ rulings.
In the meantime, localised BDS campaigns are the only mechanism available.
Just wait for some major Irish bashing prior to Ireland's take up of the EU presidency (first six months of 2013).
You'll find that most EU citizens are generally aware of the basic situation and support the Palestinians but there is a disconnect between the citizenry and their governments.
Unfortunately, most know very little about settlement expansion, house demolitions, settler only roads, Gaza, juvenile detention, checkpoints, settler violence and the myriad trials and tribulations of daily life. Our media feeds us with 'balance' which is usually from journalists based in Jerusalem or Tel Aviv.
I wrote to one of our government ministers, requesting that he publish the EU Heads of Mission Report on East Jerusalem (which was leaked). [Incidentally, the document on the BBC web site contained document properties that identified a well-known 'Breaking the Silence' activist. Sloppy, BBC. The original is watermarked 'SECRET']
Every year, I write asking that the EU-Israel trade agreements be suspended until such time as Israel abides by International Laws and norms. I get polite responses saying that 'it's a complex issue' or some such excuse.
If people were more informed in the EU, the relationship would have changed dramatically. Slowly, it is happening.
The Gaza flotillas got very good coverage here in Ireland.
Phil, Alastair Campbell was Tony Blair's spin doctor (the one who crafted the dodgy Iraq dossier).
I'm happy to see that James Murdoch wasn't quite a chip of the old block and seems to have a moral compass, something sadly lacking in Blair and Murdoch sr.
I liked this piece on the Goethe Institute's all woman jazz band visiting Gaza this week, particularly as it is so glaringly contrary to the propaganda printed about Gaza.
Kevin Myers used to write "An Irishman's Diary" for the Irish Times. Happily he's moved papers. This is standard Myers who is a constant critic of anti-war protesters (mocking Quakers) and a supporter of the invasion of Iraq. Facts aren't a huge problem for him whilst supporters of basic human rights (and international laws and norms) for Palestinians are labelled "anti-Israel".
Regarding the gas, read the 2010 Mondoweiss post Chomsky says Israel is pillaging Gaza’s natural gas reserves
If you look at a map of the gas field, you will see that Israel has put a well right on the border.
Let's not forget the role played by the Quartet's envoy:-
Chris Gunness is a hero.
Let us not forget the Wikileaks cables: "As part of their overall embargo plan against Gaza, Israeli officials have confirmed to econoffs on multiple occasions that they intend to keep the Gazan economy on the brink of collapse without quite pushing it over the edge"
The situation in Gaza is wholly intentional.
I wish the flotilla success. I fear that Greece and Egypt will bow to US pressure and do all they can to hamper its progress.
Although hugely symbolic, it is mostly business as usual.
Men between 18 and 40 will still require a permit and people leaving Gaza must be carrying Palestinian ID cards, issued by Israel.
Also, trade is prohibited.
When the number of trucks allowed in is back to 2007 levels and the fishermen can fish out to 20nm (as agreed in Oslo), it'll be different.
The President of the United States gets booed.
The Prime Minister of a foreign power which received over $3bn in 'aid' every year is cheered wildly.
Peaceful protesters are assaulted and silenced.
In a democracy, there is room for dissent.
In what respect are '67 borders "indefensible"?
I don't expect the Gaza border to be opened by Egypt.
BDS is the only solution.
It's not clear from the article above, but Moyle, Co. Antrim is in Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom). There would be a larger divergence of opinion between Roman Catholics and Protestants there, than in the Republic of Ireland.
Notwithstanding, it's a welcome move by the council.
I've a few observations.
Firstly, the uprising came from the part of Libya (which is tribal) which has always disliked him and it wasn't as peaceful as those in Bahrain or Egypt.
That said, seeing an end to Gadaffi will be a good thing and is long overdue.
Ironic that both Blair and Sarkozy rushed to his side for photo ops.
No doubt the contracts to rebuild the airports, infrastructureand buy new arms will go to France, the UK and US instead of China and Russia. Someone has to pay for the hundreds of millions of weapons used.
