BBC News
22:57 GMT, Tuesday, 29 June 2010 23:57 UK
A man who says he is an Iranian nuclear scientist claims to have escaped after being abducted by US agents.
In a video shown on Iranian state TV, he says he has escaped in the US state of Virginia and is now on the run.
Mr Amiri disappeared a year ago while undertaking the Hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Two videos purportedly showing him surfaced three weeks ago. One said he had been kidnapped, the other that he was living freely in Arizona.
The US has strenuously denied abducting him, but ABC News reported in March that Mr Amiri had defected and was helping the CIA compile intelligence on Iran's controversial nuclear weapons programme.
The state department has refused to say whether he is in the US.
'Not free'
In the new video, broadcast on Tuesday, a man claiming to be the missing scientist says: "I, Shahram Amiri, am a national of the Islamic Republic of Iran and a few minutes ago I succeeded in escaping US security agents in Virginia.
"Presently, I am producing this video in a safe place. I could be re-arrested at any time."
Two videos supposedly showing Shahram Amiri emerged on 8 June
The man says the video broadcast earlier this month - in which someone claiming to be Mr Amiri says he was kidnapped by Saudi and US agents, tortured, forced to say he had defected and was living in Tucson, Arizona - is "completely authentic and there are no fabrications in it.
"The second video which was published on YouTube by the US government, where I have said that I am free and want to continue my education here, is not true and is a complete fabrication.
Continue reading the main story
I was not prepared to betray my country under any kind of threats or bribery by the US government
Shahram Amiri 29 June broadcast 8 June video transcripts
"I am not free here and I am not permitted to contact my family. If something happens and I do not return home alive, the US government will be responsible."
He finishes the video by urging Iranian officials and human rights organisations to "put pressure on the US government for my release and return".
"I was not prepared to betray my country under any kind of threats or bribery by the US government," he adds.
A US official told the AFP news agency the allegations were "ludicrous".
Iranian media have said Mr Amiri worked as a researcher at a university in Tehran, but some reports say he worked for the country's atomic energy organisation and had in-depth knowledge of its nuclear programme.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Turkey bars Israel military flight after Gaza raid
BBC News
10:38 GMT, Monday, 28 June 2010 11:38 UK
Turkey has barred an Israeli military flight from Turkish airspace, in apparent retaliation for Israel's raid on an aid convoy bound for Gaza.
Turkey's prime minister confirmed that a "ban" had been implemented following the 31 May raid, in which nine Turkish citizens on the flotilla were killed.
Military flight bans are now being considered on a case-by-case basis, Turkish officials said.
The banned flight was carrying Israeli officers to Poland to tour Auschwitz.
The plane was denied permission to cross Turkish airspace and was therefore forced to fly an alternative route.
A senior Turkish foreign ministry official told the BBC there was now an official policy in place of banning Israeli military aircraft from Turkish airspace, but on a case-by-case basis.
He said it was not necessarily a blanket ban, but would depend of the kind of flight and the state of relations between Turkey and Israel at the time.
The official said this particular flight was banned purely because it had been the first such request from Israel and had nothing to do with the nature of the flight.
Civilian flights are unaffected.
Diplomatic fall-out
Reports first surfaced in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot that an Israeli military cargo plane, carrying more than 100 officers on their way to Auschwitz, was barred from Turkish airspace.
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the G20 summit PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the ban at the G20 summit
At the G20 summit in Toronto, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was asked by a reporter if the ban was related to the flotilla raid.
Mr Erdogan confirmed that "we started the ban after these events", according to a report by Turkish news agency Anatolia.
The Israeli raid on the aid flotilla drew international condemnation.
The six-ship flotilla was trying to break a blockade of Gaza that Israel says is needed to prevent weapons reaching militants in the territory.
Israeli commandos descended from helicopters on to the largest ship, the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, in international waters about 130km (80 miles) from the Israeli coast.
The activists say the commandos started shooting as soon as they hit the deck. Israeli officials say the commandos fired in self-defence.
Turkey reacted angrily to the raid, withdrawing its ambassador and cancelling joint military exercises.
It wants an apology from Israel and an international investigation.
Israel has refused to co-operate with an independent international inquiry. Its own inquiry is to start on Monday.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says that in the past the Turkish and Israeli armed forces have co-operated in a number of areas, with Israeli military aircraft able to use Turkish airspace for training exercises.
But he says the Turkish government is reviewing all such joint projects and has pledged it will no longer buy military equipment from Israel.
10:38 GMT, Monday, 28 June 2010 11:38 UK
Turkey has barred an Israeli military flight from Turkish airspace, in apparent retaliation for Israel's raid on an aid convoy bound for Gaza.
Turkey's prime minister confirmed that a "ban" had been implemented following the 31 May raid, in which nine Turkish citizens on the flotilla were killed.
Military flight bans are now being considered on a case-by-case basis, Turkish officials said.
The banned flight was carrying Israeli officers to Poland to tour Auschwitz.
The plane was denied permission to cross Turkish airspace and was therefore forced to fly an alternative route.
A senior Turkish foreign ministry official told the BBC there was now an official policy in place of banning Israeli military aircraft from Turkish airspace, but on a case-by-case basis.
He said it was not necessarily a blanket ban, but would depend of the kind of flight and the state of relations between Turkey and Israel at the time.
The official said this particular flight was banned purely because it had been the first such request from Israel and had nothing to do with the nature of the flight.
Civilian flights are unaffected.
Diplomatic fall-out
Reports first surfaced in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot that an Israeli military cargo plane, carrying more than 100 officers on their way to Auschwitz, was barred from Turkish airspace.
PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the G20 summit PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan confirmed the ban at the G20 summit
At the G20 summit in Toronto, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was asked by a reporter if the ban was related to the flotilla raid.
Mr Erdogan confirmed that "we started the ban after these events", according to a report by Turkish news agency Anatolia.
The Israeli raid on the aid flotilla drew international condemnation.
The six-ship flotilla was trying to break a blockade of Gaza that Israel says is needed to prevent weapons reaching militants in the territory.
Israeli commandos descended from helicopters on to the largest ship, the Turkish-owned Mavi Marmara, in international waters about 130km (80 miles) from the Israeli coast.
The activists say the commandos started shooting as soon as they hit the deck. Israeli officials say the commandos fired in self-defence.
Turkey reacted angrily to the raid, withdrawing its ambassador and cancelling joint military exercises.
It wants an apology from Israel and an international investigation.
Israel has refused to co-operate with an independent international inquiry. Its own inquiry is to start on Monday.
The BBC's Jonathan Head in Istanbul says that in the past the Turkish and Israeli armed forces have co-operated in a number of areas, with Israeli military aircraft able to use Turkish airspace for training exercises.
But he says the Turkish government is reviewing all such joint projects and has pledged it will no longer buy military equipment from Israel.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Bil'in Protests and Nabi Saleh Protest 25-6-2010
[friends-of-freedom-and-justice-bilin]
From: Iyad Burnat
1-Dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation and ten injured in Bil’ins weekly demonstration
http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid= 1
Today’s protesters in Bil’in brought out the message about boycott of Israeli blood diamonds. Every year, consumers the world over unwittingly spend billions of dollar on diamonds crafted in Israel, and Palestinians call for a boycott. The demonstration went on as usual, Palestinians, Israelis and internationals marched together up to the gate of the wall, facing large amounts of tear gas before the soldiers went in through the gate and chased the protesters some hundred meters towards the village.
Israel, that stands accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide, the crime of apartheid, extrajudicial executions within and outside the territory it controls and persistent serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions – is the world’s leading exporter of diamonds. Today the villagers carried t-shirts and posters asking to boycott Israel’s diamond industry. About 100 demonstrators went up to the gate, carrying out the message, in a non violent manner. Another message was solidarity with the Palestinians in Jerusalem, facing eviction from their homes and constant violence from Israeli settlers taking over their houses. The soldiers responded with shooting tear gas into the crowd after ten minutes. As people were running towards the village, the soldiers were running after, still shooting tear gas, and dozens suffered from inhalation. Three soldiers were reported to hide in the field close to the village, shooting tear gas making it difficult to reach back towards the village. About ten protesters suffered heavily from the gas, struggling to breathe. Tear gas canisters caused a fire in the field, on both side of the road as the hot canisters hit the dry ground. In the middle of a cloud of tear gas Palestinians were working hard to stop the fire, which was spreading quickly among the olive trees. In the end they managed to put an end to the fire, which caused a lot of smoke in addition to the tear gas. The demonstration lasted for about 45 minutes, when people went back to the village.
2-Nabi Saleh Protests Against Israeli Blood Diamonds 25-06-2010
Today, yet again, protestors in Nabi Salah were subjected to merciless Israeli violence with one youth injured and ambulanced away for treatment. This time, however, the perpetrators were repeatedly challenged by a brave, brave woman: Huwaida Arraf, who blocked with her body two Israeli Occupation Forces soldiers from firing killer, high velocity tear gas projectiles at some stone throwing youth. With telling truth she informed them that: "The demonstration was over and their continued presence was designed to provoke and intimidate and to go home". Her pleas were in vain as the IOF made continuous terrorising forays on foot and jeep into the village until late into the evening. Prior to the protest, at the cermony in the village square honouring the many Palestinians jailed for inordinate periods of time by Israel for resisting the Occupation, she urged people of live conscience worldwide to boycott Israeli blood diamonds as the cut diamonds are the foundation of the Israeli economy and amount to some $20 billion in exports annually. Huwaida Arraf is a Palestinian-American human rights activist who co-founded the International Solidarity Movement and is currently chair of the Free Gaza Movement, she was on board Challenger 1, one of the six siege-breaking ships ferrying desperately needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza when the flotilla was murderously attacked in international waters by Israeli commandos on 31st May 2010 - nine other human rights activists aboard the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara were murdered in cold blood, . Huwaida witnessed the terrorist attack on the Marmara before her own ship was boarded and its passengers and crew subjected to Israeli savagery. In August 2008, Huwaida was on the Free Gaza boats that sailed from Cyprus to Gaza, the first boats to challenge Israel's closure of the Strip and dock in Gaza Port in over 40 years. She has since lead 4 other successful solidarity missions to Gaza with the Free Gaza Movement. In February 2009 Huwaida was part of a National Lawyers Guild delegation that traveled to Gaza to document possible Israeli violations of international law and war crimes that may have been committed during Operation Cast Lead. For another video with over 1.3 million views, showing this strong woman confronting violent IOF soldiers, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQyIKyd2gqA
http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid= 1
3-Salaam and greetings from Bilin.
I hope that you are all doing well. It seems to us that the Zionists and it occupation forces are now fighting us electronically after their failure in stopping the on going resistance in Bilin and the growing popular non violent resistance all over Palestine.
Our two email accounts: majdarmajdar@yahoo.com and bel3in@yahoo.com have been closed, or stolen, it is not clear for us yet what had happened but we will keep you posted.
The Israeli occupation Army wants to silence our resistance and do not want our voice to reach to you, but do not worry, our voice will always be stronger with you support and by you and us standing together for Justice. We will not stop and we will keep going until freedom and Justice.
Please make sure to update your lists and information about our new email address: majdarmajdar@gmail.com or ibel3in@yahoo.com
Thanks for your continuous support for Palestine and for justice.
Salaam and Peace
From: Iyad Burnat
1-Dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation and ten injured in Bil’ins weekly demonstration
http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=291&Itemid= 1
Today’s protesters in Bil’in brought out the message about boycott of Israeli blood diamonds. Every year, consumers the world over unwittingly spend billions of dollar on diamonds crafted in Israel, and Palestinians call for a boycott. The demonstration went on as usual, Palestinians, Israelis and internationals marched together up to the gate of the wall, facing large amounts of tear gas before the soldiers went in through the gate and chased the protesters some hundred meters towards the village.
Israel, that stands accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, genocide, the crime of apartheid, extrajudicial executions within and outside the territory it controls and persistent serious breaches of the Geneva Conventions – is the world’s leading exporter of diamonds. Today the villagers carried t-shirts and posters asking to boycott Israel’s diamond industry. About 100 demonstrators went up to the gate, carrying out the message, in a non violent manner. Another message was solidarity with the Palestinians in Jerusalem, facing eviction from their homes and constant violence from Israeli settlers taking over their houses. The soldiers responded with shooting tear gas into the crowd after ten minutes. As people were running towards the village, the soldiers were running after, still shooting tear gas, and dozens suffered from inhalation. Three soldiers were reported to hide in the field close to the village, shooting tear gas making it difficult to reach back towards the village. About ten protesters suffered heavily from the gas, struggling to breathe. Tear gas canisters caused a fire in the field, on both side of the road as the hot canisters hit the dry ground. In the middle of a cloud of tear gas Palestinians were working hard to stop the fire, which was spreading quickly among the olive trees. In the end they managed to put an end to the fire, which caused a lot of smoke in addition to the tear gas. The demonstration lasted for about 45 minutes, when people went back to the village.
2-Nabi Saleh Protests Against Israeli Blood Diamonds 25-06-2010
Today, yet again, protestors in Nabi Salah were subjected to merciless Israeli violence with one youth injured and ambulanced away for treatment. This time, however, the perpetrators were repeatedly challenged by a brave, brave woman: Huwaida Arraf, who blocked with her body two Israeli Occupation Forces soldiers from firing killer, high velocity tear gas projectiles at some stone throwing youth. With telling truth she informed them that: "The demonstration was over and their continued presence was designed to provoke and intimidate and to go home". Her pleas were in vain as the IOF made continuous terrorising forays on foot and jeep into the village until late into the evening. Prior to the protest, at the cermony in the village square honouring the many Palestinians jailed for inordinate periods of time by Israel for resisting the Occupation, she urged people of live conscience worldwide to boycott Israeli blood diamonds as the cut diamonds are the foundation of the Israeli economy and amount to some $20 billion in exports annually. Huwaida Arraf is a Palestinian-American human rights activist who co-founded the International Solidarity Movement and is currently chair of the Free Gaza Movement, she was on board Challenger 1, one of the six siege-breaking ships ferrying desperately needed humanitarian supplies to Gaza when the flotilla was murderously attacked in international waters by Israeli commandos on 31st May 2010 - nine other human rights activists aboard the Turkish ship, Mavi Marmara were murdered in cold blood, . Huwaida witnessed the terrorist attack on the Marmara before her own ship was boarded and its passengers and crew subjected to Israeli savagery. In August 2008, Huwaida was on the Free Gaza boats that sailed from Cyprus to Gaza, the first boats to challenge Israel's closure of the Strip and dock in Gaza Port in over 40 years. She has since lead 4 other successful solidarity missions to Gaza with the Free Gaza Movement. In February 2009 Huwaida was part of a National Lawyers Guild delegation that traveled to Gaza to document possible Israeli violations of international law and war crimes that may have been committed during Operation Cast Lead. For another video with over 1.3 million views, showing this strong woman confronting violent IOF soldiers, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQyIKyd2gqA
http://www.bilin-ffj.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=292&Itemid= 1
3-Salaam and greetings from Bilin.
I hope that you are all doing well. It seems to us that the Zionists and it occupation forces are now fighting us electronically after their failure in stopping the on going resistance in Bilin and the growing popular non violent resistance all over Palestine.
Our two email accounts: majdarmajdar@yahoo.com and bel3in@yahoo.com have been closed, or stolen, it is not clear for us yet what had happened but we will keep you posted.
The Israeli occupation Army wants to silence our resistance and do not want our voice to reach to you, but do not worry, our voice will always be stronger with you support and by you and us standing together for Justice. We will not stop and we will keep going until freedom and Justice.
Please make sure to update your lists and information about our new email address: majdarmajdar@gmail.com or ibel3in@yahoo.com
Thanks for your continuous support for Palestine and for justice.
Salaam and Peace
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Backlash from Israel's antics: Jewish dance group stoned in Hanover, Germany
BBC News
German police are investigating the stoning of a Jewish dance group trying to perform on the street in the city of Hanover.
