Palestine

  Israeli-Style Peace and Justice - by Stephen Lendman

Israel is a repressive rogue state. Netanyahu bombs Gaza and attacks fishermen while talking peace.

On October 10, without provocation, Israeli jets bombed northern Gaza. An explosion rocked Rafah city. So far, no cause is known but Israel most likely is responsible.

  Anti-Defamation League Assails Palestinian UN Membership - by Stephen Lendman

For nearly a century, ADL falsely called itself "the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency (fighting) anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry...." 

  Palestinians Protest Israeli Prison Hell - by Stephen Lendman

Israel treats Palestinian prisoners horrifically. In detention, interrogations include torture, intimidation and other abuses. 

"Security prisoners" are punitively isolated for extended periods. Others for any reason or none at all face similar short or longer-term treatment.

  Israeli Occupation, Colonialism and Apartheid: Crimes Against Humanity - by Stephen Lendman

Colonialism and apartheid are especially serious international law breaches because they fundamentally violate core legal principles and values. 

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) affirmed self-determination as an essential principle of international law. All states must respect and promote it. Colonial occupation is in clear violation.

  Israeli State Terror Belies Wanting Peace - by Stephen Lendman

In his book "Overcoming Zionism," Joel Kovel called Israel "a machine for the manufacture of human rights abuses" led by terrorists posing as democrats.

Throughout its history, Israeli policy toward Arabs has been corrosive, destructive, racist, extremist, undemocratic and hateful. 

  Palestinian Freedom Later, Not Now - by Stephen Lendman

On October 2, Haaretz said "Israel accepts Quartet peace plan," making Palestinian UN membership conditional on negotiating peace with an unwilling partner.

No matter that decades of on-and-off talks never achieved resolution and won't now. 

  Abbas Feeling Heavy-Handed Pressure - by Stephen Lendman

Washington wants Abbas' UN membership Security Council application tabled in limbo for months. On September 28, it was sent to a standing admissions committee.

On September 30, New York Times writer Neil MacFarquhar headlined, "Palestinian Request Sent to Experts," saying:

  Palestinian UN Membership Roulette - by Stephen Lendman

As Palestinian legal advisor in 1987, Law Professor Francis Boyle drafted its Declaration of Independence, creating a Palestinian state. 

Palestinians now want and deserve official recognition and full de jure UN membership. Washington and Israel remain obstructionist. 

  Israeli West Bank Annexation Bill - by Stephen Lendman

Palestinians petitioned the UN for sovereign recognition and full UN membership.

Four extremist MKs responded, calling for West Bank settlements annexed. A previous article explained, accessed through the following link:

  Ahmad Qatamesh: Israeli Prisoner of Conscience - by Stephen Lendman

On April 21, 2011 at 2:00AM, Israeli soldiers arrested Qatamesh at his brother's Ramallah home.

An hour earlier, his wife (Suha), daughter (Hanin), and two female relatives were held hostage to force his surrender.

  Calls to Annex West Bank Settlements - by Stephen Lendman

Since 1967, Israel established 121 settlements, recognized by the Interior Ministry as "communities." Another 100 unauthorized outposts were built. 

In addition, 12 annexed Jerusalem neighborhoods are considered settlements under international law. Moreover, settler enclaves exist in Palestinian East Jerusalem areas. They include:

  Obstructing Palestinian Statehood Begins - by Stephen Lendman

On September 23 in New York, a State Department "Special Briefing" was held. An unnamed "Senior Administration Official" commented on the Quartet's Palestinian statehood proposal, saying:

  Quartet Anti-Palestinian Statehood Proposal - by Stephen Lendman

Quartet representatives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, UN Middle East envoy Tony Blair, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy High Representative Catherine Aston explained its elements.

  AIPAC's Ugly Agenda: by Stephen Lendman

AIPAC is an unregistered foreign agent representing Israel. Edward Said once called it "the most powerful and feared lobby in Washington."

