Middle East
Parents of Critically Injured US Peace Activist Demand Justice
Published March 25, 2009 @ 08:25PM PT
Tristan Anderson's parents held a press conference yesterday at the Alternative Information Center in Jerusalem to demand justice for their son. They claim that no Israeli official, from either the government or the military, had contacted the couple since their son was hurt. Jonathan Pollack and attorney Michael Sfard also presented at the conference.
"We are scared and really just in shock," said Mrs. Anderson with tears in her eyes. "To shoot peaceful demonstrators is horrific to us. We ask that the Israeli government publically take full responsibility for shooting our son." To date, the Anderson family has not been contacted by any representative of the Israeli government or military, a fact that attorney Michael Sfard, who also spoke at today's press conference, described at "shameful."
Video: Riots in Israeli Arab City of Um al-Fahm
Published March 25, 2009 @ 05:04AM PT
Part of the virulent clerical fascist strain of Israeli politics has a long fascination with Um al-Fahm. This is one of the most important Arab cities, with a diverse and vibrant political culture, and strong connections to the West Bank.
Back in the 1980s, when Meir Kahana was still alive and fomenting hate, he organized a march to this city on a public mission to 'bring back women who married Muslims but now need rescuing.' This was part of his obsession with the idea of Jewish women having sex (heaven forfend) with Arabs. Um al-Fahm was ruled at the time by the left wing Hadash party, and they welcomed the arrival of hundreds of Jews to join them in blocking Kahane from entering the city. Then as now, the march of Jewish racists carrying Israeli flags into an all-Arab city was seen as a provocation.
Top Five Questions About the Peace Process
Published March 24, 2009 @ 07:18PM PT
1. Can the Palestinians form a government or leadership team that includes both Hamas and Fatah?
2. Will Israel take a step back from settlement expansion - including expanding Jewish presence in Arab East Jerusalem?
3. Can donors give hundreds of millions of dollars in aid to Gaza without empowering Hamas?
4. Will the Obama administration pick a fight with Israel and win over the next few months?
5. Will planned Palestinian elections freeze the diplomatic process for an additional 6-10 months?
This is an open thread. What do you think?
Abusing Religious Metaphors for War and Profit
Published March 24, 2009 @ 05:33AM PT
How do you explain the religious complexities of a foreign culture not only to those who have a pretty deep understanding already, but to your most ignorant reader? And do various commonly used terms, like “religious right” and “religious left” mean the same thing “over there” (in this case, Israel) as they do over here? Not that we necessarily even agree on what they mean over here.
E. E. Evans of Get Religion asks good questions about Ethan Bronner's excellent article about religious and cultural divisions in the Israeli army. Take for example, this quote:
J-Street Poll: 75% of U.S. Jews Supported Gaza Invasion
Published March 23, 2009 @ 01:59PM PT
J-Street's new poll of American Jewish opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is out. You can catch the details here.
I found it interesting - but not surprising - that 75% of the survey respondents approved of the recent military action in Gaza, but only 41% thought that it would improve Israel's security. in other words, a full third supported the war while not trusting the official Israeli line that it would be militarily useful.
This reminds me of another study, conducted during the horrific suicide boming campaign carried out during the 2nd Intifada. I forget the exact results, but they clearly showed that Israelis were in favor of 'targeted killings' the assassination by death squad of Palestinian military and civilian leaders. Not because it would do anything useful, like put a stop to terror. Nope. Just like here, there was a large overlap showing many who supported the killing even though they themselves thought it wouldn't do anything to decrease the level of terror.
Free Lance Terror Expert Revealed as Sham
Published March 22, 2009 @ 10:08AM PT
I'm making up a bit for a few missed posts with some gems that caught my eye.
This is the story of a self-proclaimed terror expert making bank from lazy newspapers and right wingers eager to swallow made up stories that fit the bill. Stories like: Extremist Muslims Are Everywhere and They Will Get You Unless You Do What I Say.
Israel Erupts in Looting Last Week
Published March 22, 2009 @ 09:15AM PT
Desperation is growing in Israel. After years of economic growth - despite the ongoing security issues - the recession is hitting the Holy Land.
HATZOR HAGLILIT, Israel — - First came the employees, shortchanged two months' pay and laid off by the supermarket called God's Blessing. They plundered their shuttered workplace, helping themselves to crates full of groceries.
As word spread through the small town, the store's jilted creditors joined in. They dismantled the light fixtures, ripped out wiring and absconded with the cash registers, even as television cameras rolled.