Youths reportedly shouted "Juden Raus" (Jews Out) as they attacked the dancers of the Chaverim ("Friends" in Hebrew) dance troupe last weekend.
Police said several Muslim immigrant youths were among the attackers and two youths were being questioned.
A German Jewish leader said she feared growing anti-Israeli sentiment.
'So awful'
The group was trying to perform in Hanover's Sahlkamp district, which has a large immigrant community.
One of the dancers was injured in the leg and the troupe cancelled the performance after the attack.
Police said one German suspect aged 14 and a 19-year-old of North African origin were being questioned.
Alla Volodarska, of the Progressive Jewish community of Hanover, told Associated Press news agency she had spoken to the dancers involved.
"What happened is just so awful. The teenagers started throwing stones the moment our dance group was announced, even before they started dancing."
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told the Die Welt newspaper that anti-Semitic feelings were widespread in both far-right and Muslim communities in the country.
"It particularly saddens me that those anti-Semitic views can already be seen with such vehemence among children and youths," she said.
Israel's Zionist crusade to ethnically cleanse Palestine and Israel's continuing disregard for human rights of Palestinians has increased anti-Jewish sentiment worldwide. Some have said Israel is the graveyard of Judaism with Jerusalem as its tombstone. Certainly everything wrong within Judaism comes to the forefront in Israel. "A light unto the Gentiles" has become a terrible joke played on Christian sympathizers to Zionism and Israel as Israelis thumb their noses at everyone who criticizes their hubris and their avarice for another people's land.
German police are investigating the stoning of a Jewish dance group trying to perform on the street in the city of Hanover.
Youths reportedly shouted "Juden Raus" (Jews Out) as they attacked the dancers of the Chaverim ("Friends" in Hebrew) dance troupe last weekend.
Police said several Muslim immigrant youths were among the attackers and two youths were being questioned.
A German Jewish leader said she feared growing anti-Israeli sentiment.
'So awful'
The group was trying to perform in Hanover's Sahlkamp district, which has a large immigrant community.
One of the dancers was injured in the leg and the troupe cancelled the performance after the attack.
Police said one German suspect aged 14 and a 19-year-old of North African origin were being questioned.
Alla Volodarska, of the Progressive Jewish community of Hanover, told Associated Press news agency she had spoken to the dancers involved.
"What happened is just so awful. The teenagers started throwing stones the moment our dance group was announced, even before they started dancing."
Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told the Die Welt newspaper that anti-Semitic feelings were widespread in both far-right and Muslim communities in the country.
"It particularly saddens me that those anti-Semitic views can already be seen with such vehemence among children and youths," she said.
Israel's Zionist crusade to ethnically cleanse Palestine and Israel's continuing disregard for human rights of Palestinians has increased anti-Jewish sentiment worldwide. Some have said Israel is the graveyard of Judaism with Jerusalem as its tombstone. Certainly everything wrong within Judaism comes to the forefront in Israel. "A light unto the Gentiles" has become a terrible joke played on Christian sympathizers to Zionism and Israel as Israelis thumb their noses at everyone who criticizes their hubris and their avarice for another people's land.
BP ‘burning sea turtles alive’
By Daniel Tencer
Sunday, June 20th, 2010 -- 3:16 pm
A rare and endangered species of sea turtle is being burned alive in BP's controlled burns of the oil swirling around the Gulf of Mexico, and a boat captain tasked with saving them says the company has blocked rescue efforts.
Mike Ellis, a boat captain involved in a three-week effort to rescue as many sea turtles from unfolding disaster as possible, says BP effectively shut down the operation by preventing boats from coming out to rescue the turtles.
"They ran us out of there and then they shut us down, they would not let us get back in there," Ellis said in an interview with conservation biologist Catherine Craig.
Part of BP's efforts to contain the oil spill are controlled burns. Fire-resistant booms are used to corral an area of oil, then the area within the boom is lit on fire, burning off the oil and whatever marine life may have been inside.
"Once the turtles get in there they can't get out," Ellis said.
Story continues below...
Dr. Brian Stacey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told NPR last week that, although there are five different species of sea turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of the ones found affected by the oil spill are Kemp's Ridleys, "the rarest of them all."
Ellis confirmed that he's mostly been seeing Kemp's Ridleys.
Mike Michael at Gather.com reports that Kemp's Ridleys are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Harming or killing one "carries stiff fines and civil penalties ($500-$25,000) assessed for each violation. Criminal penalties include possible prison time and fines from $25,000-$50,000."
Michael suggests that, given the size of the fines BP could face as a result of the turtle deaths, the company may be happy to let turtles burn, as it would make it impossible to calculate exactly how many turtles died. He notes that the bodies of dead animals are being kept as evidence to determine how much in fines BP will be liable for.
"Is BP destroying evidence to keep their liability down?" he asks. "Is anyone going to stop them?"
Asked if he had suffered health problems as a result of being exposed to the chemicals swirling around the Gulf, boat captain Ellis said he had been suffering from "pretty wicked headaches," but said he didn't know "if that was just from seeing everything you know just destroyed and just disgusting."
Sunday, June 20th, 2010 -- 3:16 pm
A rare and endangered species of sea turtle is being burned alive in BP's controlled burns of the oil swirling around the Gulf of Mexico, and a boat captain tasked with saving them says the company has blocked rescue efforts.
Mike Ellis, a boat captain involved in a three-week effort to rescue as many sea turtles from unfolding disaster as possible, says BP effectively shut down the operation by preventing boats from coming out to rescue the turtles.
"They ran us out of there and then they shut us down, they would not let us get back in there," Ellis said in an interview with conservation biologist Catherine Craig.
Part of BP's efforts to contain the oil spill are controlled burns. Fire-resistant booms are used to corral an area of oil, then the area within the boom is lit on fire, burning off the oil and whatever marine life may have been inside.
"Once the turtles get in there they can't get out," Ellis said.
Story continues below...
Dr. Brian Stacey of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told NPR last week that, although there are five different species of sea turtle in the Gulf of Mexico, the majority of the ones found affected by the oil spill are Kemp's Ridleys, "the rarest of them all."
Ellis confirmed that he's mostly been seeing Kemp's Ridleys.
Mike Michael at Gather.com reports that Kemp's Ridleys are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Harming or killing one "carries stiff fines and civil penalties ($500-$25,000) assessed for each violation. Criminal penalties include possible prison time and fines from $25,000-$50,000."
Michael suggests that, given the size of the fines BP could face as a result of the turtle deaths, the company may be happy to let turtles burn, as it would make it impossible to calculate exactly how many turtles died. He notes that the bodies of dead animals are being kept as evidence to determine how much in fines BP will be liable for.
"Is BP destroying evidence to keep their liability down?" he asks. "Is anyone going to stop them?"
Asked if he had suffered health problems as a result of being exposed to the chemicals swirling around the Gulf, boat captain Ellis said he had been suffering from "pretty wicked headaches," but said he didn't know "if that was just from seeing everything you know just destroyed and just disgusting."
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
U.S. scores dead last again in healthcare study
(Reuters) - Americans spend twice as much as residents of other developed countries on healthcare, but get lower quality, less efficiency and have the least equitable system, according to a report released on Wednesday.
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Fund report found.
"As an American it just bothers me that with all of our know-how, all of our wealth, that we are not assuring that people who need healthcare can get it," Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis told reporters in a telephone briefing.
Previous reports by the nonprofit Fund, which conducts research into healthcare performance and which promotes changes in the U.S. system, have been heavily used by policymakers and politicians pressing for healthcare reform.
Davis said she hoped health reform legislation passed in March would lead to improvements.
The current report uses data from nationally representative patient and physician surveys in seven countries in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
In 2007, health spending was $7,290 per person in the United States, more than double that of any other country in the survey.
Australians spent $3,357, Canadians $3,895, Germans $3,588, the Netherlands $3,837 and Britons spent $2,992 per capita on health in 2007. New Zealand spent the least at $2,454.
And yet Americans get less for their money, said the Commonwealth Fund's Cathy Schoen.
"We rank last on safety and do poorly on several dimensions of quality," Schoen told reporters. "We do particularly poorly on going without care because of cost. And we also do surprisingly poorly on access to primary care and after-hours care."
SIXTH IN QUALITY
The report looks at five measures of healthcare -- quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and the ability to lead long, healthy, productive lives.
"On measures of quality the United States ranked 6th out of seven countries," the group said in a statement.
U.S. patients with chronic conditions were the most likely to say they got the wrong drug or had to wait to learn of abnormal test results.
Overall Britain, whose nationalized healthcare system was widely derided by opponents of U.S. healthcare reform, ranks first, the Commonwealth team found.
"The findings demonstrate the need to quickly implement provisions in the new health reform law and stimulus legislation that focus on strengthening primary care, realigning incentives to reward higher quality and greater value, investing in preventive care, and expanding the use of health information technology," the report reads.
Critics of reports that show Europeans or Australians are healthier than Americans point to the U.S. lifestyle as a bigger factor than healthcare. Americans have higher rates of obesity than other developed countries, for instance.
"On the other hand, the other countries have higher rates of smoking," Davis countered. And Germany, for instance, has a much older population more prone to chronic disease.
Every other system covers all its citizens, the report noted and said the U.S. system, which leaves 46 million Americans or 15 percent of the population without health insurance, is the most unfair.
"The lower the performance score for equity, the lower the performance on other measures. This suggests that, when a country fails to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, it also fails to meet the needs of the average citizen," the report reads.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
The United States ranked last when compared to six other countries -- Britain, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand, the Commonwealth Fund report found.
"As an American it just bothers me that with all of our know-how, all of our wealth, that we are not assuring that people who need healthcare can get it," Commonwealth Fund president Karen Davis told reporters in a telephone briefing.
Previous reports by the nonprofit Fund, which conducts research into healthcare performance and which promotes changes in the U.S. system, have been heavily used by policymakers and politicians pressing for healthcare reform.
Davis said she hoped health reform legislation passed in March would lead to improvements.
The current report uses data from nationally representative patient and physician surveys in seven countries in 2007, 2008, and 2009.
In 2007, health spending was $7,290 per person in the United States, more than double that of any other country in the survey.
Australians spent $3,357, Canadians $3,895, Germans $3,588, the Netherlands $3,837 and Britons spent $2,992 per capita on health in 2007. New Zealand spent the least at $2,454.
And yet Americans get less for their money, said the Commonwealth Fund's Cathy Schoen.
"We rank last on safety and do poorly on several dimensions of quality," Schoen told reporters. "We do particularly poorly on going without care because of cost. And we also do surprisingly poorly on access to primary care and after-hours care."
SIXTH IN QUALITY
The report looks at five measures of healthcare -- quality, efficiency, access to care, equity and the ability to lead long, healthy, productive lives.
"On measures of quality the United States ranked 6th out of seven countries," the group said in a statement.
U.S. patients with chronic conditions were the most likely to say they got the wrong drug or had to wait to learn of abnormal test results.
Overall Britain, whose nationalized healthcare system was widely derided by opponents of U.S. healthcare reform, ranks first, the Commonwealth team found.
"The findings demonstrate the need to quickly implement provisions in the new health reform law and stimulus legislation that focus on strengthening primary care, realigning incentives to reward higher quality and greater value, investing in preventive care, and expanding the use of health information technology," the report reads.
Critics of reports that show Europeans or Australians are healthier than Americans point to the U.S. lifestyle as a bigger factor than healthcare. Americans have higher rates of obesity than other developed countries, for instance.
"On the other hand, the other countries have higher rates of smoking," Davis countered. And Germany, for instance, has a much older population more prone to chronic disease.
Every other system covers all its citizens, the report noted and said the U.S. system, which leaves 46 million Americans or 15 percent of the population without health insurance, is the most unfair.
"The lower the performance score for equity, the lower the performance on other measures. This suggests that, when a country fails to meet the needs of the most vulnerable, it also fails to meet the needs of the average citizen," the report reads.
(Editing by Sandra Maler)
Israeli leaders sued in Belgium for war crimes
June 23, 2010
PARIS (JTA) -- A complaint was filed in Belgian court against 14 Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak were among those charged with war crimes committed during the Gaza war in the winter of 2008-09, the French daily Le Monde reported. Former Gen. Matan Vilnai and other Israeli army leaders, politicians and intelligence officials also were included on the list.
Two lawyers representing 13 family members of victims of an Israeli army bombing of a mosque near the Jabaliya refugee camp during the war said they filed their complaints Wednesday in Brussels, according to reports.
A Belgian doctor with Palestinian roots also is among the complainants. He claims that Israeli forces destroyed his family's olive fields.
Much of the 70-page complaint is based on the Goldstone report, according to the French news agency AFP. The report by a U.N. commission led by former South African justice Richard Goldstone accused Israel and Hamas of war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.
PARIS (JTA) -- A complaint was filed in Belgian court against 14 Israeli leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Israeli opposition leader Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak were among those charged with war crimes committed during the Gaza war in the winter of 2008-09, the French daily Le Monde reported. Former Gen. Matan Vilnai and other Israeli army leaders, politicians and intelligence officials also were included on the list.
Two lawyers representing 13 family members of victims of an Israeli army bombing of a mosque near the Jabaliya refugee camp during the war said they filed their complaints Wednesday in Brussels, according to reports.
A Belgian doctor with Palestinian roots also is among the complainants. He claims that Israeli forces destroyed his family's olive fields.
Much of the 70-page complaint is based on the Goldstone report, according to the French news agency AFP. The report by a U.N. commission led by former South African justice Richard Goldstone accused Israel and Hamas of war crimes and possibly crimes against humanity.
Swedish dockworkers boycott Israeli ships
June 23, 2010
(JTA) -- Swedish dockworkers have begun a boycott of Israeli ships.
The boycott, which began at midnight Tuesday night and is scheduled to last for one week, covers all of Sweden's ports.
The 1,500 members of the Swedish Port Workers voted earlier this month to approve the boycott in protest of Israel's interception last month of a Gaza-bound flotilla in which nine activists were killed, as well as to protest Israel's blockade of Gaza. Eleven Swedish citizens were aboard the flotilla.
On the first day of the boycott, dockworkers refused to handle about a dozen cargo containers at a southwestern port.
Israel ships fruit, vegetables, spices and skin care products to Sweden. Swedish-Israeli trade accounts for about 0.2 percent of Sweden's total imports and exports.
(JTA) -- Swedish dockworkers have begun a boycott of Israeli ships.
The boycott, which began at midnight Tuesday night and is scheduled to last for one week, covers all of Sweden's ports.
The 1,500 members of the Swedish Port Workers voted earlier this month to approve the boycott in protest of Israel's interception last month of a Gaza-bound flotilla in which nine activists were killed, as well as to protest Israel's blockade of Gaza. Eleven Swedish citizens were aboard the flotilla.
On the first day of the boycott, dockworkers refused to handle about a dozen cargo containers at a southwestern port.
Israel ships fruit, vegetables, spices and skin care products to Sweden. Swedish-Israeli trade accounts for about 0.2 percent of Sweden's total imports and exports.
Where Israelis get the idea they are above international law
Court overturns prison sentences for mothers in school segregation row
Twenty-two ultra-Orthodox mothers of girls at school in settlement of Immanuel either exempted from prison or allowed to delay sentences until jailed husbands returned home.
By Haaretz Service
The High Court on Tuesday overturned prison sentences for ultra-Orthodox women charged with contempt for violating an order to reintegrate a girls' seminary in the West Bank settlement of Immanuel.
In a dramatic ruling last week, judges demanded that Ashkenazi Jewish parents who refused to let their daughters attend classes with Sephardis must return their daughters to school or face a two-week jail term. The decision sparked outrage in Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, leading thousands to take to the streets to protest the verdict.
But on Tuesday, 13 mothers were exempted from prison altogether, while the remaining nine were allowed to delay serving their sentences until their jailed husbands returned home.
Before the hearing, one of the mothers told reporters that the court had no right to rule on the dispute, saying parents had simply carried out orders from their rabbis, who had a higher jurisdiction.
