Quite a bold statement coming from the WH. About time too.
Time to bring the OCCUPATION into focus, so far it has been a dirty word among American leaders, and the press. It would have been reasonable for journalists to bring up the occupation, every time there are rockets being sent from the occupied. It is as if there is a convenient amnesia among the pro zionist groups here, that, and the endless land thefts and illegal settlements, are hardly mentioned whenever this situation is discussed. It is always the fault of the Palestinians, who seem to be killed almost on a daily basis, and according to zionist narrative, WANT to live under a military occupation.
It is sad that it took the arrogant behavior of Netanyahu to bring about this change in US policies. Netanyahu has been given unwavering support by our US Congress, and right now they are attacking Obama for this.
I would like to see the media ask these Congress people if they supported this occupation and illegal settlements, and confront them as to how they stand in this issue. I am sure many will be uncomfortable answering that question.
Access to clean water is the right of every human being, unless those who play the God of evil, decides to not only deprive these human beings of their own water, but use it as a weapon against them.
That was a great translation of what Obama is privately thinking. It is sad that he has to think what way, and act the diplomat, when dealing with a major irritant like Bibi.
How much more does the US, EU, and the UN, want to hear from Netanyahu, to convince them that this man is not interested in a two state solution, and that he has used up every excuse in the book, to reject any attempt by world leaders, to bring about a peaceful solution? He did not have to state this before the elections, the world could see by his actions that he has absolutely no intention of ending the occupation, nor stopping the theft of lands for illegal settlements. Are our leader so naive that they just cannot see what is so obvious to the rest of the world, or are they just pretending to keep trying to squeeze water out of a stone?
Time the world did the right thing by the Palestinians, the humane thing, and started treating the occupier like a pariah, and even sanctioning it, just like they keep doing to other rogue states.
Well, it is almost predictable that Netanyahu will use his usual cunning to pacify world leaders who must be now forced to admit he does not give a damn for peace, and wants to keep behaving like a war monger. He reminds me of a used car salesman, who lies when he keeps duping customers.
Despite his arrogance and grandstanding, he know Israel cannot survive without suckers like the US propping it up.
There cannot be any doubt, that the people of Israel overwhelmingly wanted the occupation, illegal settlements, and Netanyahu's on going violence against Israel's neighbors, to go on. They seem to be quite content with the status quo, because they wield the power and use the deadly weapons, that are used against civilians. Israel is a sick society.
The question is how is the US now going to handle the fact that the butcher of Tel Aviv has openly stated there will never be a two state settlement, and that the illegal settlements will continue? Pretend he never said it, and continue the aid and weapons to what the world considers an apartheid state?
Time those who keep supporting this brutal regime stopped pretending Israel is interested in ending the occupation and wanting peace.
Now that Netanyahu has openly stated this, the question is, what will the US do, and will it keep supporting what the entire world now knows is an apartheid state, with no intentions whatsoever, of ending the occupation.
It would also be interesting to see how the UN and the rest of the world will react to this revelation by Netanyahu.
All five points clearly shows Netanyahu has shown absolutely no respect for President Obama/The US Presidency, and that he has all along acted arrogant, dishonest, and manipulative.
President Obama has been extremely supportive of Israel, increased aid, gives it unwavering support at the UN, vetoing resolutions against Israel, and has been generous with US weapons, and yet Netanyahu has deceived him when it comes to illegal settlements, and false promises of giving those peace talks a chance. It makes me wonder if US officials are that naive, when we all know Netanyahu has absolutely no interest in ending the occupation, nor stopping the stealing of lands for illegal settlements. It is a waste of valuable time.
There is only one way to stop the violence and military occupation, and that is if the US stops the aid and weapons, from going into what the rest of the world now considers an apartheid state, that continues it's brutal occupation of the Palestinian territories. No change in their leadership will end the Palestinian suffering.
There is nothing as dangerous as a mindless puppet, that has been paid nearly a MILLION dollars, by an alien group, Bill Kristol's Emergency Committee for Israel, who has had his weaknesses taken advantage of, to be controlled by this alien group. He must have been hand picked to do their bidding, willing to go against his President, the Presidency, and his nation. This man, and others like him, are a disgrace to our nation, and should be called unpatriotic fools.
We should add Bill Kristol to that list too.
Power plants shut down, fisherman shot and killed, farmlands bulldozed and destroyed, Palestinians living in refugee camps, the zionists are still ridding the Galilee of Arabs, by collectively punishing them, in every, sadistic way, possible.
He certainly sounds like ISIS, and perhaps belongs with them.
At least he has the same blood thirsty mind set, add gruesome to it. It is ironic that such statements from Jewish leaders do not get the attention in the media, like it would had this been a Muslim. I have seen horrible statements calling for genocide of the Palestinians/Arabs, calling for Gaza to be bombed back to the stone age, urging the IDF to send bombs into densely populated areas in Gaza, and even suggestions of putting Palestinians into concentration camps, just like the Nazis. However, we keep hearing outrage about Israel being threatened to be wiped off the earth, at every opportunity available. This is a disgusting statement for a leader of an "ally" of the US to make, especially when they boast of being the "only" democracy in the ME.
It is frightening that our leaders who make such drastic decisions, like pre-emptive wars, do not think through the consequences of such actions, and do not have the foresight to realize most times it backfires on us. Afghanistan is still controlled by the Taliban (we were supposed to go in there to get Bin Laden, not fight the Taliban) and Iraq has become a nightmare. Saddam Hussein was a tyrant, but he was able to prevent exactly what is going on right now. It seems the neocons and zionists who keep pushing for US to bomb Muslim nations, do not care how their arrogant plans for war finally ends up, because their kids will not be fighting any. We should be ashamed of what we have done to Afghanistan and Iraq, and looking at the miserable results of these attacks, are they not intelligent enough to realize doing the same thing and expecting different results, is the most stupidest thing to do?
Iran is not like Iraq, and will respond in ways that will make Bibi's head spin in Tel Aviv, and Americans will be in more danger around the world. It is strange that they only have War in their one track minds, no thought of any alternatives, or talk of peace.
No nation would like to be called the "axis of evil", sanctioned, and demonized, by leaders of a nation that has dropped more bombs, waged more wars, and killed more civilians, than they have. If Iranian hardliners made threatening statements against the US or Israel - they are in good company. Didn't Bush, and other neocons make disparaging remarks about Iran and it's leaders? Doesn't Netanyahu, on a regular basis make threatening statement about Iran, and to add insult to injury, LIE shamelessly when he holds up cartoon bombs, and predicts they will have a nuclear weapons MONTHS AWAY?
It is so easy to see through the hypocrisy. Netanyahu and US officials are equally bad when it comes to making threats and hurling insults, but it seems we are supposed to be deaf to it, and pretend the US and Israel are always at the receiving end of these threats and insults. The zionist media never, ever, brings that up.
A well written, researched, and interesting article. It clearly shows just how badly Netanyahu conducted himself, insulting not only the President, but the other nations involved in negotiating with Iran, and even the American people. This was not only a campaign stop for Netanyahu, but also an attempt to widen the rift between the President and the GOP. He used the divisive relationship of Boehner and GOP with Obama, plus the disloyalty of the Democrats, led by Menendez, to impress his naive voters back home, that HE can call the shots, make the American congress move the way he desires, and that the Israeli lobby, has so much power over the US Congress.
Dermer is a snake, that is obviously doing the bidding of his master, and willing to be deceive the White House, as he did, to make sure Netanyahu shows just who is the boss over Congress. The Congress behaved like traitors, when they applauded this prevaricator from Tel Aviv. This is a shameless effort to derail the ongoing talks with Iran, and make sure, the Presidents efforts at having a peaceful agreement with Iran, avoiding a bloody war, will fail.
Netanyahu can lie very easily. He did the same thing before the Iraq war, misleading the Congress, and it seems the members of Congress have a very bad memory, for they are willing to trust this liar again, this time to bomb Iran. Netanyahu cannot stand the thought of any Islamic nation in his neighborhood progressing. He wants them bombed, decimated, into rubble, just like he keeps attacking the Palestinians, who are already suffering under Israel's brutal military occupation. He makes big plans for wars, lies, exaggerates, and pushes the US through the devoted in Congress, into massacring the helpless civilians. We must be the biggest suckers in the world, because we lose our soldiers, thousands are injured, spend trillions of American dollars, to play Netanyahu's war games, Whether it is Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other nation, it is our kids who are in the front lines.
As the author states, at least this time he pushed it too far.
More Americans are aware just how dangerous Netanyahu is, and just how manipulative he can be, through the Israeli lobby, AIPAC.
Oh what a tangled web we weave. The US has been through similar situations, and as Prof. Cole says, it has backfired on us.
Do we ever learn lessons? No. We keep making mistakes over and over again. We must be gluttons for punishment.
All that Prof. Cole, and Netanyahu is sucking up the air in the room, by throwing a tantrum about the negotiations going on right now with Iran and other nations. Everything is under control over there, and it is strange that Netanyahu ignores what is happening in his own backyard, to make a spectacle of himself in the US.
Who made Bibi the king of the Jews? The last words he uttered before he started this trip to the US, was that this was going to be a "historical" trip, and that he represented ALL Jews. What a load of nonsense. There is nothing "historical" about this self invited trip to make an anti Iran speech in Congress, this is sheer drama, Bibi style, to impress his naive voters, and to sabotage Obama's efforts in bringing a peaceful agreement with Iran. Who appointed BIBI as Decider in Chief?
He is looking more and more like a rabble rouser, arrogant, and preferring war to peace.
Iran is fully aware that Netanyahu is trying to derail the talks, and that nothing agreed upon, will be accepted by Israel. Israel has not offered any alternative, it simply wants Iran leveled like they often do in Gaza. Netanyahu is threatened not by Iran's nuclear powers, but by the fact that Iran will be one of the biggest players in the region, and will exert some power over there. Bibi wants Israel to be the only superpower over there, controlling, threatening, interfering, and deciding exactly who should be labelled the bad guy.
Netanyahu has show what a trouble maker he can be. He is playing one party against the other, gives Boehner/GOP the opportunity to stick it to President Obama, and dictating terms to the US and other 5 nations that are desperately trying to negotiate an agreement. This is typical Netanyahu, arrogant, deaf to voices of reason from Israel and the US, and hell bent on being the usual drama queen. After his cartoon bomb comedy, one would think he would think twice before making such a spectacle of himself, and he is appearing to be more and more unhinged. At least if the Israeli voters are able to see through his drama and games, and vote him out, it would be all worth it.
Indeed the EU nations must now do the right thing and follow up with official recognition of a Palestinian state. Enough of the waffling and resolutions that don't bind. They should not be intimidated by Bibi's whining about the EU not learning a lesson from the holocaust, or his constant blame on everybody but himself, and help give the Palestinians their dignity and freedom back.
This is a horrendous act of terrorism, and the criminals must pay for the murder of innocent children. If the Pakistani government is unable to control these criminals, they have to appeal to the international community to help. Are they afraid to confront the scumbags?
Before people start criticizing Muslims and Islam, I hope they realize that it is the majority of moderate Muslims who have to put up with these lunatics, who give their religion a bad name, and are always paying the price for insane extremists. These despicable criminals are not smart enough to realize they are doing the work of those already running campaigns to denigrate Islam and Muslims around the world.
