Sunday, August 31, 2014

Boycott Israel

Citizens of Israel Charge Israel with Genocide

Via - Cynthia Ralls
August 31, 2014

Boycott from Within has sent the following letter to the United
Nations Office of the Special Adviser on the Prevention of
Genocide.

We encourage others to do the same at:
http://www.un.org/en/preventgenocide/adviser/contactform.asp?address=1.
You may use this letter.

Dear Madame/Sir,

We are citizens of Israel who oppose our government's policies of
colonialism, occupation and apartheid against the Palestinian
people and its actions which may amount to genocide.

We write to you following thirteen days of an ongoing massacre,
which is being perpetrated by Israel in the besieged Gaza Strip.

As the death toll is rising, it now stands at 400 casualties and 3100
injured.

The UN has declared, via UNICEF, that over a third of the victims
are children.

As you well know, this massacre was preceded by a month of
massive Israeli violence and political persecution in the occupied
West Bank, including the arrest of hundreds of so-called "Hamas-
affiliated" men and boys. Meanwhile, Israeli mobs run wild in the
streets of our cities, shouting the chilling “Death to the Arabs”
chants (as well as "Death to the Leftists").

You cannot ignore the fact, especially during this UN-declared
“year of solidarity with the Palestinian people”, that two similar
massacres have already been perpetrated by Israel in the short span
of six years; that Gaza suffocates under Israel’s hermetic siege;
that Israel has been perpetrating an ongoing ethnic cleansing
against the indigenous people of Palestine since 1948 and up to this
day; and that Israel believes it may exterminate hundreds of
Palestinians in Gaza every two years and do so with full impunity.

The UN states that “Where genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing
and crimes against humanity do occur, the International Criminal
Court, which is separate and independent from the UN, is
empowered to investigate and prosecute those most responsible if
a state is unwilling or unable to exercise jurisdiction over alleged
perpetrators.”

Israel is well beyond the point of prevention and we, its
privileged citizens, are hereby charging it with genocide.

We demand that your office will do everything in its power
to halt Israeli genocide as it is taking place.

We demand that you take immediate action to prevent Israel’s
genocide against the Palestinian people.

We will be following your conduct on this matter.

Sincerely,

BOYCOTT! Supporting the Palestinian BDS Call from Within

http://boycottisrael.info/content/citizens-israel-charge-israel-
genocide

Rogue State: Israeli Violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions

Rogue State: Israeli Violations of U.N. Security Council Resolutions

Via - Samantha Como
By Jeremy R. Hammond
Foreign Policy Journal
August 31, 2014

Following is a list of United Nations Security Council resolutions
directly critical of Israel for violations of U.N. Security Council
resolutions, the U.N. Charter, the Geneva Conventions,
international terrorism, or other violations of international law.

The United Nations Security Council Chamber in New York

Res. 57 (Sep. 18, 1948) – Expresses deep shock at the assassination
of the U.N. Mediator in Palestine, Count Folke Bernadotte, by
Zionist terrorists.

Res. 89 (Nov. 17, 1950) – Requests that attention be given to the
expulsion of “thousands of Palestine Arabs” and calls upon
concerned governments to take no further action “involving the
transfer of persons across international frontiers or armistice lines”,
and notes that Israel announced that it would withdraw to the
armistice lines.

Res. 93 (May 18, 1951) – Finds that Israeli airstrikes on Syria on April
5, 1951 constitutes “a violation of the cease-fire”, and decides that
Arab civilians expelled from the demilitarized zone by Israel should
be allowed to return.

Res. 100 (Oct. 27, 1953) – Notes that Israel had said it would stop
work it started in the demilitarized zone on September 2, 1953.

Res. 101 (Nov. 24, 1953) – Finds Israel’s attack on Qibya, Jordan
on October 14-15, 1953 to be a violation of the cease-fire and
“Expresses the strongest censure of that action”.

Res. 106 (Mar. 29, 1955) – Condemns Israel’s attack on Egyptian
forces in the Gaza Strip on February 28, 1955.

Res. 111 (Jan. 19, 1956) – Condemns Israel’s attack on Syria on
December 11, 1955 as “a flagrant violation of the cease-fire”
and armistice agreement.

Res. 119 (Oct. 31, 1956) – Considers that “a grave situation has
been created” by the attack against Egypt by the forces of Britain,
France, and Israel.

Res. 171 (Apr. 9, 1962) – Reaffirms resolution 111 and determines
that Israel’s attack on Syria on March 16-17, 1962 “constitutes a
flagrant violation of that resolution”.

Res. 228 (Nov. 25, 1966) – “Deplores the loss of life and heavy
damage to property resulting from the action” by Israel in the
southern Hebron area on November 13, 1966, and “Censures Israel
for this large-scale military action in violation of the United Nations
Charter” and the armistice agreement between Israel and Jordan.

Res. 237 (Jun. 14, 1967) – Calls on Israel “to ensure the safety,
welfare and security of the inhabitants where military operations
have taken place” during the war launched by Israel on June 5,
1967 “and to facilitate the return of those inhabitants who have
fled the areas since the outbreak of hostilities”.

Res. 242 (Nov. 22, 1967) – Emphasizes “the inadmissibility of the
acquisition of territory by war”, emphasizes that member states
have a commitment to abide by the U.N. Charter, and calls for
the “Withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied”
during the June 1967 war.

Res. 248 (Mar. 24, 1968) – Observes that the Israeli attack on Jordan
“was of a large-scale and carefully planned nature”, “Deplores the
loss of life and heavy damage to property”, “Condemns the military
action launched by Israel in flagrant violation of the United Nations
Charter and the cease-fire resolutions”, and “Calls upon Israel to
desist from” further violations of resolution 237.

Res. 250 (Apr. 27, 1968) – Considers “that the holding of a military
parade in Jerusalem will aggravate tensions in the area and have
an adverse effect on a peaceful settlement of the problems in the
area” and “Calls upon Israel to refrain from holding the military
parade in Jerusalem which is contemplated” for May 2, 1968.

Res. 251 (May 2, 1968) – Recalls resolution 250 and “Deeply
deplores the holding by Israel of the military parade in Jerusalem”
on May 2, 1968 “in disregard of” resolution 250.

