Israeli Settlements 12-30-13

30, December 2013 

Israeli Settlements

More and more Israeli politicians are criticizing the linkage of releasing Palestinian prisoners and the establishment of new settlements. Critics warned that such a policy was aimed at keeping the embers of the sham peace process alive and attempting to pacify the extreme right-wing members of Netanyahu’s fractured coalition.  Eitan Haber, a veteran Israeli commentator, reflected on the policy by invoking a Hebrew idiom about a bridegroom cannot dance at two weddings,  stating that Netanyahu “is attempting to please all sides”. Shimon Shiffer, a columnist for the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot, called the planned settlement announcement “a cheap and gratuitous gimmick” that would backfire by angering the Obama administration and European leaders. “Netanyahu is like a cow that gives a bucket-full of milk, only to kick the bucket over.” Shiffer is right - Netanyahu has infuriated both Washington and members of his own party. These include Isaac Herzog, head of the opposition Labor Party; Yaakov Peri, a member of Mr. Netanyahu’s cabinet; and Orit Struk, a member of the Jewish Home party who is herself a settler. Palestinian leaders have been incensed at the theft of more and more of their land and are now threatening to seek justice through the International Court. European diplomats have warned Israel that its current policies would further isolate the country.

NSA Spying 12-27-13

27, December 2013

NSA Spying

William Binny, creator of some of the NSA surveillance  code, recently expressed concern that the agency is drowning in mountains of useless data which has rendered it to be totally dysfunctional.  He also warned that the temptation for abuse and misuse of the information is extremely troubling. Internet companies that willingly cooperated with the NSA have now become some of its most vocal critics concerned that they are losing billions of dollars of business from overseas clients who have been outraged over the intrusive activities of the spy agency. The NSA’s massive PR campaign is beginning to falter; Diane Roark, a House Committee staff member expressed dismay of the NSA’s virtual paralysis. Binny and his former colleagues created a streamlined “ThinThread” information filtering code that avoided redundancy but their efforts were rejected by the NSA hierarchy. Stung by media criticism the NSA commissioned the FBI to harass and take legal action against the creators of “ThinThread” who went public with some of their concerns. Never underestimate the power of big government to abuse its power and silence its critics. President Obama, a constitutional lawyer should know better than to defend the gross overreach of the NSA. It is instructive that the NSA couldn’t cite a single instance in which its mammoth sized haystack of data circumvented an imminent attack – including the Boston bomber.

Nelson Mandela 12-16-13

16, December 2013

Nelson Mandela

Economic sanctions have been largely unsuccessful and have generally resulted in heaping misery onto the voiceless and impoverished members of society. Most notable examples are Cuba (no regime change in over 5o years) and Iraq where 500,000 men, women and children died as a result of crippling economic sanctions. One notable exception is the successful economic sanctions directed at apartheid South Africa which resulted in the eventual release of Nelson Mandela and the end of the apartheid regime. According to numerous historians, the US, Britain, Israel and other Western nations propped this abhorrent regime for many decades. 

It is tragic that the CIA under President Kennedy tipped off the South African government on Mandela’s whereabouts which led to his capture and 27 year incarceration. The CIA also collaborated with the South African government in an effort to undermine the people of Angola’s long struggle to repel the yoke of Portuguese colonial rule. Finally, the US and Israel collaborated closely and assisted South Africa’s nuclear bomb development program. As journalist and professor Linn observed in his recent article, "Obama Failed to Deliver Long-Overdue Apology to Mandela.’ It would have given Mandela some measure of comfort had we offered our remorse for our very serious transgressions to this Gandhi-Christ-like figure before his death.

Israel’s Growing Isolation 12-13-13

13, December 2013

Israel’s Growing Isolation

It took a massive shift in human consciousness and awareness to isolate and dismantle apartheid South Africa after many decades of propping up the regime. Now there is growing momentum to isolate Israel and intensify international pressure against its settlement expansion and appalling treatment of the Palestinians.