Not only the EU but the entire world must now act fast to release the Palestinians from their bondage. This will not affect the prospect for peace - that was deliberately lost by the continuous negative actions by Israel. This will make the Palestinians finally feel liberated and able to level the playing field when it comes to those peace talks. Israel (and the US) want to keep the status quo, so that more lands can be stolen, and the Palestinians driven from their own lands. Recognition and liberation can stop that.
No religion condones this kind of viciousness, and these illegal settlers have constantly shown nothing but a deep seated hatred bordering on evil, towards these poor Palestinian farmers.
They act like common thieves stealing trees, water, and even soil, from the Palestinians, because they know they can get away with murder, as far as their government is concerned. Investigations keep showing that these criminals are hardly held accountable for these disgusting crimes. The Palestinians are harassed, intimidated, and keep losing their property and other resources, that they desperately need to live.
There is more:
"The toll the summer war took on the population of Gaza has been extensively reported, but little is known about the war's effect on the Palestinian enclave's livestock.
Al-Jazeera reports that some 15,000 animals (primarily sheep and goats) are missing in the wake of the war, though it is unknown whether they were killed, died from hunger or are still wandering around somewhere.
A census in 2010 registered 73,500 sheep and goats, while only 58,000 were listed for fodder distribution following the war.
"This means that more than 15,000 animals are missing," said Ciro Fiorillo, local head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has been distributing fodder and barley for all of Gaza's sheep and goats." Haaretz
This is what the Palestinians need. Support from a nation that belongs to the EU. A bold move by Sweden, that sends a message to the rest of the world - that they are not intimidated by Israel or even the US. I sincerely hope this goes forward, and the the EU will allow Sweden to make it's own choices. It could also encourage others who might be considering it.
It will be interesting to know how many desperate calls, and arm twisting, are going on behind the scenes. Time the EU and the US acted as if they are not afraid of Israel's wrath.
Good job Sweden.
It seems people are getting impatient with Bill Maher for showing consistent ignorance when it comes to Islam. First his tweet backfired when he mentioned slapping a woman and comparing her to Hamas. Now he has been beautifully slammed down by Reza Aslan, with nothing but facts. Bill Maher has allowed his hatred for Islam and Muslims, prevent him from learning the truth and clouded his judgement. Ignorance is bliss as far as Maher is concerned.
Reza Aslan is a great debater.
2016 is too far away. It is time Abbas did what is best for his people, who have suffered for decades. Enough of pleasing the US and Israel. Time the Arab nations stepped in and supported them. Abbas must realize that the US is not an honest broker, and that Israel is it's top priority.
While claiming that those who criticize Israel are anti semitic, Israel shows it's arrogance by disrespecting other religions, and treating their Holy places as insignificant. Israel's claim to Holy places, even when it is disputed by other religions, has become the norm. When the zionists want someone else's property and resources, the US usually looks the other way, while it is being ruthlessly stolen. It is time the Christian zionists of the US, realized that the zionists have treated Arab Christians very badly, prevented them from visiting their Churches, which can be considered bigotry and anti Christian. If ONE Jew was stopped or prevented from going to synagogue in that region, we would have been deafened by the predictable cries of "anti semitism", and the zionists would have seized on that incident, to justify one of their brutal crimes, as retaliation.
Maybe not the sole reason, but definitely one of the main reasons. If you follow the money, you will find out who made out like a bandit, out of this unnecessary war, based on lies, deception, and greed. Instead of going after North Korea, the rogue nation with nuclear weapons, they went after a toothless tiger, a tinpot dictator, because of the oil. The Iraqi Ministry for Oil, was one of the first establishments they secured, even the Iraqi Museum was open, and absolutely not secured, and many priceless artifacts looted. That shows just how much the neocon warmongers had oil in their minds.
Of course, predictably Bibi will keep blaming the occupied, but the above facts, proves who really is to be blamed here, and no one should be surprised, this is typical zionist behavior, the world sees one thing - but the zionist try to whitewash it all with lies and denials. Was Bibi honest enough to admit they kept breaking international laws, and announcing much more illegal settlements, that were detrimental to these peace talks. Why not?
They do all they can to sabotage these peace talks, and when it fails blames it's victims. The US media is just as shameless…on Fareed Zakaria GPS, the zionist media (Richard Haas and Bret Stephens, apologists and defenders of Israel). kept echoing Bibi's blame game, but failed to admit that Israel should take the bigger blame for building illegal settlements non stop, insulting the peace makers, and demanding it be recognized as a Jewish state, which has no bearing on Israel's security or safety. There is no honesty in our media any more. They see everything through zionist tinted glasses.
You are right, the US and Israel do have a reputation for being hypocrites. The finger pointing by Israel at Iran, for not being forthcoming about their nuclear program is one classic example.
Until today, Israel has not sign the NPT, like Iran has, nor has it opened it's nuclear facilities, for inspection by the IAEA. The US and Israel are alike in many ways, mostly in negative ways.
Why are so many people so apathetic to what is going on?
We constantly come across as backward, uneducated, and indifferent, to what is going on. We are one of the top contributors of carbon dioxide in the world, second only to China, and have contributed to this climate threat, and yet our people are more concerned about what the Kadashians keep doing, and watch Honey booboo. To admit to this must be hard for the right wingers, after all Al Gore was right, and they ridiculed him.
It seems Americans live only for the moment, with no thought of what the future may bring.
When we talk about the unnecessary wars, the cost of it, and the lives lost, no one takes into consideration, that we have thousands of our kids, traumatized, mentally ill, and suffering from PTSD. It seems warmongers are so eager to wage wars, the long term consequences of their actions, are not even considered.
Will situations like this deter the next warmongering administration, from making the Bush/Cheney mistakes, most probably not.
The last time the Palestinians went to the UN to get a lesser recognition, Rice was quite vicious in what she said at that meeting, and I was embarrassed at her mean speech. What is absurd is, the Palestinians are legally and openly doing what they are entitled to do, since their occupier has no interests in recognizing their rights, and yet, Israel and the US seems sore, mad, and outraged, they dare do that without their permission.
Israel has even threatened sanctions against the Palestinians, and one phone call from AIPAC and our spineless Congress will cut the aid Palestinians get from us.
It is about time Abbas and the Palestinians, realized that Israel was once again scamming them, stalling them, and trying to give them the short end of the stick. They gave Israel too much of time, and were too tolerant towards the endless announcements of more illegal settlements, from the time these peace talks were started. The US has once again shown it is either naive where the devious machinations of Israel are concerned, or simply pretending it cannot get it. Now that Abbas has given enough time for US brokered peace talks, and realizes Israel will never, ever, keep it's word, he must change their course of action, and go directly to the ICC, where in reality is where they will get some justice. They should also bid for full statehood, so that they will be able to defend themselves against evil forces.
I agree. Perhaps they are too ignorant to understand that a cemetery is for burying the dead, and Islam is a religion that recognizes and accepts Christianity as a religion, and believes the Bible was from the same God they worship. It is sad that at this day and age, and access to information, we still have ignorant segments of people in our nation, who make fools of themselves, spewing hate and ignorance for the most idiotic reasons, and unwilling to listen to learned scholars in our nation, who keep explaining that Islam is a religion, and that the majority of Muslims in the world, are peace loving.
It is strange but many of these crazy teapots have that same look on their faces, one that shows hatred and meanness for all.
It is simple from the part of the US. Threaten to stop all aid and weapons, and demand that Israel agrees, and adheres to, the 1967 borders. If the US was able to threaten to stop aid, when Israel was caught selling our weapons to China, and the deal did not eventually go through, why cannot the US do the same thing again?
The US Congress (most probably doing AIPAC's bidding) threatened to stop aid to the Palestinians, when they decided to bid for recognition at the UN, legally. So why are they unable to call the shots on this one, too?
The writer is absolutely right, the US will NEVER threaten to stop the aid, nor the unwavering support, it professes for Israel.
The US is not, and cannot be, an honest broker. It is more of an agent for Israel, trying to make sure it gets to keep most of it's ill gotten gains, from this ridiculous occupation.
In this situation, better late than never. At least the British celebs plucked some courage, and are bringing some kind of attention to the plight of these long suffering people. As usual, the Hollywood celebs are predictably silent. Hopefully the rest of the world will start making similar moves. What happened to the Palestinians, and how they suffer today, is one of the most unfortunate mistakes caused by the UN. The Palestinians are the victims of apartheid policies, and military occupation, that has shattered their lives, many displaced, property stolen, homes demolished, and the list goes on. It is time the UN tried to remedy the wrong.
The Palestinians cannot recognize Israel as anything but their occupier. To recognize it in any other way is simply endorsing a military occupation, and admitting the blockades, land grabs, demolition of homes, control of their water, and inability to move freely within their territories, is okay. If Israel is recognized by the Palestinians as a Jewish state, would Israel then reciprocate and recognize Palestine as an Arab or Islamic state? Fair is fair.
The US should insist on this.
Bibi keeps moving the goal post, and the US is foolish enough to think it can score that goal.
I agree, it seems much as they deny saying it, they do want to "rid the Galilee of the Arabs", by terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation and the cutting of social services", and every mentioned action has been carried through by a ruthless military occupation.
I hope the Palestinians will do the next best thing and go to the ICC, with proof of the endless violations of international laws, committed by the occupier. The sooner Israel realizes the world (minus the US) is serious about boycotting and sanctions the better. Israel operates with the notion that the world is completely blind to it's transgressions, crimes, and master plan.
Excellent article. Yes, why indeed does Netanyahu keep insisting the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a "Jewish state"?
What does being recognized as a Jewish state got to do with the security of Israel? Chances of the Palestinians thinking it is a Islamic state is slim to none, and the entire world hears ad nauseam, that it is a Jewish state, as Netanyahu keeps making sure he must mentions this status, in every speech and interview.
It must take some chutzpah for an occupier, who has not still recognized the rights of the occupied, nor agreed to their freedom, and who has violated many international laws including illegal settlements in disputed territories, control of Palestinian water, destruction of their olive trees, demolition of their homes,
the endless killings of unarmed civilians by their fences, the decades of blockades and deprivation of basic rights, to keep insisting that the occupied "recognize" them in any way.
Would Bibi Netanyahu then "recognize" the State of Palestine, as an Islamic or Arab state in return?
This is simply yet another attempt by Netanyahu and Israel, to find an excuse to keep the status quo going. Perhaps the occupier prefers to keep wielding power over these long suffering people.
McCain would never have had ANY kind of diplomatic talks, or made an effort to settle this first by trying to get to an agreement with Iran. Didn't McCain joke about bomb, bomb Iran?
I do not agree with many of Obama's policies, especially the one he seems to be okay with, the dreadful drones.
To dsmith, the President has explained very well, his intentions regarding a peaceful agreement with Iran, and it is impressive, unlike the previous White House administration, he intends resolving this serious problem initially with diplomatic negotiations, and not shock and awe tactics. I sincerely hope for all our sakes, and the Iranian people, we can resolve this in a civilized manner.
I will look forward to the response to your next letter, which will be very interesting, and I thank you for writing and asking for sanctions on Israel, who has always got away with human rights violations, illegal settlements, and a military occupation, that had it been any other rogue state, we would have sanctioned and boycotted long time ago.
O'Reilly's lack of information (putting it mildly) does not make him understand that some of these nations were far ahead of the US when it came to electing a woman as head of state. The US is not perfect when it comes to women's rights even today…we still do not pay women equally as men, and that is indeed backward and discriminating. It must be nice sitting in one's country, with no idea what goes on in the outside world, and making ignorant comments.