Calling itself "America's Pro-Israel Lobby," it's represented Israeli interests since founded in 1953. In 1963, it was incorporated as a division of the American Zionist Council (AZC), its precursor.

  Netanyahu and Obama Spurn Peace - by Stephen Lendman

As a belligerent modern-day Sparta, Israel is a pariah state. Netanyahu exceeds the worst of Ariel Sharon. 

His government is Israel's worst ever. His majority Knesset allies are rogue, racist criminals, operating outside international law.

  No Peace or Justice in Our Time with Netanyahu - by Stephen Lendman

Like his Washington paymaster/partner, Netanyahu deplores peace. Initiating talks never worked before and won't now.

Speaking privately at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in New York, Bill Clinton said Netanyahu lost interest because Palestine has a president he controls, and normalizing relations with the Arab world is within reach.

  Resuming Peace Process Hypocrisy to Subvert Palestinian Statehood - by Stephen Lendman

On September 20, London Guardian writer Chris McGreal headlined, "Palestinian statehood: plan emerges to avoid UN showdown," saying:

  Palestinian Statehood: If not Now, When? by Stephen Lendman

After 63 years, including 44 under occupation, 85% of Palestinians want statehood now, not later or perhaps never.

Israel and Washington object, wanting permanent occupation and subjugation. 

  Obama and Netanyahu to Palestinians on Statehood: Go to Hell - by Stephen Lendman

"(T)he (UN) General Assembly shall meet every year in regular session commencing on the Tuesday of the third week in September, counting from the first week that contains at least one working day."

The 66th session began Tuesday, September 13. Access its agenda through the following link:

  Abbas Speech Signals Capitulation - by Stephen Lendman

Without saying it, he left little doubt how he'll petition the UN on September 23.

Speaking on television from Ramallah, he said:

"We are going to the United Nations to request our legitimate right, obtaining full membership for Palestine in this organization."

  Palestine's Rocky Road to Statehood - by Stephen Lendman

Some roads prove too rocky to traverse, especially when opposition against the real thing comes from alleged supportive allies.

The worst of all enemies often are traitors to a just cause. That in a word sums up Palestine's dilemma as loyalists count down to September's General Assembly meeting next week. 

  Israeli Police State Crackdowns on Palestinian Demonstrators - by Stephen Lendman

America's First Amendment guarantees free assembly. No matter. Demonstrators for social, economic and political justice are assaulted and arrested.

For weeks, hundreds of peaceful environmental protesters in front of the White House against a controversial 1,661-mile Alberta, Canada to Port Arthur, TX pipeline have been arrested for exercising their constitutional rights - whatever the issue.

  Face-Off: Palestine v. Washington/Israel on Statehood - by Stephen Lendman

With the moment of truth arriving next week, rhetoric from both sides suggests Palestinians again will lose out.

Instead of an advocate representing them in New York, a collaborationist apparently will show up. Public statements and body language say so.

  Anti-Israeli Friction Helps Palestinians - by Stephen Lendman

Borrowing the opening line from Dickens' "Tale of Two Cities:"

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...."

  Implications of Palestinian Statehood - by Stephen Lendman

Previous articles discussed likely Palestinian statehood and full UN membership if proper procedures are followed. 

They also suggested Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will belie his supportive rhetoric by betrayal at the 11th hour.

  Palestinian Statehood: Now's the Time - by Stephen Lendman

Palestinians worldwide want it. So do supporters and up to 140 countries. They comprise more than enough to ensure it and full de jure UN membership.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) can petition the General Assembly directly. It has sole admittance power, not the Security Council only able to recommend.

  Israeli Oppression Continues While Talking Peace - by Stephen Lendman

No wonder Palestinians want and deserve statehood, as well as full UN membership to be able to seek World Court redress, and be able to sue under Genocide Convention provisions, and why not. 

Israel's lawless hypocrisy is shameless given what goes on daily - bombings, killings, mass arrests, settlement expansions, dispossessions, and other civil and human rights abuses on an ongoing basis. More on that below.