Effort to bring war criminal Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF terrorists to justice 1/13/2025

        Effort to bring war criminal Prime Minister Netanyahu and IDF terrorists to justice

The Hind Rajab Foundation, a Belgian-Lebanese nonprofit founded by activist Dyab Abou Jahjah, is leading a tireless campaign to hold Israeli soldiers accountable for war crimes committed in Gaza. Named after a 6-year-old girl killed in an Israeli attack, the organization uses social media evidence to build legal cases against soldiers implicated in criminal acts. Their work recently led to a complaint against an Israeli soldier in Brazil, which resulted in a judge issuing an arrest warrant. However, the Israeli government intervened, reportedly helping the soldier flee to Argentina, thus obstructing justice. Abou Jahjah remains determined, stating, “We are relentless in seeking justice, and we are very convinced that one day justice will be served in a court of law.”
The foundation’s efforts come amidst a climate of impunity. While countries like Poland ensure that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu can attend events without fear of arrest, the Hind Rajab Foundation is filing lawsuits against Israeli soldiers in Sweden and Brazil, citing their direct involvement in war crimes, including targeting civilians and destroying homes. Using open-source intelligence, the foundation compiles evidence from the soldiers’ own social media posts. Once enough evidence is gathered, legal cases are filed in countries with jurisdiction over the accused soldiers.
Despite facing significant obstacles, the Hind Rajab Foundation continues its mission for justice, calling on global leaders to take responsibility. Abou Jahjah stresses the importance of holding governments accountable, exemplified by recent cases filed against Israeli officials like Major Ghassan Alian, accused of war crimes related to the blockade in Gaza. The foundation’s persistence demonstrates that, even in the face of political interference, justice can and must prevail.
@netanyahu @naftalibennett @yairlapid @AvigdorLiberman @GideonSa'ar @itamarbengvir @YoavGallant
The Hind Rajab Foundation, led by Dyab Abou Jahjah, is fighting for justice against Israeli war crimes in Gaza

Role of Journalists in Gaza 1/13/2025

                                                     Role of Journalists in Gaza

Recent discussions in Qatar about a potential ceasefire in Gaza underscore the urgent need for international attention to the dire situation faced by Palestinian journalists. Abubaker Abed, a Palestinian journalist who spoke at a press conference last week, emphasized the silence of the global community in response to the killings and suffering of journalists in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate, nearly 200 journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 2023, with over 400 others wounded or arrested.
Abed, who has become an "accidental war correspondent" after being thrust into reporting during the ongoing conflict, described the extreme hardships that journalists in Gaza face. Many, like Abed, are working from makeshift shelters, often without proper equipment or resources. Abed's recent article, What It’s Truly Like to Sleep in a Damp, Frigid Tent: A Report From Gaza, paints a bleak picture of their daily realities. "We are just documenting a genocide," he said, urging international media to amplify the voices of Palestinian journalists and to demand the protection of their rights.
The ongoing violence, especially the targeting of civilians, continues unabated, with reports of journalists being killed while trying to cover the situation. On Friday, journalist Saed Abu Nabhan was killed by Israeli forces while reporting in the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Abed’s words are a powerful reminder that journalists, no matter their background, have the right to report freely and safely. The global community must recognize the critical role these journalists play in documenting the horrors of war and must hold accountable those who target them in violation of international law.

Jimmy Carter’s legacy 1/12/2025

                                                         Jimmy Carter’s legacy

The juxtaposition of two figures at Jimmy Carter's funeral this week highlighted a striking contrast in character and legacy. Carter, the epitome of integrity and humility, ascended to heaven, while Donald Trump, a convicted felon and former president, ascended back to the political arena. Carter’s post-presidency was defined by his dedication to humanitarian causes, like disease eradication and peacebuilding, while Trump’s legacy continues to be marred by lies, corruption, and self-interest.
Carter’s 77-year marriage to Rosalynn, his Sunday school teaching, and his outspoken advocacy for climate action set him apart as a man of genuine moral conviction. In contrast, Trump has faced multiple legal battles, including charges for falsifying records related to an affair with a porn star, and his policies have often been divisive, favoring short-term gain over long-term stability.
While Carter worked tirelessly for global well-being, Trump focused on dividing the nation with baseless rhetoric, often targeting marginalized groups for political gain. At the funeral, the display of old political wounds was palpable, with Trump largely isolated from his peers in the front rows, a clear signal of his outcast status within the elite political circle. The cold reception from figures like Karen Pence and Michelle Obama stood in stark contrast to the warmth and respect accorded to Carter by all who knew him.
In the end, both Carter and Trump were men who prided themselves on breaking norms, but their approaches could not have been more different. Carter’s life embodied the best of public service, while Trump’s legacy remains entangled in personal scandal and national division.