Why do they ignore the crisis going on in the Palestinian territories, the military occupation, blockades, land thefts, and Palestinian children in their hundreds languishing in Israeli jails, with no legal recourse? Why do they keep sending the most aid and unwavering support to an occupier, pretending that the nation we arm and aid are the victims? Are they so ignorant, that they simply cannot acknowledge that Palestinian territories are shrinking, and that 90 percent of the water they have access to is contaminated, while the occupier controls it, and even sells it to these poor people? The entire world knows this, but the US pretends it is doing Israelis a big favor.
It is heartening to know that there are Israeli activists marching for the freedom of the Palestinians. It is time these protests got louder around the world, boycotts started, and a louder message sent to Israel.
Richard Falk makes a lot of sense. It is a pity that some simply do not have the ability to hear any criticism of Israel, and it's many condemned policies, and the occupation. The accusations of anti semitism in such cases ring hollow, are totally inappropriate, and meant to silence those who dare speak up against Israel.
"He added that Said and many Palestinians became progressively more disillusioned over Palestine’s long struggle for statehood, because Israel allegedly refused to recognize Palestinian rights and accelerated violations of international law.
“However barbaric the Holocaust, it did not excuse the failing of justice for the Palestinian people, who were fully entitled to live on the land of historic Palestine,” Falk said.
Well said Professor Falk.
Who in their right mind will expect any occupied people to acknowledge the existence of their occupiers, the armed neighbor that wields power over them?
Most of all, Israel has NOT recognized the rights of the Palestinians, and even made a desperate attempt to prevent them being recognized at the UN, with the help of their top aid giver and supporter, the US.
It must have been hard when the majority in the world decided to send Israel a message, and voted the Palestinians in.
Israel demands they be recognized by the victims of their occupation, while it refuses to grant them their freedom and rights. What chutzpah.
This should not surprise us...Saddam Hussein insisted he did not have WMD's and it turned out to be right. We have spent trillions, killed hundreds of thousands, lost thousands of our troops, and left chaos and an ongoing civil war raging there.
The media usually likes to go with the war monger's narrative, and keep ignoring the real story, like the truth about yellow cake from Niger, for which a CIA agent was outed, because her diplomatic husband found out before the war, it was a huge hoax. For the saber rattlers to keep pushing for war, and want the Iranian people to suffer the consequences of it, they have to keep feeding the media with the lies, or make them ignore what could bring more balance into the coverage. It seems the US media never learns from past mistakes. They do indeed seem controlled, afraid to criticize, or highlight the truth.
Good question, why do we call it "Arab" failures? Nations fail because of bad leadership, poor policies, or the inability of it's citizens to put aside all differences for a common goal. Some even have begun because of instigation and interference by other nations. Millions have been poured into anti Islamic campaigns, so labeling any conflict into "Arab" or Islamic nations failures, plays into the hands of these anti Muslims bigots, and the media, also has to take for blame for labeling it as such. Do we ever hear the military occupation of the Palestinians as a Jewish occupation, or the now two infamous and failed wars by the US on Afghanistan and Iraq as White/Christian led wars?
Perhaps the Arabs being semites, should also start accusing the name callers, anti semitic. Or has someone else trade marked those words exclusively for themselves?
All you have to do is flip this situation around, and imagine Israeli children being dragged away to prison in the middle of the night, abused, and having no access to lawyers or parents, and you don't have to guess how the occupiers would have reacted...you would hear the howls of anti semitism and victimization from the moon. The US congress are the enablers to this inhumane and abusive treatment of children. They know what goes on there, and the vicious treatment of children, but they keep sending the love and aid. Disgusting.
The international community, including the US, did take their own sweet time to intervene, when they did, thousands of Muslims had already been massacred.
From the Brookings Institute:
"For over four years following the breakup of Yugoslavia and the onset of war, first in Croatia and then in Bosnia, the United States refused to take the lead in trying to end the violence and conflict. While many have written eloquently and passionately to explain Washington's—and the West's—failure to stop the ethnic cleansing, the concentration camps, and the massacres of hundreds of thousands of civilians, few have examined why, in the summer of 1995, the United States finally did take on a leadership role to end the war in Bosnia."
I am not specifically saying the US is the only nation that is indifferent to ethnic cleansing...right now there are a few nations where Muslims are ethnically being cleansed, and everyone seems to be slow in doing something about it. It seems there is no sense of urgency to do anything about it. How many must die before something is finally done to help? As I stated, ethnic cleansing, by any group against minorities MUST be dealt with promptly and severely. I don't mean only against Muslims either.
It has been noticed of course...and persecution of any minority by the majority religion, is deplorable. Are the politicians and churches not doing enough about it, and using their clout in trying to bring world attention to this? Yes. At least the Christians have influential leaders, both religious and political, who can do something about it, whereas the Muslims having no hierarchy, have no credible leader strong enough to bring attention and actions in nations like Myanmar, CAR etc., and as stated before, no one really cares.
It is ironic that these horrible crimes of ethnic cleansing, by murders and attacks on poor, unarmed, civilians, go unnoticed in the world, especially in the US? By the reports on the media, it seems the world is only full of Muslim jihadists, yet these brutal attacks on Muslims in CAR and even Myanmar, by the majority in those countries, keep going on, and no one seems to be doing anything to stop it. A new article in Juan Cole shows Americans do not have favorable opinions about Muslims, which explains why they are indifferent to what is going on, even when it comes to the Palestinians. After all, aren't they "ALL" terrorists?
To your point, today a young Palestinian man was shot by the IDF, and another injured. His crime? Collecting gravel near a border fence. Many Palestinians, including unarmed teenagers have been killed in these meaningless border killings. It seems the mighty IDF is afraid of these unarmed civilians, and plays God by choosing who must be killed, and justifies the killing by calling them suspicious, and perhaps terrorists. Unfortunately, the American media keeps quiet about these on going murders, never mentioned, for the American people must keep believing the violence is always one sided - from the Palestinians only.
It seems the rest of the world is fully aware of Israel's crimes against unarmed civilians, because unlike the US, they deem it one of the most disliked nations in the world, for good reason.
The Palestinians should take a page off the illegal settlers books, and start price tag attacks on this building. This in your face move by Israel, is disgusting, and it seems they are taking advantage of the helplessness of their victims, the Palestinians. This military occupation has been going on for too long, and to keep thumbing it's nose at the world at a time when the US is trying to negotiate peace between the two people, is yet again, the arrogance Israel has shown the world.
These are brown skinned Muslims, far, far, away from our shores, and as deplorable as these drones are, most probably most Americans will simply shrug this away, or buy the narrative that this is collateral damage, while in the pursuit of terrorists.
One day we may find drones entering American airspace, and then the outrage will be deafening.
The truth is, things were better under Saddam Hussein. He may have been a tyrant, but it was the actions of the US, that have resulted in terrorism, extremism, and sectarian violence.
In his crazy way, he was able to keep his country from chaos and confusion that rages over there. The people were able to get about their lives in peace with no suicide bombs and car explosions at market places. To think Americans still wonder why we are hated so much!
When you read this well written article you realize the America we knew and were happy to live in, no thanks to bad political moves by our leaders, is unrecognizable, and not the same anymore. I arrived in the US decades ago, and had I known what it would be today, perhaps I might not have stayed. Perhaps my expectations were unreasonable.
All good points. If only these shameless congress people had the good sense to reason out, and stop carrying the water for an alien nation, that, let's be honest, does not care a fig for the interests of the US or Americans, but their own devious plans.
It is incredible to think that they do the bidding of a tiny war mongering nation, and go against their own President. Iran is not Iraq, and any attack against Iran, will be deadly for not only the US but the region too. Iran will retaliate in ways that will make these senator's heads spin. It seems they have forgotten that wars have to be averted, and it always is best to give diplomacy a chance, before dropping bombs on innocent civilians. It is time someone in the controlled media, did the American people a favor, and told them the truth.....that the fools they vote for, put the interests of a manipulative, alien nation, whose lobby writes our foreign policies, over their own interests first. The unwavering aid and support keeps being poured into Israel's coffers, while our people have to do without so much. The writer gives very good points and reasons why we should not do Israel's bidding and wage yet another costly war, that honestly, we simply cannot afford, unfortunately it seems loyalty to Israel makes them blinded to common sense.
Much ado about nothing...Iran simply trying to salvage some national pride, after all it must have been so difficult to comply with many of the conditions set by those negotiating for a peaceful agreement. Let's look on the bright side; it seems Bibi Netanyahu is once again displaying his war mongering and we can watch with amusement, his rants against this "outrageous" move by Iran, and how much threatening they are to the US.
Can't negotiate with a gun to their heads eh? But Israel has held the big guns to the occupied for decades, and it seems reluctant to let go. Every. Excuse in the book will now be used to avoid making peace. To make peace means Israel will lose too much, including land grabs...they are military occupiers building illegal settlement in disputed lands, controlling the water belonging to the occupied, and generally doing as they please...why do they need a peace agreement?
These antisemitic accusations are getting stale and used in ridiculous ways. It is now overused and totally inappropriate in this regard. Kerry has stated the obvious, and it is almost definite that BDS will increase should these peace talks fail. The outrage is overdone...it I seems so easy for Israel to push for sanctions against the Palestinians,and refuse to release their own funds, when they attempted to get recognized at the UN, and urged their servants in congress to do the same, but when it comes to their world condemned land theft and illegal settlements, hey sanctions are antisemitic! Israel sounds more desperate and ridiculous by the day. I hope Americans are finally getting the real picture here.
It was amusing to see the camera's pan down on one of AIPAC's favorite senators, Bob Menendez, as President Obama stated he will veto the sanctions bill against Iran. It is unfortunate Obama's successes, have been downplayed so much. He has disappointed me many times, yet he should be given credit for many policies, that are now taking effect, and easing the situation in the country. He has some achievements worth talking about, but you would not know if you hear the right wingers and those who want him to fail.
Yair Netanyahu who started a Facebook page showing his hatred for Islam, and displaying bigotry, is now dating a Norwegian Christian? I think this is one of life's ironies...he now faces a backlash based on racism and hatred, and a good dose of reality.
He will now feel the intimidation and hatred he has dished out to Arabs and Muslims, from this backlash, and realize to be on the receiving end is not that great. However, the arrogant young Netanyahu can justify the fact he is not dating a Muslim, just a blond, Christian gentile from Norway , considering how his attitude has been so far. I would have said leave the kid alone, but knowing his reputation for being a racist, I say just desserts.
These stats keep coming out year after year, yet the international community simply shrugs and does nothing. Israel gets away with almost anything these days, whether it is murder, torture, or illegal settlements, and the US keeps aiding and supporting a nation that would otherwise be deemed a rogue state by them, if not for it's lobby in the US. The US tax payers should be outraged about this, but they have been deliberately fed with the Israeli narrative about being consistent victims of a people who have been under an occupation for decades, and is basically helpless against the most ruthless military, sophisticated weaponry, and supported by the world's superpower. What chances do they have? Their lands, water, and other resources are being stolen under the watchful eyes of the world, and apart from a few half hearted protests, nothing much changes.
The Palestinians themselves have to get their act together, and stop their agitations, and instead try to work with the world community, and stop being pressurized by the US or Israel, who do not have their best interests at heart. They should not expect those that have occupied, blockaded, and robbed them, to suddenly have genuine concern for their wellbeing.