As Chris Hedges, former New York Times foreign correspondent, so eloquently stated, “Israel is morally bankrupt by the sanctification of victimhood, which it uses to justify an occupation that rivals the brutality and racism of apartheid South Africa”.  He observed that “many of Israel’s most enlightened and educated citizens—1 million of them—have left the country.”

In a major show of academic activism, the association of American professors (AMP) with almost 5,000 members voted to endorse an academic boycott of Israeli colleges and universities, making it the largest academic group in the United States to back a growing movement to isolate Israel and exert pressure for it to embrace policies of inclusiveness and respect for human rights. The ASA sited that “Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to state policies that violate human rights."
The association’s boycott vote follows similar actions taken by the leadership council of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association and the Association for Asian American Studies.
The Presbyterian Church supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) against Israel. The World United Methodist Church resolution went much further by advocating a complete withdrawal of military and economic aid.

Israel’s Growing Isolation 12-13-13

13, December 2013

Dear Editor, Israel’s Growing Isolation

It took a massive shift in human consciousness and awareness to isolate and dismantle apartheid South Africa after many decades of propping up the regime. Now there is growing momentum to isolate Israel and intensify international pressure against its settlement expansion and appalling treatment of the Palestinians. 

As Chris Hedges, former New York Times foreign correspondent, so eloquently stated, “Israel is morally bankrupt by the sanctification of victimhood, which it uses to justify an occupation that rivals the brutality and racism of apartheid South Africa”.  He observed that “many of Israel’s most enlightened and educated citizens—1 million of them—have left the country.”

In a major show of academic activism, the association of American professors (AMP) with almost 5,000 members voted to endorse an academic boycott of Israeli colleges and universities, making it the largest academic group in the United States to back a growing movement to isolate Israel and exert pressure for it to embrace policies of inclusiveness and respect for human rights. The ASA sited that “Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to state policies that violate human rights." 
The association’s boycott vote follows similar actions taken by the leadership council of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association and the Association for Asian American Studies. 

The Presbyterian Church supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) against Israel. The World United Methodist Church resolution went much further by advocating a complete withdrawal of military and economic aid. 

Israel’s Growing Isolation 12-13-2013

13, December 2013            Israel’s Growing Isolation
Dear Editor,
It took a massive shift in human consciousness and awareness to isolate and dismantle apartheid South Africa after many decades of propping up the regime. Now there is growing momentum to isolate Israel and intensify international pressure against its settlement expansion and appalling treatment of the Palestinians. 

As Chris Hedges, former New York Times foreign correspondent, so eloquently stated, “Israel is morally bankrupt by the sanctification of victimhood, which it uses to justify an occupation that rivals the brutality and racism of apartheid South Africa”.  He observed that “many of Israel’s most enlightened and educated citizens—1 million of them—have left the country.”

In a major show of academic activism, the association of American professors (AMP) with almost 5,000 members voted to endorse an academic boycott of Israeli colleges and universities, making it the largest academic group in the United States to back a growing movement to isolate Israel and exert pressure for it to embrace policies of inclusiveness and respect for human rights. The ASA sited that “Israeli institutions of higher education are a party to state policies that violate human rights." 

The association’s boycott vote follows similar actions taken by the leadership council of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Association and the Association for Asian American Studies. 

The Presbyterian Church supports BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) against Israel. The World United Methodist Church resolution went much further by advocating a complete withdrawal of military and economic aid. 

Iran 11-25-13

25, November 2013      

IRAN

  

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and President Obama deserve credit for reaching an accord limiting Iran’s nuclear enrichment program in return for easing crippling sanctions. It is encouraging that we are moving away from a strident confrontational approach and have softened our language to reach this accord. In contrast, Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu are irked the US with his hyper-ventilating militaristic attitude attempting to drive a wedge between US lawmakers and the White House.  It must be remembered that Netanyahu hardline rhetoric is aimed at appeasing his right-wing coalition that helped him get elected as Prime Minister. In sharp disagreement with Netanyahu, Israeli President Peres and former military chief, Amos Yadlin supports the US-Iranian accord. As a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, Iran has every right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes. Over 40 countries – signatories - of the NPT - carry out enrichment programs. The International Atomic Energy Agency monitors the performance of most countries who produce nuclear fuel. In contrast, Israel has refused to sign the NPT lest its huge stockpile of nuclear weapons be exposed. As a historical footnote, it was the Bush administration who refused to respond to Iran’s diplomatic efforts which would have severely curtailed its nuclear ambitions. As a bonus, perhaps largely prompted by the US/Iranian accord, the Syrian government and the opposition have agreed to peace talks in Geneva on January 22.

