Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Even as President Trump and members of his entourage in Doha, Qatar, discussed how to end the Israeli war on Gaza, the Israeli government ramped up its bombardment of the Palestinians there. The National reports that on the margins of Trump’s visit, negotiations continued in Doha, centering on a halt […]
US Court fines Israeli Spyware Firm NSO $167mn for Targeting Whatsapp
( Middle East Monitor ) – A federal jury in California has ordered Israeli surveillance firm NSO Group to pay Meta $167 million in punitive damages, marking the first time a court has imposed financial liability on a spyware vendor for abuses linked to its software. The ruling sends a strong signal that private firms […]
Removing Syria Sanctions is a Win for the People, Whatever Trump’s Motives
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Syrians are rejoicing at the announcement on Tuesday by President Donald J. Trump that he will lift U.S. economic sanctions on Syria, at the advice of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, among others. Saudi Arabia gave Trump the quid pro quos he wanted for […]
Trump halts Bombing of Yemen, Reportedly under Saudi Pressure, and to Dismay of Israel
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Middle East Eye reports that Saudi Arabia pressured the Trump administration to cease bombing Yemen in advance of his planned trip to the Kingdom next week because such raids would be an embarrassment for him and his host. Trump said Tuesday that he was convinced that the Houthis were sincere […]
Israel Announces New Campaign in Gaza aimed at Complete Occupation and Confining Palestinians to Southern Enclave
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – Mahmoud Mujadala at the Israeli newspaper Arab 48 reports that the spokesman for the Israeli army, Effie Defrin, announced Monday night that the army is preparing to implement a new military operation in the Gaza Strip, called “Gideon’s Chariots.” It will, he said, inaugurate a broad attack and will displace […]
Are Houthi Attacks on Israel Driven by Yemeni Domestic Politics?
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The Ansar Allah (Helpers of God) government of North Yemen, led by Abdel Malik al-Houthi, declared an aerial blockade of Israel on Sunday, as they successfully fired a missile at Ben Gurion International Airport. The missile evaded Israeli air defenses and landed on the outskirts of the airport, causing panic […]
As Israelis Blockade Food to Gaza, 9,000 Children have been Admitted for Acute Malnutrition
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said Friday that “malnutrition is … on the rise. More than 9,000 children have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year.” At least 10 NGO aid kitchens have closed in recent weeks for lack of food, and 25 UN […]
Jerusalem Hills Wildfires: Climate Breakdown, Gov’t Incompetence and Green Colonialism
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The massive wildfires that broke out near Jerusalem and which threatened residents of the city appear to have been largely extinguished, though some embers have reportedly blazed back up. The fires have provoked a vicious blame game inside Israel. The Jerusalem Post argued that the current extremist government cut funding […]
Int’l Court of Justice asked to Declare Israeli Blockade of Aid to Gaza Civilians Illegal
Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) – The International Court of Justice on Tuesday heard arguments that Israel is illegally interfering in the provision of aid to Palestinians by UN agencies and bodies, by other NGOS, and by third states. That is, the court is being asked to declare the current Israeli blockade of civilian food and […]
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