Res. 252 (May 21, 1968) – “Deplores the failure of Israel to comply
with” General Assembly resolutions 2253 and 2254, considers
Israel’s annexation of Jerusalem “invalid”, and calls upon Israel
“to rescind all such measures already taken and to desist forthwith
from taking any further action which tends to change the status of
Jerusalem”.

Res. 256 (Aug. 16, 1968) – Recalls Israel’s “flagrant violation of the
United Nations Charter” condemned in resolution 248, observes
that further Israeli air attacks on Jordan “were of a large scale and
carefully planned nature in violation of resolution 248”, “Deplores
the loss of life and heavy damage to property”, and condemns
Israel’s attacks.

Res. 259 (Sep. 27, 1968) – Expresses concern for “the safety,
welfare and security” of the Palestinians “under military
occupation by Israel”, deplores “the delay in the implementation
of resolution 237 (1967) because of the conditions still being set
by Israel for receiving a Special Representative of the Secretary-
General”, and requests Israel to receive the Special Representative
and facilitate his work.

Res. 262 (Dec. 31, 1968) – Observes “that the military action by the
armed forces of Israel against the civil International Airport of
Beirut was premeditated and of a large scale and carefully planned
nature”, and condemns Israel for the attack.

Res.265 (Apr. 1, 1969) – Expresses “deep concern that the recent
attacks on Jordanian villages and other populated areas were of
a pre-planned nature, in violation of resolutions” 248 and 256,
“Deplores the loss of civilian life and damage to property”, and
“Condemns the recent premeditated air attacks launched by Israel
on Jordanian villages and populated areas in flagrant violation of
the United Nations Charter and the cease-fire resolutions”.

Res. 267 (Jul. 3, 1969) – Recalls resolution 252 and General
Assembly resolutions 2253 and 2254, notes that “since the adoption
of the above-mentioned resolutions Israel has taken further
measures tending to change the status of the City of Jerusalem”,
reaffirms “the established principle that acquisition of territory by
military conquest is inadmissible”, “Deplores the failure of Israel to
show any regard for the resolutions”, “Censures in the strongest
terms all measures taken to change the status of the City of
Jerusalem”, “Confirms that all legislative and administrative
measures and actions taken by Israel which purport to alter the
status of Jerusalem, including expropriation of land and properties
thereon, are invalid and cannot change that status”, and urgently
calls on Israel to rescind the measures taken to annex Jerusalem.

Res. 270 (Aug. 26, 1969) – “Condemns the premeditated air attack
by Israel on villages in southern Lebanon in violation of its
obligations under the Charter and Security Council resolutions”.

Res. 271 (Sep. 15, 1969) – Expresses grief “at the extensive damage
caused by arson to the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem” on
August 21, 1969 “under the military occupation of Israel”, reaffirms
“the established principle that acquisition of territory by military
conquest is inadmissible”, “Determines that the execrable act of
desecration and profanation of the Holy Al-Aqsa Mosque emphasizes
the immediate necessity of Israel’s desisting from acting in
violation” previous resolutions and rescinding measures to annex
Jerusalem, calls on Israel “to observe the provisions of the Geneva
Conventions and international law governing military occupation”,
and condemns Israel’s failure to comply with previous resolutions.

Res. 279 (May 12, 1970) – “Demands the immediate withdrawal of
all Israeli armed forces from Lebanese territory.”

Res. 280 (May 19, 1970) – Expresses conviction that “that the Israeli military attack against Lebanon was premeditated and of a large scale and carefully planned in nature”, recalls resolution 279 “demanding the immediate withdrawal of all Israeli armed forces from Lebanese territory”, deplores Israel’s violation of resolutions 262 and 270, “Condemns Israel for its premeditated military action in violation of its obligations under the Charter of the United Nations”, and “Deplores the loss of life and damage to property inflicted as a result” of Israeli violations of Security Council resolutions.

Res. 285 (Sep. 5, 1970) – “Demands the complete and immediate withdrawal of all Israeli armed forces from Lebanese territory.”

Res. 298 (Sep. 25, 1971) – Recalls resolutions 252 and 267 and General Assembly resolutions 2253 and 2254 concerning Israel’s measures to annex Jerusalem, reaffirms “the principle that acquisition of territory by military conquest is inadmissible”, notes “the non-compliance by Israel” of the recalled resolutions, deplores Israel’s failure to respect the resolutions, confirms that Israel’s actions “are totally invalid”, and urgently calls on Israel to rescind its measures and take “no further steps in the occupied section of Jerusalem” to change the status of the city.

Res. 313 (Feb. 28, 1972) – “Demands that Israel immediately desist and refrain from any ground and air military action against Lebanon and forthwith withdraw all its military forces from Lebanese territory.”

Res. 316 (Jun. 26, 1972) – Deplores “the tragic loss of life resulting from all acts of violence”, expresses grave concern “at Israel’s failure to comply with Security Council resolutions” 262, 270, 280, 285, and 313 “calling on Israel to desist forthwith from any violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon”, calls on Israel to abide by the resolutions, and condemns “the repeated attacks of Israeli forces on Lebanese territory and population in violation of the principles of the Charter of the United Nations and Israel’s obligations thereunder”.

Res. 317 (Jul. 21, 1972) – Notes resolution 316, deplores the fact that Israel had not yet released “Syrian and Lebanese military and security personnel abducted by Israeli armed forces from Lebanese territory” on June 21, 1972, and calls on Israel to release the prisoners.

Res. 332 (Apr. 21, 1972) – “Condemns the repeated military attacks conducted by Israel against Lebanon and Israel’s violation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty” in violation of the U.N. Charter, the armistice agreement, and cease-fire resolutions.

Res. 337 (Aug. 15, 1973) – Notes “the violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” by Israel “and the hijacking, by the Israeli air force, of a Lebanese civilian airliner on lease to Iraqi Airways”, expresses grave concern “that such an act carried out by Israel, a Member of the United Nations, constitutes a serious interference with international civil aviation and a violation of the Charter of the United Nations”, recognizes “that such an act could jeopardize the lives and safety of passengers and crew and violates the provisions of international conventions safeguarding civil aviation”, condemns Israel “for violating Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and for the forcible diversion and seizure by the Israeli air force of a Lebanese airliner from Lebanon’s air space”, and considers that Israel’s actions constitute a violation of the armistice agreement, cease-fire resolutions, the U.N. Charter, “the international conventions on civil aviation and the principles of international law and morality”.

