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Israeli Gaza Airstrikes Violated Laws of War
Israeli Gaza Airstrikes Violated Laws of War
by Stephen Lendman
Human Rights Watch (HRW) said so. Rarely does HRW do the right thing. Exceptions prove the rule. Most often it's a reliable imperial partner.
Disappearing Prisoners: Official Israeli Policy
Disappearing Prisoners: Official Israeli Policy
by Stephen Lendman
Israel is a rogue terror state. It's a serial abuser. It spurns rule of law principles. It mocks democratic values.
It tolerates no criticism. It targets anyone challenging its authority. It does so against anyone considered threatening. Jews are as vulnerable as Muslims.
Resistance in Israel
Conscientious objector Natan Blanc sentenced to prison for the Sixth time for his refusal to join the Israeli Army.
Natan Blanc, 19 years old from Haifa, arrived, sunday, 10.2.2013, to the Induction Base in Tal-hashomer, where he again declared his refusal to serve in the Israeli Army. he was sentenced to 18 days of imprisonment for his refusal, in the military prison No. 6 near Atlit.
In his refusal declaration Natan Blanc wrote:
"I began thinking about refusing to conscripted into the Israeli Army during the “Cast Lead” operation in 2008. The wave of aggressive militarism that swept the country then, the expressions of mutual hatred, and the vacuous talk about stamping out terror and creating a deterrent effect were the primary trigger for my refusal. Today, after four years full of terror, without a political process [towards peace negotiations], and without quiet in Gaza and Sderot, it is clear that the Netanyahu Government, like that of his predecessor Olmert, is not interested in finding a solution to the existing situation, but rather in preserving it. From their point of view, there is nothing wrong with our initiating a “Cast Lead 2″ operation every three or four years (and then 3, 4,5 and 6): we will talk of deterrence, we will kill some terrorist, we will lose some civilians on both sides, and we will prepare the ground for a new generation full of hatred on both sides. As representatives of the people, members of the cabinet have no duty to present their vision for the futures of the country, and they can continue with this bloody cycle, with no end in sight. But we, as citizens and human beings, have a moral duty to refuse to participate in this cynical game."
Obstructing Hamas/Fatah Unity
Obstructing Hamas/Fatah Unity
by Stephen Lendman
Previous unity talks failed. On February 6, more talks were held. Fatah and Hamas officials met in Cairo. At issue are long-delayed reconciliation and new elections.
Reports suggested cause for optimism. It's hard imagining why. Israel and Washington ruptured relations earlier. Efforts followed to isolate and vilify Hamas.
Mavi Marmara Massacre Whitewash Redux
Mavi Marmara Massacre Whitewash Redux
by Stephen Lendman
In May 2010, Israeli commandos committed premeditated murder. They killed nine humanitarian activists in cold blood. They did so in international waters. They were trying to bring vitally needed aid to besieged Gazans.
Israel wants them isolated. It wants them suffocated. Slow-motion genocide is longstanding policy.
Israel Commits Crimes Without Punishment
Israel Commits Crimes Without Punishment
by Stephen Lendman
Israel is a rogue state. It's a serial abuser. It commits crimes without punishment. It tolerates no criticism.
Last May, it suspended contact with the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Israeli State Terror Crowd Control Weapons
Israeli State Terror Crowd Control Weapons
by Stephen Lendman
State terror is official Israeli policy. Community incursions, assaults, and other violent incidents occur daily. Palestinian suffering follows.
They have no rights. Peaceful demonstrators are attacked. In August 1967, Israel issued Military Order No. 101 ("Order Regarding Prohibition of Incitement and Hostile Propaganda Actions," as later amended).
Israeli Drone Strikes in Gaza in November 2012 Attack: Two-Thirds Killed Were Civilians
By Ann Wright, OpEdNews
Two-thirds of Palestinians killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) drones in the November, 2012 attack on Gaza were civilians. This statistic means that for the residents of Gaza, the ground-breaking investigation by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights into the civilian impact and human rights implications of the use of drones and other forms of targeted killing is very important.
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More Palestinians Killed by Drones Alone in eight DAYS than Israelis Killed by rockets in eight YEARS
Heron Drone
Two-thirds of Palestinians killed by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) drones in the November, 2012 attack on Gaza were civilians.
This statistic means that for the residents of Gaza, the ground-breaking investigation by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Counter-Terrorism and Human Rights into the civilian impact and human rights implications of the use of drones and other forms of targeted killing is very important.
Israel's One of the World's Biggest Land-Grabbers
Israel's One of World's Biggest Land-Grabbers
by Stephen Lendman
It shouldn't surprise. Israel stole Palestinian land for decades. In 1948, it stole 78% of historic Palestine. In 1967 it took the rest.
Israel's 19th Knesset
Israel's 19th Knesset
by Stephen Lendman
On January 22, Israelis elected 120 19th Knesset members. Over 80% of its members are extremist hardliners. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) assessed prospects ahead.
Israeli/Palestinian Peace Process Hypocrisy
Israeli/Palestinian Peace Process Hypocrisy
by Stephen Lendman
On February 1, Hillary Clinton ended her tenure as Secretary of State. John Kerry was sworn in to replace her.
Two recent articles discussed him. One called him a reliable imperial warrior. The other said he's Israel's man at State.
Does Netanyahu Want Regional War?
Does Netanyahu Want Regional War?
Israel and America are longstanding imperial partners. Washington OK's naked aggression on Syria. Doing so declared war. Admitting it may or may not follow later.