"It's crazy to put mothers in jail," she said. "Our rabbis always taught us: The law isn't above the rabbis; the rabbis are above the law."
Two fathers, who unlike 35 others had refused to turn themselves over to authorities, were given until July 5 to present themselves at a Jerusalem jail.
Twenty-two ultra-Orthodox mothers of girls at school in settlement of Immanuel either exempted from prison or allowed to delay sentences until jailed husbands returned home.
By Haaretz Service
The High Court on Tuesday overturned prison sentences for ultra-Orthodox women charged with contempt for violating an order to reintegrate a girls' seminary in the West Bank settlement of Immanuel.
In a dramatic ruling last week, judges demanded that Ashkenazi Jewish parents who refused to let their daughters attend classes with Sephardis must return their daughters to school or face a two-week jail term. The decision sparked outrage in Israel's ultra-Orthodox community, leading thousands to take to the streets to protest the verdict.
But on Tuesday, 13 mothers were exempted from prison altogether, while the remaining nine were allowed to delay serving their sentences until their jailed husbands returned home.
Before the hearing, one of the mothers told reporters that the court had no right to rule on the dispute, saying parents had simply carried out orders from their rabbis, who had a higher jurisdiction.
"It's crazy to put mothers in jail," she said. "Our rabbis always taught us: The law isn't above the rabbis; the rabbis are above the law."
Two fathers, who unlike 35 others had refused to turn themselves over to authorities, were given until July 5 to present themselves at a Jerusalem jail.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Protest against how Israel sells "conflict diamonds"
Protest: Hotel Dan Panorama, Charles Clore Park/10 Kaufman Street, Tel Aviv at 2PM sharp.
About 200 participants from 42 member states of the Kimberley Process Forum arrived at Tel Aviv’s Hotel Dan Panorama this morning, for the opening of the Kimberley Process Conference, hosted by Israel which holds the forum’s rotating chair position this year. In 2003, the World Diamond Council introduced a system of self-regulation called the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to stem the flow of "conflict" or "blood diamonds." In keeping with the limited concerns of the WDC the UN-mandated Kimberly Process adopted a very narrow definition of what constitutes a conflict or blood diamond: "rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments." As a result of this tight ring-fencing, the much more lucrative trade in cut and polished diamonds avoids the human rights strictures applying to rough diamonds, provided the industry uses only Kimberly Process-compliant rough diamonds. Regardless of the human rights violations and atrocities funded by revenue from the Israeli diamond industry, governments and other vested interests party to the Kimberly Process facilitate the unrestricted access of diamonds crafted in Israel to the multi-billion dollar global diamond market. The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme strictures only apply to rough diamonds, thus allowing diamonds crafted in Israel to freely enter the market regardless of the criminal actions of the Israeli government and armed forces. The Kimberly Process is seriously flawed and is being used by the diamond industry and jewelers to pull the wool over consumers' eyes by telling them that all diamonds are now "conflict free" without explaining the limitations and exactly what that means. The high-value end of the diamond industry is the main artery of the Israeli economy, accounting for more than 30 percent of Israel's total manufacturing exports worth nearly $20 billion in 2008. By comparison, the budget for Israel's Ministry of Defense was $16 billion in 2008. Revenue from the diamond industry helps fund Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, its brutal subjugation of the Palestinian people and its international network of saboteurs, spies and assassins. None of this is alluded to in the WDC's "Diamond Facts." http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11170.shtml
Tomorrow’s protest is to bring attention to the exemption of Israel in the Kimberley Process and to shame the World Diamond Council into broadening its paradigms and include this area of bloody conflict.
About 200 participants from 42 member states of the Kimberley Process Forum arrived at Tel Aviv’s Hotel Dan Panorama this morning, for the opening of the Kimberley Process Conference, hosted by Israel which holds the forum’s rotating chair position this year. In 2003, the World Diamond Council introduced a system of self-regulation called the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme to stem the flow of "conflict" or "blood diamonds." In keeping with the limited concerns of the WDC the UN-mandated Kimberly Process adopted a very narrow definition of what constitutes a conflict or blood diamond: "rough diamonds used by rebel movements or their allies to finance conflict aimed at undermining legitimate governments." As a result of this tight ring-fencing, the much more lucrative trade in cut and polished diamonds avoids the human rights strictures applying to rough diamonds, provided the industry uses only Kimberly Process-compliant rough diamonds. Regardless of the human rights violations and atrocities funded by revenue from the Israeli diamond industry, governments and other vested interests party to the Kimberly Process facilitate the unrestricted access of diamonds crafted in Israel to the multi-billion dollar global diamond market. The Kimberly Process Certification Scheme strictures only apply to rough diamonds, thus allowing diamonds crafted in Israel to freely enter the market regardless of the criminal actions of the Israeli government and armed forces. The Kimberly Process is seriously flawed and is being used by the diamond industry and jewelers to pull the wool over consumers' eyes by telling them that all diamonds are now "conflict free" without explaining the limitations and exactly what that means. The high-value end of the diamond industry is the main artery of the Israeli economy, accounting for more than 30 percent of Israel's total manufacturing exports worth nearly $20 billion in 2008. By comparison, the budget for Israel's Ministry of Defense was $16 billion in 2008. Revenue from the diamond industry helps fund Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories, its brutal subjugation of the Palestinian people and its international network of saboteurs, spies and assassins. None of this is alluded to in the WDC's "Diamond Facts." http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11170.shtml
Tomorrow’s protest is to bring attention to the exemption of Israel in the Kimberley Process and to shame the World Diamond Council into broadening its paradigms and include this area of bloody conflict.
'Material Support' Bans and the Criminalization of Political Advocacy
The Atlantic
Jun 21 2010, 5:36 PM ET |
Monday the Supreme Court took our country back to the mid 20th century -- a time when people were criminally prosecuted and professionally persecuted for pure political advocacy and association (or suspected association) with the Communist Party. In a 6-3 opinion, in Holder v Humanitarian Law Project (HLP), the court upheld prohibitions on providing "material support" to foreign organizations designated as terrorist groups by the State Department, without due process -- even when that "support" is innocently rendered in the form of advice on peaceful conflict resolution and other human rights advocacy.
The case involved a longstanding challenge by human rights activists, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, to provisions of a Clinton-era law, the 1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. (You can find legal briefs and a summary of the complicated litigation history here.) The legal complexities of the case and apparent reasonableness of an allegedly targeted ban on assisting foreign terrorist groups obscure its effect on pure, peaceful political advocacy and association. It's easy to misrepresent the "material support" ban as a necessary, even common sense effort to deter foreign terrorism. Who wouldn't support a ban on enabling terrorist violence? If only the material support ban did just that.
First, there are few if any checks on the State Department's authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations; the Secretary of State is empowered to make "an un-reviewable assessment of whether the group advances or impairs American foreign policy or economic interests," the HLP brief stresses. But, as people mistakenly placed on no-fly lists can attest, executive branch officials cannot be trusted with broad, un-reviewable discretion to compile accurate terrorist blacklists and apply them intelligently, without targeting innocent American citizens. Given this disregard for due process, the administration's list of designated foreign terrorist organizations, which triggers the material support ban, should be regarded with some skepticism.
Second, "material support" is defined very broadly to include peaceful political advocacy, even when offered with the intent of deterring rather than enabling violence. (Forgive me for repeating myself, but this point cannot be made often enough.) The plaintiffs "seek to advocate peaceful, lawful action to secure political ends, and they seek to teach others to do the same," Justice Breyer observed in dissent (joined by Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor). Or as the HLP brief explains:
Plantiffs -- a retired judge, a medical doctor, a human rights organization, and several nonprofit groups -- seek to engage in pure political speech promoting lawful, nonviolent activity. Specifically, they would like to resume what they were doing before the statutory prohibitions at issue here were triggered: teaching and advocating the use of international law and other nonviolent means to reduce conflict, advance human rights, and promote peace. [H]owever, if plaintiffs communicate such ideas to, for, or with direction from an organization that the government has labeled terrorist, they risk prosecution under that statute, which makes it a crime, punishable by fifteen years in prison, to provide "training," "expert advice or assistance," "service," or "personnel" to such groups. The government has stated unequivocally that these provisions make it a crime for plaintiffs to submit an amicus brief in federal court, to petition Congress or the United Nations for legal reform, or even to speak to the media, for the benefit of a designated organization, as well as to teach such an organization human rights advocacy or English.
How did six Supreme Court justices rationalize the criminalization of human rights advocacy? In part, they relied on declarations by the government that any assistance to foreign terrorist groups (even in the form of assistance intended to advance peace) legitimizes the groups and "frees up" resources that may be "put to violent ends." They also stressed that the law prohibits peaceful political speech only when it is "coordinated" with blacklisted groups, not speech offered independently of them. So presumably you can deliver a speech chronicling the humanitarian activities of a designated group, but you cannot advise that same group on the methods and benefits of disavowing violence.
Somehow this distinction makes sense to the majority (and is deemed a sufficient constitutional basis for criminalizing pure political speech). But as Justice Breyer suggested in dissent, it makes no sense: Independent speech about a designated group may legitimize the group as much (or more) than advice to the group on conflict resolution. Breyer was equally dismissive of the assertion that such advice enables terrorism by "freeing up" the group's resources: "The Government has provided us with no empirical information that might convincingly support this claim." Nor did it make a factual showing that the speech proposed by the plaintiffs in HLP would confer any particular "legitimacy" on a designated group.
In other words, the government did not establish an actual need to prosecute people for peaceful political speech. And the court rejected an obvious statutory reading that would have balanced (at least to some extent) national security concerns with free speech rights: As Breyer observed, the court could have immunized speech that was not intended to enable terrorism. It could have construed the material support ban to criminalize political speech and association "only when the defendant knows or intends that those activities will assist the organization's unlawful terrorist actions." Instead, the majority gave the administration a blank check to criminalize political speech specifically intended to advance peace.
Mistrust of federal officials is high these days, except, it seems, on the Supreme Court (although the conservative majority defers to Congress erratically, primarily when it agrees with congressional results.) In essence, Holder v HLP empowers the president and his appointees to suspend our core First Amendment rights preventatively, without due process, based on unsubstantiated speculation that our peaceful political advocacy might encourage terrorism. So much for the rights Americans are dying to defend.
Jun 21 2010, 5:36 PM ET |
Monday the Supreme Court took our country back to the mid 20th century -- a time when people were criminally prosecuted and professionally persecuted for pure political advocacy and association (or suspected association) with the Communist Party. In a 6-3 opinion, in Holder v Humanitarian Law Project (HLP), the court upheld prohibitions on providing "material support" to foreign organizations designated as terrorist groups by the State Department, without due process -- even when that "support" is innocently rendered in the form of advice on peaceful conflict resolution and other human rights advocacy.
The case involved a longstanding challenge by human rights activists, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, to provisions of a Clinton-era law, the 1996 Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. (You can find legal briefs and a summary of the complicated litigation history here.) The legal complexities of the case and apparent reasonableness of an allegedly targeted ban on assisting foreign terrorist groups obscure its effect on pure, peaceful political advocacy and association. It's easy to misrepresent the "material support" ban as a necessary, even common sense effort to deter foreign terrorism. Who wouldn't support a ban on enabling terrorist violence? If only the material support ban did just that.
First, there are few if any checks on the State Department's authority to designate foreign terrorist organizations; the Secretary of State is empowered to make "an un-reviewable assessment of whether the group advances or impairs American foreign policy or economic interests," the HLP brief stresses. But, as people mistakenly placed on no-fly lists can attest, executive branch officials cannot be trusted with broad, un-reviewable discretion to compile accurate terrorist blacklists and apply them intelligently, without targeting innocent American citizens. Given this disregard for due process, the administration's list of designated foreign terrorist organizations, which triggers the material support ban, should be regarded with some skepticism.
Second, "material support" is defined very broadly to include peaceful political advocacy, even when offered with the intent of deterring rather than enabling violence. (Forgive me for repeating myself, but this point cannot be made often enough.) The plaintiffs "seek to advocate peaceful, lawful action to secure political ends, and they seek to teach others to do the same," Justice Breyer observed in dissent (joined by Justices Ginsburg and Sotomayor). Or as the HLP brief explains:
Plantiffs -- a retired judge, a medical doctor, a human rights organization, and several nonprofit groups -- seek to engage in pure political speech promoting lawful, nonviolent activity. Specifically, they would like to resume what they were doing before the statutory prohibitions at issue here were triggered: teaching and advocating the use of international law and other nonviolent means to reduce conflict, advance human rights, and promote peace. [H]owever, if plaintiffs communicate such ideas to, for, or with direction from an organization that the government has labeled terrorist, they risk prosecution under that statute, which makes it a crime, punishable by fifteen years in prison, to provide "training," "expert advice or assistance," "service," or "personnel" to such groups. The government has stated unequivocally that these provisions make it a crime for plaintiffs to submit an amicus brief in federal court, to petition Congress or the United Nations for legal reform, or even to speak to the media, for the benefit of a designated organization, as well as to teach such an organization human rights advocacy or English.
How did six Supreme Court justices rationalize the criminalization of human rights advocacy? In part, they relied on declarations by the government that any assistance to foreign terrorist groups (even in the form of assistance intended to advance peace) legitimizes the groups and "frees up" resources that may be "put to violent ends." They also stressed that the law prohibits peaceful political speech only when it is "coordinated" with blacklisted groups, not speech offered independently of them. So presumably you can deliver a speech chronicling the humanitarian activities of a designated group, but you cannot advise that same group on the methods and benefits of disavowing violence.
Somehow this distinction makes sense to the majority (and is deemed a sufficient constitutional basis for criminalizing pure political speech). But as Justice Breyer suggested in dissent, it makes no sense: Independent speech about a designated group may legitimize the group as much (or more) than advice to the group on conflict resolution. Breyer was equally dismissive of the assertion that such advice enables terrorism by "freeing up" the group's resources: "The Government has provided us with no empirical information that might convincingly support this claim." Nor did it make a factual showing that the speech proposed by the plaintiffs in HLP would confer any particular "legitimacy" on a designated group.
In other words, the government did not establish an actual need to prosecute people for peaceful political speech. And the court rejected an obvious statutory reading that would have balanced (at least to some extent) national security concerns with free speech rights: As Breyer observed, the court could have immunized speech that was not intended to enable terrorism. It could have construed the material support ban to criminalize political speech and association "only when the defendant knows or intends that those activities will assist the organization's unlawful terrorist actions." Instead, the majority gave the administration a blank check to criminalize political speech specifically intended to advance peace.
Mistrust of federal officials is high these days, except, it seems, on the Supreme Court (although the conservative majority defers to Congress erratically, primarily when it agrees with congressional results.) In essence, Holder v HLP empowers the president and his appointees to suspend our core First Amendment rights preventatively, without due process, based on unsubstantiated speculation that our peaceful political advocacy might encourage terrorism. So much for the rights Americans are dying to defend.
Supreme Court ruling barring aid to terrorist groups: why some lament it
by Warren Richey, Staff writer / June 21, 2010
Christian Science Monitor
Humanitarian and peace organizations say their direct interaction with violent or terrorist groups is vital to intervention efforts. The Supreme Court decision Monday means they do it at their peril.
Washington
The US Supreme Court has put international humanitarian workers on notice that any assistance to a US-designated terrorist group could land them in an American prison.
On Monday, the high court upheld a federal law that outlaws providing “material support” to any group on a State Department list of terrorist organizations.
The prohibition extends beyond knowingly facilitating illegal operations. The law – part of the USA Patriot Act – makes it a federal crime to provide any help or support to a terror group – even support designed to teach a violent group how to use legal and peaceful means to achieve political change.
Violators face up to 15 years in prison.
Organizations and individuals involved in international peace and humanitarian efforts expressed disappointment with Monday’s ruling.
“The ‘material support law’ – which is aimed at putting an end to terrorism – actually threatens our work and the work of many other peacemaking organizations that must interact directly with groups that have engaged in violence,” said former President Jimmy Carter, founder of the Carter Center.