Res. 347 (Apr. 24, 1974) – “Condemns Israel’s violation of Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty and calls once more on the Government of Israel to refrain from further military actions and threats against Lebanon”, and calls on Israel “to release and return to Lebanon the abducted Lebanese civilians”.

Res. 425 (Mar. 19, 1978) – “Calls for strict respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon within its internationally recognized boundaries”, and “Calls upon Israel immediately to cease its military action against Lebanese territorial integrity and withdraw forthwith its forces from all Lebanese territory”.

Res. 427 (May 3, 1978) – “Calls upon Israel to complete its withdrawal from all Lebanese territory without any further delay”.

Res. 446 (Mar. 22, 1979) – Affirms “once more that the Fourth Geneva Convention … is applicable to the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, “Determines that the policy and practices of Israel in establishing settlements in the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967 have no legal validity and constitute a serious obstruction to achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East”, “Strongly deplores the failure of Israel to abide by” resolutions 237, 252, and 298, and General Assembly resolutions 2253 and 2254, and calls on Israel “as the occupying Power” to abide by the Fourth Geneva Convention, to “rescind its previous measures and to desist from any action which would result in changing the legal status and geographical nature and materially affecting the demographic composition of the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, and, in particular, not to transfer parts of its own civilian population into the occupied Arab territories”.

Res. 450 (Jun. 14, 1979) – “Strongly deplores acts of violence against Lebanon that have led to the displacement of civilians, including Palestinians, and brought about destruction and loss of innocent lives”, and calls on Israel to cease actions against Lebanon, “in particular its incursions into Lebanon and the assistance it continues to lend to irresponsible armed groups”.

Res. 452 (Jul. 20, 1979) – Strongly deplores “the lack of co-operation of Israel” with the Security Council Commission “established under resolution 446 (1979) to examine the situation relating to settlements in the Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem”, considers “that the policy of Israel in establishing settlements in the occupied Arab territories has no legal validity and constitutes a violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention”, expresses deep concern at Israel’s policy of constructing settlements “in the occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, and its consequences for the local Arab and Palestinian population”, and calls on Israel to cease such activities.

Res. 465 (Mar. 1, 1980) – Strongly deplores Israel’s refusal to co-operate with the Security Council Commission, regrets Israel’s “formal rejection of” resolutions 446 and 452, deplores Israel’s decision “to officially support Israeli settlement” in the occupied territories, expresses deep concern over Israel’s settlement policy “and its consequences for the local Arab and Palestinian population”, “Strongly deplores the decision of Israel to prohibit the free travel” of the mayor of Hebron “to appear before the Security Council”, and “Determines that all measures taken by Israel to change the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure or status of the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied since 1967, including Jerusalem, or any part thereof, have no legal validity and that Israel’s policy and practices of settling parts of its population and new immigrants in those territories constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention”.

Res. 467 (Apr. 24, 1980) – “Condemns all actions contrary to” resolutions 425, 426, 427, 434, 444, 450, and 459 “and, in particular, strongly deplores” any “violation of Lebanese sovereignty and territorial integrity” and “Israel’s military intervention into Lebanon”.

Res. 468 (May 8, 1980) – Expresses deep concern “at the expulsion by the Israeli military occupation authorities of the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and the Sharia Judge of Hebron” and “Calls upon the Government of Israel as occupying Power to rescind these illegal measures and facilitate the immediate return of the expelled Palestinian leaders so that they can resume the functions for which they were elected and appointed”.

Res. 469 (May 20, 1980) – Recalls the Fourth Geneva Convention “and in particular article 1, which reads ‘The High Contracting Parties undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the present Convention in all circumstances,’ and article 49, which reads ‘Individual or mass forcible transfers, as well as deportations of protected persons from the occupied territory to the territory of the occupying Power or to that of any other country, occupied or not, are prohibited, regardless of their motive”, “Strongly deplores the failure of the Government of Israel to implement Security Council resolution 468”, “Calls again upon the Government of Israel, as occupying Power, to rescind the illegal measures taken by the Israeli military occupation authorities in expelling the Mayors of Hebron and Halhoul and the Sharis Judge of Hebron, and to facilitate the immediate return of the expelled Palestinian leaders, so that they can resume their functions for which they were elected and appointed”.

Res. 471 (Jun. 5, 1980) – Recalls “once again” the Fourth Geneva Convention, “and in particular article 27, which reads, ‘ Protected persons are entitled, in all circumstances, to respect for their persons… They shall at all times be humanely treated, and shall be protected especially against all acts of violence or threats thereof…’”, reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention “to the Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, expresses deep concern “that the Jewish settlers in the occupied Arab territories are allowed to carry arms, thus enabling them to perpetrate crimes against the civilian Arab population”, “Condemns the assassination attempts against the Mayors of Nablus, Ramallah and Al Bireh and calls for the immediate apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrators of these crimes”, “Expresses deep concern that Israel, as the occupying Power, has failed to provide adequate protection to the civilian population in the occupied territories in conformity with the provisions of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War”, calls on Israel “to provide the victims with adequate compensation for the damage suffered as a result of these crimes”, “Calls again upon the government of Israel to respect and to comply with the provisions of” the Fourth Geneva Convention and “the relevant resolutions of the Security Council”, “Calls once again upon all States not to provide Israel with any assistance to be used specifically in connexion [sic] with settlements in the occupied territories”, “Reaffirms the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”.

Res. 476 (Jun. 30, 1980) – Reaffirms that “the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible”, deplores “the persistence of Israel, in changing the physical character, demographic composition, institutional structure and the status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”, expresses grave concern “over the legislative steps initiated in the Israeli Knesset with the aim of changing the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem”, reaffirms “the overriding necessity to end the prolonged occupation of Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, “Strongly deplores the continued refusal of Israel, the occupying Power, to comply with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly”, “Reconfirms that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which purport to later the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem have no legal validity and constitute a flagrant violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention”, “Reiterates that all such measures … are null and void and must be rescinded in compliance with the relevant resolutions of the Security Council”, and “Urgently calls on Israel, the occupying Power, to abide by this and previous Security Council resolutions and to desist forthwith from persisting in the policy and measures affecting the character and status of the Holy city of Jerusalem”.

