NEWS: News Updates

Human Rights Day 2015

Posted on December 11, 2015 by sarahbenton

December 10th is International Human Rights Day. Here two notable Israeli NGOs for human rights demonstrate and list how they are being abused, especially in Hebron, and the decisions made by Israel’s Supreme Court, guardian of human rights, which most seriously undermine Palestinian rights.

Muslim-blasting Trumpet asked to stay away from Israel

Posted on December 10, 2015 by sarahbenton

The loud-mouthed republican billionaire, Donald Trump, got opprobrium from all political leaders for his demand that all Muslims should be denied entry to the US – but popular support from American citizens. He has had to cancel a planned visit to Israel, probably at Israel’s request. Netanyahu is too canny to want to be seen welcoming a shameless anti-Muslim bigot. The UK doesn’t want him either – the petition against his coming to the UK is ‘the most popular ever’.

Kerry questions what Israel’s policy really is

Posted on December 10, 2015 by sarahbenton

In a recent speech to a MidEast policy centre at the Brookings Institute, the US secretary of state has clearly given up on reaching a 2-state agreement. For the Israelis, he says, it is just a ‘slogan’ a ‘throw away remark’ contradicted by their practices of settlements and demolition of Palestinian homes.
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Palestinians downed in the air-war over Syria

Posted on December 10, 2015 by sarahbenton

Formally the commitment of Arab states to the Palestinian cause prevents their having diplomatic relations with Israel. In practice, the present economic and political interests – arious and complex – means Syria, gas, EU relations, Iran, ISIL and fresh produce all play a more important role than does Palestine.

Horror! Israeli suspects treated a bit like Palestinians!

Posted on December 9, 2015 by sarahbenton

The killing of three of the Dawabsheh family last July was a rarity in that it shocked the Israeli public. The failure to bring anyone to trial – given Shin Bet’s reputation for gathering information – fuelled the escalating violence. Shin Bet knows the culprits says Al Monitor but lacksthe evidence for a conviction. Now under pressure arrests have been made reports Richard SIlverstein. It’s a trial of strength between Shin Bet and the settlers.

On message: ‘whenever the army says something, just oppose it’

Posted on December 9, 2015 by sarahbenton

Israeli governments have always held military leaders close, endeavoured to give them what they want and been deferential to military judgments. No more. Netanyahu has been advised often to ease the restrictions on Gaza in particular and Palestinians in general. His response? They are old fuddy duddies and he knows Palestinians must forever be ruled by the sword even if he has to get a new sword.

Palestinian leaders should quell intifada to get Israeli concessions

Posted on December 9, 2015 by sarahbenton

The US consultancy group Stratfor here gives its analysis of the cause and effects of the ‘knife intifada’. They accept that it is in part a product of the complete absence of hope in any peace talks but suggest, as IDF leaders already have, that Israel could afford to make concessions – if asked nicely.

Wealthy Americans keep settlers in comfort

Posted on December 9, 2015 by sarahbenton

Haaretz has been conducting as thorough an investigation of settlement funding as US and Israeli public records allow. In this first instalment they recount how private American citizens donate money to terrorists and non-profit groups such as the Hebron Fund and the Central Israel Fund which then channel the money to various settler enterprises.

UN body ends contract with G4S

Posted on December 8, 2015 by sarahbenton

The Jordan branch of the UN’s Human Rights Commission has ended all links with G4S the British-Dutch security firm which has contracts for transporting and guarding Palestinian prisoners in Israel. An earlier complaint by Lawyers for Palestinian Human RIghts, that G4S was denying prisoners their rights, was rejected but the NCP (the government body responsible for contract companies) found that G4S used companies that did abuse human rights.

Politicians riding the wave of panic

Posted on December 8, 2015 by sarahbenton

Uri Avnery offers a scathing commentary on the political response to terrorist attacks. European people do seem calmer than their political leaders, though Avnery does seem to miss the point when he compares the number who died in the mass killing at the Bataclan to the numbers who die in road accidents every couple of weeks. As he points out, terrorism has a purpose.

Feminist Palestinian jailed by military court for ‘incitement’

Posted on December 7, 2015 by sarahbenton

Khalida Jarrar, feminist, left-wing member of the PFLP, was arrested in April for ‘incitement to terrorism’ and sentenced by a military court to 15 months in prison on the same charge. We don’t know what evidence was produced but that hardly matters; a military court can sentence any Palestinian on any charge that is deemed to be a threat to Israel’s security. Being a non-docile Palestinian is a threat to Israel’s security in the terms of a military court. We are asked to take action.