Tension is soaring in the two insanely dangerous wars in Ukraine and the Mideast. We picked the brains of Ray McGovern, Scott Ritter and Ted Postol. Watch the replay.
Archiv: (öffentliche) Debatten / (public) debates
UK army chief: We’re ready to fight Putin in Eastern Europe
„If the British Army was asked to fight tonight, it would fight tonight,“ Rob Magowan, the deputy chief of the British defense staff, told the House of Commons defense committee. „I don‘t think anybody in this room should be under any illusion that if the Russians invaded Eastern Europe tonight, then we would meet them in that fight.“
The striking comments came as MPs asked Magowan Thursday how many British brigades could get to NATO‘s eastern flank in the event of a major escalation by Russia.
Security Council meets on north Gaza as ‘supplies for survival’ run out
Reality is brutal in Gaza and gets worse every day, while essential humanitarian supplies and assistance are being blocked at every turn, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Wednesday.
Joyce Msuya, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, briefed ambassadors on the situation in the north, where fighting has escalated.
Hospitals are running out of fuel and critical medical supplies, and food stocks are dwindling.
Ms. Msuya said that since her last briefing a week ago, the people of Gaza have suffered multiple mass casualty incidents due to Israeli airstrikes, with nearly 400 reportedly killed and almost 1,500 injured.
The world has also witnessed images of patients and displaced persons sheltering near Al Aqsa hospital burning alive, while scores more are suffering from excruciating burns.
Additionally, more than 20 people were killed and injured in a strike on a school serving as a shelter in Nuseirat.
Wie das russische Establishment das Ende des Krieges wirklich sieht
In einem wichtigen Punkt war man sich einig: Dass es keinerlei Chance auf eine internationale formale und rechtliche Anerkennung der russischen Annexionen ukrainischen Territoriums gibt und dass Russland nicht darauf drängen wird. Es wurde eingräumt, dass dies nicht nur von der Ukraine und dem Westen abgelehnt würde, sondern auch von China, Indien und Südafrika, die die russische Annexion der Krim im Jahr 2014 nicht anerkannt haben.
Es besteht daher die Hoffnung, dass im Rahmen einer Friedensregelung die Frage des Status dieser Gebiete auf endlose zukünftige Verhandlungen verschoben wird (wie die ukrainische Regierung im März 2022 in Bezug auf die Krim vorschlug), bis sie schließlich von allen vergessen wird. Das Beispiel der (nicht anerkannten, aber praktisch unangefochtenen) Türkischen Republik Nordzypern wurde erwähnt. Das bedeutet, dass die Ukraine nicht öffentlich aufgefordert würde, diese Gebiete „aufzugeben“, sondern lediglich anzuerkennen, dass es unmöglich ist, sie mit Gewalt zurückzuerobern.
Trump rally counter-sniper backs bombshell ‘evidence tampering’ claims by House GOPers
Washington Regional SWAT counter-sniper Ben Shaffer said it was “absolutely” concerning that the roof of the AGR International building had been quickly scrubbed and gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks’ body disposed of before an official autopsy report could be released.
Five House Republicans — Reps. Andy Biggs and Eli Crane of Arizona, Matt Gaetz and Cory Mills of Florida, and Chip Roy of Texas — hosted the panel discussion with Shaffer and other witnesses at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
Meeting Two Weeks after United States Vetoes Security Council Resolution Recommending Full UN Membership for Palestine, General Assembly Debates Ramifications
For his part, the observer for the State of Palestine said that Israel’s occupation is descending “to deeper levels of depravity” as it tries to push Palestinians “out of geography and out of history”. It has forcibly displaced two thirds of Palestinians in Gaza all the way to Rafah at the Palestine-Egypt border and now threatens to invade that city at any moment. This “gruesome scenario” must be prevented at all costs and indiscriminate killing, wounding, siege, starvation and collective punishment must be brought to an immediate end. This methodological devastation and dismantling of the requirements for life in Gaza “is an integral part of attempts to erase a nation by destruction, displacement and death”, he said, emphasizing that there are only two paths ahead — “one that leads to shared life, and one that leads to common death”.