Res. 478 (Aug. 20, 1980) – Reaffirms “again that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible”, notes “that Israel has not complied with resolution 476”, “Censures in the strongest terms the enactment by Israel of the ‘basic law’ on Jerusalem and the refusal to comply with relevant Security Council resolutions”, “Affirms that the enactment of the ‘basic law’ by Israel constitutes a violation of international law”, “Determines that all legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, the occupying Power, which have altered or purport to alter the character and status of the Holy City of Jerusalem, and in particular the recent ‘basic law’ on Jerusalem, are null and void and must be rescinded forthwith”.

Res. 484 (Dec. 19, 1980) – Expresses “grave concern at the expulsion by Israel of the Mayor of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhoul”, “Reaffirms the applicability of” the Fourth Geneva Convention “to all the Arab territories occupied by Israel in 1967”, “Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to adhere to the provisions of the Convention”, and “Declares it imperative that the Mayor of Hebron and the Mayor of Halhoul be enabled to return to their homes and resume their responsibilities”.

Res. 487 (Jun. 19, 1981) – Expresses full awareness “of the fact that Iraq has been a party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons since it came into force in 1970, that in accordance with that Treaty Iraq has accepted IAEA safeguards on all its nuclear activities, and that the Agency has testified that these safeguards have been satisfactorily applied to date”, notes “furthermore that Israel has not adhered to the non-proliferation Treaty”, expresses deep concern “about the danger to international peace and security created by the premeditated Israeli air attack on Iraqi nuclear installations on 7 June 1981, which could at any time explode the situation in the area, with grave consequences for the vital interests of all States”, “Strongly condemns the military attack by Israel in clear violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of international conduct”, “Further considers that the said attack constitutes a serious threat to the entire IAEA safeguards regime which is the foundation of the non-proliferation Treaty”, “Fully recognizes the inalienable sovereign right of Iraq, and all other States, especially the developing countries, to establish programmes of technological and nuclear development to develop their economy and industry for peaceful purposes in accordance with their present and future needs and consistent with the internationally accepted objectives of preventing nuclear-weapons proliferation”, and “Calls upon Israel urgently to place its nuclear facilities under IAEA safeguards”.

Res. 497 (Dec. 17, 1981) – Reaffirms “that the acquisition of territory by force is inadmissible, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law, and relevant Security Council resolutions”, “Decides that the Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdiction and administration in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is null and void and without international legal effect”, “Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, should rescind forthwith its decision”, and “Determines that all the provisions of the” Fourth Geneva Convention “continue to apply to the Syrian territory occupied by Israel since June 1967”.

Res. 501 (Feb. 25, 1982) – Reaffirms resolution 425 calling upon Israel to cease its military action against Lebanon.

Res. 509 ( Jun. 6, 1982) – “Demands that Israel withdraw all its military forces forthwith and unconditionally to the internationally recognized boundaries of Lebanon”.

Res. 515 (Jul. 29, 1982) – “Demands that the Government of Israel lift immediately the blockade of the city of Beirut in order to permit the dispatch of supplies to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population and allow the distribution of aid provided by United Nations agencies and by non-governmental organizations, particularly the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)”.

Res. 517 (Aug. 4, 1982) – Expresses deep shock and alarm “by the deplorable consequences of the Israeli invasion of Beirut on 3 August 1982”, “Confirms once again its demand for an immediate cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanon”, and “Censures Israel for its failure to comply with” resolutions 508, 509, 512, 513, 515, and 516.

Res. 518 (Aug. 12, 1982) – “Demands that Israel and all parties to the conflict observe strictly the terms of Security Council resolutions relevant to the immediate cessation of all military activities within Lebanon and, particularly, in and around Beirut”, “Demands the immediate lifting of all restrictions on the city of Beirut in order to permit the free entry of supplies to meet the urgent needs of the civilian population in Beirut”.

Res. 520 (Sep. 17, 1982) – “Condemns the recent Israeli incursions into Beirut in violation of the cease-fire agreements and of Security Council resolutions”, and “Demands an immediate return to the positions occupied by Israel before” September 15, 1982 “as a first step towards the full implementation of Security Council resolutions”.

Res. 521 (Sep. 19, 1982) – “Condemns the criminal massacre of Palestinian civilians in Beirut” in the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.

Res. 573 (Oct. 4, 1985) – “Condemns vigorously the act of armed aggression perpetrated by Israel against Tunisian territory in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and norms of conduct”.

Res. 592 (Dec. 8, 1986) – Reaffirms that the Fourth Geneva Convention “is applicable to the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, and “Strongly deplores the opening of fire by the Israeli army resulting in the death and the wounding of defenceless students”.

Res. 605 (Dec. 22, 1987) – “Strongly deplores those policies and practices of Israel, the occupying Power, which violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in the occupied territories, and in particular the opening of fire by the Israeli army, resulting in the killing and wounding of defenceless Palestinian civilians”, and reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention “to the Palestinian and other Arab territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”.

Res. 607 (Jan. 5, 1988) – Expresses “grave concern over the situation in the occupied Palestinian territories”, notes “the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to ‘continue the deportation’ of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories”, “Reaffirms once again” the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention “to Palestinian and other Arab territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, “Calls upon Israel to refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilians from the occupied territories”, and “Strongly requests Israel, the occupying Power, to abide by its obligations arising from the Convention”.

Res. 608 (Jan. 14, 1988) – Reaffirms resolution 607, expresses “deep regret that Israel, the occupying Power, has, in defiance of that resolution, deported Palestinian civilians”, and “Calls upon Israel to rescind the order to deport Palestinian civilians and to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those already deported”.

Res. 611 (Apr. 25, 1988) – Notes “with concern that the aggression perpetrated” by Israelis on April 16, 1988 “in the locality of Sidi Bou Said”, Tunisia, “has caused loss of human life, particularly the assassination of Mr. Khalil El Wazir”, and “Condemns vigorously the aggression perpetrated … against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Tunisia in flagrant violation of the Charter of the United Nations, international law and norms of conduct”.

