Hamas leader in Gaza, Mahmoud Zahar, doesn’t want his territory to become like another US-backed wasteland, Afghanistan: The Hamas co-founder was bitterly critical of Western policy towards Hamas and Gaza over the four and half years since the Islamic faction won the last Palestinian elections. “Why did the Western people boycott Hamas after the election?”…
Showing all posts in June 2019
How Rolling Stone should spread its wing
I’ve talked extensively here about Michael Hastings’ piece in Rolling Stone that helped fire General Stanley McChrystal (more savvy comments here). But what of the magazine itself? The Guardian comments: The resignation last week of General Stanley McChrystal had the impact of a pterodactyl egg dropping on the US news agenda from 30,000 feet. A…
Believe it, BDS is biting
So you’re an Israeli who does business with the international community. The Jewish state is facing increasing criticism and isolation but what to do? An Israeli publication offers some handy tips to beat the issues and still turn a profit.
Divide and rule in Jerusalem
Apartheid: The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee is set to approve an unprecedented master plan that calls for the expansion of Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, a move largely based on construction on privately owned Arab property. The committee’s proposal would codify the municipality’s planning policy for the entire city. In essence, Jerusalem would…
Reporters are not supposed to thank the establishment at the end of the day
Journalist Michael Hastings believes in journalism. You know, asking questions, not protecting military men because they’re in the military and telling things how they are. Crazy ideas, I know. Others, like The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, rather like war and Israel and like to contribute to the Middle East being filled with the former as much…
Obama is a barrier to any kind of Middle East peace
Even if this story is accurate, that US/Israeli relations are struggling, other reports indicate Washington is very happy to continue carrying the water for Tel Aviv, even if it means not releasing Gilad Shalit because it would strengthen Hamas. First, this: Israel’s ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, denied painting a dark picture of U.S.-Israeli relations…
The noble war in Afghanistan is against 100 people?
Let me get this straight. Tens of thousands of Western troops are fighting in Afghanistan because of this or are we actually occupying the country for another reason altogether? In an EXCLUSIVE interview on “This Week,” CIA Director Leon Panetta told host Jake Tapper that there were “at most” only 50-100 Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.…
Lebanon considers entering the 21st century on rights
The possibility that Palestinians may soon have more rights in Lebanon – such as fair work and fair pay – is covered by al-Jazeera. The current situation is a shameful example of Arab racism and inaction towards the Palestinian people:
New York Times wonders why those silly Arabs don’t get sick of being killed
New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman – a fan of Western state violence – writes today that Israel should stretch out the hand of peace because otherwise it may simply kill many more Palestinian civilians: Israel’s newfound sense of security, though, was bought at a very high price — and it is not a steady…