This is inhumane behavior. This type of separation will never be tolerated by the occupier, in fact they would have been whining and making political hay, had they been so cruelly separated by these restrictions. One special standard for them, and none for their victims. The more difficult they make it for these poor Palestinians, the sooner they can get rid of them in the galilee.
Wasn't that the plan, anyway?
To think our tax money ends up supporting the culprits that inflict such inhumane punishment on any people, is unbelievable.
It is time Obama, Kerry, and the US, told these arrogant land grabbers to go and jump in the Dead Sea...not only do they defy all international laws and keep building illegal settlements in disputed land, they also want the Palestinians to yield to their unreasonable demands. International laws go against them, yet they keep showing this unbelievable chutzpah when it comes to extracting all they can from their victims. This is why their actions have shown they want absolutely no peace with their neighbors, the status quo is much more lucrative, and pretending to be victims has huge benefits.
No of course not...they must be the only occupying nation, armed with the most sophisticated weapons, unwavering support and aid from the US, and being condemned by the entire world for building illegal settlements, that keeps getting bullied by their entire neighborhood, plus the rest of the world too. Poor Israel.
The EU should not be intimidated by the usual methods Israel displays when censured. Israel needs the EU more than the EU needs Israel, and if the EU does not make this stand, once again the builder of illegal settlements and land grabs, will get away scot free. The world can never depend on the AIPAC controlled US to do the right thing....it is up to Europe to stick to their guns, and keep the pressure on Israel. About time, actually. The EU is not condemning these illegal settlements on a whim, the entire world condemns it, and it goes against UN resolutions. So really, the EU is doing the right thing, and being bullied into submission, a well known ploy by Israel, should not deter them.
A well written article giving us insight into the chaos and confusion Bush and Cheney inflicted on a nation that had not harmed us, and it shows not only did we mess it up big time, but how the Bush administration and the neocons, with the aid of the media, covered up big blunders they made, for example in Fallujah. Fallujah not only suffered the consequences of a major onslaught, but the aftermath was terrible...to this day little babies are born deformed and suffering from incurable diseases. So much for winning hearts and minds. The American people, as this article shows, have been deliberately kept in the dark about the tragic blunders made by US troops, by the time these war crimes are uncovered, it will be too late.
I agree to what you say...they have disrespect and humiliated both President Obama and VP Biden on a few occasion, regarding illegal settlements, timing the announcements of building even more, to coincide with a meeting or visit.
We must have pretty weak leaders who keep turning the other cheek.
To your point, he was called the Butcher of Beirut, the Bulldozer (his style) and the father of settlements....we see some of these qualities going on even today.
The question is, why are HRW and others so slow in responding to war crimes by war criminals? Why wait until someone is old and even dead, to discuss it? HRW or the ICC should be independent enough to decide who should face criminal charges, and be able to withstand the pressure from wealthier nations like the US, who play favorites and decides who should be hauled to criminal courts. George Bush and Dick Cheney should also be on that long list of war criminals.
To your point Sharon was found personally responsible for Sabra and Shatila, by an Israeli investigation (Kahan). Still, he got away, and went on to bulldoze his way into being PM.
You are absolutely right, Juan Cole, the US has consistently shown indifference to the many human rights violations committed by many of Israel's leaders. If this was Arafat who had been found personally responsible for the massacre at Shabra and Shatila, or had a Palestinian village like Qibya attacked by his
men, in which scores of unarmed men, women and little children were ruthlessly killed, synagogues, homes and schools destroyed, would the US have pretended to be outraged and allowed the war criminal to get away? The double standards are sickening.
By now we should have stopped the aid, and ordered Israel to stop acting like an out of control thug, if they want to continue sponging off US taxpayers. We hold the upper hand in this, and yet, our leaders have their chains yanked by Israel through AIPAC.
Well said. It is unbelievable that Obama's first words in his condolences were about unshakeable support for Israel. Now I wonder if he has ever uttered such support for any nation, when one of their previous leaders passed away. Certainly not for South Africa, when Nelson Mandela passed away. So why this continued assurance of love and support for only Israel?
I wonder if he US media mentions the horrible, horrible massacres at Sabra and Shatila. I am out of the country at the moment, and can only guess they must be praising the man responsible for these massacres, and singing his praises.
From what I heard in the media, VP Biden will be representing the US. They should just send Menendez, he would have loved to have shown his devotion to Israel at this time.
I never thought I'd actually see a bunch of congresspeople, who would not be there if not for their voters, take a stand against their OWN President, and try to pass a bill that would be detrimental to the on going peace talks with Iran. Right now we are seeing in action, what we have always known - American leaders doing the bidding of a foreign lobby, whose main intent is to do what a foreign nation commands, even if it derails the efforts made by their own President. Menendez, who is one of Israel's dutiful servants, will never get my vote next time.
This is yet again proof that Israel harbors and protects these thugs, who have consistently caused irreparable damage on Mosques, and has been life miserable for Palestinians.
The UN states that In 2012, over 7,500 olive trees belonging to West Bank Palestinians have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli settlers. No wonder the US State Department calls their attacks "terroristic activities". Time the US reconsidered sending aid to a nation that breaks international laws, and does not heed any warnings. The Israeli government is either inept, or deliberately looks the other way, while these front line thugs keep committing these crimes.
What can you expect from Israel's front line thugs, apart from crimes on poor Palestinian farmers, firebombing cars, burning Mosques, and disgusting graffiti showing how racist they are.
It seems the IDF either pretends they cannot see, or cannot control them.
We took a bad situation, made it worse, and left behind chaos and confusion. As Collin Powell said, we broke it, it is ours.
If only we can learn to not start unilateral wars, and then whine that democracy has not been welcome there, like our troops.
I doubt any of those "Islamic states" demanded they be recognized in negations, especially with the people they have blockaded, had their territories occupied, and oppressed.
Juan Cole is absolutely right. You have got to wonder exactly why Israel is so obsessed by demanding to be recognized as a "Jewish" state. It is as ridiculous as the US demanding to be recognized as a Christian state. The entire world knows Israel is predominantly a Jewish nation, so why the desperation? Israel still has not acknowledged the rights of the Palestinian people, nor the fact that they have been systematically marginalized, losing land and water, yet Israel keeps insisting the occupied must recognize the occupier by it's religion. I guess it will be easier to use the "anti semitic" accusations, if Israel is "recognized" as a Jewish state, because everyone who criticizes Israel's transgressions, can then be accused of anti semitism.
About time too. Their hopes for achieving peace prevented such measures, as the US must have warned them against doing so.
They should not hesitate to initiate such complaint, if Israel does not cooperate and agree to peace, and freedom for Palestinians.
We should all wonder how Israel would react, if the world boycotted it, or denied it electricity, when one of their illegal settlers firebombed a car, killing it's passengers. We can only imagine the outrage.
Remember Americans feel they are helping a victim here, for that is what they have been told, and will be told. The truth will never be told in the US. Americans are duped into sending the most aid to an occupier, armed and protected by the US
Sometimes it seems Israel is too dense not to read the warning signs. Eventually, crimes that is world condemned, including illegal settlement building, will not be tolerated, and US support will weaken. Many Jews around the world do not agree with this display of greed either, so when the EU takes a stand, it means something is changing, and it will not be in Israel's favor.
Since the US arrogantly took a bad situation in Iraq and made it worse, I guess it is morally and legally responsible for trying to right the disaster we created. Unfortunately, the American people need help at this point too, but will not get it.
Come on, let's be honest here, Israel, far too many times, have thumbed it's arrogant nose at the US and the rest of the world, and at crucial times flaunted the fact that they are defying the entire world and building this cursed settlements, that are detrimental to peace between these waring factions. Yet the US has whispered it's "disapproval" and keeps enabling the occupier, plying it with more weapons and the most aid. Any other nation would have been boycotted and aid stopped immediately. Let me remind the readers here that the Palestinians were immediately threatened to have their aid cut by the servants of AIPAC in Congress, when they legitimately made an effort to be recognized at the UN by this same Congress. The US if genuinely concerned can do much more to halt these shameful thefts of land, water, and occupation, but really who here is convinced they want to? It is all in the hands of the US, but they seem to keep playing along with Israel's endless charade.
The Evangelical Zionists in the US seems unaware that Israel has not only marginalized Muslim Arabs, but trying to marginalize Christians too. They have shrunk Nazareth the birth place of Jesus, protected those who attacked Churches, and even the Vatican have blamed them for such attacks.
The adoration of Israel however by misguided American Christians, goes on.
The drones attacks on innocent civilians are disgraceful, and America's shame. If ONE American wedding party had been shattered by alien drones, and innocent people died, imagine the outrage. These are men, women, and little children, who are paying for the arrogance of American policies. Who are we after all, to decide who the extremists are, and why they should be killed, even if they are among many innocent people? It could be considered a form of terrorism too.
The big question is, just how loyal are these shameless senators, to their own President and country? Here we have a President trying hard to avoid war and more deaths in this rather delicate situation with Iran, and who do they support? An alien nation, and it's Prime Minister, who have consistently pushed for war, and an attack on Iran, which would cost us, the US, lives,and put us in a bigger economic mess. Menendez has taken his undying devotion to Israel to yet another low. His desire to do AIPAC's bidding should make many Americans question his ethics and loyalty, and question him and the others of equal shame, why they keep insisting on NOT giving their own nation and President, a chance to avoid more American lives being lost, or at risk.
I did not vote for Menendez, and he seems to avoid the questions I ask for as a constituent, because he is unable to defend his disgusting support for Israel. Americans should wake up to this unshakeable loyalty to Israel by Congress, that has cost us too much in many ways.
It is about time some entity or nation, that is able to resist any intimidation from lobbies or leagues, stand up and do something to help these poor people.
The UN has predicted the Palestinian territories will be unlivable by 2020, and it seems the easy way out for the US, EU and other nations, to ignore warnings and just pretend it is not happening.
The US is NOT going to initiate any punitive measures against the occupier for it's endless crimes against humanity, in fact it will continue to support, aid and arm, this nation that keeps getting away with breaking international laws, and has been a burden for the US for all these years. If the EU does not step in at this time, the Palestinian people who are already losing their lands, farms, water, and dignity, will vanish from the territories they have claim to, by acts of terror, assassination, intimidation, and the cutting of social services, by those who were once homeless, but now has the chutzpah to use US aid to extract all they can from their neighbors.
No religion will condone this kind of ill treatment of innocent civilians. These poor fishermen, like the farmers, have been deprived of their livelihood by mean spirited actions, that are primarily done in order to drive them away from their own trade, due to suffering. A once thriving civilization, these Palestinians have endured hardship and endless punitive actions, by a very aggressive and violent government, that has occupied, blockaded, and in the process of making these territories unlivable. The inhumane treatment of these poor people goes on, while the rest of the world looks the other way. The US has been enabling, arming, and protecting, the wrong side.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved
Quite a bold statement coming from the WH. About time too.
Time to bring the OCCUPATION into focus, so far it has been a dirty word among American leaders, and the press. It would have been reasonable for journalists to bring up the occupation, every time there are rockets being sent from the occupied. It is as if there is a convenient amnesia among the pro zionist groups here, that, and the endless land thefts and illegal settlements, are hardly mentioned whenever this situation is discussed. It is always the fault of the Palestinians, who seem to be killed almost on a daily basis, and according to zionist narrative, WANT to live under a military occupation.