“The vague language of the law leaves us wondering if we will be prosecuted for our work to promote peace and freedom,” he said.
The 36-page majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, says that Congress intended to establish a broad prohibition against any assistance to terrorist organizations. To prove a violation, prosecutors must show that the individual providing the help or support knew the receiving group was on the US terror list or was an organization that had engaged in terrorist activities.
Justice Stephen Breyer and two other justices dissented, arguing that the statute’s scope was narrower than the majority had found. The law should apply only when the assistance facilitates an illegal act by a terrorist group, Justice Breyer wrote.
“We are deeply disappointed,” said David Cole, a Georgetown University law professor who argued the case at the high court on behalf of a group of humanitarian workers.
“In the name of fighting terrorism, the court has said that the First Amendment permits Congress to make it a crime to work for peace and human rights,” he said. “That is wrong.”
Others hailed the ruling as an important step forward in the international fight against terrorism.
“One cannot provide ‘humanitarian’ support in the form of training, expert advice or assistance, service, and personnel to a terrorist organization without helping their bottom line and facilitating violence, destruction, and murder,” said Robert Sugarman, national chairman of the Anti-Defamation League.
“There is no such thing as ‘good’ aid to a terrorist group, because all aid is fungible,” said Richard Samp, chief counsel at the Washington Legal Foundation. “When aid is provided for a terrorist group’s humanitarian activities, that frees up resources that the group can then re-allocate to its terrorist activities.”
Others disagree. “Training groups to pursue peaceful resolution of their disputes should be encouraged, not made criminal,” said Sharon Bradford Franklin, senior counsel with the Constitution Center.
“The onus is now on Congress and the Obama administration,” said Shayana Kadidal, senior attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights. The government must now move “to ensure that humanitarian groups may engage in human rights advocacy, training in nonviolent conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance in crisis zones without fearing criminal prosecution.”
Christian Science Monitor
Humanitarian and peace organizations say their direct interaction with violent or terrorist groups is vital to intervention efforts. The Supreme Court decision Monday means they do it at their peril.
Washington
The US Supreme Court has put international humanitarian workers on notice that any assistance to a US-designated terrorist group could land them in an American prison.
On Monday, the high court upheld a federal law that outlaws providing “material support” to any group on a State Department list of terrorist organizations.
The prohibition extends beyond knowingly facilitating illegal operations. The law – part of the USA Patriot Act – makes it a federal crime to provide any help or support to a terror group – even support designed to teach a violent group how to use legal and peaceful means to achieve political change.
Violators face up to 15 years in prison.
Organizations and individuals involved in international peace and humanitarian efforts expressed disappointment with Monday’s ruling.
“The ‘material support law’ – which is aimed at putting an end to terrorism – actually threatens our work and the work of many other peacemaking organizations that must interact directly with groups that have engaged in violence,” said former President Jimmy Carter, founder of the Carter Center.
“The vague language of the law leaves us wondering if we will be prosecuted for our work to promote peace and freedom,” he said.
The 36-page majority opinion, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, says that Congress intended to establish a broad prohibition against any assistance to terrorist organizations. To prove a violation, prosecutors must show that the individual providing the help or support knew the receiving group was on the US terror list or was an organization that had engaged in terrorist activities.
Justice Stephen Breyer and two other justices dissented, arguing that the statute’s scope was narrower than the majority had found. The law should apply only when the assistance facilitates an illegal act by a terrorist group, Justice Breyer wrote.
“We are deeply disappointed,” said David Cole, a Georgetown University law professor who argued the case at the high court on behalf of a group of humanitarian workers.
“In the name of fighting terrorism, the court has said that the First Amendment permits Congress to make it a crime to work for peace and human rights,” he said. “That is wrong.”
Others hailed the ruling as an important step forward in the international fight against terrorism.
“One cannot provide ‘humanitarian’ support in the form of training, expert advice or assistance, service, and personnel to a terrorist organization without helping their bottom line and facilitating violence, destruction, and murder,” said Robert Sugarman, national chairman of the Anti-Defamation League.
“There is no such thing as ‘good’ aid to a terrorist group, because all aid is fungible,” said Richard Samp, chief counsel at the Washington Legal Foundation. “When aid is provided for a terrorist group’s humanitarian activities, that frees up resources that the group can then re-allocate to its terrorist activities.”
Others disagree. “Training groups to pursue peaceful resolution of their disputes should be encouraged, not made criminal,” said Sharon Bradford Franklin, senior counsel with the Constitution Center.
“The onus is now on Congress and the Obama administration,” said Shayana Kadidal, senior attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights. The government must now move “to ensure that humanitarian groups may engage in human rights advocacy, training in nonviolent conflict resolution, and humanitarian assistance in crisis zones without fearing criminal prosecution.”
Palestinian politicians reject Israeli deportation order
By Samuel Sockol
Washington Post staff writer
Monday, June 21, 2010; 1:42 PM
JERUSALEM -- Four Palestinian politicians affiliated with the Islamist Hamas party on Monday rejected an Israeli order that they relocate to the West Bank.
Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency status of the three members of the defunct Palestinian parliament and a former cabinet minister after they refused to resign from their positions and were deemed "disloyal" to the state. The move stripped them of their ability to live in the city legally.
The deadline for one of the politicians to leave has already passed; the other three face a July 3 deadline. They will likely be deported, although they could be arrested and tried for their refusal to relocate.
Protest of the deportation order brought together rivals from Hamas and the Fatah party as well as Israeli Arab members of Knesset, who are facing similar accusations of disloyalty.
The deportation order highlights the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians over the future status of East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed in a step not recognized by the international community. The Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
The three parliamentarians won seats in a national election in 2006. The fourth was appointed to be minister of Jerusalem affairs in a short-lived coalition government of Hamas and Fatah. The government collapsed after Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
"We as sons of the city of Jerusalem never left it before. We were born here before it was occupied and we emphasize that we will remain here and never leave it," said one of the parliamentarians, Mohamad Totah, reading from a joint statement at a press conference on Monday.
Saeb Erekat, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, described the Israeli move as a "form of collective punishment."
Israel allowed members affiliated with Hamas to compete in the Palestinian election even though it considers the Islamist group a terrorist organization.
Following Hamas's 2006 victory, the Israeli Interior Ministry moved to revoke the politicians' Jerusalem residency status after they refused to resign. Israel argued before a court that the four were members of an organization that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel while "holding a permit to live in that state.''
"By doing as such,'' Israel said, the four "blatantly violated the obligation of loyalty to the state of Israel.''
Monday's protest was emblematic of a growing tension between the Israeli authorities and the Palestinian population in Jerusalem. In a similar vein on Monday, a Jerusalem municipal committee approved a controversial development plan for an Arab neighborhood that would include the demolition of 22 homes the city says were built illegally.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wants to turn the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan into a multi-use area that includes a tourist park. Fakhri Abu Diab, chairman of the residents' committee of the area, called the decision "a declaration of war."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Mark Regev, called Monday's municipal vote a preliminary step.
"The prime minister has called in the past for dialogue between the residents and the authorities that will be based on the respect of the law. Since this is a process, and we are at a preliminary stage, there is enough time for dialogue. We hope that an agreed solution will be found in accordance to the law," Regev said.
Staff writer Janine Zacharia in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Washington Post staff writer
Monday, June 21, 2010; 1:42 PM
JERUSALEM -- Four Palestinian politicians affiliated with the Islamist Hamas party on Monday rejected an Israeli order that they relocate to the West Bank.
Israel revoked the Jerusalem residency status of the three members of the defunct Palestinian parliament and a former cabinet minister after they refused to resign from their positions and were deemed "disloyal" to the state. The move stripped them of their ability to live in the city legally.
The deadline for one of the politicians to leave has already passed; the other three face a July 3 deadline. They will likely be deported, although they could be arrested and tried for their refusal to relocate.
Protest of the deportation order brought together rivals from Hamas and the Fatah party as well as Israeli Arab members of Knesset, who are facing similar accusations of disloyalty.
The deportation order highlights the dispute between Israel and the Palestinians over the future status of East Jerusalem, which Israel occupied in the 1967 Middle East war and later annexed in a step not recognized by the international community. The Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.
The three parliamentarians won seats in a national election in 2006. The fourth was appointed to be minister of Jerusalem affairs in a short-lived coalition government of Hamas and Fatah. The government collapsed after Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007.
"We as sons of the city of Jerusalem never left it before. We were born here before it was occupied and we emphasize that we will remain here and never leave it," said one of the parliamentarians, Mohamad Totah, reading from a joint statement at a press conference on Monday.
Saeb Erekat, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, described the Israeli move as a "form of collective punishment."
Israel allowed members affiliated with Hamas to compete in the Palestinian election even though it considers the Islamist group a terrorist organization.
Following Hamas's 2006 victory, the Israeli Interior Ministry moved to revoke the politicians' Jerusalem residency status after they refused to resign. Israel argued before a court that the four were members of an organization that calls for the destruction of the state of Israel while "holding a permit to live in that state.''
"By doing as such,'' Israel said, the four "blatantly violated the obligation of loyalty to the state of Israel.''
Monday's protest was emblematic of a growing tension between the Israeli authorities and the Palestinian population in Jerusalem. In a similar vein on Monday, a Jerusalem municipal committee approved a controversial development plan for an Arab neighborhood that would include the demolition of 22 homes the city says were built illegally.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat wants to turn the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan into a multi-use area that includes a tourist park. Fakhri Abu Diab, chairman of the residents' committee of the area, called the decision "a declaration of war."
A spokesman for Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Mark Regev, called Monday's municipal vote a preliminary step.
"The prime minister has called in the past for dialogue between the residents and the authorities that will be based on the respect of the law. Since this is a process, and we are at a preliminary stage, there is enough time for dialogue. We hope that an agreed solution will be found in accordance to the law," Regev said.
Staff writer Janine Zacharia in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
from Mazin Qumsiyeh's journal: Today's attack by Israeli forces and more
Israeli occupation forces today in Beit Jala engaged in beatings, burning of
fields, and attacking peaceful demonstrators, bystanders, and reporters. Two
young Palestinians: Mohammed Masalma and Thaer Mahmoud were injured after
severe beatings with hands and clubs (they were both near their homes and
not participating in the demonstration). Several demonstrators were also
roughed-up. Occupation enforcers also attacked six reporters and prevented
them from doing their job of covering the event: Yousef Shahin (Palmedia),
AbdelHafith Hashlamon (European News Aghency), Nasser AlShayukhi (associated
Press), Mamon Wazwaz (APA), Musa AlShaer (France Press), and Najeh Hashlamon
(ABA). The Israeli occupation forces (thugs) also aimed their gas canisters
at dry fields managing to set a fire that engulfed an olive grove
(fortunately, the Palestinian fire department quick response saved most of
the field and the nearby homes). The apartheid forces also aimed tear gas
at far away homes in Beit Jala to senda message of fear to the local
population. And Israeli Occupation ‘intelligence’ Officer Fadi came and
then tagged us and as we were trying to leave in my car mocked us and call
out my name with his loud speaker. Video of much of the action at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktDUzjnxapY
Where is the Palestinian Gandhi by Mazin Qumsiyeh, The Link - Volume 43,
Issue 3, July - August 2010
http://www.ameu.org/page.asp?iid=291&aid=621&pg=1
Proof of doctored videos and audio now surfaces after the Israeli attack and
propaganda campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW2R4Iw5afc
Watching and supporting bombing of Gaza: ‘I am a little bit fascist’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0acH8FsiQ&NR=1
Why, really, was the USS Liberty attacked by Israel?
Alan Hart’s keynote address to the annual re-union dinner of the Liberty
Veterans’ Association – Long Island, 12 June 2010.
http://www.alanhart.net/why-really-was-the-uss-liberty-attacked-by-israel/
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home
http://www.qumsiyeh.org
Professor, Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities
Chairman of the Board, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People,
http://www.pcr.ps
fields, and attacking peaceful demonstrators, bystanders, and reporters. Two
young Palestinians: Mohammed Masalma and Thaer Mahmoud were injured after
severe beatings with hands and clubs (they were both near their homes and
not participating in the demonstration). Several demonstrators were also
roughed-up. Occupation enforcers also attacked six reporters and prevented
them from doing their job of covering the event: Yousef Shahin (Palmedia),
AbdelHafith Hashlamon (European News Aghency), Nasser AlShayukhi (associated
Press), Mamon Wazwaz (APA), Musa AlShaer (France Press), and Najeh Hashlamon
(ABA). The Israeli occupation forces (thugs) also aimed their gas canisters
at dry fields managing to set a fire that engulfed an olive grove
(fortunately, the Palestinian fire department quick response saved most of
the field and the nearby homes). The apartheid forces also aimed tear gas
at far away homes in Beit Jala to senda message of fear to the local
population. And Israeli Occupation ‘intelligence’ Officer Fadi came and
then tagged us and as we were trying to leave in my car mocked us and call
out my name with his loud speaker. Video of much of the action at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktDUzjnxapY
Where is the Palestinian Gandhi by Mazin Qumsiyeh, The Link - Volume 43,
Issue 3, July - August 2010
http://www.ameu.org/page.asp?iid=291&aid=621&pg=1
Proof of doctored videos and audio now surfaces after the Israeli attack and
propaganda campaign
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WW2R4Iw5afc
Watching and supporting bombing of Gaza: ‘I am a little bit fascist’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gC0acH8FsiQ&NR=1
Why, really, was the USS Liberty attacked by Israel?
Alan Hart’s keynote address to the annual re-union dinner of the Liberty
Veterans’ Association – Long Island, 12 June 2010.
http://www.alanhart.net/why-really-was-the-uss-liberty-attacked-by-israel/
Mazin Qumsiyeh, PhD
A Bedouin in Cyberspace, a villager at home
http://www.qumsiyeh.org
Professor, Bethlehem and Birzeit Universities
Chairman of the Board, Palestinian Center for Rapprochement Between People,
http://www.pcr.ps
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Costner's 'dream' machines debut
Actor Kevin Costner, left, founding partner of Ocean Therapy Solutions and BP CEO of Operations Doug Suttles, center, talk before boarding the barge holding Ocean Therapy's centrifuge machine designed to separate oil and water in Port Fourchon, La., Friday.
AP Photo/Cheryl Gerbe
Hollywood star Kevin Costner debuted Friday in his supporting role as a Gulf oil-spill fighter.
News agencies reported on the actor's premiere staged at the docks in the oil industry supply port of Port Fourchon in southern Louisiana as BP began deploying 32 of his "dream" machines to separate oil from water. Costner's backdrop was an oil-finding barge with his machines mounted on the deck.
"At its core, my dream, this machine, was designed ... to give us a fighting chance to fight back the oil that's got us by the throat," Costner told reporters.
"When you are in a fight, anybody knows you go to confront it right where it is. You don't wait for it to come to your door," the actor said.
Costner's company, Ocean Therapy Solutions, signed a contract with BP to provide 32 units expected to work in the next 60 days.
BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles would not disclose financial details.
Costner said each machine, called a V20, can separate 210,000 gallons of oily water a day.
Costner, best-known for such films as "Dances with Wolves" and "Waterworld," stressed he was no overnight oil spill sensation. He has been trying to employ the technology designed by his company for the past 17 years, and has invested more than $20 million of his own money in its development.
The technology was developed two decades ago by a researcher at the Idaho National Laboratory by scientist David Meikrantz, who initially sought to use the machines to separate the components of nuclear substances.
In 1993, INL licensed the technology to Ocean Therapy Solutions, a company owned by Costner.
U.N. reiterates call for international probe on flotilla attack
The United Nations has asserted that an internal inquiry ordered by Israel is not a substitute for an international probe into the deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla on May 31.
In an interaction with the media on Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took note of the internal inquiry set up by Israel on the flotilla incident, but said that such an investigation would lack “international credibility”. “My position is that there should be international credibility of their investigation. I know that there are going to be two international observers [in the Israeli investigation]. But what I have heard from most of the countries is that it is not sufficient enough to have international credibility,” Mr. Ban said.