  

Drones 11-4-13

4, November 2013     Drones

The U.S. drone policy is facing unprecedented world-wide criticism. Human Rights Watch lambasted U.S. drone strikes in Yemen. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged President Obama to end drone strikes in Pakistan. The U.S. has used its usual arm twisting check book diplomacy to silence critics. Both HRW and A.I. regard drone strikes amount to extrajudicial killings and therefore constitute war crimes.

Former U.S. Air Force pilot Brandon Bryant who served as a sensor operator for the Predator program from 2007 to 2011 was critical of the drone’s alleged accuracy. He admitted that official reports did not reflect the true reality of civilian deaths.

The government has consistently refused to provide any corroborating evidence to back its claim for drone’s accuracy. Conversely, A.I. and HRW has marshaled impressive evidence to highlight the destructive nature of drones.

There is little doubt that drones have fueled seething hostility and are counterproductive. Imagine how we would respond emotionally if we witnessed our loved ones blown to pieces by a drone attack. Close family members from Pakistan of an grandmother who was blown to tiny fragments appeared before Congress to plead for an immediate end to drone warfare. A recent documentary, "Unmanned: America’s Drone Wars," captures the horrors of these terrifying weapons. It has just come to light that the US has set aside $40 million to compensate victims of drone strikes. Thus far not a single dime has been paid out. 

Saudi Arabia 11-4-13

4, November 2013

Saudi Arabia

Bravo to the courageous Saudi women who are defying a government ban on driving. This oppressive ban is so unjust; it relegates Saudi women to a suffocating role as subservient members of their own society unable to venture outdoors independently. Predictably, Saudi clerics heaped scorn and called women drivers ‘prostitutes’. Only male drivers are issued driving licenses.

Sadly, Islam does denigrate women to a lesser role than their male counterparts allowing men to continue to exert their dominant roles. CNN broadcaster, Fareed Zakaria, described Saudi Arabia “as the country with the most irresponsible foreign policy” – the epicenter of state sponsored terrorism spouting the Wahhabi message of “intolerance and hate.”  Hilleary Clinton described Saudi Arabia as a “critical financial base of terrorism.” Rivers of money continue to flow to Wahhabi clerics, madrasahs (religious schools) and Sunni mosques in many parts of the world. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented extensive human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia systematically targeting the minority Shi’ite population, political dissidents and Saudi women. It is therore baffling to understand why we consider Saudi Arabia a key ally and strategic partner rewarding the monarchy with billions of dollars of military hardware which could easily be funneled to terrorist groups. It is also baffling to understand why the Obama administration remained silent when Saudi forces crushed pro-democracy demonstrators in neighboring Bahrain. By propping up the Saudi monarchy we are complicit in their acts of violence. 

Israel 10-29-13

29, October 2013                  Israel

Max Blumenthal’s meticulous research captured in his new book, ‘Goliath Life and Loathing in Greater Israel’, has caught America by storm. He has exposed the extreme policies of Israel’s Likud who are pursuing a far more aggressive expropriation of Palestinian land.  Blumenthal devotes much of his book highlighting the transformation of Israeli society into a growing intolerance towards the Palestinians and encouraging racist attitudes in its education system. Palestinian homes have been firebombed by groups of religious fanatics who are able to do so with complete impunity. According to one of the most reputable pollsters in Israel, Camille Fuchs, a majority of Israeli youth expressed their refusal to have an Arab neighbor and supported a total expulsion of African migrants from Tel Aviv. Even more disturbing is a recent Ynet poll which showed that a majority of Israelis supported settler terrorism. A rising star in the Likud, Miri Regev, stated that ‘Africans are a cancer in Israel’s body’

In its latest land grab Israel is expelling 80,000 Bedouins living in the Negev desert who are Israeli citizens, who serve in the Israeli army but are denied electricity, access to water and public services because they are not Jewish.