“The admission of the State of Palestine to the UN is an unequivocal signal that Palestinian self-determination and Statehood are not subject to the whims and will of the extremists in Israel,” he went on. Further, he questioned how those who supported Israel’s admission — while it was violating the UN Charter and fundamental UN resolutions in isolation from a just solution — can explain that Palestine’s admission, 75 years later, should be conditioned on the achievement of such a solution. “The world’s double standards are not enough to describe how absurd this logic is,” he underscored, adding: “We will take our rightful place among the community of nations, sooner or later.” This matter will be brought before the Assembly for consideration on 10 May, and he expressed hope that the Assembly will unequivocally support Palestine’s admission to the UN and called on the Security Council to reconsider Palestine’s application favourably.
#ucla
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In the News: „Israelism“ at UCLA
(Jun 15, 2023)
Following last week‘s UCLA screening of „Israelism,“ Abe Foxman, former ADL Head, and Natalie Masachi, President of UCLA SSI, share their perspectives on the new documentary that rails against the pro-Israel „indoctrination“ of young Jews. With Shahar Azani.
Netanyahu rules out giving Ukraine Iron Dome anti-missile system
(29 June 2023)
Ukraine is seeking to obtain from Israel missile interceptor capabilities, but Jerusalem has so far refused as Israeli leaders seek to avoid overly antagonizing Russia. This hesitance appears largely linked to Israel’s strategic need to maintain freedom of operations in Syria, where Russian forces largely control the airspace. Israel is one of the few countries that maintains relatively good relations with both Ukraine, a fellow Western democracy, and Russia.
Philosophy for Palestine
(November 1, 2023)
To focus, as we do here, on the actions of the Israeli state and the unflagging support it receives from the US and its allies, is neither to celebrate violence, nor to equivocate on the value of innocent lives. Civilian deaths, regardless of nationality, are tragic and unacceptable. Yet to act as though the history of violence began with Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023 is to display a reckless indifference to history as well as to both Palestinian and Israeli lives. In order for violence to stop, the conditions that produce violence must stop.
The blockade of Gaza has lasted 16 years; the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza has lasted 56 years; the dispossession of Palestinians of their lands and homes across historic Palestine has lasted three-quarters of a century, since the 1948 establishment of Israel as an ethno-supremacist state. It is not without reason that observers—including both international and Israeli human rights groups—now characterize Israel’s control over the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea as a system of apartheid.
Akademischer Boykott
(06.04.2024)
Wegen ihrer Unterschrift unter eine Solidaritätserklärung mit Palästina ist die US-Philosophin Nancy Fraser eine Gastprofessur los. Die Universität zu Köln teilte am Freitag mit, alle Veranstaltungen der Albertus-Magnus-Professur 2024 abzusagen. Fraser habe im November 2023 den offenen Brief »Philosophy for Palestine« unterzeichnet, in dem »das Existenzrecht Israels als ›ethno-suprematistischer Staat‹ seit seiner Gründung 1948 faktisch in Frage gestellt« und der Terrorangriff palästinensischer Militanter vom 7. Oktober 2023 »relativiert« werde.
Schumer rejects Netanyahu‘s request to talk to Democrats as Israeli leader addresses GOP
(20.03.2024)
WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke virtually to Republican senators during a closed-door meeting Wednesday and found a welcome reception.
But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., declined a request by Netanyahu to address the Senate Democratic caucus, a spokesperson for Schumer said, adding: “Sen. Schumer made it clear that he does not think these discussions should happen in a partisan manner. That’s not helpful to Israel.”
Schumer defends call for Israel to replace Netanyahu in meet with US Jewish leaders
(20.03.2024)
US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer convened a meeting Tuesday with executives from major American Jewish organizations to defend the lightning rod speech he gave last week calling for early elections in Israel to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“There was a fundamental question of whether he would backpedal or defend himself, and he very clearly defended himself,” said one the executive on the call Schumer held with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations.
Presidential hopeful Cornel West slams Biden‘s Gaza policy: ‚Our politicians are cowards‘
On this episode of Real Talk we ask White House hopeful Cornel West why he called Joe Biden a ‚war criminal‘.
The progressive scholar who speaks fervently about the war on Gaza and explains why Biden‘s Gaza policy makes him a ‚hypocrite,‘ how Arab-American voters will turn their backs on him and why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is a ‚gangster‘.