It is sad that it took the arrogant behavior of Netanyahu to bring about this change in US policies. Netanyahu has been given unwavering support by our US Congress, and right now they are attacking Obama for this.
I would like to see the media ask these Congress people if they supported this occupation and illegal settlements, and confront them as to how they stand in this issue. I am sure many will be uncomfortable answering that question.
Access to clean water is the right of every human being, unless those who play the God of evil, decides to not only deprive these human beings of their own water, but use it as a weapon against them.
The world does nothing.
That was a great translation of what Obama is privately thinking. It is sad that he has to think what way, and act the diplomat, when dealing with a major irritant like Bibi.
How much more does the US, EU, and the UN, want to hear from Netanyahu, to convince them that this man is not interested in a two state solution, and that he has used up every excuse in the book, to reject any attempt by world leaders, to bring about a peaceful solution? He did not have to state this before the elections, the world could see by his actions that he has absolutely no intention of ending the occupation, nor stopping the theft of lands for illegal settlements. Are our leader so naive that they just cannot see what is so obvious to the rest of the world, or are they just pretending to keep trying to squeeze water out of a stone?
Time the world did the right thing by the Palestinians, the humane thing, and started treating the occupier like a pariah, and even sanctioning it, just like they keep doing to other rogue states.
Well, it is almost predictable that Netanyahu will use his usual cunning to pacify world leaders who must be now forced to admit he does not give a damn for peace, and wants to keep behaving like a war monger. He reminds me of a used car salesman, who lies when he keeps duping customers.
Despite his arrogance and grandstanding, he know Israel cannot survive without suckers like the US propping it up.
There cannot be any doubt, that the people of Israel overwhelmingly wanted the occupation, illegal settlements, and Netanyahu's on going violence against Israel's neighbors, to go on. They seem to be quite content with the status quo, because they wield the power and use the deadly weapons, that are used against civilians. Israel is a sick society.
The question is how is the US now going to handle the fact that the butcher of Tel Aviv has openly stated there will never be a two state settlement, and that the illegal settlements will continue? Pretend he never said it, and continue the aid and weapons to what the world considers an apartheid state?
Time those who keep supporting this brutal regime stopped pretending Israel is interested in ending the occupation and wanting peace.
Now that Netanyahu has openly stated this, the question is, what will the US do, and will it keep supporting what the entire world now knows is an apartheid state, with no intentions whatsoever, of ending the occupation.
It would also be interesting to see how the UN and the rest of the world will react to this revelation by Netanyahu.
All five points clearly shows Netanyahu has shown absolutely no respect for President Obama/The US Presidency, and that he has all along acted arrogant, dishonest, and manipulative.
President Obama has been extremely supportive of Israel, increased aid, gives it unwavering support at the UN, vetoing resolutions against Israel, and has been generous with US weapons, and yet Netanyahu has deceived him when it comes to illegal settlements, and false promises of giving those peace talks a chance. It makes me wonder if US officials are that naive, when we all know Netanyahu has absolutely no interest in ending the occupation, nor stopping the stealing of lands for illegal settlements. It is a waste of valuable time.
There is only one way to stop the violence and military occupation, and that is if the US stops the aid and weapons, from going into what the rest of the world now considers an apartheid state, that continues it's brutal occupation of the Palestinian territories. No change in their leadership will end the Palestinian suffering.
Obama was right. These 47 GOP congresspeople are siding with the hardliners in Iran.
To think they went against their own President for that.
There is nothing as dangerous as a mindless puppet, that has been paid nearly a MILLION dollars, by an alien group, Bill Kristol's Emergency Committee for Israel, who has had his weaknesses taken advantage of, to be controlled by this alien group. He must have been hand picked to do their bidding, willing to go against his President, the Presidency, and his nation. This man, and others like him, are a disgrace to our nation, and should be called unpatriotic fools.
We should add Bill Kristol to that list too.
Power plants shut down, fisherman shot and killed, farmlands bulldozed and destroyed, Palestinians living in refugee camps, the zionists are still ridding the Galilee of Arabs, by collectively punishing them, in every, sadistic way, possible.
He certainly sounds like ISIS, and perhaps belongs with them.
At least he has the same blood thirsty mind set, add gruesome to it. It is ironic that such statements from Jewish leaders do not get the attention in the media, like it would had this been a Muslim. I have seen horrible statements calling for genocide of the Palestinians/Arabs, calling for Gaza to be bombed back to the stone age, urging the IDF to send bombs into densely populated areas in Gaza, and even suggestions of putting Palestinians into concentration camps, just like the Nazis. However, we keep hearing outrage about Israel being threatened to be wiped off the earth, at every opportunity available. This is a disgusting statement for a leader of an "ally" of the US to make, especially when they boast of being the "only" democracy in the ME.
It is frightening that our leaders who make such drastic decisions, like pre-emptive wars, do not think through the consequences of such actions, and do not have the foresight to realize most times it backfires on us. Afghanistan is still controlled by the Taliban (we were supposed to go in there to get Bin Laden, not fight the Taliban) and Iraq has become a nightmare. Saddam Hussein was a tyrant, but he was able to prevent exactly what is going on right now. It seems the neocons and zionists who keep pushing for US to bomb Muslim nations, do not care how their arrogant plans for war finally ends up, because their kids will not be fighting any. We should be ashamed of what we have done to Afghanistan and Iraq, and looking at the miserable results of these attacks, are they not intelligent enough to realize doing the same thing and expecting different results, is the most stupidest thing to do?
Iran is not like Iraq, and will respond in ways that will make Bibi's head spin in Tel Aviv, and Americans will be in more danger around the world. It is strange that they only have War in their one track minds, no thought of any alternatives, or talk of peace.
No nation would like to be called the "axis of evil", sanctioned, and demonized, by leaders of a nation that has dropped more bombs, waged more wars, and killed more civilians, than they have. If Iranian hardliners made threatening statements against the US or Israel - they are in good company. Didn't Bush, and other neocons make disparaging remarks about Iran and it's leaders? Doesn't Netanyahu, on a regular basis make threatening statement about Iran, and to add insult to injury, LIE shamelessly when he holds up cartoon bombs, and predicts they will have a nuclear weapons MONTHS AWAY?
It is so easy to see through the hypocrisy. Netanyahu and US officials are equally bad when it comes to making threats and hurling insults, but it seems we are supposed to be deaf to it, and pretend the US and Israel are always at the receiving end of these threats and insults. The zionist media never, ever, brings that up.
A well written, researched, and interesting article. It clearly shows just how badly Netanyahu conducted himself, insulting not only the President, but the other nations involved in negotiating with Iran, and even the American people. This was not only a campaign stop for Netanyahu, but also an attempt to widen the rift between the President and the GOP. He used the divisive relationship of Boehner and GOP with Obama, plus the disloyalty of the Democrats, led by Menendez, to impress his naive voters back home, that HE can call the shots, make the American congress move the way he desires, and that the Israeli lobby, has so much power over the US Congress.
Dermer is a snake, that is obviously doing the bidding of his master, and willing to be deceive the White House, as he did, to make sure Netanyahu shows just who is the boss over Congress. The Congress behaved like traitors, when they applauded this prevaricator from Tel Aviv. This is a shameless effort to derail the ongoing talks with Iran, and make sure, the Presidents efforts at having a peaceful agreement with Iran, avoiding a bloody war, will fail.
Netanyahu can lie very easily. He did the same thing before the Iraq war, misleading the Congress, and it seems the members of Congress have a very bad memory, for they are willing to trust this liar again, this time to bomb Iran. Netanyahu cannot stand the thought of any Islamic nation in his neighborhood progressing. He wants them bombed, decimated, into rubble, just like he keeps attacking the Palestinians, who are already suffering under Israel's brutal military occupation. He makes big plans for wars, lies, exaggerates, and pushes the US through the devoted in Congress, into massacring the helpless civilians. We must be the biggest suckers in the world, because we lose our soldiers, thousands are injured, spend trillions of American dollars, to play Netanyahu's war games, Whether it is Afghanistan, Iraq, or any other nation, it is our kids who are in the front lines.
As the author states, at least this time he pushed it too far.
More Americans are aware just how dangerous Netanyahu is, and just how manipulative he can be, through the Israeli lobby, AIPAC.
Oh what a tangled web we weave. The US has been through similar situations, and as Prof. Cole says, it has backfired on us.
Do we ever learn lessons? No. We keep making mistakes over and over again. We must be gluttons for punishment.
Netanyahu's arrogant efforts seems to have backfired on him, yet he goes back to Israel feeling like a conquering hero.
link to jpost.com
How delusional can one be?
All that Prof. Cole, and Netanyahu is sucking up the air in the room, by throwing a tantrum about the negotiations going on right now with Iran and other nations. Everything is under control over there, and it is strange that Netanyahu ignores what is happening in his own backyard, to make a spectacle of himself in the US.
Who made Bibi the king of the Jews? The last words he uttered before he started this trip to the US, was that this was going to be a "historical" trip, and that he represented ALL Jews. What a load of nonsense. There is nothing "historical" about this self invited trip to make an anti Iran speech in Congress, this is sheer drama, Bibi style, to impress his naive voters, and to sabotage Obama's efforts in bringing a peaceful agreement with Iran. Who appointed BIBI as Decider in Chief?
He is looking more and more like a rabble rouser, arrogant, and preferring war to peace.
Iran is fully aware that Netanyahu is trying to derail the talks, and that nothing agreed upon, will be accepted by Israel. Israel has not offered any alternative, it simply wants Iran leveled like they often do in Gaza. Netanyahu is threatened not by Iran's nuclear powers, but by the fact that Iran will be one of the biggest players in the region, and will exert some power over there. Bibi wants Israel to be the only superpower over there, controlling, threatening, interfering, and deciding exactly who should be labelled the bad guy.
Netanyahu has show what a trouble maker he can be. He is playing one party against the other, gives Boehner/GOP the opportunity to stick it to President Obama, and dictating terms to the US and other 5 nations that are desperately trying to negotiate an agreement. This is typical Netanyahu, arrogant, deaf to voices of reason from Israel and the US, and hell bent on being the usual drama queen. After his cartoon bomb comedy, one would think he would think twice before making such a spectacle of himself, and he is appearing to be more and more unhinged. At least if the Israeli voters are able to see through his drama and games, and vote him out, it would be all worth it.
Indeed the EU nations must now do the right thing and follow up with official recognition of a Palestinian state. Enough of the waffling and resolutions that don't bind. They should not be intimidated by Bibi's whining about the EU not learning a lesson from the holocaust, or his constant blame on everybody but himself, and help give the Palestinians their dignity and freedom back.
This is a horrendous act of terrorism, and the criminals must pay for the murder of innocent children. If the Pakistani government is unable to control these criminals, they have to appeal to the international community to help. Are they afraid to confront the scumbags?
Before people start criticizing Muslims and Islam, I hope they realize that it is the majority of moderate Muslims who have to put up with these lunatics, who give their religion a bad name, and are always paying the price for insane extremists. These despicable criminals are not smart enough to realize they are doing the work of those already running campaigns to denigrate Islam and Muslims around the world.