I hope those in Bahrain, Yemen, Saudi and Palestine will get their chance too but I'll hold my breath.
In Bil'in, peaceful protests is met with deadly force and more terror inflicted by land theft and violence perpetrated by religious extremists.
Don't we now know that the Exodus story is just that? A story. A myth.
This is no chance the Brotherhood will take over in Egypt and the scare mongering by "Peace Envoy" Tony Blair is just that as we now read (from Shamus Cooke and Robert Fisk) that the elites are planning to take over Egypt. Sadly, I don't see any policy chances vis-a-vis Israel or Gaza any time soon.
Saeb Erekat is no Michael Collins.
I would have more faith in Marwan Barghouti.
I think it was a publicity stunt to revive flagging sales.
Ultimately, she will regret going.
Ha'aretz: "Bil'in protester dies from tear gas poisoning"
JPost: "Palestinians say woman killed by tear gas in Bilin protest"
typical of the Post but from the BBC, FOX, MSNBC or CNN nothing. Plus ça change.
Try this link.
I'm proud of fellow citizen, John Ging, UNRWA director in the Gaza Strip, who recently delivered some more plain speaking regarding the eased Gaza blockade: "there is no tangible change for the people on the ground here with regard to their condition, dependence on aid, the absence of any recovery or reconstruction. And there is no economy."
I completely agree Avi. People here know this is happening but if you want to see it on any mainstream TV in Europe or the US (the facilitators of Israeli policy), then it needs an English language translation.
Is there some sort of fund that could be set up to take donations using PayPal or similar?
How about paying a few people from Gaza to take the footage and provide subtitles of the Hebrew and Arabic (with the copyright holder's approval, of course)?
Wonderful moving video.
It would have taken just one soldier to push him and there would have been chaos. On film. Instead, another "Palestinian Gandi" languishes in jail.
There should be a video of a Palestinian Gandi every day.
maximalistNarrative, the ancients lands of Canaan were home to many.
People of the Jewish faith may feel a particular affinity with the area but the concept of a homogeneous 'Jewish people' is pure mythology. Happily the wholesale destruction of Jews is a thing of the past. The continued theft of land belonging to thousands more Adeeb Abu Rahmas is, sadly, ongoing.
The recent report by the UN panel says quite a lot about the blockade.
And I thought it was a fence!
It's probably eleven photographs somewhere outside the real old city of Jerusalem too.
As the saying goes, out of sight, out of mind.
As of August B'Tselem has this at 189.
I refer you to Mondoweiss's Where is the Palestinian Gandhi? In Israeli prison, of course!.
In Israel's very own internment system known as "Administrative Detention".
Abdallah Abu Rahmah is another Palestinian Ghandi. Naturally, non-violence poses a great threat and so he is imprisoned.
The trial has had wide coverage in the EU but sadly only harsh words, not deeds.
Why does Google maps says that Bil’in is in Israel? Ramallah also?
Brought to you by "The most moral army in the world".
I'm sick of it. I've written to Irish government ministers who do speak up in public but back it up with nothing.
We need a new boycott of Israeli goods, especially Agrexco and Ahava.
What else can I do?
I'm sick of it and the "loyalty oath" from Moldovan ex-bouncer Lieberman.
At least "peace envoy" Tony Blair is no longer in government in the UK.
It is generally accepted that the participation of the US shortened the Second World War but I don't think it is accepted that the US "won the war".
Isn't the original commentary merely a rehashing of the line that "the path to peace lies through Tehran"?
I don't think any military planners really believe that Iran poses any grave threat to the State of Israel as a Homeland for the Jewish people. In fact, as many seem to recognise, the continued occupation and systematic oppression of the Palestinians poses a real, not imaginary threat.
In stating that the "outlook of this blog is dangerously naive" Wandering Jew is unfortunately providing a good analysis of the current situation. Israel isn't going to give up anything willingly. The proposed "Loyalty Oath" reinforces this view.
This is a wonderful rejoinder to the whataboutery often quoted with respect to violence in Sudan or Darfur and human rights abuses in China, North Korea.
Exactly. I quoted the same parts of the report in my comment.