Res. 636 (Jul. 6, 1989) – Reaffirms resolutions 607 and 608, notes “that Israel, the occupying Power, has once again, in defiance of those resolutions, deported eight Palestinian civilians on 29 June 1989”, Expresses deep regret “the continuing deportation by Israel, the occupying Power, of Palestinian civilians”, “Calls upon Israel to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied Palestinian territories of those deported and to desist forthwith from deporting any other Palestinian civilians”, and “Reaffirms that” the Fourth Geneva Convention “is applicable to the Palestinian territories, occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and to other occupied Arab territories”.

Res. 641 (Aug. 30, 1989) – Reaffirms resolutions 607, 608, and 636, notes that Israel “has once again, in defiance of those resolutions, deported five Palestinian civilians on 27 August 1989”, and “Deplores the continuing deportation by Israel, the occupying Power, of Palestinian civilians”.

Res. 672 (Oct. 12, 1990) – “Expresses alarm at the violence which took place” on October 8, 1990, “at the Al Haram al Shareef and other Holy Places of Jerusalem resulting in over twenty Palestinian deaths and to the injury of more than one hundred and fifty people, including Palestinian civilians and innocent worshippers”, “Condemns especially the acts of violence committed by the Israeli forces resulting in injuries and loss of human life”, and “Requests, in connection with the decision of the Secretary-General to send a mission to the region, which the Council welcomes, that he submit a report to it before the end of October 1990 containing his findings and conclusions and that he use as appropriate all the resources of the United Nations in the region in carrying out the mission.”

Res. 673 (Oct. 24, 1990) – “Deplores the refusal of the Israeli Government to receive the mission of the Secretary-General to the region”, and “Urges the Israeli Government to reconsider its decision and insists that it comply fully with resolution 672 (1990) and to permit the mission of the Secretary-General to proceed in keeping with its purpose”.

Res. 681 (Dec. 20, 1990) – Reaffirms “the obligations of Member States under the United Nations Charter”, reaffirms “also the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war”, expresses alarm “by the decision of the Government of Israel to deport four Palestinians from the occupied territories in contravention of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention” in contravention to resolutions 607, 608, 636, and 641, “Expresses its grave concern over the rejection by Israel of Security Council resolutions” 672 and 673, and “Deplores the decision by the Government of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume deportations of Palestinian civilians in the occupied territories”.

Res. 694 (May 24, 1991) – Reaffirms resolution 681 calling on Israel to respect the Fourth Geneva Convention, notes “with deep concern and consternation that Israel has, in violation of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, and acting in opposition to relevant Security Council resolutions, and to the detriment of efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, deported four Palestinian civilians” on May 18, 1991, “Declares that the action of the Israeli authorities of deporting four Palestinians … is in violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention …, which is applicable to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, and “Deplores this action and reiterates that Israel, the occupying Power, refrain from deporting any Palestinian civilian from the occupied territories and ensure the safe and immediate return of all those deported”.

Res. 726 (Jan. 6, 1992) – Recalls resolutions 607, 608, 636, 641, and 694 calling on Israel to respect the Fourth Geneva Convention, “Strongly condemns the decision of Israel, the occupying Power, to resume deportations of Palestinian civilians”, “Reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention … to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem”, and “requests Israel, the occupying Power, to ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported”.

Res. 799 (Dec. 18, 1992) – Reaffirms resolutions 607, 608, 636, 641, 681, 694, and 726 calling on Israel to respect the Fourth Geneva Convention, notes “with deep concern that Israel, the occupying Power, in contravention of its obligations under the Fourth Geneva Convention …, deported to Lebanon” on December 17, 1992 “hundreds of Palestinian civilians from the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jersualem”, “Strongly condemns the action taken by Israel, the occupying Power, to deport hundreds of Palestinian civilians, and expresses its firm opposition to any such deportation by Israel”, “Reaffirms the applicability of the Fourth Geneva Convention … to all the Palestinian territories occupied by Israel since 1967, including Jerusalem, and affirms that deportation of civilians constitutes a contravention of its obligations under the Convention”, and “Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, ensure the safe and immediate return to the occupied territories of all those deported”.

Res. 904 (Mar. 18, 1994) – Expresses shock at “the appalling massacre committed against Palestinian worshippers in the Mosque of Ibrahim in Hebron” on February 25, 1994 by Jewish settler Baruch Goldstein “during the holy month of Ramadan”, expresses grave concern with “the consequent Palestinian casualties in the occupied Palestinian territory as a result of the massacre, which underlines the need to provide protection and security for the Palestinian people”, notes “the condemnation of this massacre by the entire international community”, “Strongly condemns the massacre in Hebron and its aftermath which took the lives of more than fifty Palestinian civilians and injured several hundred others”, and “Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to continue to take and implement measures, including, inter alia, confiscation of arms, with the aim of preventing illegal acts of violence by Israeli settlers”.

Res. 1073 (Sep. 28, 1996) – Expresses “deep concern about the tragic events in Jerusalem and the areas of Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem and the Gaza Strip, which resulted in a high number of deaths and injuries among the Palestinian civilians, and concerned also about the clashes between the Israeli army and the Palestinian police and the casualties on both sides”, and “Calls for the safety and protection for Palestinian civilians to be ensured”.

Res. 1322 (Oct. 7, 2000) – Expresses deep concern “by the tragic events that have taken place” since September 28, 2000 “that have led to numerous deaths and injuries, mostly among Palestinians”, “Deplores the provocation carried out at Al-Haram Al-Sharif in Jerusalem” on September 28, 2000 “and the subsequent violence there and at other Holy Places, as well as in other areas throughout the territories occupied by Israel since 1967, resulting in over 80 Palestinian deaths and many other casualties”, “Condemns acts of violence, especially the excessive use of force against Palestinians, resulting in injury and loss of human life”, and “Calls upon Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal obligations and its responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention”.

Res. 1402 (Mar. 30, 2002) – Expresses grave concern “at the further deterioration of the situation, including the recent suicide bombings in Israel and the military attack against the headquarters of the president of the Palestinian Authority”, “Calls upon both parties to move immediately to a meaningful cease-fire” and “calls for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian cities, including Ramallah”.