The Secretary-General explained that he was looking for establishing a U.N. commission with an Israeli and Turkish component in it. He added that Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan had accepted his proposal, but discussions with Israel had so far been inconclusive.
“I’m still in the process of discussing this matter with Israeli authorities — how to make the Israeli domestic investigation with international credibility and dimension.”
On its part, Turkey has reiterated that it would continue to investigate the Israeli attack on Mavi Marmara, the Turkish flagged aid ship that Israeli commandos attacked in international waters. Nine people, including eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin were killed in the attack.
“We have not remained silent against this piracy and injustice, and we will not do so, and we will seek solutions within the frame work of international law,” Mr. Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.
Mr. Erdogan’s assertion suggests considerable bitterness that has crept in Turkish-Israeli relations.
Turkish daily Zaman has reported that Ankara has now decided to freeze defence deals worth billions of dollars with Israel. These include a $ 5 billion dollar contract for the purchase of hundreds of Israeli-built Merkava Mark III tanks. Turkey has already recalled its ambassador from Israel, and has demanded an Israeli apology for the raid on the ship.
Monument in Istanbul
A decision has also been taken to establish a stone monument in Istanbul in memory of the nine who were killed in the attack. The names of the dead would be etched on the structure, marble for which would be drawn from the Marmara Sea.
The rift in Turkey’s ties with Israel now threatens to sour relations between Ankara and Washington. Key supporters of the Israeli-right in the United States are now demanding with full force, Turkey’s phased exit from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). “Turkey, as a member of NATO, is privy to intelligence information having to do with terrorism and with Iran. If Turkey finds its best friends to be Iran, Hamas, Syria and Brazil [look for Venezuela in the future] the security of that information [and Western technology in weapons in Turkey's arsenal] is suspect,'' says the June 8 report of the influential Washington based, Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). The report of the pro-Israeli group adds that the U.S. should now “seriously consider suspending military cooperation with Turkey as a prelude to removing it from the organisation”.
From The Hindu news
In an interaction with the media on Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon took note of the internal inquiry set up by Israel on the flotilla incident, but said that such an investigation would lack “international credibility”. “My position is that there should be international credibility of their investigation. I know that there are going to be two international observers [in the Israeli investigation]. But what I have heard from most of the countries is that it is not sufficient enough to have international credibility,” Mr. Ban said.
The Secretary-General explained that he was looking for establishing a U.N. commission with an Israeli and Turkish component in it. He added that Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan had accepted his proposal, but discussions with Israel had so far been inconclusive.
“I’m still in the process of discussing this matter with Israeli authorities — how to make the Israeli domestic investigation with international credibility and dimension.”
On its part, Turkey has reiterated that it would continue to investigate the Israeli attack on Mavi Marmara, the Turkish flagged aid ship that Israeli commandos attacked in international waters. Nine people, including eight Turks and an American of Turkish origin were killed in the attack.
“We have not remained silent against this piracy and injustice, and we will not do so, and we will seek solutions within the frame work of international law,” Mr. Erdogan told reporters in Ankara.
Mr. Erdogan’s assertion suggests considerable bitterness that has crept in Turkish-Israeli relations.
Turkish daily Zaman has reported that Ankara has now decided to freeze defence deals worth billions of dollars with Israel. These include a $ 5 billion dollar contract for the purchase of hundreds of Israeli-built Merkava Mark III tanks. Turkey has already recalled its ambassador from Israel, and has demanded an Israeli apology for the raid on the ship.
Monument in Istanbul
A decision has also been taken to establish a stone monument in Istanbul in memory of the nine who were killed in the attack. The names of the dead would be etched on the structure, marble for which would be drawn from the Marmara Sea.
The rift in Turkey’s ties with Israel now threatens to sour relations between Ankara and Washington. Key supporters of the Israeli-right in the United States are now demanding with full force, Turkey’s phased exit from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). “Turkey, as a member of NATO, is privy to intelligence information having to do with terrorism and with Iran. If Turkey finds its best friends to be Iran, Hamas, Syria and Brazil [look for Venezuela in the future] the security of that information [and Western technology in weapons in Turkey's arsenal] is suspect,'' says the June 8 report of the influential Washington based, Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). The report of the pro-Israeli group adds that the U.S. should now “seriously consider suspending military cooperation with Turkey as a prelude to removing it from the organisation”.
From The Hindu news
'Our problem is with Israeli gov't'
Turkish PM:We will not stay silent in the face of Israeli "piracy."
By JPOST.COM STAFF
06/19/2010 11:40
Turkey’s grievances with Israel concern its government and not its people, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday.
While some expect Turkey to be silent in the face of Israel’s “state terrorism” and “piracy,” Erdogan said, his nation will not stay silent.
“We will seek solutions in the framework of international law,” Erdogan was quoted by the Anatolia news agency as saying.
On Thursday Israeli diplomatic officials said Ankara was considering a number of steps to express its anger over the Gaza flotilla episode, including significantly downgrading diplomatic ties. However, Jerusalem has not been informed of any concrete moves.
The comments came amid reports that Turkey was considering not returning its ambassador to Israel and reviewing military, economic, cultural and academic cooperation if Israel did not apologize for the flotilla raid, return the seized ship, agree to an international investigation and offer compensation both to the families of the nine people killed and to the injured.
Turkey recalled its ambassador soon after the incident. Israel’s ambassador to Turkey, however, is still in Ankara and diplomatic channels of communication between the two countries are still open.
Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon said unequivocally on Sunday that Israel had no intention of apologizing, and one diplomatic source said Thursday there were voices inside the government saying that not only should Israel not apologize, but it should demand a Turkish apology for facilitating the dispatch of a ship with terrorist supporters who beat Israeli soldiers trying to protect its territorial sovereignty.
Herb Keinon contributed to this report.
The unrepentant rogue state thinks it is above international law and world opinion and can get away with piracy and murderous attack on humanitarian aid activists. We can't let them go free to continue their Israeli state terrorist activities! Boycott all Israeli products until the Israel government ends the blockade of Gaza completely and agrees to pull out Israeli settlements from the West Bank including those in East Jerusalem.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Aung San Suu Kyi's supporters mark her 65th birthday
BBC News
Saturday, 19 June 2010 01:58 UK
Activists of the Free Burma Coalition call for Suu Kyi's release in front of the Burmese embassy in Manila, Philippines, on 18 June, 2010. Activists have held a demonstration in Manila calling for Ms Suu Kyi's release
The 65th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's detained opposition leader, is being recognised by supporters both at home and abroad.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama and the UK have marked the occasion by reiterating calls for the Nobel laureate's release.
Members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy plan to plant about 20,000 saplings around Burma.
Ms Suu Kyi has spent most of the last two decades in some form of detention.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, she is one of the world's best known political prisoners, and is currently under house arrest in Burma's former capital, Rangoon.
Demonstrations calling for her release are planned around the world later on Saturday.
Symbolic gesture
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" that Ms Suu Kyi was still under house arrest.
"I have been persistently, consistently demanding that all the political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released without condition as soon as possible, so that they would be able to participate in the political process," he said.
The UK has also called for her immediate and unconditional release.
"Her continued detention, and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners in Burma, contravenes international human rights law," said Foreign Secretary William Hague.
US President Barack Obama also joined the calls, referring to her as the "world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace laureate".
File photograph of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon, Burma, in November 2009. Access to Ms Suu Kyi is severely restricted
Activists in the US are planning to stage a rally in Washington on Saturday.
The Free Burma coalition staged a demonstration outside the Burmese embassy in Manila, in the Philippines, on Friday.
And a group of global statesmen called The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, left a seat symbolically empty for her at a meeting in South Africa on Thursday.
Messages of support from around the world have also been posted on Facebook and other social networking websites.
Supporters in the Burmese city of Rangoon say they plan to throw a small party for her at one of their houses.
The National League for Democracy won Burma's last elections in 1990 but was not allowed to take power.
The party has been forcibly disbanded, and Ms Suu Kyi has been banned from standing in elections later this year.
Saturday, 19 June 2010 01:58 UK
Activists of the Free Burma Coalition call for Suu Kyi's release in front of the Burmese embassy in Manila, Philippines, on 18 June, 2010. Activists have held a demonstration in Manila calling for Ms Suu Kyi's release
The 65th birthday of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burma's detained opposition leader, is being recognised by supporters both at home and abroad.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, US President Barack Obama and the UK have marked the occasion by reiterating calls for the Nobel laureate's release.
Members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy plan to plant about 20,000 saplings around Burma.
Ms Suu Kyi has spent most of the last two decades in some form of detention.
Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991, she is one of the world's best known political prisoners, and is currently under house arrest in Burma's former capital, Rangoon.
Demonstrations calling for her release are planned around the world later on Saturday.
Symbolic gesture
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply concerned" that Ms Suu Kyi was still under house arrest.
"I have been persistently, consistently demanding that all the political prisoners including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi should be released without condition as soon as possible, so that they would be able to participate in the political process," he said.
The UK has also called for her immediate and unconditional release.
"Her continued detention, and that of more than 2,100 other political prisoners in Burma, contravenes international human rights law," said Foreign Secretary William Hague.
US President Barack Obama also joined the calls, referring to her as the "world's only imprisoned Nobel Peace laureate".
File photograph of Aung San Suu Kyi in Rangoon, Burma, in November 2009. Access to Ms Suu Kyi is severely restricted
Activists in the US are planning to stage a rally in Washington on Saturday.
The Free Burma coalition staged a demonstration outside the Burmese embassy in Manila, in the Philippines, on Friday.
And a group of global statesmen called The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela, left a seat symbolically empty for her at a meeting in South Africa on Thursday.
Messages of support from around the world have also been posted on Facebook and other social networking websites.
Supporters in the Burmese city of Rangoon say they plan to throw a small party for her at one of their houses.
The National League for Democracy won Burma's last elections in 1990 but was not allowed to take power.
The party has been forcibly disbanded, and Ms Suu Kyi has been banned from standing in elections later this year.
Middle East press rejects "easing" of Gaza blockade
BBC
Palestinian workers inspect trucks carrying supplies arriving in Rafah
The blockade has been in place since 2006
The announcement by Israel that it will take steps to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip has been roundly dismissed by the regional Arabic press as a cynical ploy.
Israel has been under severe international pressure to review its policy towards Gaza since its raid of a flotilla carrying aid to the strip left nine dead. An Israeli government statement said on Thursday that Israel would "liberalise the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza", but did not specify how this would happen.
Commentators in the Middle East argued that Israel was seeking only to mollify its critics rather than acting in the interests of lasting peace. Pundits across the region called for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted immediately.
The Israeli press paid little attention to the announcement, focusing instead on yesterday's protest by Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem.
EDITORIAL IN THE PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS
Israel has decided to take steps toward "easing" the unjust siege it is imposing on the Gaza Strip... Israel will try to convince the world that it has acceded to the demands of the international community. But the world is not blind and knows that the siege is ongoing.
EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAH
Israel's announcement of a so-called easing of the siege is nothing but a lie... Israel does not want to give up its aggressive expansion plans at any price, even for a peaceful settlement that allows the region's people to lead a decent and free life.
SUBHI ZU'AYTAR IN SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-WATAN
It is ironic that Israel thinks it can convince the international community that by adopting these measures the residents of the Gaza Strip, who have been living under siege for four years, will enjoy everything they hoped for. It will be more ironic, in the light of Israeli threats against anyone who thinks of taking part in the Freedom Flotillas preparing to sail to Gaza, if the world believes it.
ADNAN ALI IN SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAH
The talk is of "easing" the siege [rather than ending it]... this is nothing more than an attempt to rescue Israel from itself. If Israel succeeds in placating the world's conscience, excited by the flotilla incident, it is unlikely to lay down a secure basis for the resolution of the current situation, which continues to be a disgrace to humanity.
EDITORIAL IN QATAR'S AL-RAYAH
The decision is an effort to legitimise the "Israeli siege"... the international community has a responsibility to reject this new Israeli ploy and put pressure on Israel to lift the siege completely.
EDITORIAL IN THE UAE'S AL-BAYAN
Everything that is proposed comes under the title of "easing" the siege, which in practice means keeping it but in a "softened" form.
Palestinian workers inspect trucks carrying supplies arriving in Rafah
The blockade has been in place since 2006
The announcement by Israel that it will take steps to ease its blockade of the Gaza Strip has been roundly dismissed by the regional Arabic press as a cynical ploy.
Israel has been under severe international pressure to review its policy towards Gaza since its raid of a flotilla carrying aid to the strip left nine dead. An Israeli government statement said on Thursday that Israel would "liberalise the system by which civilian goods enter Gaza", but did not specify how this would happen.
Commentators in the Middle East argued that Israel was seeking only to mollify its critics rather than acting in the interests of lasting peace. Pundits across the region called for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted immediately.
The Israeli press paid little attention to the announcement, focusing instead on yesterday's protest by Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem.
EDITORIAL IN THE PALESTINIAN AL-QUDS
Israel has decided to take steps toward "easing" the unjust siege it is imposing on the Gaza Strip... Israel will try to convince the world that it has acceded to the demands of the international community. But the world is not blind and knows that the siege is ongoing.
EDITORIAL IN EGYPT'S AL-JUMHURIYAH
Israel's announcement of a so-called easing of the siege is nothing but a lie... Israel does not want to give up its aggressive expansion plans at any price, even for a peaceful settlement that allows the region's people to lead a decent and free life.
SUBHI ZU'AYTAR IN SAUDI ARABIA'S AL-WATAN
It is ironic that Israel thinks it can convince the international community that by adopting these measures the residents of the Gaza Strip, who have been living under siege for four years, will enjoy everything they hoped for. It will be more ironic, in the light of Israeli threats against anyone who thinks of taking part in the Freedom Flotillas preparing to sail to Gaza, if the world believes it.
ADNAN ALI IN SYRIA'S AL-THAWRAH
The talk is of "easing" the siege [rather than ending it]... this is nothing more than an attempt to rescue Israel from itself. If Israel succeeds in placating the world's conscience, excited by the flotilla incident, it is unlikely to lay down a secure basis for the resolution of the current situation, which continues to be a disgrace to humanity.
EDITORIAL IN QATAR'S AL-RAYAH
The decision is an effort to legitimise the "Israeli siege"... the international community has a responsibility to reject this new Israeli ploy and put pressure on Israel to lift the siege completely.
EDITORIAL IN THE UAE'S AL-BAYAN
Everything that is proposed comes under the title of "easing" the siege, which in practice means keeping it but in a "softened" form.
Hamas, PA demand complete halt to closure
Jerusalem Post
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
06/18/2010 05:18
Dismiss Israel’s decision to ease blockade as insignificant.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority on Thursday dismissed Israel’s decision to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip as insignificant and condemned it as a public relations ploy.
Nimer Hammad, political adviser to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the decision was “insufficient” and called for the reopening of all the border crossings into the Gaza Strip.
“The unjust Israeli siege on our people in the Gaza Strip must end,” Hammad said. “If Israel indeed wants to change its policy, it must halt all its unilateral actions, especially regarding settlement construction and the siege on the Gaza Strip.”
Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat also dismissed the Israeli decision and called for the complete lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Erekat claimed that the blockade was in violation of international law, adding that it was one of the “ugliest forms of collective punishment against 1.5 million Palestinians.”
“The talk about easing the restrictions is nothing but a public relations ploy on the part of the Israeli government,” he said. “Out of 7,000 goods that the residents of the Gaza Strip need, Israel allows only 81 in. The international community must force Israel to completely lift the blockade.”
In Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Israel’s decision to allow more goods into the Gaza Strip was designed to “beautify” the blockade and mislead public opinion.
The Palestinians, he said, “are not asking for additional goods to be allowed into the Gaza Strip. Rather, they are demanding the complete lifting of the blockade and the reopening of all the border crossings, as well as freedom of movement for all people.”
