Once again, the U.S. mainstream media is missing — or covering up — a central reason that Israel carried out a preemptive attack on Gaza, killing 46 people, including 16 children. Yair Lapid used the attack to go ahead of Benjamin Netanyahu in polling in the election campaign.
By focusing on Joe Biden’s personal relations with the murderous Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the American media is missing the much larger story. The U.S., with Israel’s encouragement, could be forming a dangerous anti-Iran military alliance along with the Saudis. Such a Washington/Tel Aviv/Riyadh agreement, masquerading as a “regional security” deal, raises the danger of war and a regional nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
A new report from Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East calls on Canadian officials to suspend military sales to Israel, and investigate whether Canadian weapons have been used to kill Palestinian civilians. “It is shocking that Canadian officials have allowed military exports to Israel to accelerate over the past decade, given the undeniable evidence of Israeli human rights abuses,” said CJPME Vice President Michael Bueckert in a statement.
Huwaida Arraf is a civil rights attorney and activist running for congress in Michigan’s newly drawn tenth district. Michael Arria spoke with the Democratic candidate about growing up Palestinian-American, her human rights work, and why she has decided to get involved in electoral politics.
Three Palestinian young people share the tremendous challenges they face due to the Israeli occupation.
Zeina Hutchison reflects on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People: “Today and always I remember, I reflect, I cry, I rejoice and I am humbled by the strength, heart, determination, beauty and achievements of my people; the Palestinian people.”
After Gaza’s Chamber of Commerce announced it would begin accepting applicants for work permits to Israel, tens of thousands rushed to apply. One photo of the scene tells the story of the devastation the Palestinian economy is currently facing.
Small business owners in Gaza grapple with mounting debts and no means of income, after their enterprises were destroyed in the escalation with Israel last May.
Israel is facing widespread backlash for its dangerous decision to label six Palestinian human rights groups as terrorist organizations. “Supporters of Israel often say to critics, ‘Stop singling out Israel. Stop picking on Israel. Treat Israel like any other country,'” Mehdi Hasan said on his MSNBC news program. “Well, okay then. Let’s condemn them for doing this then because when our other allies, like Turkey or Saudi Arabia or Egypt, crack down on human rights groups, we condemn them for it. We criticize them. So why give Israel a pass?”
Ibrahim Atta looks out at a dusty field of grasses on a hot Gaza afternoon in early fall and declares this land was once a fertile “piece of heaven.” Twenty years ago, he was earning an income from selling produce grown on this nine-acre family plot, but today Atta is no longer able to safely access the farm. The last time he tried to reach the land was in 2015. Israeli forces positioned on the other side of the fence “fired two tear gas bombs just under my feet,” Atta said. “I left and have not gone again. I just look at it from a distance and can’t get close, they may kill me.”