Incongruous. One can hardly think of a more suited term to describe the new US administration’s approach to peacemaking in the Middle East. Though there is little evidence that previous US administrations had genuinely attempted to play a balanced role in forging a just peace between Israel and the Palestinians, many hoped — and a few still hope — that Barack Obama’s administration would bring about new standards. FULL ARTICLE

With the passing of time, the strength of the lobby, and the level of influence of Israel’s “friends” in the Congress has grown immensely to the point that US allegiances actually jeopardize the interests of their own citizens. Even from an imperialistic viewpoint, the US has no particular interest in supporting Israel’s genocidal policies in Gaza, for example, considering the fact that the US is struggling to find any semblance of ’stability’ in the region that is saturated with anti-American sentiment. FULL ARTICLE

Aside from Obama’s unparalleled clarity, thus far, on his utter and “unconditional” commitment to Israel, he, along with his officials, continue to borrow similar vague slogans that were used enthusiastically by the Bush administrations: national security, national interests, spreading of American ideals, values, and all the rest.  FULL ARTICLE

Waging war while talking peace is customary Israeli practice. On January 19, Haaretz headlined: “Israel declares unilateral cease-fire. The security cabinet last night authorized a unilateral cease-fire (to take effect) at 2AM (Sunday morning), ending three weeks of intense fighting.” FULL ARTICLE

Hours before Israel announced a ceasefire, an Amnesty International fact finding mission gained access to Gaza. Their initial reports are disturbing: the team found first hand evidence of war crimes, serious violations of international law and possible crimes against humanity by all parties to the conflict.

AI researchers continue investigating attacks against southern Israel and are currently documenting the true scale of devastation wrought on civilians in Gaza. The stories they report are harrowing. Continue reading →

Israel could not possibly have found a better place to experiment with DIME or the use of white phosphorus in civilian areas than Gaza. The hapless inhabitants of the strip have been disowned. The power of the media, political coercion, intimidation and manipulation have demonised this imprisoned nation fighting for its life in the tiny spaces left of its land.  FULL ARTICLE

Three weeks of Israeli terror caused about 1400 deaths, over 5500 injured (many seriously), vast destruction throughout Gaza, and Physicians for Human Rights warning that large numbers of wounded may die because hospitals are overloaded and lack basic supplies. Yet Palestinians endure. Their spirit is unbowed and unbroken. Hamas is more popular than ever, and world outrage sustains them. FULL ARTICLE

The entire process of raining-down fire on walled-in ghettoes of civilians, then plowing-under the remains of what were once apartment building and family homes with bulldozers is not warfare, it is wholesale murder and wanton destruction, the likes of which has, thankfully, occurred only rarely in modern history.  One of the more infamous of these anti-Semitic pogroms, known simply as “Kristallnacht,” is known as a turning point in German history and the opening act of “the Holocaust.”   FULL ARTICLE

For Palestinians, the Nakba “Catastrophe” is their “Holocaust” six-month slaughter and displacement before and after the May 1948 establishment of Israel. In December 1947, Jews in Palestine numbered 600,000 compared to 1.3 million Palestinians. David Ben-Gurion ordered them removed and for “Every attack….to end with occupation, destruction and expulsion.” FULL ARTICLE

On January 20th, America will spend $150 million taxpayer dollars to inaugurate Barack Obama’s regime, which dwarfs the $43 million spent at King George II’s and the $33 million spent at Clinton’s.  Americans expecting “Change” are hardly expecting their “Chains” instead.

Right on cue, the Israeli army claims a ceasefire is in effect, although their army still brutally occupies Gaza, with at least 700 of the 1,300 dead civilians.  Wouldn’t want to have Obama’s joyful anointing interrupted by a little bloodshed, would we?  Wouldn’t want to have another bombing of more United Nations buildings or children in a schoolyard while Obama is swearing to obey the Constitution, would we now? Continue reading →