Hamas, he added, considered the Israeli decision worthless and called on the international community to work toward lifting the blockade completely.
Muhammad Wada, Secretary-General of the Hamas government, dismissed the Israeli move as an attempt to “bypass” internal pressure on Israel to lift the blockade.
He said that the region would remain in a state of “stress” and “instability” as long as the blockade on the Gaza Strip continued.
The Hamas official also called for reopening the safe passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to allow Palestinians to travel freely.
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
06/18/2010 05:18
Dismiss Israel’s decision to ease blockade as insignificant.
Both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority on Thursday dismissed Israel’s decision to ease the blockade on the Gaza Strip as insignificant and condemned it as a public relations ploy.
Nimer Hammad, political adviser to PA President Mahmoud Abbas, said that the decision was “insufficient” and called for the reopening of all the border crossings into the Gaza Strip.
“The unjust Israeli siege on our people in the Gaza Strip must end,” Hammad said. “If Israel indeed wants to change its policy, it must halt all its unilateral actions, especially regarding settlement construction and the siege on the Gaza Strip.”
Chief PA negotiator Saeb Erekat also dismissed the Israeli decision and called for the complete lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip.
Erekat claimed that the blockade was in violation of international law, adding that it was one of the “ugliest forms of collective punishment against 1.5 million Palestinians.”
“The talk about easing the restrictions is nothing but a public relations ploy on the part of the Israeli government,” he said. “Out of 7,000 goods that the residents of the Gaza Strip need, Israel allows only 81 in. The international community must force Israel to completely lift the blockade.”
In Gaza City, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said that Israel’s decision to allow more goods into the Gaza Strip was designed to “beautify” the blockade and mislead public opinion.
The Palestinians, he said, “are not asking for additional goods to be allowed into the Gaza Strip. Rather, they are demanding the complete lifting of the blockade and the reopening of all the border crossings, as well as freedom of movement for all people.”
Hamas, he added, considered the Israeli decision worthless and called on the international community to work toward lifting the blockade completely.
Muhammad Wada, Secretary-General of the Hamas government, dismissed the Israeli move as an attempt to “bypass” internal pressure on Israel to lift the blockade.
He said that the region would remain in a state of “stress” and “instability” as long as the blockade on the Gaza Strip continued.
The Hamas official also called for reopening the safe passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to allow Palestinians to travel freely.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Real sanctions against a real international terrorist state: Turkey freezes defense deals with Israel in wake of Gaza flotilla raid
Haaretz.com
Published 11:09 17.06.10
Latest update 11:09 17.06.10
According to Turkish paper, Turkey may not resend its ambassador to Israel and is considering downgrading ties to 'charge d'affairs' level.
By Ora Koren and Haaretz Service Tags: Turkey Israel news Gaza flotilla
Turkey has frozen billions of dollars worth of defense deals with Israel in the wake of the Israel Navy's deadly raid on a humanitarian bound flotilla to the Gaza Strip, according to Turkish media.
Some of the 16 scrapped projects include a $5 billion deal in which Ankara was to receive 1,000 Merkava Mark III tanks from Israel, a $50 million plan to upgrade Turkish M-60 tanks, and a $800 million agreement to buy two Israeli patrol aircrafts and an Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
Turkey has also abandoned a $632.5 million deal for 54 F-4 Phantom, and a $75 million program for 48 F-5 fighter bombers.
Bilateral corporate deals in the private sector would continue as usual unless so decided by the companies, according to Today's Zaman.
The decision regarding the defense sector was made due to Israel's refusal to apologize or offer concessions for the deaths of the nine Turkish citizens it killed aboard the Mavi Marmara on May 31, said Zaman.
Turkey said it does not know if or when it would decide to send its ambassador back to Israel, according to the newspaper, though such a move would depend on Israel's agreement to send a representative to a United Nations investigatory commission into the raid.
Turkey will refuse to recognize Israel's internal inquiry into the incident at all levels, according to Zaman.
“An apology is Israel’s exit if it really wants to normalize relations with Turkey, and we are firm in our demand for an apology,” Zaman quoted a diplomat as saying.
“Destroying such ties is easier than establishing them. But we are ready to face the negative impact of cutting these ties in an eventual absence of an apology from the Israeli side,” said the diplomat.
Turkey is considering downgrading its ties with Israel to a "charge d'affairs" level, as they were in the 1980s, according to Zaman.
Published 11:09 17.06.10
Latest update 11:09 17.06.10
According to Turkish paper, Turkey may not resend its ambassador to Israel and is considering downgrading ties to 'charge d'affairs' level.
By Ora Koren and Haaretz Service Tags: Turkey Israel news Gaza flotilla
Turkey has frozen billions of dollars worth of defense deals with Israel in the wake of the Israel Navy's deadly raid on a humanitarian bound flotilla to the Gaza Strip, according to Turkish media.
Some of the 16 scrapped projects include a $5 billion deal in which Ankara was to receive 1,000 Merkava Mark III tanks from Israel, a $50 million plan to upgrade Turkish M-60 tanks, and a $800 million agreement to buy two Israeli patrol aircrafts and an Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft.
Turkey has also abandoned a $632.5 million deal for 54 F-4 Phantom, and a $75 million program for 48 F-5 fighter bombers.
Bilateral corporate deals in the private sector would continue as usual unless so decided by the companies, according to Today's Zaman.
The decision regarding the defense sector was made due to Israel's refusal to apologize or offer concessions for the deaths of the nine Turkish citizens it killed aboard the Mavi Marmara on May 31, said Zaman.
Turkey said it does not know if or when it would decide to send its ambassador back to Israel, according to the newspaper, though such a move would depend on Israel's agreement to send a representative to a United Nations investigatory commission into the raid.
Turkey will refuse to recognize Israel's internal inquiry into the incident at all levels, according to Zaman.
“An apology is Israel’s exit if it really wants to normalize relations with Turkey, and we are firm in our demand for an apology,” Zaman quoted a diplomat as saying.
“Destroying such ties is easier than establishing them. But we are ready to face the negative impact of cutting these ties in an eventual absence of an apology from the Israeli side,” said the diplomat.
Turkey is considering downgrading its ties with Israel to a "charge d'affairs" level, as they were in the 1980s, according to Zaman.
Israel says it will ease Gaza land blockade
By AMY TEIBEL (AP) – 29 minutes ago
JERUSALEM — Israel agreed on Thursday to ease its land blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, hoping to quell growing international criticism following a deadly sea raid.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released few details about the changes in its three-year-old blockade, and it was not clear whether any firm decisions had been made.
The only item singled out in its statement was a plan to allow in desperately needed construction materials for civilian projects, but only under international supervision.
Israel has barely allowed in materials like cement and steel, arguing that Hamas militants could use them to build weapons and fortifications. That policy has prevented Gaza from rebuilding after Israel's fierce war in the territory last year.
There was no mention in the statement of any change in other damaging aspects of the blockade, like bans on exports or allowing in raw materials used in industrial production.
Israel's naval blockade will also remain in force. The statement noted that Israel would "continue existing security procedures to prevent the inflow of weapons and war materiel." Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that if the naval closure is lifted, Hamas would turn Gaza into an "Iranian port."
Israel has been scrambling to find ways to ease the blockade since a May 31 raid on a blockade-busting flotilla turned deadly. The deaths of nine Turkish activists on board one of the ships drew international attention to the blockade and provoked much anger against Israel worldwide.
Israeli naval commandos said they were forced to open fire after they were attacked by a violent mob of activists on board the ship. The activists say they acted in self-defense.
Israel, with Egypt's cooperation, imposed the blockade three years ago after the Hamas movement, which killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide attacks, violently wrested control of Gaza. For the most part, only basic humanitarian goods have been allowed in.
But the blockade failed to achieve its aims of stanching the flow of weapons to Gaza or weakening Hamas. A network of smuggling tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border became a conduit for both weapons and commercial goods sold at black market prices. Gazans sank deeper into poverty, turning their anger against Israel and not their Hamas rulers.
The partial lifting of the siege did not satisfy Hamas. "We want a real lifting of the siege, not window-dressing," said Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil.
In the West Bank, the rival pro-Western Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas also rejected the Israeli decision. Negotiator Saeb Erekat said the closure should be ended altogether. "The siege is collective punishment and it must be lifted."
Amid the heavy international criticism that followed the Israeli naval raid, Egypt opened its land border crossing with Gaza — the main gateway for some residents to enter and exit the crowded territory.
But most Gazans remained confined to the territory because Egyptian officials say they have let in only about 10,000 people with special travel permits, such as students and people with foreign passports.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
JERUSALEM — Israel agreed on Thursday to ease its land blockade on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, hoping to quell growing international criticism following a deadly sea raid.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released few details about the changes in its three-year-old blockade, and it was not clear whether any firm decisions had been made.
The only item singled out in its statement was a plan to allow in desperately needed construction materials for civilian projects, but only under international supervision.
Israel has barely allowed in materials like cement and steel, arguing that Hamas militants could use them to build weapons and fortifications. That policy has prevented Gaza from rebuilding after Israel's fierce war in the territory last year.
There was no mention in the statement of any change in other damaging aspects of the blockade, like bans on exports or allowing in raw materials used in industrial production.
Israel's naval blockade will also remain in force. The statement noted that Israel would "continue existing security procedures to prevent the inflow of weapons and war materiel." Netanyahu has repeatedly warned that if the naval closure is lifted, Hamas would turn Gaza into an "Iranian port."
Israel has been scrambling to find ways to ease the blockade since a May 31 raid on a blockade-busting flotilla turned deadly. The deaths of nine Turkish activists on board one of the ships drew international attention to the blockade and provoked much anger against Israel worldwide.
Israeli naval commandos said they were forced to open fire after they were attacked by a violent mob of activists on board the ship. The activists say they acted in self-defense.
Israel, with Egypt's cooperation, imposed the blockade three years ago after the Hamas movement, which killed hundreds of Israelis in suicide attacks, violently wrested control of Gaza. For the most part, only basic humanitarian goods have been allowed in.
But the blockade failed to achieve its aims of stanching the flow of weapons to Gaza or weakening Hamas. A network of smuggling tunnels under the Egypt-Gaza border became a conduit for both weapons and commercial goods sold at black market prices. Gazans sank deeper into poverty, turning their anger against Israel and not their Hamas rulers.
The partial lifting of the siege did not satisfy Hamas. "We want a real lifting of the siege, not window-dressing," said Hamas lawmaker Salah Bardawil.
In the West Bank, the rival pro-Western Palestinian government of President Mahmoud Abbas also rejected the Israeli decision. Negotiator Saeb Erekat said the closure should be ended altogether. "The siege is collective punishment and it must be lifted."
Amid the heavy international criticism that followed the Israeli naval raid, Egypt opened its land border crossing with Gaza — the main gateway for some residents to enter and exit the crowded territory.
But most Gazans remained confined to the territory because Egyptian officials say they have let in only about 10,000 people with special travel permits, such as students and people with foreign passports.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
UNRWA Summer Games Kick Off in Gaza
Earlier this week UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) marked the start of its fourth annual Gaza Summer Games. Fifty schoolchildren, bearing an Olympic-style torch, held a 17km road journey to the UNRWA compound in Gaza City, lighting a flame and heralding a start to the games. The kids are excited and eager to begin the Summer Games, which are needed now more than ever in Gaza.
For eight weeks, 250,000 children will participate in activities, including drama, traditional dances, swimming, sandcastle building, painting and origami. The games come as a reprieve to the children who often can spend long summers without many outlets for learning or fun. It is “a moment of childhood and happiness,” said John Ging, UNRWA’s Director of Operations in Gaza. The games also aim to help improve the traumatized children's physical and mental welfare. To watch a short video of the 2009 Summer Games, please click here.
If you wish to bring happiness to the children of Gaza and support UNRWA’s Summer Games, there is still time. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to American Friends of UNRWA in support of the 2010 Summer Games. Together, we can provide the children of Gaza with a fun-filled summer and hope for the future. Click here to donate today!
For eight weeks, 250,000 children will participate in activities, including drama, traditional dances, swimming, sandcastle building, painting and origami. The games come as a reprieve to the children who often can spend long summers without many outlets for learning or fun. It is “a moment of childhood and happiness,” said John Ging, UNRWA’s Director of Operations in Gaza. The games also aim to help improve the traumatized children's physical and mental welfare. To watch a short video of the 2009 Summer Games, please click here.
If you wish to bring happiness to the children of Gaza and support UNRWA’s Summer Games, there is still time. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to American Friends of UNRWA in support of the 2010 Summer Games. Together, we can provide the children of Gaza with a fun-filled summer and hope for the future. Click here to donate today!
McCain and Iran---another look at Iran
swampland.blogs.time.com
Posted by Joe Klein
Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 12:06 pm
The New Republic perplexes me. It has some of the best and smartest writing around. And then it allows John McCain, whose lack of knowledge about Iran is encyclopedic, to hold forth in its pages. McCain, blustery as ever, wants regime change. Amen to that. But his vague, neocolonial sense that (a) we can help bring that about and (b)that the Iranian people want us to bring it about, is debatable, to say the very least. (Add: McCain claims to want peaceful regime change; but it was two months ago that he was explicitly supporting an American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he may still.) In any case, his lack of knowledge--his tendency to bloviate without thinking--can be staggering, as in this case:
Is it any wonder that this is the same regime that spends its people's precious resources not on roads, or schools, or hospitals, or jobs that benefit all Iranians—but on funding violent groups of foreign extremists who murder the innocent?
Yes, the regime spends money funding noxious terrorist outfits like Hizballah. But it also spends vastly on its people. The road, school and medical systems far surpass those of neighboring countries--they approach the level achieved in that other regional petro-giant, Saudi Arabia (the Iranian school system, though riddled with propaganda when it comes to the teaching of history, is excellent when it comes to math and science--and it is fully coeducational; Iran's women are, without question, the best educated in the region).
More important, under Ahmadinejad, a phenomenal amount of money and attention has gone directly to the poor, especially the widows and children of the 1 million Iraq war casualties, raising them into the middle class. This sort of populism has been controversial among the conservative principalists close to the Supreme Leader; the faction led by the Larijani brothers and a fair number of Revolutionary Guard muckamucks believe that those funds should have gone to long-term economic development projects. Ahmadinejad's populism, however, has had sort-term political benefits: he has the undying support of Iran's less-educated workers. Indeed, as I reported last year, he might even have won the election (narrowly) if the votes had ever been counted. But the Revolutionary Guard regime was never going to take a chance on democracy.
In any case, life--and foreign policy, especially Iran--is never quite as simple as John McCain would make it. As much as we'd all like to see Iran have a government worthy of its people--and this is the greatest mismatch between a people and a government of any country in the world--an accurate sense of what the government does and does not do domestically is essential to formulating a policy avoids the historic stupidities the west has committed in dealing with Iran. I'd have hoped that the New Republic would have published something more insightful than this onanistic rant.
Posted by Joe Klein
Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 12:06 pm
The New Republic perplexes me. It has some of the best and smartest writing around. And then it allows John McCain, whose lack of knowledge about Iran is encyclopedic, to hold forth in its pages. McCain, blustery as ever, wants regime change. Amen to that. But his vague, neocolonial sense that (a) we can help bring that about and (b)that the Iranian people want us to bring it about, is debatable, to say the very least. (Add: McCain claims to want peaceful regime change; but it was two months ago that he was explicitly supporting an American attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he may still.) In any case, his lack of knowledge--his tendency to bloviate without thinking--can be staggering, as in this case:
Is it any wonder that this is the same regime that spends its people's precious resources not on roads, or schools, or hospitals, or jobs that benefit all Iranians—but on funding violent groups of foreign extremists who murder the innocent?
Yes, the regime spends money funding noxious terrorist outfits like Hizballah. But it also spends vastly on its people. The road, school and medical systems far surpass those of neighboring countries--they approach the level achieved in that other regional petro-giant, Saudi Arabia (the Iranian school system, though riddled with propaganda when it comes to the teaching of history, is excellent when it comes to math and science--and it is fully coeducational; Iran's women are, without question, the best educated in the region).