Events require close watching. Disturbing ones occur regularly. Late Sunday, Tyre, Lebanon was rocked. A suspicious explosion occurred.
Ban Ki-moon Fails to Condemn Israeli Aggression
Ban Ki-moon Fails to Condemn Israeli Aggression
by Stephen Lendman
Since last weekend, Israel attacked Syria multiple times. Doing so was premeditated, unprovoked aggression.
Fundamental UN Charter provisions were violated. Israeli officials refused comment. For days, America was silent.
UN Mission Condemns Israeli Settlements
UN Mission Condemns Israeli Settlements
by Stephen Lendman
On January 31, the UN International Fact-Finding Mission on Israeli Settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory published damning findings.
Premeditated Aggression: Official Israeli Policy
Premeditated Aggression: Official Israeli Policy
by Stephen Lendman
A previous article discussed Israel's Wednesday attack on Lebanon. Reports suggested Syrian weapons and munitions heading cross border were struck.
It asked why would Assad send vitally needed weapons and munitions to Lebanon? He needs all he can get.
Israel Attacks Lebanon
Israel Attacks Lebanon
by Stephen Lendman
Israel regularly violates Lebanese air space. Doing so is longstanding. It's also illegal. Incursions sometimes happen multiple times daily. Conflicting reports discussed an overnight border attack.
Lebanon's state-run Al-Watania confirmed nothing. It's state-run NNA news agency denied it.
Netanyahu's Apartheid Government
Netanyahu's Apartheid Government
by Stephen Lendman
Amos Oz is a noted Israeli academic, author, journalist, and novelist. He's also a vocal Netanyahu critic. More on his recent comments below.
It's well known that Israel's government reflects militarized occupation, colonialism and apartheid. It's done to enforce harshness. It continues because it's profitable. Doing so breaches international law.
Medical Neglect in Israeli Prisons
Medical Negligence in Israeli Prisons
by Stephen Lendman
Palestinians in Israeli prisons are grievously abused. Conditions resemble gulag hell. Treatment is deplorable. Fundamental human rights are violated.
Geneva's Common Article 3 requires "humane treatment for all persons in enemy hands, specifically prohibit(ing) murder, mutilation, torture, cruel, humiliating and degrading treatment (and) unfair trial(s)."
Hey, Hey, Barack! What Do You Say? How Many Kids Have You Killed Today?
By Dave Lindorff
I personally found the president’s inaugural speech not just insipid, but disgusting. It reached its gut-churning nadir near the end where he said:
Intifada Activism Needed
Intifada Activism Needed
by Stephen Lendman
Six-five years of mass slaughter, destruction, dispossession, occupation, persecution, apartheid, and slow-motion genocide is enough.
Freedom requires committed activism. Liberation depends on working for what Israel denies. The alternative is more of what's too intolerable to bear.
Israel's Likely Coalition Partner Government Threatens Humanity
Israel's Likely Coalition Partner Government Threatens Humanity
by Stephen Lendman
Extremist Israel officials favor wealth, power, privilege and dominance. Tuesday's elections hardened fascism.
Palestinians have the greatest cross to bear. Jews have their own. Humanity very much is threatened. More on that below.
Fascism Wins Big in Israel
Fascism Wins Big in Israel
by Stephen Lendman
Israeli election results hardened fascist rule. Dominant right-wing parties control 102 of 120 Knesset seats.
Israelis have themselves to blame. They elected Israel's most extremist government in history. Militarism, belligerence, state-sponsored terrorism, occupation ruthlessness, settlement expansions, and neoliberal harshness reflect official policy.
Israeli Election Results
Israeli Election Results
by Stephen Lendman
Israel has no constitution. Basic Laws substitute. One defines the "Powers and Functions of the Knesset." It's elected by "general, national, direct, equal, secret and proportional elections in accordance with Knesset Elections Law."
Dominant Israeli Parties Spurn Democracy
Dominant Israeli Parties Spurn Democracy
by Stephen Lendman
Israel never was democratic and isn't now. One-fifth of its citizens are enfranchised in name only. They have no say. Nor do most Jews. More on Israel's election below.
On January 22, Israelis voted. Over 5.6 million were eligible. About 1,000 polling stations accommodated them. In most places, they stayed open until 10PM. Rural areas, small towns, and hospitals closed theirs at 8PM.
Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Sovereignty and Democratic Freedoms
Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian Sovereignty and Democratic Freedoms
by Stephen Lendman
On January 20, Netanyahu said no to independent Palestine, yes to settlement expansions. More on that below.
Freedom House calls itself "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world."
Obama's Second Inauguration: Big Money but No Big Lines
By Dave Lindorff
There were no memorable lines in President Obama’s second inaugural address. Certainly nothing like Franklin Roosevelt’s “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” which was in his first inaugural, or like John F. Kennedy’s “Ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.”
But there was plenty he said that was troubling.
The problem mostly wasn’t what he said. It was how he said it, and what he left unsaid.
Israelis Vote
Israelis Vote
by Stephen Lendman
Twenty-four hours and counting. On Tuesday, January 22, Israelis vote. They're as mindless and out of touch as Americans.
Odds favor hardline extremism. Netanyahu will remain prime minister. Knesset members and cabinet officials will reflect the worst of right-wing government.
Israel Criminalizes Throwing Snowballs
Israel Criminalizes Throwing Snowballs
by Stephen Lendman
Police states operate that way. Israel is one of the worst. It spurns rule of law principles. It turns democratic values on their head. It targets Palestinians for praying to the wrong God.