Res. 1403 (Apr. 4, 2002) – Expresses grave concern “at the further
deterioration of the situation on the ground” and “Demands the
implementation of its resolution 1402 (2002) without delay”.

Res. 1405 (Apr. 19, 2002) – Expresses concern for “the dire
humanitarian situation of the Palestinian civilian population, in
particular reports from the Jenin refugee camp of an unknown
number of deaths and destruction”, calls for “the lifting of
restrictions imposed, in particular in Jenin, on the operations of
humanitarian organizations, including the International Committee
of the Red Cross and United Nations Relief and Works Agency for
Palestine Refugees in the Near East”, and “Emphasizes the urgency
of access of medical and humanitarian organizations to the
Palestinian civilian population”.

Res. 1435 (Sep. 24, 2002) – Expresses grave concern “at the
reoccupation of the headquarters of the President of the
Palestinian Authority in the City of Ramallah that took place” on
September 19, 2002, demands “its immediate end”, expresses
alarm “at the reoccupation of Palestinian cities as well as the
severe restrictions imposed on the freedom of movement of persons
and goods, and gravely concerned at the humanitarian crisis being
faced by the Palestinian people”, reiterates “the need for respect
in all circumstances of international humanitarian law, including
the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian
Persons in Time of War”, “Demands that Israel immediately cease
measures in and around Ramallah including the destruction of
Palestinian civilian and security infrastructure”, and “Demands
also the expeditious withdrawal of the Israeli occupying forces
from Palestinian cities towards the return to the positions held
prior to September 2000”.

Res. 1544 (May 19, 2004) – Reaffirms resolutions 242, 338, 446,
1322, 1397, 1402, 1405, 1435, and 1515, reiterates “the obligation
of Israel, the occupying Power, to abide scrupulously by its legal
obligations and responsibilities under the Fourth Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War”,
calls “on Israel to address its security needs within the boundaries
of international law”, expresses “grave concern at the continued
deterioration of the situation on the ground in the territory
occupied by Israel since 1967”, condemns “the killing of Palestinian
civilians that took place in the Rafah area”, expresses grave
concern “by the recent demolition of homes committed by Israel,
the occupying Power, in the Rafah refugee camp”, reaffirms “its
support for the Road Map, endorsed in resolution 1515”, “Calls
on Israel to respect its obligations under international humanitarian
law, and insists, in particular, on its obligation not to undertake
demolition of homes contrary to that law”, and “Calls on both
parties to immediately implement their obligations under the Road
Map”.

Res. 1701 (Aug. 11, 2006) – Expresses “its utmost concern at
the continuing escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and in Israel”
that “has already caused hundreds of deaths and injuries” and
“extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and hundreds of
thousands of internally displaced persons”, and “Calls for a full
cessation of hostilities” including “the immediate cessation by
Israel of all offensive military operations”.

Res. 1860 (Jan. 8, 2009) – Expresses “grave concern at the
escalation of violence and the deterioration of the situation,
in particular the resulting heavy civilian casualties since the
refusal to extend the period of calm”, expresses “grave concern
also at the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza”, “calls for an
immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire, leading to
the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza”, “Calls for the
unimpeded provision and distribution throughout Gaza of
humanitarian assistance, including of food, fuel and medical
treatment”, and “Condemns all violence and hostilities directed
against civilians and all acts of terrorism”.

http://www.foreignpolicyjournal.com/2010/01/27/rogue-state-israeli-violations-of-u-n-security-council-resolutions/view-all

Saturday, August 30, 2014

American Awakening

American Awakening

Via Judy Spady
By David Cox
August 30, 2014

How many people know that Egypt is bombing Libya with the help
of UAE?

How many know that they are doing so with weaponry we provided?

How many know that we are arming the ISIS rebels in Syria while
arming their opposition in the Kurdish north of Iraq?

How many know that we are continuing to arm a bunch of violent
contingencies, preparing the world for a future of massive
conflagration?

How many know that we have already largely succeeded to create
a guaranteed massive fight in the middle east by arming virtually
every sect of Islam?

We shouldn't be on Facebook posting, we should be on the streets
telling our neighbors what is going on and preparing to protect our
communities from harm when the inevitable violence begins.

We need to be education ourselves and waking up our friends and
associates of the evil elements of our federal government that are
actively creating conflict for the purposes of bolstering a societal
control program that we are already significantly in the clutches of.

We need people who understand true cooperation for mutual
benefit depends on those who want to help one another being
active and not staying on the sidelines.

We need people who understand that gun control is merely another
word for disarming the peaceful independent citizenry and creating
dependency on the very people we should be armed against.

All of these actions taken in diametric opposition to our own US
interests are the last pieces of a puzzle that has placed us in a
very precarious position.

None of this is new.

Those who see some sort of positive aspect of killing millions of
brown people in far away lands as a solution to a problem we as the
American people are tacitly complicit in creating are deceived and
ignoring the fact that as soon as the evil doers are capable of
steering the quagmire they have created in the middle east toward
the west, they will.

If we are to avoid the coming calamity, we must extract ourselves
from this brutal future and engage in legitimate self defense in
hopes of protecting lives and property and respecting our fellow
man as ourselves.

Yes there is evil going on in the middle east, can we do something
about it?

Sure, we can stop arming all sides, remove those who are doing this
evil from office and military control, and instead move to protect
our continent from a real invasion by securing our borders, having
active and well trained community response teams integrated with
the sheriff's office and building productive industrial capacity while
having a massive military power capable of fending off and crushing
all outside attack.

All of this should be carried out to ensure the economic, social, and
military independence of those who are committed to respecting
their neighbor as themselves.

The cure for this cancer isn't just kill everyone.

The solution is to only kill those responsible.

Most of the militants are in populated areas, not camped
conveniently by themselves in the desert with a large bullseye
and "terrorists here" emblazened round about.

It's mutual cooperation and respect coupled with the capability to
stop those who are willing to violate others property rights that
secures our future, it's possible and we must act soon to head off a
very grim future.

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Robin Williams: Comic Relief Rest In Peace

Robin Williams: Comic Relief Rest In Peace

Via - Perry Williams
August 28, 2014

A Little Known Robin Williams Story:

“Years ago I learned a very cool thing about Robin Williams, and
I couldn’t watch a movie of his afterward without thinking of it.