Not only the EU but the entire world must now act fast to release the Palestinians from their bondage. This will not affect the prospect for peace - that was deliberately lost by the continuous negative actions by Israel. This will make the Palestinians finally feel liberated and able to level the playing field when it comes to those peace talks. Israel (and the US) want to keep the status quo, so that more lands can be stolen, and the Palestinians driven from their own lands. Recognition and liberation can stop that.
It seems the human animals are on Netanyahu's side.
No religion condones this kind of viciousness, and these illegal settlers have constantly shown nothing but a deep seated hatred bordering on evil, towards these poor Palestinian farmers.
They act like common thieves stealing trees, water, and even soil, from the Palestinians, because they know they can get away with murder, as far as their government is concerned. Investigations keep showing that these criminals are hardly held accountable for these disgusting crimes. The Palestinians are harassed, intimidated, and keep losing their property and other resources, that they desperately need to live.
There is more:
"The toll the summer war took on the population of Gaza has been extensively reported, but little is known about the war's effect on the Palestinian enclave's livestock.
Al-Jazeera reports that some 15,000 animals (primarily sheep and goats) are missing in the wake of the war, though it is unknown whether they were killed, died from hunger or are still wandering around somewhere.
A census in 2010 registered 73,500 sheep and goats, while only 58,000 were listed for fodder distribution following the war.
"This means that more than 15,000 animals are missing," said Ciro Fiorillo, local head of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which has been distributing fodder and barley for all of Gaza's sheep and goats." Haaretz
This is what the Palestinians need. Support from a nation that belongs to the EU. A bold move by Sweden, that sends a message to the rest of the world - that they are not intimidated by Israel or even the US. I sincerely hope this goes forward, and the the EU will allow Sweden to make it's own choices. It could also encourage others who might be considering it.
It will be interesting to know how many desperate calls, and arm twisting, are going on behind the scenes. Time the EU and the US acted as if they are not afraid of Israel's wrath.
Good job Sweden.
It seems people are getting impatient with Bill Maher for showing consistent ignorance when it comes to Islam. First his tweet backfired when he mentioned slapping a woman and comparing her to Hamas. Now he has been beautifully slammed down by Reza Aslan, with nothing but facts. Bill Maher has allowed his hatred for Islam and Muslims, prevent him from learning the truth and clouded his judgement. Ignorance is bliss as far as Maher is concerned.
Reza Aslan is a great debater.
2016 is too far away. It is time Abbas did what is best for his people, who have suffered for decades. Enough of pleasing the US and Israel. Time the Arab nations stepped in and supported them. Abbas must realize that the US is not an honest broker, and that Israel is it's top priority.
While claiming that those who criticize Israel are anti semitic, Israel shows it's arrogance by disrespecting other religions, and treating their Holy places as insignificant. Israel's claim to Holy places, even when it is disputed by other religions, has become the norm. When the zionists want someone else's property and resources, the US usually looks the other way, while it is being ruthlessly stolen. It is time the Christian zionists of the US, realized that the zionists have treated Arab Christians very badly, prevented them from visiting their Churches, which can be considered bigotry and anti Christian. If ONE Jew was stopped or prevented from going to synagogue in that region, we would have been deafened by the predictable cries of "anti semitism", and the zionists would have seized on that incident, to justify one of their brutal crimes, as retaliation.
Maybe not the sole reason, but definitely one of the main reasons. If you follow the money, you will find out who made out like a bandit, out of this unnecessary war, based on lies, deception, and greed. Instead of going after North Korea, the rogue nation with nuclear weapons, they went after a toothless tiger, a tinpot dictator, because of the oil. The Iraqi Ministry for Oil, was one of the first establishments they secured, even the Iraqi Museum was open, and absolutely not secured, and many priceless artifacts looted. That shows just how much the neocon warmongers had oil in their minds.
Of course, predictably Bibi will keep blaming the occupied, but the above facts, proves who really is to be blamed here, and no one should be surprised, this is typical zionist behavior, the world sees one thing - but the zionist try to whitewash it all with lies and denials. Was Bibi honest enough to admit they kept breaking international laws, and announcing much more illegal settlements, that were detrimental to these peace talks. Why not?
They do all they can to sabotage these peace talks, and when it fails blames it's victims. The US media is just as shameless…on Fareed Zakaria GPS, the zionist media (Richard Haas and Bret Stephens, apologists and defenders of Israel). kept echoing Bibi's blame game, but failed to admit that Israel should take the bigger blame for building illegal settlements non stop, insulting the peace makers, and demanding it be recognized as a Jewish state, which has no bearing on Israel's security or safety. There is no honesty in our media any more. They see everything through zionist tinted glasses.
You are right, the US and Israel do have a reputation for being hypocrites. The finger pointing by Israel at Iran, for not being forthcoming about their nuclear program is one classic example.
Until today, Israel has not sign the NPT, like Iran has, nor has it opened it's nuclear facilities, for inspection by the IAEA. The US and Israel are alike in many ways, mostly in negative ways.
Why are so many people so apathetic to what is going on?
We constantly come across as backward, uneducated, and indifferent, to what is going on. We are one of the top contributors of carbon dioxide in the world, second only to China, and have contributed to this climate threat, and yet our people are more concerned about what the Kadashians keep doing, and watch Honey booboo. To admit to this must be hard for the right wingers, after all Al Gore was right, and they ridiculed him.
It seems Americans live only for the moment, with no thought of what the future may bring.
When we talk about the unnecessary wars, the cost of it, and the lives lost, no one takes into consideration, that we have thousands of our kids, traumatized, mentally ill, and suffering from PTSD. It seems warmongers are so eager to wage wars, the long term consequences of their actions, are not even considered.
Will situations like this deter the next warmongering administration, from making the Bush/Cheney mistakes, most probably not.
The last time the Palestinians went to the UN to get a lesser recognition, Rice was quite vicious in what she said at that meeting, and I was embarrassed at her mean speech. What is absurd is, the Palestinians are legally and openly doing what they are entitled to do, since their occupier has no interests in recognizing their rights, and yet, Israel and the US seems sore, mad, and outraged, they dare do that without their permission.
Israel has even threatened sanctions against the Palestinians, and one phone call from AIPAC and our spineless Congress will cut the aid Palestinians get from us.
It is about time Abbas and the Palestinians, realized that Israel was once again scamming them, stalling them, and trying to give them the short end of the stick. They gave Israel too much of time, and were too tolerant towards the endless announcements of more illegal settlements, from the time these peace talks were started. The US has once again shown it is either naive where the devious machinations of Israel are concerned, or simply pretending it cannot get it. Now that Abbas has given enough time for US brokered peace talks, and realizes Israel will never, ever, keep it's word, he must change their course of action, and go directly to the ICC, where in reality is where they will get some justice. They should also bid for full statehood, so that they will be able to defend themselves against evil forces.
I agree. Perhaps they are too ignorant to understand that a cemetery is for burying the dead, and Islam is a religion that recognizes and accepts Christianity as a religion, and believes the Bible was from the same God they worship. It is sad that at this day and age, and access to information, we still have ignorant segments of people in our nation, who make fools of themselves, spewing hate and ignorance for the most idiotic reasons, and unwilling to listen to learned scholars in our nation, who keep explaining that Islam is a religion, and that the majority of Muslims in the world, are peace loving.
It is strange but many of these crazy teapots have that same look on their faces, one that shows hatred and meanness for all.
It is simple from the part of the US. Threaten to stop all aid and weapons, and demand that Israel agrees, and adheres to, the 1967 borders. If the US was able to threaten to stop aid, when Israel was caught selling our weapons to China, and the deal did not eventually go through, why cannot the US do the same thing again?
The US Congress (most probably doing AIPAC's bidding) threatened to stop aid to the Palestinians, when they decided to bid for recognition at the UN, legally. So why are they unable to call the shots on this one, too?
The writer is absolutely right, the US will NEVER threaten to stop the aid, nor the unwavering support, it professes for Israel.
The US is not, and cannot be, an honest broker. It is more of an agent for Israel, trying to make sure it gets to keep most of it's ill gotten gains, from this ridiculous occupation.
She should also be honest and admit Congress is afraid of the NRA and AIPAC.
In this situation, better late than never. At least the British celebs plucked some courage, and are bringing some kind of attention to the plight of these long suffering people. As usual, the Hollywood celebs are predictably silent. Hopefully the rest of the world will start making similar moves. What happened to the Palestinians, and how they suffer today, is one of the most unfortunate mistakes caused by the UN. The Palestinians are the victims of apartheid policies, and military occupation, that has shattered their lives, many displaced, property stolen, homes demolished, and the list goes on. It is time the UN tried to remedy the wrong.
The Palestinians cannot recognize Israel as anything but their occupier. To recognize it in any other way is simply endorsing a military occupation, and admitting the blockades, land grabs, demolition of homes, control of their water, and inability to move freely within their territories, is okay. If Israel is recognized by the Palestinians as a Jewish state, would Israel then reciprocate and recognize Palestine as an Arab or Islamic state? Fair is fair.
The US should insist on this.
Bibi keeps moving the goal post, and the US is foolish enough to think it can score that goal.
I agree, it seems much as they deny saying it, they do want to "rid the Galilee of the Arabs", by terror, assassination, intimidation, land confiscation and the cutting of social services", and every mentioned action has been carried through by a ruthless military occupation.
I hope the Palestinians will do the next best thing and go to the ICC, with proof of the endless violations of international laws, committed by the occupier. The sooner Israel realizes the world (minus the US) is serious about boycotting and sanctions the better. Israel operates with the notion that the world is completely blind to it's transgressions, crimes, and master plan.
Excellent article. Yes, why indeed does Netanyahu keep insisting the Palestinians must recognize Israel as a "Jewish state"?
What does being recognized as a Jewish state got to do with the security of Israel? Chances of the Palestinians thinking it is a Islamic state is slim to none, and the entire world hears ad nauseam, that it is a Jewish state, as Netanyahu keeps making sure he must mentions this status, in every speech and interview.
It must take some chutzpah for an occupier, who has not still recognized the rights of the occupied, nor agreed to their freedom, and who has violated many international laws including illegal settlements in disputed territories, control of Palestinian water, destruction of their olive trees, demolition of their homes,
the endless killings of unarmed civilians by their fences, the decades of blockades and deprivation of basic rights, to keep insisting that the occupied "recognize" them in any way.
Would Bibi Netanyahu then "recognize" the State of Palestine, as an Islamic or Arab state in return?
This is simply yet another attempt by Netanyahu and Israel, to find an excuse to keep the status quo going. Perhaps the occupier prefers to keep wielding power over these long suffering people.
McCain would never have had ANY kind of diplomatic talks, or made an effort to settle this first by trying to get to an agreement with Iran. Didn't McCain joke about bomb, bomb Iran?
I do not agree with many of Obama's policies, especially the one he seems to be okay with, the dreadful drones.
To dsmith, the President has explained very well, his intentions regarding a peaceful agreement with Iran, and it is impressive, unlike the previous White House administration, he intends resolving this serious problem initially with diplomatic negotiations, and not shock and awe tactics. I sincerely hope for all our sakes, and the Iranian people, we can resolve this in a civilized manner.
I will look forward to the response to your next letter, which will be very interesting, and I thank you for writing and asking for sanctions on Israel, who has always got away with human rights violations, illegal settlements, and a military occupation, that had it been any other rogue state, we would have sanctioned and boycotted long time ago.