Aussage zu „Einfrieren des Kriegs“: Mützenich bleibt dabei
Laut Mützenich könnte aller Voraussicht nach China auf Russland einwirken für eine mögliche Lösung. „Wir müssen China davon überzeugen, dass die Volksrepublik ein existenzielles und wirtschaftliches Interesse hat, stärker im von Russland zu verantwortenden Krieg diplomatisch aktiv zu werden.“ China habe wahrscheinlich noch einen gewissen Einfluss auf Russland. „Diese Debatten muss die Politik doch führen, anstatt darüber zu reden, wo die Schrauben beim ‚Taurus‘ sitzen. Die Optionen, wie ein militärischer Konflikt beendet werden kann, die werden am Ende politische sein.“
Regierungserklärung von Scholz: „Russland ist nicht so stark, wie man denkt“
Dem SPD-Fraktionschef Rolf Mützenich warf Merz wegen seiner These vom Einfrieren des Krieges indirekt Feigheit vor: „Friedfertigkeit kann das Gegenteil von Frieden bewirken.“ Mit Blick auf Kremlchef Wladimir Putin ergänzte er: „Einem solchen skrupellosen Kriegsverbrecher kann man nicht mit Feigheit begegnen, sondern nur mit Klarheit und Entschlossenheit.“
‚Shocking, unsustainable and desperate‘ conditions across Gaza, Security Council hears
Also briefing the Council was Christopher Lockyear, Secretary General, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders.
Fearful of further deadly Israeli attacks, he said he was “appalled” by the United States’ repeated use of its veto power to obstruct efforts to adopt the most evident of resolutions: one demanding an immediate ceasefire.
“We live in fear of a ground invasion” in Rafah, he said.
Calling Washington’s new proposed draft resolution “misleading at best”, he said the Council should reject any resolution “that further hampers humanitarian efforts on the ground and leads this Council to tacitly endorse the continued violence and mass atrocities in Gaza”.
LIVE: UK parliament debate and vote on Israel-Gaza ceasefire
Sir Keir Starmer faces the prospect of a second rebellion among his MPs over a ceasefire in Gaza, with a government intervention threatening to expose Labour divisions.
The Labour leader had attempted to see off a revolt by tabling a Commons amendment, which for the first time backed an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
However, parliamentary procedure means it may not be debated, potentially forcing his MPs to back a motion put down by the Scottish National Party (SNP).
An attempt by UK lawmakers to vote on a cease-fire in Gaza descended into chaos
The mayhem broke out during debate on a motion from the opposition Scottish National Party, or SNP, urging an immediate cease-fire, the release of all Israeli hostages held by Hamas and “an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
The main opposition Labour Party, which is divided over how strongly to criticize Israel, submitted a tweaked version of the motion calling for an “immediate humanitarian cease-fire,” without the mention of collective punishment.
The governing Conservatives put forward their own amendment, which backed an “immediate humanitarian pause,” followed by “moves towards a permanent sustainable” cease-fire.
News at 3PM: MPs will vote on a #Gaza ceasefire following a debate. A Trident missile test has failed once more. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, is responding to queries at PMQs. MSF reports Israeli shelling of its #Gaza shelter. Syrian outlets report three deaths in Damascus due to Israeli missiles. Julian #Assange contests US extradition. #JulianAssange #BBC #News
It is hard to take seriously the claims that the state of #Israel is taking all necessary steps to prevent civilian casualties, when they end up attacking a known food convoy.
Exclusive: Israeli forces fired on food convoy in Gaza, UN documents and satellite analysis reveals | CNN
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/21/middleeast/un-food-convoy-gaza-israel-strike-cmd-intl/index.html
#WarCrimes
#Gaza
#Palestine
#Gaza ceasefire debate – live updates: Labour Speaker sparks fury with amendments decision.
The Commons is set to vote on an #SNP??????? motion for a ceasefire in Gaza, but the Labour Speaker has sparked fury by going against convention and selecting both the Conservative government and Labour amendments.
It‘s relief for Sir Keir Starmer, who could have been facing a sizeable rebellion from his MPs.
#StitchUp #FreePalestine #DefundIsrael #BoycottIsrael #EmbargoIsrael
UN-mandated ground troops from South Africa marching into Palestine to secure the free and fair vote for a Constitutional Assembly, following a popular vote and elections
(search results)
Remarks by President Biden and His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan After a Meeting
We must make sure the horrors of the past few months since October 7th are never repeated nor accepted by any human being.
We must together, along with Arab partners and the international community, step up efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and immediately start working to create a political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution — an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital but living side by side with Israel in peace and security. This is the only solution that will guarantee peace and security for the Palestinians and the Israelis, as well as the entire region.