I never actually booked Robin Williams for an event, but I came
close enough that his office sent over his rider.

For those outside of the entertainment industry, a rider lists out
an artist’s specific personal and technical needs for hosting them
for an event, anything from bottled water and their green room
to sound and lighting requirements.

You can learn a lot about a person from their rider.

This is where rocks bands list their requirement for green M&Ms
(which is actually a surprisingly smart thing to do).

This is also where a famous environmentalist requires a large gas
guzzling private jet to fly to the event city, but then requires an
electric or hybrid car to take said environmentalist to the event
venue when in view of the public.

When I got Robin Williams’ rider, I was very surprised by what
I found.

He actually had a requirement that for every single event or film
he did, the company hiring him also had to hire a certain number
of homeless people and put them to work.

I never watched a Robin Williams movie the same way after that.

I’m sure that on his own time and with his own money, he was
working with these people in need, but he’d also decided to use his
clout as an entertainer to make sure that production companies and
event planners also learned the value of giving people a chance to
work their way back.

I wonder how many production companies continued the practice
into their next non-Robin Williams project, as well as how many
people got a chance at a job and the pride of earning an income,
even temporarily, from his actions.

He was a great multiplier of his impact.

Let’s hope that impact lives on without him.

Thanks, Robin Williams, not just for laughs, but also for a cool
example.



Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was
an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker.

Monday, August 25, 2014

Seeking Accountability For Gaza

Seeking Accountability For Gaza

Israel and the Obama administration insist that Israel’s recent
slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza was justified by indiscriminate
rocket fire from the blockaded area, but some international law
advocates think the disproportionate response justifies prosecution
of Israeli and U.S. officials for war crimes, says Marjorie Cohn.

By Marjorie Cohn
Consortiumnews.com
August 25, 2014

The National Lawyers Guild (NLG), Center for Constitutional Rights,
International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Arab Lawyers
Union, and American Association of Jurists (Asociacion Americana
de Juristas) sent a letter on Friday to Fatou Bensouda, Prosecutor
of the International Criminal Court (ICC), urging her to initiate an
investigation of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity
committed by Israeli leaders and aided and abetted by U.S. officials
in Gaza.

Under the Rome Statute, the ICC has the power to hold individuals
criminally accountable for the most serious of crimes.

“In light of the extreme gravity of the situation in the occupied
Gaza Strip, in particular the large number of civilian casualties and
large scale destruction of civilian property, including schools,
mosques and hospitals, and the ongoing incitement to genocide
perpetrated by Israeli political figures and leaders, the [NLG] and
endorsing organizations strongly urge the Office of the Prosecutor
to use its power under Article 15 of the Rome Statute to initiate a
preliminary investigation” of crimes within the ICC’s jurisdiction.

The Israeli government has cited rocket fire from Gaza as
justification for its bombardment and assault on the narrow
strip of land holding some 1.8 million Palestinians.

“[Under the Rome Statute, an] individual can be convicted of a
war crime, genocide or a crime against humanity . . . if he or she
‘aids, abets or otherwise assists’ in the commission or attempted
commission of the crime, ‘including providing the means for its
commission’,” the letter reads.

“By transferring financial assistance, weapons and other military
aid to Israel, members of the U.S. Congress, President Barack
Obama and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel have aided and
abetted the commission of war crimes, genocide and crimes
against humanity by Israeli officials and commanders in Gaza.”

The letter states that on July 20, in the midst of criminal behavior,
Israel requested, and the U.S. Defense Department then
authorized, the transfer to Israel of ammunition from the War
Reserve Stockpile Ammunition.

And in August 2014, Congress overwhelmingly approved, and Obama
signed, a $225 million payment for Israel’s Iron Dome missile
defense system.

“Israel’s clearly disproportionate use of force against the 1.8
million residents of Gaza appears to have little to do with any
claim of security,” the organizations wrote, “but seems to be
calculated to exact revenge against Palestinian civilians.”

The letter quotes statements of Israeli officials advocating
vengeance against “the entire Palestinian people “and “calling for
the internment of Palestinians in concentration camps in Sinai and
the destruction of the civilian infrastructure in Gaza.”

Allegations of War Crimes

The letter lists the following war crimes, and cites supporting
factual allegations for each crime:

-willful killing (over 2,000 Palestinians, 80 percent civilians)

-willfully causing great suffering or serious injury (wounding
nearly 10,000 Palestinians, 2,200 children)

-unlawful, wanton and unjustified extensive destruction and
appropriation of property (tens of thousands of Palestinians
lost homes, severe damage to infrastructure)

-willful deprivation of fair trial rights (450 Palestinians held without
charge or trial); -intentional attacks against civilians or civilian
objects or humanitarian vehicles, installations and personnel
(bombing of numerous schools, UN places of refuge, hospitals,
ambulances, mosques)

-intentionally launching unjustified attacks, knowing they will kill
or injure civilians, damage civilian objects, or cause long-term and
severe damage to the natural environment (use of ‘Dahiya Doctrine’
to apply “disproportionate force” and cause “great damage and
destruction to civilian property and infrastructure, and suffering to
civilian populations,” as defined in UN Human Rights Council
[Goldstone] Report). Israel virtually flattened town of Khuza’a.

Allegations of Genocide

Article 6 of the Rome Statute defines “genocide” as the commission
of any of the following acts with the intent to destroy, in whole or
in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group: (a) killing
members of the group; (b) causing serious bodily harm to members
of the group; or (c) deliberately inflicting on the group conditions
of life calculated to bring about its destruction in whole or in part.

The letter says, “In light of the fact that Palestinians in Gaza had
no ability to flee for safety, it must be assumed the responsible
Israeli officials knew that huge casualties and destruction of civilian
property and infrastructure were certain during the massive
bombardment by land, air and sea of the occupied Gaza Strip.”

The letter also lists “the repeatedly inciting public statements
made by Israeli officials before and during the course of Operation
Protective Edge and the history of Israel’s repeated bombardment
of Palestinian refugee camps and populations in Lebanon and in
Gaza” as evidence that “Israeli officials may be implementing a
plan to destroy the Palestinian population, at least in part.”