Craig Murray, former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan also pointed out that the justifications used by Israel to maintain that the blockade is legal is also false.
Exactly. I quoted the same parts of the report "in my comment.
Craig Murray, former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan also pointed out that the justifications used by Israel to maintain that the blockade is legal is also false.
If this evidence was given in a court of law (and not a military tribunal), it would certainly point to an assassination.
Twenty minutes ago, the Irene (The Jewish Boat to Gaza) was surrounded by 10 Israeli navy warships and boats and boarded.
I quote from the UN report into the Gaza flotilla.
Did you not read the articles Phil wrote?
And to answer your own reply, doesn't it depend on how much of the pizza Netanyahu wants to eat? I would certainly feel obliged to accept the democratic wishes of the people, unlike the US government, which swept aside the Hamas victory in 2006 and did everything it is power to divide and conquer the Palestinians.
I believe Abbas should have withdrawn from talks immediately the 'official' settlement building resumed. He promised this before the talks began and now looks hopelessly weak and ineffectual. Every single newspaper is highlighting the settlement building. A golden opportunity has been lost.
Hear, hear!
John Bolton is almost always wrong. He's never seen a war he didn't like or arms treaty that couldn't be torn up. Iran Affairs has more on the MEK/PMOI.
It's reminiscent of the US government's support for the Mujahadeen in Afghanistan and that was a huge success, wasn't it?
"Peace envoy" Tony Blair is too busy flogging his book on The Daily Show to care.
The EU seems to be taking a more active role in Gaza.
Recently, Baroness (Catherine) Ashton, the EU's foreign po0licy head said "The position of the EU is very clear: We want the opportunity for people to be able to move around freely or to see goods not only coming into Gaza but exports coming out of Gaza,"
Sadly, the EU has not backed this up with actions.
I agree with the commentators who believe the EU should take a more active role, separate from the US.
Actually, he doesn't say "fled" at all. That's a misquote in an earlier comment.
He clearly says:
What he says about Lieberman is absolutely right. At least everyone knows where he stands.
Avi, with respect, I don't think murdering four Hebron 'colonists' is in any way justifiable. Everyone here is well aware of their violent behaviour.
McClatchy : real journalism.
Why don't they just call the congressional leaders and ask them?
Let us not forget that Knight Ridder and McClatchy got their Iraq intelligence reporting right.
Cynical and criminal. None of my friends know anything about this because it isn't reported. Therefore there is no context to any actions in the OPT. In other news, the Irish government refused to cancel or postpone a deal for over €2.3m of Israeli military equipment despite the forging of Irish passports and attack on the Irish part of the Gaza flotilla.
I have written to Irish politicans who express similar wishes but somehow are hampered by collective EU policy. The Irish were one of the first countries to boycott South African goods. I hope that honourable tradition continues.
The Israeli border?
Isn't the Allenby bridge at Jericho in the West Bank?
Oh yes, that's also been annexed.
Heartbreaking.
No doubt there will be those that will accuse the 10 year old of being coached.
Meanwhile the EU, US and its client Egypt continue to support the illegally appointed Abbas who is slowly selling his people down the river, aided and abetted by the US. Meanwhile the despicable "peace envoy" Blair is talking about economic peace and collecting the big cheques from oil giants and big banks. Who says war doesn't pay?
Please don't feed the trolls.
That the different people of the region eat similar foods is unremarkable.
I think Israel knows it occupies the Golan Heights as it has refused many offers by Syria to normalise relations for their return. Israel requires perpetual conflict to continue its colonial enterprises.
From the fascinating article:
This is a technique used by cults. When you are exhausted, you are less able to analyse and criticise what is said to you and therefore more likely to accept what you are told as true.
Frankly, who cares what their religion is?
I don't mind if he's Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Bhuddist or Pastafarian.
Does it make them any lesser human beings?
Back to Lennon's "Imagine" lyric.
Do the ultra orthodox realise how crazy this is? Moreover, do they care?
In other news, I read a super article about Gaza by David Rose in Foreign Policy.