O'Reilly's lack of information (putting it mildly) does not make him understand that some of these nations were far ahead of the US when it came to electing a woman as head of state. The US is not perfect when it comes to women's rights even today…we still do not pay women equally as men, and that is indeed backward and discriminating. It must be nice sitting in one's country, with no idea what goes on in the outside world, and making ignorant comments.
Why do they ignore the crisis going on in the Palestinian territories, the military occupation, blockades, land thefts, and Palestinian children in their hundreds languishing in Israeli jails, with no legal recourse? Why do they keep sending the most aid and unwavering support to an occupier, pretending that the nation we arm and aid are the victims? Are they so ignorant, that they simply cannot acknowledge that Palestinian territories are shrinking, and that 90 percent of the water they have access to is contaminated, while the occupier controls it, and even sells it to these poor people? The entire world knows this, but the US pretends it is doing Israelis a big favor.
It is heartening to know that there are Israeli activists marching for the freedom of the Palestinians. It is time these protests got louder around the world, boycotts started, and a louder message sent to Israel.
Richard Falk makes a lot of sense. It is a pity that some simply do not have the ability to hear any criticism of Israel, and it's many condemned policies, and the occupation. The accusations of anti semitism in such cases ring hollow, are totally inappropriate, and meant to silence those who dare speak up against Israel.
"He added that Said and many Palestinians became progressively more disillusioned over Palestine’s long struggle for statehood, because Israel allegedly refused to recognize Palestinian rights and accelerated violations of international law.
“However barbaric the Holocaust, it did not excuse the failing of justice for the Palestinian people, who were fully entitled to live on the land of historic Palestine,” Falk said.
Well said Professor Falk.
Who in their right mind will expect any occupied people to acknowledge the existence of their occupiers, the armed neighbor that wields power over them?
Most of all, Israel has NOT recognized the rights of the Palestinians, and even made a desperate attempt to prevent them being recognized at the UN, with the help of their top aid giver and supporter, the US.
It must have been hard when the majority in the world decided to send Israel a message, and voted the Palestinians in.
Israel demands they be recognized by the victims of their occupation, while it refuses to grant them their freedom and rights. What chutzpah.
This should not surprise us...Saddam Hussein insisted he did not have WMD's and it turned out to be right. We have spent trillions, killed hundreds of thousands, lost thousands of our troops, and left chaos and an ongoing civil war raging there.
The media usually likes to go with the war monger's narrative, and keep ignoring the real story, like the truth about yellow cake from Niger, for which a CIA agent was outed, because her diplomatic husband found out before the war, it was a huge hoax. For the saber rattlers to keep pushing for war, and want the Iranian people to suffer the consequences of it, they have to keep feeding the media with the lies, or make them ignore what could bring more balance into the coverage. It seems the US media never learns from past mistakes. They do indeed seem controlled, afraid to criticize, or highlight the truth.
Good question, why do we call it "Arab" failures? Nations fail because of bad leadership, poor policies, or the inability of it's citizens to put aside all differences for a common goal. Some even have begun because of instigation and interference by other nations. Millions have been poured into anti Islamic campaigns, so labeling any conflict into "Arab" or Islamic nations failures, plays into the hands of these anti Muslims bigots, and the media, also has to take for blame for labeling it as such. Do we ever hear the military occupation of the Palestinians as a Jewish occupation, or the now two infamous and failed wars by the US on Afghanistan and Iraq as White/Christian led wars?
Perhaps the Arabs being semites, should also start accusing the name callers, anti semitic. Or has someone else trade marked those words exclusively for themselves?
All you have to do is flip this situation around, and imagine Israeli children being dragged away to prison in the middle of the night, abused, and having no access to lawyers or parents, and you don't have to guess how the occupiers would have reacted...you would hear the howls of anti semitism and victimization from the moon. The US congress are the enablers to this inhumane and abusive treatment of children. They know what goes on there, and the vicious treatment of children, but they keep sending the love and aid. Disgusting.
The international community, including the US, did take their own sweet time to intervene, when they did, thousands of Muslims had already been massacred.
From the Brookings Institute:
"For over four years following the breakup of Yugoslavia and the onset of war, first in Croatia and then in Bosnia, the United States refused to take the lead in trying to end the violence and conflict. While many have written eloquently and passionately to explain Washington's—and the West's—failure to stop the ethnic cleansing, the concentration camps, and the massacres of hundreds of thousands of civilians, few have examined why, in the summer of 1995, the United States finally did take on a leadership role to end the war in Bosnia."
I am not specifically saying the US is the only nation that is indifferent to ethnic cleansing...right now there are a few nations where Muslims are ethnically being cleansed, and everyone seems to be slow in doing something about it. It seems there is no sense of urgency to do anything about it. How many must die before something is finally done to help? As I stated, ethnic cleansing, by any group against minorities MUST be dealt with promptly and severely. I don't mean only against Muslims either.
It has been noticed of course...and persecution of any minority by the majority religion, is deplorable. Are the politicians and churches not doing enough about it, and using their clout in trying to bring world attention to this? Yes. At least the Christians have influential leaders, both religious and political, who can do something about it, whereas the Muslims having no hierarchy, have no credible leader strong enough to bring attention and actions in nations like Myanmar, CAR etc., and as stated before, no one really cares.
It is ironic that these horrible crimes of ethnic cleansing, by murders and attacks on poor, unarmed, civilians, go unnoticed in the world, especially in the US? By the reports on the media, it seems the world is only full of Muslim jihadists, yet these brutal attacks on Muslims in CAR and even Myanmar, by the majority in those countries, keep going on, and no one seems to be doing anything to stop it. A new article in Juan Cole shows Americans do not have favorable opinions about Muslims, which explains why they are indifferent to what is going on, even when it comes to the Palestinians. After all, aren't they "ALL" terrorists?
To your point, today a young Palestinian man was shot by the IDF, and another injured. His crime? Collecting gravel near a border fence. Many Palestinians, including unarmed teenagers have been killed in these meaningless border killings. It seems the mighty IDF is afraid of these unarmed civilians, and plays God by choosing who must be killed, and justifies the killing by calling them suspicious, and perhaps terrorists. Unfortunately, the American media keeps quiet about these on going murders, never mentioned, for the American people must keep believing the violence is always one sided - from the Palestinians only.
It seems the rest of the world is fully aware of Israel's crimes against unarmed civilians, because unlike the US, they deem it one of the most disliked nations in the world, for good reason.
The Palestinians should take a page off the illegal settlers books, and start price tag attacks on this building. This in your face move by Israel, is disgusting, and it seems they are taking advantage of the helplessness of their victims, the Palestinians. This military occupation has been going on for too long, and to keep thumbing it's nose at the world at a time when the US is trying to negotiate peace between the two people, is yet again, the arrogance Israel has shown the world.
These are brown skinned Muslims, far, far, away from our shores, and as deplorable as these drones are, most probably most Americans will simply shrug this away, or buy the narrative that this is collateral damage, while in the pursuit of terrorists.
One day we may find drones entering American airspace, and then the outrage will be deafening.
The truth is, things were better under Saddam Hussein. He may have been a tyrant, but it was the actions of the US, that have resulted in terrorism, extremism, and sectarian violence.
In his crazy way, he was able to keep his country from chaos and confusion that rages over there. The people were able to get about their lives in peace with no suicide bombs and car explosions at market places. To think Americans still wonder why we are hated so much!
When you read this well written article you realize the America we knew and were happy to live in, no thanks to bad political moves by our leaders, is unrecognizable, and not the same anymore. I arrived in the US decades ago, and had I known what it would be today, perhaps I might not have stayed. Perhaps my expectations were unreasonable.
All good points. If only these shameless congress people had the good sense to reason out, and stop carrying the water for an alien nation, that, let's be honest, does not care a fig for the interests of the US or Americans, but their own devious plans.
It is incredible to think that they do the bidding of a tiny war mongering nation, and go against their own President. Iran is not Iraq, and any attack against Iran, will be deadly for not only the US but the region too. Iran will retaliate in ways that will make these senator's heads spin. It seems they have forgotten that wars have to be averted, and it always is best to give diplomacy a chance, before dropping bombs on innocent civilians. It is time someone in the controlled media, did the American people a favor, and told them the truth.....that the fools they vote for, put the interests of a manipulative, alien nation, whose lobby writes our foreign policies, over their own interests first. The unwavering aid and support keeps being poured into Israel's coffers, while our people have to do without so much. The writer gives very good points and reasons why we should not do Israel's bidding and wage yet another costly war, that honestly, we simply cannot afford, unfortunately it seems loyalty to Israel makes them blinded to common sense.
Much ado about nothing...Iran simply trying to salvage some national pride, after all it must have been so difficult to comply with many of the conditions set by those negotiating for a peaceful agreement. Let's look on the bright side; it seems Bibi Netanyahu is once again displaying his war mongering and we can watch with amusement, his rants against this "outrageous" move by Iran, and how much threatening they are to the US.
Can't negotiate with a gun to their heads eh? But Israel has held the big guns to the occupied for decades, and it seems reluctant to let go. Every. Excuse in the book will now be used to avoid making peace. To make peace means Israel will lose too much, including land grabs...they are military occupiers building illegal settlement in disputed lands, controlling the water belonging to the occupied, and generally doing as they please...why do they need a peace agreement?
These antisemitic accusations are getting stale and used in ridiculous ways. It is now overused and totally inappropriate in this regard. Kerry has stated the obvious, and it is almost definite that BDS will increase should these peace talks fail. The outrage is overdone...it I seems so easy for Israel to push for sanctions against the Palestinians,and refuse to release their own funds, when they attempted to get recognized at the UN, and urged their servants in congress to do the same, but when it comes to their world condemned land theft and illegal settlements, hey sanctions are antisemitic! Israel sounds more desperate and ridiculous by the day. I hope Americans are finally getting the real picture here.
It was amusing to see the camera's pan down on one of AIPAC's favorite senators, Bob Menendez, as President Obama stated he will veto the sanctions bill against Iran. It is unfortunate Obama's successes, have been downplayed so much. He has disappointed me many times, yet he should be given credit for many policies, that are now taking effect, and easing the situation in the country. He has some achievements worth talking about, but you would not know if you hear the right wingers and those who want him to fail.
Yair Netanyahu who started a Facebook page showing his hatred for Islam, and displaying bigotry, is now dating a Norwegian Christian? I think this is one of life's ironies...he now faces a backlash based on racism and hatred, and a good dose of reality.
He will now feel the intimidation and hatred he has dished out to Arabs and Muslims, from this backlash, and realize to be on the receiving end is not that great. However, the arrogant young Netanyahu can justify the fact he is not dating a Muslim, just a blond, Christian gentile from Norway , considering how his attitude has been so far. I would have said leave the kid alone, but knowing his reputation for being a racist, I say just desserts.
These stats keep coming out year after year, yet the international community simply shrugs and does nothing. Israel gets away with almost anything these days, whether it is murder, torture, or illegal settlements, and the US keeps aiding and supporting a nation that would otherwise be deemed a rogue state by them, if not for it's lobby in the US. The US tax payers should be outraged about this, but they have been deliberately fed with the Israeli narrative about being consistent victims of a people who have been under an occupation for decades, and is basically helpless against the most ruthless military, sophisticated weaponry, and supported by the world's superpower. What chances do they have? Their lands, water, and other resources are being stolen under the watchful eyes of the world, and apart from a few half hearted protests, nothing much changes.