Jordan’s King Abdullah: October 7 attacks cannot be accepted by any Muslim
“As I have previously stressed, we must make sure the horrors of the past few months since October 7, are never repeated, nor accepted by any human being.”
“We must together, along with Arab partners and the international community, step up efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and immediately start working to create a political horizon that leads to a just and comprehensive peace” on the pre-1967 lines, he says.
A Palestinian Exile Champions an Arab Vision for Gaza
Mohammed Dahlan, an adviser to the president of the United Arab Emirates, outlined one under which Israel and Hamas would hand power to a new and independent Palestinian leader who could rebuild Gaza under the protection of an Arab peacekeeping force.
While such plans face steep challenges, the leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are open to supporting processes that are part of efforts leading to a Palestinian state, said Mr. Dahlan, who also has close ties to Egypt’s president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Immer radikaler und brachialer – zieht Berlin nach Weimar um?
Die Weimarer Republik ist als Demokratie gescheitert, weil ihr Demokraten fehlten. Die Berliner Republik droht daran zu scheitern, dass selbsternannte Demokraten die Demokratie zerstören. Zunehmend aber gibt es ein wachsendes Unbehagen auch bei Linken über den Versuch des Abbaus der Demokratie.
„Lagerübergreifend für den Frieden“ Michael Aggelidis, Friedenskonferenz Hamburg dieBasis 2024
(February 5, 2024)
„Unsere Aufgabe als Friedensbewegung ist einerseits sicher der Kampf gegen Kriege und gegen Wirtschaftskriege. Aber unserer Aufgabe ist auch und vor allem der Einsatz für Souveränismus, also der politische Kampf für Souveränität in den Köpfen der Menschen und damit für Demokratie in Staat und Gesellschaft..“
Der Faschismus in Deutschland ist längst wieder da…
Die Basisdemokratische Partei mit ihren Grundwerten der Freiheit, Machtbegrenzung, Achtsamkeit und Schwarmintelligenz wird für eine Politik der Menschlichkeit einstehen, in der auf Basis des Grundgesetzes und einer demokratischen Grundordnung gemeinsam bessere Entscheidungen getroffen werden.
DieBasis wird zugleich an der EU-Wahl teilnehmen. Denn letztendlich geht es darum, nicht nur Deutschland von allen derzeitigen Einflüssen globalistischer Weltpolitik und Machtinteressen zu befreien
UNRWA employs 30,000 people. Israeli intelligence claims 12 were involved in the 7 October attack. That‘s 0.04% Biden, Trudeau, Albanese and Meloni immediately move to accelerate genocide by collective punishment, cutting desperately needed relief aid. It is beyond belief.
@lauraches21
Replying to @CraigMurrayOrg
Let‘s be honest. We all know how reliable „Israeli intelligence“ is its just another pathetic way of deflecting and giving the UN/UNRWA less credibility due to their witness statements read out yesterday.
@CraigMurrayOrg
Yes. I assume this was planned in advance including with the neoliberal states who leapt in.
@bigbaddommie
Replying to @CraigMurrayOrg
The 12 have also been sacked
@CraigMurrayOrg
Sacked before the investigation. It is disgraceful.
This week parliament will debate a #CeasefireNOW and for the UK to #StopArmingIsrael. This couldn‘t be more urgent. Israel‘s bombing of Gaza has already killed over 16,000 Palestinians. Please join me and lobby your MP using @PSCupdates online action
https://palestinecampaign.eaction.online/ceasefireMPdebate
Dienstag 28. November 2023 Einen guten Morgen wünsche ich meinen 487 Followern! Euch und alle X er, denen das zukünftige Schicksal ihrer Mitmenschen und Nachkommen nicht gleichgültig ist bitte ich: Retweetet und/oder teilt meinen täglichen Aufruf an den Weltsicherheitsrat #UNSC!
Unterschiedliche, selbst erarbeitete Begründungen, habe ich der Aufforderung hinzugefügt.
Wir bewegen uns auf eine Katastrophe zu, die nur noch durch eine weltweit umspannende Solidargemeinschaft abgewendet werden kann!
Wir sind jetzt gefordert, im Rahmen unserer Möglichkeiten etwas tun, damit das Weltgeschehen uns wieder Raum für unbeschwert positives Denken lässt.
Niemand darf kommentarlos und untätig bleibend zuschauen, wenn sich Menschen gegenseitig töten, misshandeln und/oder verletzen!