And while I'm mentioning Gaza, the Libyian chartered freighter Amalthea is off the Egyption coast, heading for El Arish (or Gaza). The Greenpeace Rainbow Warrier is also near (but perhaps just monitoring the tuna).
The BBC is today reporting that the appointed European Commission is banning two thirds of Iran aircraft from Europe over what it calls "safety concerns".
Perhaps Iran's planes would be safer if the US allowed them spare parts for their ageing Boeing aircraft? I'm not sure why the A320s are also banned. Probably the spineless EU acting under threats of sanctions by the US.
Sickening.
The last time Jeremy Bowen issued such an honest summary, the BBC was swamped, eventually forcing their spineless BBC Trust to rebuke him over his Gaza coverage. He vigorously defended his reporting in the Guardian.
Sadly, the usually excellent Irish Times also gets this wrong:
"The Israeli blockade was first introduced in June 2006 when its soldier Gilad Shalit was captured. It was strengthened when Hamas seized power from Fatah one year later,[...]"
Oh! I seem to have given the impression that she might have done something wrong. I'm 100% behind her and only wish that I would be so prepared and informed. None of the media in Ireland seems to want to follow up the flotilla story now that the true picture is emerging via the great work of Max Blumenthal, Ali Abunimah, Iara Lee and indeed Phil here.
European politicians are way out of tune with their populations. The UK is one of the worst offenders in this regard with the miserable Blair still "peace envoy".
I expect she'll get another visit soon. Perhaps, just a letter from the IRS if she's lucky. I'm pretty sure they didn't know about the $7 million a day.
Unfortunately, by not answering, she leaves herself open if a member of a protest in which she was present hurts anyone or damages property. I would have said "No", "next question."
Reporters working in Israel are not allowed to report any rocket attacks on Israeli military bases and installations. I'm surprised the BBC mentioned it.
Does anyone else see the (slight) shift in tone of articles. The Israeli military press releases aren't reported verbatim any more. Fair and balanced, no, but getting better.
Wonderful. The ultimate non-violent solution.
All Palestinians have to ask for is equal rights in a multi-ethnic state. Everyone can support equal rights, can't they? Over to you Moldovan Foreign Minister Lieberman.
$168.75 billion isn't much to settle the entire region.
Much more was spent on invading and occupying Iraq.
There is nothing to lose for Palestinians in a one state solution in the long term.
It comes as no surprise to me that on the day of the vote on HR.867, Israel puts out claims that Gaza rockets can reach Tel Aviv.
We also have the IAEA making unusually threatening statements about Iran's 1200 Kg of LEU, which, under the NPT, is entirely legitimate.
Governments aren't going to help the Palestinians create a state (one mandated by the Oslo accords, which Netanyahu despised), so it will be up to the ordinary people to take part in the BDS movement.
My hope is to see a new Mary Manning come forward. No Agrexco produce should be sold in our shops. Ahava should also be banned, coming as it does from the West Bank.
The lack of coverage of Sahar's story in the US is unsurprising. Even journalists such as Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann shy away from discussing the issues (Jimmy Carter's interview excepted).
Today, more and more of educated Israeli society is refusing to serve in the Occupied Territories.
Typical Blair.
Ducks the question.
Not once has he called on a settlement freeze and he is happy to see more land stolen whilst 'institutions' are created. Ex-president Abbas is the latest Middle East stooge. How long before he goes the way of the former Iraqi president?
Footnote: Blair was a major player in getting Hamas' political wing banned in the EU and also scuuppered plans for Gaza's gas to be brought ashore in Egypt.
So, a Democrat president is not able to overturn laws and treaties enacted by his predecessor? Isn't that what the democratic process is all about? You put forward your manifesto and the people decide.
Institution building is the favourite position of Israel's expansionists. This means the theft of land and siege of Gaza can continue. This is Netanyahu's goal now as it was before.
I don't understand why people listen to some of these people any more. Feith, Abrams and the Wurmsers are still pushing their failed "Clean Break" agenda. I can't imagine Prof. Juan Cole or Helena Cobban getting an invitation.