More important, under Ahmadinejad, a phenomenal amount of money and attention has gone directly to the poor, especially the widows and children of the 1 million Iraq war casualties, raising them into the middle class. This sort of populism has been controversial among the conservative principalists close to the Supreme Leader; the faction led by the Larijani brothers and a fair number of Revolutionary Guard muckamucks believe that those funds should have gone to long-term economic development projects. Ahmadinejad's populism, however, has had sort-term political benefits: he has the undying support of Iran's less-educated workers. Indeed, as I reported last year, he might even have won the election (narrowly) if the votes had ever been counted. But the Revolutionary Guard regime was never going to take a chance on democracy.
In any case, life--and foreign policy, especially Iran--is never quite as simple as John McCain would make it. As much as we'd all like to see Iran have a government worthy of its people--and this is the greatest mismatch between a people and a government of any country in the world--an accurate sense of what the government does and does not do domestically is essential to formulating a policy avoids the historic stupidities the west has committed in dealing with Iran. I'd have hoped that the New Republic would have published something more insightful than this onanistic rant.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Gaza: U.N. To Distribute Aid Seized by Israel in Blockade
New York Times
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
Published: June 15, 2010
The United Nations expects to soon distribute the aid brought by a Turkish flotilla trying to run the Gaza blockade and seized by Israel after a bloody confrontation. Robert H. Serry, the United Nations envoy to the Middle East peace negotiations, told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that despite such attempts, Gaza received only a fraction of its needs. Three-quarters of the damage caused by the 2009 war— including homes schools and hospitals — has not been repaired or rebuilt, Mr. Serry reported. In roughly the past month, he said, an average of 566 trucks of goods entered Gaza weekly, a 6 percent drop from recent numbers.
By NEIL MacFARQUHAR
Published: June 15, 2010
The United Nations expects to soon distribute the aid brought by a Turkish flotilla trying to run the Gaza blockade and seized by Israel after a bloody confrontation. Robert H. Serry, the United Nations envoy to the Middle East peace negotiations, told the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that despite such attempts, Gaza received only a fraction of its needs. Three-quarters of the damage caused by the 2009 war— including homes schools and hospitals — has not been repaired or rebuilt, Mr. Serry reported. In roughly the past month, he said, an average of 566 trucks of goods entered Gaza weekly, a 6 percent drop from recent numbers.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Israeli flotilla inquiry inadequate, Turkey and others say
By SHEERA FRENKEL
McClatchy Newspapers
JERUSALEM -- Israel on Monday announced a limited internal inquiry into its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a move the Obama administration welcomed but one that Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and other countries denounced as falling far short of the independent international probe they're seeking.
Nine Turkish activists died and dozens were wounded in the Israeli naval raid May 31 on an aid flotilla sponsored by a Turkish organization. One of those killed was a dual U.S.-Turkish national.
The International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday denounced the Gaza blockade as "collective punishment" of Gaza's inhabitants and a violation of international law. The ICRC said the three-year-old closure "is having a devastating impact on the 1.5 million people living in Gaza" and urged Israel to "put an end" to it.
"The whole of Gaza's civilian population is being punished for acts for which they bear no responsibility," said the Geneva-based body, which oversees implementation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. "The closure therefore constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law."
In Washington, spokesman Jonathan Peled said the Israeli Embassy had no comment on the ICRC report, as the Israeli government is studying it in Jerusalem.
The Israeli investigation will be led by former Israeli high court Justice Yaakov Tirkel, 75, alongside retired Maj. Gen. Amos Horev, 86, and Shabtai Rosen, 93, a professor of international law. Two international observers - Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble, 65, and Canadian former Judge Advocate General Ken Watkin, 55 - will look into legal aspects of the operation. The observers won't take part in the general proceedings or vote on the conclusions.
According to one Israeli Cabinet official, the commission's mandate will include examining the legality of Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza and Israel's decision to intercept the six-ship flotilla that was attempting to breach the blockade.
While the commission can interview Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, it won't have access to the naval commandos who took part in the raid, the officers who issued their orders or any other military personnel.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey had "no trust at all in Israel" and that his country reserved the right to review its diplomatic ties to Israel.
The Obama administration called the move an "important step forward" but called for a prompt inquiry.
"While Israel should be afforded the time to complete its process, we expect Israel's commission and military investigation will be carried out promptly," a statement by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
"We also expect that, upon completion, its findings will be presented publicly and will be presented to the international community."
In contrast, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said, "The proposition made today for the inquiry committee does not correspond to the request of the (U.N.) Security Council."
In Israel, Netanyahu's Cabinet voiced strong support for the commission and expressed hope that it would "put to rest" any questions over the raid.
"I am convinced that uncovering the facts will prove that Israel acted in an appropriately defensive fashion in accordance with the highest standards," Netanyahu told Cabinet members Monday.
"The committee will clarify to the world that Israel acts according to law with responsibility and full transparency," he said.
Since its raid on the flotilla, Israel has faced mounting international pressure to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip. The flotilla was attempting to reach Gaza with more than 10,000 tons of aid when the Israeli navy intercepted it. Israel tightened its blockade on Gaza in June 2007, when Hamas militants seized control of the coastal strip. Israel claims that the blockade prevents weapons from falling into the hands of militants.
(Frenkel is a McClatchy Newspapers special correspondent. Warren P. Strobel contributed to this article from Washington.)
McClatchy Newspapers
JERUSALEM -- Israel on Monday announced a limited internal inquiry into its deadly raid on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, a move the Obama administration welcomed but one that Turkey, the Palestinian Authority and other countries denounced as falling far short of the independent international probe they're seeking.
Nine Turkish activists died and dozens were wounded in the Israeli naval raid May 31 on an aid flotilla sponsored by a Turkish organization. One of those killed was a dual U.S.-Turkish national.
The International Committee of the Red Cross on Monday denounced the Gaza blockade as "collective punishment" of Gaza's inhabitants and a violation of international law. The ICRC said the three-year-old closure "is having a devastating impact on the 1.5 million people living in Gaza" and urged Israel to "put an end" to it.
"The whole of Gaza's civilian population is being punished for acts for which they bear no responsibility," said the Geneva-based body, which oversees implementation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. "The closure therefore constitutes a collective punishment imposed in clear violation of Israel's obligations under international humanitarian law."
In Washington, spokesman Jonathan Peled said the Israeli Embassy had no comment on the ICRC report, as the Israeli government is studying it in Jerusalem.
The Israeli investigation will be led by former Israeli high court Justice Yaakov Tirkel, 75, alongside retired Maj. Gen. Amos Horev, 86, and Shabtai Rosen, 93, a professor of international law. Two international observers - Irish Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble, 65, and Canadian former Judge Advocate General Ken Watkin, 55 - will look into legal aspects of the operation. The observers won't take part in the general proceedings or vote on the conclusions.
According to one Israeli Cabinet official, the commission's mandate will include examining the legality of Israel's maritime blockade on Gaza and Israel's decision to intercept the six-ship flotilla that was attempting to breach the blockade.
While the commission can interview Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, it won't have access to the naval commandos who took part in the raid, the officers who issued their orders or any other military personnel.
Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Turkey had "no trust at all in Israel" and that his country reserved the right to review its diplomatic ties to Israel.
The Obama administration called the move an "important step forward" but called for a prompt inquiry.
"While Israel should be afforded the time to complete its process, we expect Israel's commission and military investigation will be carried out promptly," a statement by White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said.
"We also expect that, upon completion, its findings will be presented publicly and will be presented to the international community."
In contrast, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said, "The proposition made today for the inquiry committee does not correspond to the request of the (U.N.) Security Council."
In Israel, Netanyahu's Cabinet voiced strong support for the commission and expressed hope that it would "put to rest" any questions over the raid.
"I am convinced that uncovering the facts will prove that Israel acted in an appropriately defensive fashion in accordance with the highest standards," Netanyahu told Cabinet members Monday.
"The committee will clarify to the world that Israel acts according to law with responsibility and full transparency," he said.
Since its raid on the flotilla, Israel has faced mounting international pressure to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip. The flotilla was attempting to reach Gaza with more than 10,000 tons of aid when the Israeli navy intercepted it. Israel tightened its blockade on Gaza in June 2007, when Hamas militants seized control of the coastal strip. Israel claims that the blockade prevents weapons from falling into the hands of militants.
(Frenkel is a McClatchy Newspapers special correspondent. Warren P. Strobel contributed to this article from Washington.)
Israelis have mixed feelings about flotilla inquiry
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, goes to a Likud party meeting in parliament in Jerusalem. Netanyahu's government approved an Israeli-led inquiry into the deadly naval raid on a Gaza aid flotilla. (Yossi Zamir / European Pressphoto Agency / June 14, 2010)
An investigation led by Israelis is expected to avert an international probe, but it could lead to painful soul-searching.
By Edmund Sanders, Los Angeles Times
June 15, 2010
Reporting from Jerusalem —
With a sense of relief and a touch of anxiety, Israelis braced themselves Monday for another high-profile probe of their military's conduct.
Relief stemmed from the hope that an Israeli-led commission, approved by the government Monday, will head off U.N. calls for an international inquiry into Israel's May 31 raid on an aid flotilla seeking to break its blockade of the Gaza Strip. Nine Turkish activists were killed in the operation.
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Anxiety persists, however, because recent inquiries into the military have led to political shake-ups and painful soul-searching.
The new panel, which to be led by a retired Israeli Supreme Court judge and include two foreign observers, marks the third time in four years that Israel's use of military power has come under scrutiny.
After the 2006 Lebanon war, the government-led Winograd Commission issued blistering criticism, faulting top-level decision-makers and spurring changes in the military.
After the 22-day assault on the Gaza Strip 18 months ago, Israel rejected international pressure to set up an independent probe and instead ended up with the Goldstone Commission, created by the United Nations over Israel's protests. The commission concluded that Israel committed war crimes, leaving many here bitter over what they saw as a U.N. bias against their country.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spent the last two weeks searching for a process that would win the endorsement of the U.S. and appear credible to the international community, but not spiral out of the government's control.
To that end, the five-member panel will have a narrow mandate. It is chiefly tasked with evaluating the legality of Israel's naval blockade of Gaza, imposed three years ago when the Islamic militant group Hamas established full control over the coastal strip, and whether the use of force during the raid was consistent with international practices. The commission also will look into the identity and motivations of activists aboard the ship, some of whom Israel has accused of having links to terrorist groups.
Netanyahu said during a Cabinet meeting Monday that the commission's work would "make it clear to the entire world that the state of Israel acts according to law, transparently and with full responsibility."
But critics noted that the commission lacks a free hand to set its own mandate and doesn't have the independence and investigative authority of a so-called national inquiry commission, which is appointed by the Supreme Court and has subpoena powers.
In recent days, one newspaper dismissed the committee as a "debating club," and a radio commentator called it "coffee without caffeine."
"This committee is on such a low rung I hesitate whether it can be called an investigation committee at all," said Moshe Negbi, a legal commentator on Israel Radio.
He questioned whether the committee, which will not be permitted to question soldiers or commanders involved in the raid, will be able to determine whether top military or political leaders acted properly.
That's the question most Israelis are beginning to ask. Though few people wanted to see an international probe sorting through the country's dirty laundry, there is a growing domestic backlash over the raid.
Opposition leaders tried and failed last week to win a no-confidence vote, accusing the prime minister of embarrassing and isolating Israel. An opinion poll Friday in the Makor Rishon-Hatzofe newspaper found 45% of respondents judged Netanyahu's handling of the flotilla affair as poor.
The creation of the commission also did little to appease Turkey, once a key Muslim ally that is now threatening to break diplomatic relations over the high-seas raid. The ship on which the nine slain Turks were traveling, the Mavi Marmara, was sailing under a Turkish flag.
"We have no confidence in the fact that Israel, a country that has committed such an attack on a civilian convoy in international waters, will conduct an impartial investigation," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters Monday.
Turkey is calling for international sanctions against Israel.
The White House late Sunday called the commission an "important first step," but the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv has also made a formal request for information on how some Americans were injured or killed during the raid and a subsequent demonstration in Jerusalem, according to U.S. officials and Israeli news reports.
One of the nine activists killed, Furkan Dogan, held dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship. Another U.S. citizen on board, Ken O'Keefe, has accused Israeli soldiers of beating him while in custody. A third American, Emily Henochowicz, lost sight in one eye during the protest when she was hit with a tear gas canister.
Meanwhile, several groups are vowing to send additional ships to attempt to break Israel's cordon of Gaza. One of the most potentially provocative comes from Iran, where aid groups say they plan to send ships carrying humanitarian supplies.
edmund.sanders@latimes.com
Copyright © 2010, The Los Angeles Times
Israel Gaza probe criticised by Turkey and Palestinians
BBC
15:57 GMT, Monday, 14 June 2010 16:57 UK
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak (left) at cabinet meeting Israel's cabinet approved the inquiry plan on Monday
Israel's plans to hold an inquiry into its deadly raid on a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships have been dismissed by Turkey and the Palestinians.
Turkey said Israel could not run an impartial probe into the deaths of nine Turkish activists during a 31 May raid.
And Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the inquiry would not meet demands made by the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair says he hopes Israel will allow more humanitarian items into Gaza.
Speaking to the BBC before briefing European Union foreign ministers, Mr Blair said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in principle to a "significant change" in the way the blockade was organised.
At the meeting, EU foreign affairs chief Cathy Ashton said the bloc was ready to send monitors to support the opening of border crossings as soon as they saw signs of movement from Israel.
'No trust in Israel'
Israel announced its plans to hold an inquiry - including two foreign observers - having earlier rejected a UN proposal for an international probe.
ISRAEL'S FLOTILLA INQUIRY
Continue reading the main story
* Three-man panel
* Headed by ex-Supreme Court judge Yaakov Tirkel
* Other members: Amos Horev, a retired military officer; and Shabtai Rosen, a professor of international law
* Two foreign observers: David Trimble and Ken Watkin
* Will consider how nine Turkish activists died after their ship was boarded by Israeli commandos
* Will also adjudge whether Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is allowed under international law
Analysis: Israel inquiry hopes Who sits on Israel's inquiry? Q&A: Israeli raid on aid flotilla Guide: Gaza under blockade
The activists were killed when Israeli commandos stormed a flotilla of ships in international waters. The boats were heading to Gaza on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid, in defiance of Israel's blockade, when they were boarded.
In a statement released following an emergency session held after the raid on 31 May, the Security Council called for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent" investigation.
The three-man panel will be led by former Israeli Supreme Court judge Yaakov Tirkel. The other members are Amos Horev, a retired major-general in the Israeli military and a former president of the Israel Institute of Technology, and Shabtai Rosen, a 93-year-old professor of international law.
The two foreign experts will take part in the hearings and subsequent discussions, but will not vote on the conclusions of the inquiry.
However, the premise of the inquiry was quickly criticised by Turkey and by Mr Abbas.
Continue reading the main story
Israel must lift the blockade... this is our principal and permanent demand
Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority President Red Cross raps Israel over Gaza Blair hopeful over Gaza blockade
"We have no trust at all that Israel, a country that has carried out such an attack on a civilian convoy in international waters, will conduct an impartial investigation," said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
"To have a defendant acting simultaneously as both prosecutor and judge is not compatible with any principle of law."
Mr Abbas, speaking in Paris, said the inquiry "does not correspond to what the Security Council asked for".
"Israel must lift the blockade," Mr Abbas said. "That is our principal and permanent demand."
In contrast, Washington welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, describing it as "an important step forward".
Israel 'acting legally'
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described Israel's blockade of Gaza as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Analysis
Paul Wood,
BBC News, Jerusalem
An experienced politician like Benjamin Netanyahu knows that getting the outcome you want from a public inquiry is all about the right terms of reference and who you appoint to sit on the inquiry.