America’s blatant hypocrisy 1/12/2025

                                                         America’s blatant hypocrisy

The U.S. has been critical of Russia's actions in Ukraine, especially its annexation of Ukrainian territory, but there is a double standard in its treatment of Israel's annexation of parts of Syrian sovereignty. The U.S. supports Israel's airstrikes and territorial advances in Syria, which includes military incursions into the Golan Heights and beyond, justifying them as security measures. At the same time, it condemns Russia's similar actions in Ukraine, accusing Putin of violating Ukraine's sovereignty and international law.
The hypocrisy stems from the fact that both Israel and Russia are pursuing territorial expansions under the justification of security concerns—Israel claiming the need to protect itself from hostile forces in Syria, while Russia claims it must protect ethnic Russians and its geopolitical interests in Ukraine. Yet, the U.S. selectively applies its criticism, aligning with Israel's actions while condemning Russia's similar moves, revealing a bias influenced by strategic alliances and geopolitical interests. This discrepancy highlights a broader issue of inconsistency in American foreign policy, where the same principles are not applied universally based on the players involved.

Israel’s ongoing genocide and US media’s response 1/10/2025

                                           Israel’s ongoing genocide and US media’s response

The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with Israeli airstrikes on tents housing displaced Palestinians near Khan Younis claiming 70 lives within a single day, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. A recent study in the prestigious,  British Medical Journal, The Lancet suggests that the true death toll is likely 40% higher than official estimates, now standing at over 46,000 Palestinians killed and nearly 110,000 wounded. The international community, including the U.S. House of Representatives, remains divided on how to respond. A recent vote in Congress saw 198 Republicans and 45 Democrats shamefully approved sanctions against the International Criminal Court, after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Meanwhile, at New York University, 11 students were suspended for peacefully protesting the ongoing war. NYU Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine condemned the suspensions as “collective punishment.” In Gaza, journalists are risking their lives to document the violence, with nearly 200 killed and more than 400 wounded or arrested since the conflict began. Palestinian reporter Abubaker Abed urges international media to stand with them, saying, “We are just documenting a genocide against us. Journalism is not a crime.”
The New York Times has also come under fire for refusing to publish a paid ad by the American Friends Service Committee, which referred to Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide. Joyce Ajlouny of the AFSC called the refusal an “outrageous attempt to sidestep the truth,” criticizing the media’s silence on Palestinian suffering. These recent events highlight the urgent need for accountability and global solidarity in the face of ongoing violence.

Mr. President, pardon Steven Donziger 1/9/2025

                                               Mr. President, pardon Steven Donziger

The case of Steven Donziger highlights a disturbing example of corporate retaliation against an individual who sought justice for the victims of environmental devastation. Donziger, an environmental activist and human rights lawyer, successfully sued Chevron on behalf of Indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon whose lands were severely damaged by oil spills. Instead of addressing the environmental catastrophe, Chevron responded with a costly legal campaign against Donziger, ultimately leading to his imprisonment and years under house arrest.
Massachusetts Congressmember Jim McGovern has called on President Biden to pardon Donziger, a move that would send a strong message against corporate greed and retaliation. McGovern, who visited Ecuador and witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by Chevron, described the situation as "grotesque" and emphasized that Donziger was standing up for those who had no voice. Chevron, instead of taking responsibility for its actions, has spent millions attempting to discredit Donziger and avoid accountability.
This issue has drawn widespread support from over 50 human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and Amazon Watch, who join McGovern in urging a pardon. The message is clear: justice should not be a commodity that can be bought by corporations, and individuals like Donziger, who take a stand for human rights and the environment, should be protected, not persecuted.
A pardon would not only recognize Donziger’s dedication to justice but also affirm that the U.S. legal system can hold corporate power to account.

Mr. President close Gitmo, the scourge of America 1/9/2025

                                 Mr. President close Gitmo, the scourge of America

After over 20 years of unjust imprisonment without charge or trial, 11 Yemeni men have been transferred from Guantánamo Bay to Oman, where they will be given a chance to rebuild their lives. Despite being cleared for transfer years ago, these men remained incarcerated due to political and diplomatic barriers. Four of them had previously been subjected to torture in secret CIA “black sites” before arriving at Guantánamo. This latest release marks a significant reduction in the number of detainees, which now stands at 15, the fewest since the prison opened in 2002.
Rights groups, including the Center for Constitutional Rights, continue to demand the closure of Guantánamo and the release of the remaining prisoners. Six of the remaining detainees have never been charged with a crime, and three have already been cleared for transfer. The U.S. spends an estimated half a billion dollars annually to maintain the prison and its court system, despite the small number of detainees.
The ongoing existence of Guantánamo highlights the issue of extrajudicial detention. The prison was designed as a place where detainees could be held outside the bounds of U.S. law, without access to courts or legal representation, for the purpose of intelligence gathering. Many prisoners, like Sharqawi Al Hajj, were held for over two decades without charges, subjected to inhumane conditions, and are now being released into uncertain futures.
With only 15 prisoners remaining, President Biden has an opportunity to close this chapter. It is time for the U.S. to end indefinite detention and shut down Guantánamo once and for all.
@POTUS @VP It's time to close Gitmo. 11 Yemeni men, cleared for transfer years ago, have been freed after over 20 years of unjust imprisonment, some subjected to CIA torture. With only 15 detainees left, the U.S. must end indefinite detention and shut down Gitmo once and for all.