It is time for US taxpayers to raise our collective voices and demand an end to economic and military support to Israel’s apartheid policies. 

Israel 10-29-13

29, October 2013

Israel

Max Blumenthal’s meticulous research captured in his new book, ‘Goliath Life and Loathing in Greater Israel’, has caught America by storm. He has exposed the extreme policies of Israel’s Likud who are pursuing a far more aggressive expropriation of Palestinian land.  Blumenthal devotes much of his book highlighting the transformation of Israeli society into a growing intolerance towards the Palestinians and encouraging racist attitudes in its education system. Palestinian homes have been firebombed by groups of religious fanatics who are able to do so with complete impunity. According to one of the most reputable pollsters in Israel, Camille Fuchs, a majority of Israeli youth expressed their refusal to have an Arab neighbor and supported a total expulsion of African migrants from Tel Aviv. Even more disturbing is a recent Ynet poll which showed that a majority of Israelis supported settler terrorism. A rising star in the Likud, Miri Regev, stated that ‘Africans are a cancer in Israel’s body’

In its latest land grab Israel is expelling 80,000 Bedouins living in the Negev desert who are Israeli citizens, who serve in the Israeli army but are denied electricity, access to water and public services because they are not Jewish.

It is time for US taxpayers to raise our collective voices and demand an end to economic and military support to Israel’s apartheid policies.

NSA Spying 10-26-13

26, October 2013

NSA Spying

The diplomatic fallout of NSA spying continues. Last month, President Dilma Rousseff of Brazil cancelled a state visit after news reports that the N.S.A. had intercepted messages her messages and had conducted espionage on the state oil company, Petrobras. The German newsmagazine, Der Spiegel, revealed the NSA had gained access to communications to and from President Felipe Calderón of Mexico when he was still in office. The French newspaper, Le Monde disclosed that a large number of French citizens private communications had been captured by the NSA. 

Angela Merkel, Germany’s chancellor appears to be the latest victim. These invasive intelligence gathering exercises has severely tarnished our nation’s image.   More revelations are likely. Ebay founder, Pierre Omidyar is planning to build a media platform to publicize new details of Edward Snowden’s cache of documents. The spying activities of the NSA echo the worst excesses of Nazi and Communist governments which we have always excoriated.   The NSA continues to make doubtful   claims of thwarting terrorist attacks, the details which can never be revealed under the guise of protecting National Security – how convenient!  This is a government agency that has been overfunded and has escaped any meaningful government oversight.

It is time for James R. Clapper, director of national intelligence, to resign failing which President Obama should have him fired. He has lied to members of Congress, to the American people and to our allies.  

NSA Overreach 10-14-13

14, October 2013

NSA Overreach

The National Security Agency has recently received approval from the ultra-secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court to extend its dragnet of U.S. phone records. The director of National Intelligence previously denied that such collections were taking place.

In a rare appearance, Edward Snowden, accompanied by four former U.S. whistleblowers accepted an award from the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intelligence. He used the occasion to issue dire warnings about the perils of the mass surveillance state. He refuted claims that such unfettered access to U.S. emails and phone records is required for intelligence purposes; on the contrary he warned the huge volume of redundant data would severely overload the data storage devices and make us less safe. Furthermore, he warned that such sensitive private data could be grossly abused to silence government critics and stifle free speech. Example – Thomas Drake, of the NSA who blew the whistle on enormous waste and mismanagement at the agency was charged with violating the Espionage Act in 2010 and subsequently exonerated.  

Over 60 percent of Americans feel that NSA surveillance has gone too far and drastic reform is necessary.

Internet companies who are being pressured by FISA court orders to turn over phone records of their customers, without probable cause, will suffer their angst and may suffer heavy financial losses. It makes little sense to add redundant data to an enormous digit haystack when hunting for a real terrorist threat. The Congressional oversite committee has clearly failed in its mission.