So, the commissions' remit does not include looking at the process of government decision making which led to Israeli commando raid. It will instead focus on questions of international law.
And the two foreign observers who have been appointed are seen as friends of Israel.
Turkey - and others critical of Israel - want a fully independent UN commission of inquiry. This demand has now been deflected with the appointment of credible (but not unfriendly) international figures as non-voting observers.
Whatever happens in the commission of inquiry, Israel is under immense pressure - from allies as well as enemies - to lift the Gaza blockade.
In a statement, the ICRC described the situation in Gaza as dire, saying the only sustainable solution was a lifting of the blockade.
Last month's clashes came after six ships carrying campaigners and 10,000 tonnes of aid sailed from Cyprus in an attempt to break Israel's three-year blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Israel says its troops acted in self-defence when activists attacked commandos trying to board the main vessel in the flotilla. The campaigners say the soldiers opened fire without any provocation.
The proposal for an Israeli inquiry into the Gaza convoy raid was approved by the country's cabinet on Monday.
"The government decision will make it clear to the world that Israel is acting legally, responsibly, and with complete transparency," Mr Netanyahu told the cabinet, according to Haaretz newspaper.
The two foreign experts on the inquiry will be former Northern Ireland first minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble and retired Canadian military prosecutor Ken Watkin.
Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist leader, won the Nobel prize for his role in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the worst of the political violence in Northern Ireland.
Since stepping aside from politics there, he has travelled to the Middle East to speak about conflict resolution.
15:57 GMT, Monday, 14 June 2010 16:57 UK
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak (left) at cabinet meeting Israel's cabinet approved the inquiry plan on Monday
Israel's plans to hold an inquiry into its deadly raid on a convoy of Gaza-bound aid ships have been dismissed by Turkey and the Palestinians.
Turkey said Israel could not run an impartial probe into the deaths of nine Turkish activists during a 31 May raid.
And Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said the inquiry would not meet demands made by the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair says he hopes Israel will allow more humanitarian items into Gaza.
Speaking to the BBC before briefing European Union foreign ministers, Mr Blair said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed in principle to a "significant change" in the way the blockade was organised.
At the meeting, EU foreign affairs chief Cathy Ashton said the bloc was ready to send monitors to support the opening of border crossings as soon as they saw signs of movement from Israel.
'No trust in Israel'
Israel announced its plans to hold an inquiry - including two foreign observers - having earlier rejected a UN proposal for an international probe.
ISRAEL'S FLOTILLA INQUIRY
Continue reading the main story
* Three-man panel
* Headed by ex-Supreme Court judge Yaakov Tirkel
* Other members: Amos Horev, a retired military officer; and Shabtai Rosen, a professor of international law
* Two foreign observers: David Trimble and Ken Watkin
* Will consider how nine Turkish activists died after their ship was boarded by Israeli commandos
* Will also adjudge whether Israel's naval blockade of Gaza is allowed under international law
Analysis: Israel inquiry hopes Who sits on Israel's inquiry? Q&A: Israeli raid on aid flotilla Guide: Gaza under blockade
The activists were killed when Israeli commandos stormed a flotilla of ships in international waters. The boats were heading to Gaza on a mission to deliver humanitarian aid, in defiance of Israel's blockade, when they were boarded.
In a statement released following an emergency session held after the raid on 31 May, the Security Council called for a "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent" investigation.
The three-man panel will be led by former Israeli Supreme Court judge Yaakov Tirkel. The other members are Amos Horev, a retired major-general in the Israeli military and a former president of the Israel Institute of Technology, and Shabtai Rosen, a 93-year-old professor of international law.
The two foreign experts will take part in the hearings and subsequent discussions, but will not vote on the conclusions of the inquiry.
However, the premise of the inquiry was quickly criticised by Turkey and by Mr Abbas.
Continue reading the main story
Israel must lift the blockade... this is our principal and permanent demand
Mahmoud Abbas Palestinian Authority President Red Cross raps Israel over Gaza Blair hopeful over Gaza blockade
"We have no trust at all that Israel, a country that has carried out such an attack on a civilian convoy in international waters, will conduct an impartial investigation," said Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.
"To have a defendant acting simultaneously as both prosecutor and judge is not compatible with any principle of law."
Mr Abbas, speaking in Paris, said the inquiry "does not correspond to what the Security Council asked for".
"Israel must lift the blockade," Mr Abbas said. "That is our principal and permanent demand."
In contrast, Washington welcomed the announcement of the inquiry, describing it as "an important step forward".
Israel 'acting legally'
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has described Israel's blockade of Gaza as a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Analysis
Paul Wood,
BBC News, Jerusalem
An experienced politician like Benjamin Netanyahu knows that getting the outcome you want from a public inquiry is all about the right terms of reference and who you appoint to sit on the inquiry.
So, the commissions' remit does not include looking at the process of government decision making which led to Israeli commando raid. It will instead focus on questions of international law.
And the two foreign observers who have been appointed are seen as friends of Israel.
Turkey - and others critical of Israel - want a fully independent UN commission of inquiry. This demand has now been deflected with the appointment of credible (but not unfriendly) international figures as non-voting observers.
Whatever happens in the commission of inquiry, Israel is under immense pressure - from allies as well as enemies - to lift the Gaza blockade.
In a statement, the ICRC described the situation in Gaza as dire, saying the only sustainable solution was a lifting of the blockade.
Last month's clashes came after six ships carrying campaigners and 10,000 tonnes of aid sailed from Cyprus in an attempt to break Israel's three-year blockade of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.
Israel says its troops acted in self-defence when activists attacked commandos trying to board the main vessel in the flotilla. The campaigners say the soldiers opened fire without any provocation.
The proposal for an Israeli inquiry into the Gaza convoy raid was approved by the country's cabinet on Monday.
"The government decision will make it clear to the world that Israel is acting legally, responsibly, and with complete transparency," Mr Netanyahu told the cabinet, according to Haaretz newspaper.
The two foreign experts on the inquiry will be former Northern Ireland first minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner David Trimble and retired Canadian military prosecutor Ken Watkin.
Lord Trimble, the former Ulster Unionist leader, won the Nobel prize for his role in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the worst of the political violence in Northern Ireland.
Since stepping aside from politics there, he has travelled to the Middle East to speak about conflict resolution.
From Mazin Qumsiyeh's journal
First I must apologize for the formatting received in my last email where
many links ran on two lines and thus clicking on them did not result in
linking to the page (copy and paste of entire link would work). The message
was important as it linked to videos and testimonies repudiating the flimsy
lies being spread (and unfortunately swallowed) by many people about the
Israeli attack and massacre on the humanitarian aid ships. The material is
in better format and workable links at
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/rightsblog2010/
Our demonstrations here continue as does the Israeli repression. On Friday,
demonstrations in Al-Ma'sara, Wad Rahhal, Bil'in., Ni'lin and elsewhere.
Injuries and arrests (including our dear friend Hassan Breijiya from
Al-Ma'sara). On Sunday, at Beit Jala demonstration, Israeli occupation
soldiers were acting crazy, hitting and shoving people. Local organizer Imad
was detained and roughed up. I was arriving a bit late and was prevented
from entering the site. I tried to go down through the hills and was
spotted by an Israeli soldier who pointed his gun at me and said he would
shoot if I do not go to him and then proceeded to abuse me physically and
psychologically. He only released me after the end of the demonstration (45
minutes later).
In good news, the chorus of decent people and groups speaking out about the
illegal Israeli attack and massacre of the Gaza freedom flotilla activists
has grown: The Episcopal Church, the Pope, the United Methodist Church,
Presbeterians, Congregationists, Lutherans, Quakers, Palestinian Christians,
Churches for Middle East Peace, National Council of Churches, Sabeel, trade
and civil organizations, and many political leaders (although the political
leaders are merely trying to be political). Shimon Peres and other Israeli
criminal leaders have become persona non grata around the world. Israel's
response to this growing chorus of condemnation is to dig its heels in its
policies. Even Apartheid South Africa would never have thought to
criminalize within its borders dissent by its own citizens (see
http://theonlydemocracy.org/2010/06/israel-about-to-criminalize-bds/)
The crimes I saw on the Mavi Marmara. Lubna Masarwa writing from Kfor Qara,
Live from Palestine, http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11327.shtml
Israel's Siege of Gaza and Attacks on the Humanitarian Aid Flotilla - Legal
Background
http://imeu.net/news/article0019152.shtml
Coincidentally the attack on the humanitarian ships happended near the
anniversary of the Israeli attack on USS Liberty (and one passenger was
victim of both attacks). The video watched by 580,000 people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZSzdQuOqM
&NR=1
and a documentary on the event http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj9VjNRpn4g
ACTION CALL From Free Gaza Movement
Please TAKE ACTION and DEMAND that the United Nations launch an independent
investigation into the Israeli attack against unarmed relief ships in the
Freedom Flotilla. DEMAND that the international community stop simply
condemning Israel's brutal and illegal blockade of Gaza - and
start doing something to end it!
CONTACT
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, The United Nations, New York NY 10017
tel: +1 212 963 5012, fax: +1 212 963 2155 email: sg@un.org
For three days as they were held in captivity last week and unable to speak
on their own behalf, Israel presented the massacre against civilian
passengers on the Mavi Marmara as self-defense against a "lynching." Now
that the passengers are returning to their home nations, the global
community is hearing a much different story, not just regarding the May 31st
attack but also new allegations of brutality in the treatment of several
passengers afterwards once they were in custody inside Israel. Free Gaza is
posting these survivor testimonies on our website, and we
will continue to provide updates as more passengers share their experiences.
As the passenger accounts trickle in, survivors portray the Israeli military
as using excessive and disproportionate force against activists not just on
the Mavi Marmara but the other passenger ships as well. Use of tasers,
electric shocks, rubber bullets and live ammunition (both on board and from
the helicopter hovering above) are documented. Multiple passengers tell
eyewitness accounts of soldiers refusing to allow medical treatment of
injured passengers, specific and focused targeting of journalists on board
and beatings of passengers after their arrival in
Israel, causing at least two passengers to need hospitalization.
"Keeping passengers held in captivity so that they could not share their
perspective was a deliberate attempt by Israel to cover up what really
happened on the Mavi Marmara that fateful night," notes Free Gaza co-founder
Greta Berlin. "They knew what the passengers would be
recounting, but they hoped that by delaying the release of their testimony
until days after the immediate incident, media coverage would be buried as
backpage follow-up stories or dismissed purely as old news." She adds.
In her testimony, Annette Groth, a German Parliamentarian who was a
passenger on Mavi Marmawa validates that assertion saying "The scandal is
that we have to fight the Israeli images only with words. The Israelis
confiscated all the activists' cameras, computers, and mobile phones."
These accounts reveal an "alternative narrative" of the attack on the
Freedom Flotilla that cannot be reconciled with the Israeli version. CONTACT
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today and DEMAND an independent investigation!
========
Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://qumsiyeh.org
many links ran on two lines and thus clicking on them did not result in
linking to the page (copy and paste of entire link would work). The message
was important as it linked to videos and testimonies repudiating the flimsy
lies being spread (and unfortunately swallowed) by many people about the
Israeli attack and massacre on the humanitarian aid ships. The material is
in better format and workable links at
http://www.qumsiyeh.org/rightsblog2010/
Our demonstrations here continue as does the Israeli repression. On Friday,
demonstrations in Al-Ma'sara, Wad Rahhal, Bil'in., Ni'lin and elsewhere.
Injuries and arrests (including our dear friend Hassan Breijiya from
Al-Ma'sara). On Sunday, at Beit Jala demonstration, Israeli occupation
soldiers were acting crazy, hitting and shoving people. Local organizer Imad
was detained and roughed up. I was arriving a bit late and was prevented
from entering the site. I tried to go down through the hills and was
spotted by an Israeli soldier who pointed his gun at me and said he would
shoot if I do not go to him and then proceeded to abuse me physically and
psychologically. He only released me after the end of the demonstration (45
minutes later).
In good news, the chorus of decent people and groups speaking out about the
illegal Israeli attack and massacre of the Gaza freedom flotilla activists
has grown: The Episcopal Church, the Pope, the United Methodist Church,
Presbeterians, Congregationists, Lutherans, Quakers, Palestinian Christians,
Churches for Middle East Peace, National Council of Churches, Sabeel, trade
and civil organizations, and many political leaders (although the political
leaders are merely trying to be political). Shimon Peres and other Israeli
criminal leaders have become persona non grata around the world. Israel's
response to this growing chorus of condemnation is to dig its heels in its
policies. Even Apartheid South Africa would never have thought to
criminalize within its borders dissent by its own citizens (see
http://theonlydemocracy.org/2010/06/israel-about-to-criminalize-bds/)
The crimes I saw on the Mavi Marmara. Lubna Masarwa writing from Kfor Qara,
Live from Palestine, http://electronicintifada.net/v2/article11327.shtml
Israel's Siege of Gaza and Attacks on the Humanitarian Aid Flotilla - Legal
Background
http://imeu.net/news/article0019152.shtml
Coincidentally the attack on the humanitarian ships happended near the
anniversary of the Israeli attack on USS Liberty (and one passenger was
victim of both attacks). The video watched by 580,000 people
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRZSzdQuOqM
and a documentary on the event http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dj9VjNRpn4g
ACTION CALL From Free Gaza Movement
Please TAKE ACTION and DEMAND that the United Nations launch an independent
investigation into the Israeli attack against unarmed relief ships in the
Freedom Flotilla. DEMAND that the international community stop simply
condemning Israel's brutal and illegal blockade of Gaza - and
start doing something to end it!
CONTACT
UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, The United Nations, New York NY 10017
tel: +1 212 963 5012, fax: +1 212 963 2155 email: sg@un.org
For three days as they were held in captivity last week and unable to speak
on their own behalf, Israel presented the massacre against civilian
passengers on the Mavi Marmara as self-defense against a "lynching." Now
that the passengers are returning to their home nations, the global
community is hearing a much different story, not just regarding the May 31st
attack but also new allegations of brutality in the treatment of several
passengers afterwards once they were in custody inside Israel. Free Gaza is
posting these survivor testimonies on our website, and we
will continue to provide updates as more passengers share their experiences.
As the passenger accounts trickle in, survivors portray the Israeli military
as using excessive and disproportionate force against activists not just on
the Mavi Marmara but the other passenger ships as well. Use of tasers,
electric shocks, rubber bullets and live ammunition (both on board and from
the helicopter hovering above) are documented. Multiple passengers tell
eyewitness accounts of soldiers refusing to allow medical treatment of
injured passengers, specific and focused targeting of journalists on board
and beatings of passengers after their arrival in
Israel, causing at least two passengers to need hospitalization.
"Keeping passengers held in captivity so that they could not share their
perspective was a deliberate attempt by Israel to cover up what really
happened on the Mavi Marmara that fateful night," notes Free Gaza co-founder
Greta Berlin. "They knew what the passengers would be
recounting, but they hoped that by delaying the release of their testimony
until days after the immediate incident, media coverage would be buried as
backpage follow-up stories or dismissed purely as old news." She adds.
In her testimony, Annette Groth, a German Parliamentarian who was a
passenger on Mavi Marmawa validates that assertion saying "The scandal is
that we have to fight the Israeli images only with words. The Israelis
confiscated all the activists' cameras, computers, and mobile phones."
These accounts reveal an "alternative narrative" of the attack on the
Freedom Flotilla that cannot be reconciled with the Israeli version. CONTACT
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon today and DEMAND an independent investigation!
========
Mazin Qumsiyeh
http://qumsiyeh.org
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About Me
- Steve Lewis
- Prophesy bearer for four religious traditions, revealer of Christ's Sword, revealer of Josephine bearing the Spirit of Christ, revealer of the identity of God, revealer of the Celestial Torah astro-theological code within the Bible. Celestial Torah Christian Theologian, Climax Civilization theorist and activist, Eco-Village Organizer, Master Psychedelic Artist, Inventor of the Next Big Thing in wearable tech, and always your Prophet-At-Large.