Man kann abends besser einschlafen mit dem Bewusstsein, wenigstens etwas getan zu haben. wenn das Engagement auch utopisch anmutet, den Weltsicherheitsrat #UNSC aufzufordern, das Veto-Recht abzuschaffen, damit Friedensmissionen durch die #UN möglich sind.
Allein die Weltgemeinschaft kann dauerhaft anhaltenden Frieden schaffen, ihn sichern und bewahren!
Die Meinungsmache gegen Wagenknecht und Gefährten ist eröffnet
Kurzer Einschub, weil die Außenpolitik eine wichtige Rolle spielen wird und Vorwürfe des Ausverkaufs an China oder Russland wahrscheinlich zunehmen werden: Die Vorstellung, Deutschland könne auch als Brücke zwischen den Blöcken der kommenden multipolaren Weltordnung fungieren, wird in diesen Argumentationen oft gar nicht zugelassen. Ebenso die Feststellung, dass selbstverständlich kein naives oder romantisches Verhältnis zu Russland angestrebt werden sollte, sondern ein vernünftiger und sachlicher Umgang zum beiderseitigen Nutzen. Nicht zuletzt fällt oft unter den Tisch, dass ohne eine Verständigung mit Russland eine friedliche Ordnung in Europa gar nicht vorstellbar ist. Eine solche Verständigung mit Russland muss nicht die Verdammung der oder eine Abkopplung von den USA bedeuten.
The Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization of over 600 families
The Parents Circle-Families Forum was created in 1995 by Mr. Yitzhak Frankenthal and a few Israeli families. The first meeting between bereaved Palestinians from Gaza and Israeli families took place in 1998. These families identified with a call to prevent bereavement , to promote dialogue, tolerance, reconciliation and peace. The contact with these Palestinian families came to an end with the second “Intifada” uprising. At the same time, that is in the year 2,000 contact was established with Palestinians from the West Bank and East Jerusalem, who in turn joined in with the activities of the Parents Circle – Families Forum. This group together with their Israeli partners, established the essence of the work of the Parents Circle today.
Parents Against Child Detention: About Us
PACD’s overall goal is to end the violations of Palestinian children’s rights in detention, interrogation and arrest proceedings, and to reduce the number of Palestinian children arrested, interrogated and imprisoned.
Since 2018 PACD has held several public activities, including conferences, street rallies, online campaigns, exhibitions, public testimony readings, and generated articles in the mainstream press – all of which have led to over 1500 parents joining our newsletter, tens of thousands engaging with our social media content.
In December 2021 PACD organised the first-ever special discussion held in the Israeli Knesset on the issue of detained Palestinian children – attended by both opposition and coalition MKs, PACD supporters and NGO reps.
Israel at War: Moral Red Lines
As we enter into week two of this horrifying war, Donniel Hartman and Yossi Klein Halevi struggle with the question of if there are moral red lines when responding to absolute evil and if there are, how do we define them. Noting that Israelis are entering this discussion wounded, grieving, enraged, and scared, they acknowledge our need to fight the war fully while grappling with who we want to be not just who we are at this moment.
Hanegbi sits with protesters in front of his home who urge him to obey High Court
The Tuesday night protest in the Jerusalem suburb of Mevaseret Zion was made up largely of former defense officials, including senior members of the National Security Council, which Hanegbi now leads.
While protests outside the homes of lawmakers have become the norm over the past year, the decision to target Hanegbi, who is no longer a politician appeared relatively rare — as was his willingness to sit with those demonstrating against him.
To Foreign Policy Veteran, the Real Danger Is at Home
Mr. Haass recently published a book called “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens,” outlining ways Americans can help heal their own society, like “Be Informed,” “Remain Civil,” “Put Country First” — all admittedly bromides and yet somehow often elusive these days. (…)
Putting his foreign policy hat aside for now, he said he wants to expand the message from his book and help refocus the country on the core values embodied in the Declaration of Independence as the 250th anniversary of the document approaches three years from now.
Were Israel’s Secrets Hidden in Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Bathroom?
The Trump indictment rocking the United States contains numerous references to foreign countries and military battle plans that many believe relate directly to Iran and Israel – and may have even originated in Israeli intelligence sources.
Haaretz diplomatic correspondent Amir Tibon joins Haaretz Weekly host Allison Kaplan Sommer to discuss the indictment as well as the similarities between Trump’s latest legal headaches and those of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was elected to Israel’s highest office while on trial for corruption.