The Palestinians themselves have to get their act together, and stop their agitations, and instead try to work with the world community, and stop being pressurized by the US or Israel, who do not have their best interests at heart. They should not expect those that have occupied, blockaded, and robbed them, to suddenly have genuine concern for their wellbeing.
This is inhumane behavior. This type of separation will never be tolerated by the occupier, in fact they would have been whining and making political hay, had they been so cruelly separated by these restrictions. One special standard for them, and none for their victims. The more difficult they make it for these poor Palestinians, the sooner they can get rid of them in the galilee.
Wasn't that the plan, anyway?
To think our tax money ends up supporting the culprits that inflict such inhumane punishment on any people, is unbelievable.
It is time Obama, Kerry, and the US, told these arrogant land grabbers to go and jump in the Dead Sea...not only do they defy all international laws and keep building illegal settlements in disputed land, they also want the Palestinians to yield to their unreasonable demands. International laws go against them, yet they keep showing this unbelievable chutzpah when it comes to extracting all they can from their victims. This is why their actions have shown they want absolutely no peace with their neighbors, the status quo is much more lucrative, and pretending to be victims has huge benefits.
No of course not...they must be the only occupying nation, armed with the most sophisticated weapons, unwavering support and aid from the US, and being condemned by the entire world for building illegal settlements, that keeps getting bullied by their entire neighborhood, plus the rest of the world too. Poor Israel.
The EU should not be intimidated by the usual methods Israel displays when censured. Israel needs the EU more than the EU needs Israel, and if the EU does not make this stand, once again the builder of illegal settlements and land grabs, will get away scot free. The world can never depend on the AIPAC controlled US to do the right thing....it is up to Europe to stick to their guns, and keep the pressure on Israel. About time, actually. The EU is not condemning these illegal settlements on a whim, the entire world condemns it, and it goes against UN resolutions. So really, the EU is doing the right thing, and being bullied into submission, a well known ploy by Israel, should not deter them.
A well written article giving us insight into the chaos and confusion Bush and Cheney inflicted on a nation that had not harmed us, and it shows not only did we mess it up big time, but how the Bush administration and the neocons, with the aid of the media, covered up big blunders they made, for example in Fallujah. Fallujah not only suffered the consequences of a major onslaught, but the aftermath was terrible...to this day little babies are born deformed and suffering from incurable diseases. So much for winning hearts and minds. The American people, as this article shows, have been deliberately kept in the dark about the tragic blunders made by US troops, by the time these war crimes are uncovered, it will be too late.
I agree to what you say...they have disrespect and humiliated both President Obama and VP Biden on a few occasion, regarding illegal settlements, timing the announcements of building even more, to coincide with a meeting or visit.
We must have pretty weak leaders who keep turning the other cheek.
To your point, he was called the Butcher of Beirut, the Bulldozer (his style) and the father of settlements....we see some of these qualities going on even today.
The question is, why are HRW and others so slow in responding to war crimes by war criminals? Why wait until someone is old and even dead, to discuss it? HRW or the ICC should be independent enough to decide who should face criminal charges, and be able to withstand the pressure from wealthier nations like the US, who play favorites and decides who should be hauled to criminal courts. George Bush and Dick Cheney should also be on that long list of war criminals.
To your point Sharon was found personally responsible for Sabra and Shatila, by an Israeli investigation (Kahan). Still, he got away, and went on to bulldoze his way into being PM.
You are absolutely right, Juan Cole, the US has consistently shown indifference to the many human rights violations committed by many of Israel's leaders. If this was Arafat who had been found personally responsible for the massacre at Shabra and Shatila, or had a Palestinian village like Qibya attacked by his
men, in which scores of unarmed men, women and little children were ruthlessly killed, synagogues, homes and schools destroyed, would the US have pretended to be outraged and allowed the war criminal to get away? The double standards are sickening.
By now we should have stopped the aid, and ordered Israel to stop acting like an out of control thug, if they want to continue sponging off US taxpayers. We hold the upper hand in this, and yet, our leaders have their chains yanked by Israel through AIPAC.
Well said. It is unbelievable that Obama's first words in his condolences were about unshakeable support for Israel. Now I wonder if he has ever uttered such support for any nation, when one of their previous leaders passed away. Certainly not for South Africa, when Nelson Mandela passed away. So why this continued assurance of love and support for only Israel?
I wonder if he US media mentions the horrible, horrible massacres at Sabra and Shatila. I am out of the country at the moment, and can only guess they must be praising the man responsible for these massacres, and singing his praises.
From what I heard in the media, VP Biden will be representing the US. They should just send Menendez, he would have loved to have shown his devotion to Israel at this time.
Some may call it a desperate attempt to level the playing field.
One sided wars are unfair.
I never thought I'd actually see a bunch of congresspeople, who would not be there if not for their voters, take a stand against their OWN President, and try to pass a bill that would be detrimental to the on going peace talks with Iran. Right now we are seeing in action, what we have always known - American leaders doing the bidding of a foreign lobby, whose main intent is to do what a foreign nation commands, even if it derails the efforts made by their own President. Menendez, who is one of Israel's dutiful servants, will never get my vote next time.
This is yet again proof that Israel harbors and protects these thugs, who have consistently caused irreparable damage on Mosques, and has been life miserable for Palestinians.
The UN states that In 2012, over 7,500 olive trees belonging to West Bank Palestinians have been damaged or destroyed by Israeli settlers. No wonder the US State Department calls their attacks "terroristic activities". Time the US reconsidered sending aid to a nation that breaks international laws, and does not heed any warnings. The Israeli government is either inept, or deliberately looks the other way, while these front line thugs keep committing these crimes.
What can you expect from Israel's front line thugs, apart from crimes on poor Palestinian farmers, firebombing cars, burning Mosques, and disgusting graffiti showing how racist they are.
It seems the IDF either pretends they cannot see, or cannot control them.
We took a bad situation, made it worse, and left behind chaos and confusion. As Collin Powell said, we broke it, it is ours.
If only we can learn to not start unilateral wars, and then whine that democracy has not been welcome there, like our troops.
That would be "recognized in negotiations".
I doubt any of those "Islamic states" demanded they be recognized in negations, especially with the people they have blockaded, had their territories occupied, and oppressed.
Juan Cole is absolutely right. You have got to wonder exactly why Israel is so obsessed by demanding to be recognized as a "Jewish" state. It is as ridiculous as the US demanding to be recognized as a Christian state. The entire world knows Israel is predominantly a Jewish nation, so why the desperation? Israel still has not acknowledged the rights of the Palestinian people, nor the fact that they have been systematically marginalized, losing land and water, yet Israel keeps insisting the occupied must recognize the occupier by it's religion. I guess it will be easier to use the "anti semitic" accusations, if Israel is "recognized" as a Jewish state, because everyone who criticizes Israel's transgressions, can then be accused of anti semitism.
About time too. Their hopes for achieving peace prevented such measures, as the US must have warned them against doing so.
They should not hesitate to initiate such complaint, if Israel does not cooperate and agree to peace, and freedom for Palestinians.
Time the US stepped up their green energy and got in step with other developed nations.
We should all wonder how Israel would react, if the world boycotted it, or denied it electricity, when one of their illegal settlers firebombed a car, killing it's passengers. We can only imagine the outrage.
Remember Americans feel they are helping a victim here, for that is what they have been told, and will be told. The truth will never be told in the US. Americans are duped into sending the most aid to an occupier, armed and protected by the US
Sometimes it seems Israel is too dense not to read the warning signs. Eventually, crimes that is world condemned, including illegal settlement building, will not be tolerated, and US support will weaken. Many Jews around the world do not agree with this display of greed either, so when the EU takes a stand, it means something is changing, and it will not be in Israel's favor.
Since the US arrogantly took a bad situation in Iraq and made it worse, I guess it is morally and legally responsible for trying to right the disaster we created. Unfortunately, the American people need help at this point too, but will not get it.
Come on, let's be honest here, Israel, far too many times, have thumbed it's arrogant nose at the US and the rest of the world, and at crucial times flaunted the fact that they are defying the entire world and building this cursed settlements, that are detrimental to peace between these waring factions. Yet the US has whispered it's "disapproval" and keeps enabling the occupier, plying it with more weapons and the most aid. Any other nation would have been boycotted and aid stopped immediately. Let me remind the readers here that the Palestinians were immediately threatened to have their aid cut by the servants of AIPAC in Congress, when they legitimately made an effort to be recognized at the UN by this same Congress. The US if genuinely concerned can do much more to halt these shameful thefts of land, water, and occupation, but really who here is convinced they want to? It is all in the hands of the US, but they seem to keep playing along with Israel's endless charade.
The Evangelical Zionists in the US seems unaware that Israel has not only marginalized Muslim Arabs, but trying to marginalize Christians too. They have shrunk Nazareth the birth place of Jesus, protected those who attacked Churches, and even the Vatican have blamed them for such attacks.
The adoration of Israel however by misguided American Christians, goes on.
Thank you for this gem. The information about the composer and what inspired him to write this, is very interesting.
The drones attacks on innocent civilians are disgraceful, and America's shame. If ONE American wedding party had been shattered by alien drones, and innocent people died, imagine the outrage. These are men, women, and little children, who are paying for the arrogance of American policies. Who are we after all, to decide who the extremists are, and why they should be killed, even if they are among many innocent people? It could be considered a form of terrorism too.
The big question is, just how loyal are these shameless senators, to their own President and country? Here we have a President trying hard to avoid war and more deaths in this rather delicate situation with Iran, and who do they support? An alien nation, and it's Prime Minister, who have consistently pushed for war, and an attack on Iran, which would cost us, the US, lives,and put us in a bigger economic mess. Menendez has taken his undying devotion to Israel to yet another low. His desire to do AIPAC's bidding should make many Americans question his ethics and loyalty, and question him and the others of equal shame, why they keep insisting on NOT giving their own nation and President, a chance to avoid more American lives being lost, or at risk.
I did not vote for Menendez, and he seems to avoid the questions I ask for as a constituent, because he is unable to defend his disgusting support for Israel. Americans should wake up to this unshakeable loyalty to Israel by Congress, that has cost us too much in many ways.
It is about time some entity or nation, that is able to resist any intimidation from lobbies or leagues, stand up and do something to help these poor people.
The UN has predicted the Palestinian territories will be unlivable by 2020, and it seems the easy way out for the US, EU and other nations, to ignore warnings and just pretend it is not happening.
The US is NOT going to initiate any punitive measures against the occupier for it's endless crimes against humanity, in fact it will continue to support, aid and arm, this nation that keeps getting away with breaking international laws, and has been a burden for the US for all these years. If the EU does not step in at this time, the Palestinian people who are already losing their lands, farms, water, and dignity, will vanish from the territories they have claim to, by acts of terror, assassination, intimidation, and the cutting of social services, by those who were once homeless, but now has the chutzpah to use US aid to extract all they can from their neighbors.
No religion will condone this kind of ill treatment of innocent civilians. These poor fishermen, like the farmers, have been deprived of their livelihood by mean spirited actions, that are primarily done in order to drive them away from their own trade, due to suffering. A once thriving civilization, these Palestinians have endured hardship and endless punitive actions, by a very aggressive and violent government, that has occupied, blockaded, and in the process of making these territories unlivable. The inhumane treatment of these poor people goes on, while the rest of the world looks the other way. The US has been enabling, arming, and protecting, the wrong side.