Allegations of Crimes against Humanity

Article 7 of the Rome Statute defines “crimes against humanity” as
the commission of any of the following, when part of a widespread
or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, with
knowledge of the attack: (a) Murder; (b) Persecution against a
group or collectivity based on its political, racial, national, ethnic
or religious character; or (c) The crime of apartheid (inhumane acts
committed in the context of an institutional regime of systematic
oppression and domination by one racial group over another racial
group, with the intent to maintain that regime).

The letter states, “Israeli forces have killed, wounded, summarily
executed and administratively detained Palestinians, Hamas forces
and civilians alike. Israeli forces intentionally destroyed the
infrastructure in Gaza.” It also says Israel keeps Palestinians
caged in “the world’s largest open air prison,” and “controls all
ingress and egress to Gaza, and limits … access to medicine and
other essentials.”

Finally, the letter cites arbitrary arrest and administrative
detention; expropriation of property; destruction of homes, crops
and trees; separate areas and roads; segregated housing, legal and
educational systems for Palestinians and Jews; the illegal barrier
wall encroaching on Palestinian territory; hundreds of illegal Jewish
settlements on Palestinian land; and denying the right of
Palestinians to return to their homeland because they are not Jews.

The signatories to the letter conclude that “[t]he initiation of an
investigation would send a clear message to all involved either in
committing or in aiding and abetting of the aforementioned crimes
that they stand to be held personally accountable for their actions.”

It remains to be seen whether the ICC will exercise jurisdiction in
such a case since neither Israel nor the United States is a party to
the Rome Statute.

But if the ICC determines that Palestine can accede to the Rome
Statute, the ICC could take jurisdiction over crimes committed by
Israelis and Americans in Palestinian territory.



Marjorie Cohn is a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law
and former president of the National Lawyers Guild. She is also
deputy secretary general of the International Association of
Democratic Lawyers and the U.S. representative to the American
Association of Jurists (Asociacion Americana de Juristas).

http://consortiumnews.com/2014/08/23/seeking-accountability-
for-gaza

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Happy Birthday, Ron Paul

Happy Birthday, Ron Paul

By Justin Raimondo,
Antiwar.com
August 20, 2014

Ron Paul is 79 today.

Libertarians owe him a great debt, one which can never be repaid.

Without him, it’s more than likely that our movement would’ve
either gone off the rails, succumbing to opportunism of the worst
sort, or else slipped into obscurity, never to be seen or heard from
again.

Thanks to him, neither of those dreadful scenarios occurred.

What happened instead was the almost miraculous growth and
development of libertarianism into a viable national movement,
with “mainstream” media forced to sit up and take notice.

Now we are told we may be approaching the “libertarian moment”
by the New York Times, no less! — and 90 percent of the credit
(maybe more!) goes to Ron and the movement he inspired.

But it wasn’t easy.

Three presidential campaigns, one under the Libertarian Party
banner and two in the GOP primaries, with him travelling all over
the country non-stop, a heroic effort for a man of his years.

And he looks fabulous: I should only look that good at 79!

His career limns the upward trajectory of the rising libertarian
movement, spanning the years when libertarians were totally
unknown to the general public — I recall hearing, after telling
someone that I was a libertarian, “I didn’t know the librarians
had their own party!” — to our present Libertarian Moment.

Without him, we may have reached it, eventually, but surely not
as soon.

And I know many of my readers will agree with me when I say it
has come not a moment too soon.

To readers of this web site who may not be libertarians, and there
are many, what’s important about Ron and the movement he
spawned is the awareness he has brought to the public of the
dangers inherent in our interventionist foreign policy.

He has stood like a rock, even in the darkest days of the post-9/11
era, when even the staunchest peace advocates hesitated to raise
their voices and the War Party was on the march.

He stood up to the bully Rudy Giuliani, the has-been NY mayor and
failed GOP presidential candidate, who was riding high at the time:
he stood firm even as the know-nothings booed him and he told the
truth about the gross stupidity and immorality of a foreign policy
that has reaped such a whirlwind in the years since that moment.

He stood up to the smears of the War Party — and they’re still
attacking him.

Yet his stature, far from being diminished, only grows.

At the age of 79, he is still speaking truth to power.

I have to tell a little story about Ron that underscores his sterling
personal qualities as well as his ideological virtues.

In my fiery youth, not even Ron Paul was radical enough for my
tastes and I remember penning (yes, it was so long ago that we
had pens in those days!) an article attacking him for “selling out.”

It was a long diatribe, which was published in a long-defunct
journal of which I was the editor.

Not long after, I was surprised to receive a letter from him which
was as gracious as can be, pointing out that “I don’t believe we are
as far apart as you believe” and warmly inviting me to visit with
him when I came to Washington.

I published the letter in our paper, and came across it the other
day as I was going through my old files.

Personally and politically, the man is a saint.

One last thing:

I’ve been a Ron Paul-watcher for many years, and what I’ve seen
of his long career is unusual in the sense that most people get more
conservative as they get older: Ron, on the other hand, only got
more radical.

Radicalism is often thought of as the exclusive province of youth
but in Ron’s case just the opposite pattern occurred.

Through some alchemy of spirit, he’s just gotten younger over the
years, which is perhaps part of the reason why he has inspired a
vital and growing youth movement that has no equivalent on the
left or the right.

Thanks in large part to Ron, the future of the libertarian movement
is bright indeed, and how can you thank a man for fulfilling the
dreams of your youth?

You can’t, really, you can only try.

http://antiwar.com/blog/2014/08/19/happy-birthday-ron-paul

Thursday, August 14, 2014

Israel

Israel

By Jennie Burns
August 14, 2014

Question: Which country alone in the Middle East has nuclear
weapons?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East has just recently used
a weapon of mass destruction, a one-ton smart bomb, dropping it
in the center of a highly populated area killing civilians including
children?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East was cited by Amnesty
International for demolishing more than 4000 innocent Palestinian
homes as a means of ethnic cleansing?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country on Planet Earth has the second most
powerful lobby in the United States , according to a recent Fortune
magazine survey of Washington insiders?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East receives U.S. weapons
for free and then sells the technology to the Republic of China even
at the objections of the U.S. ?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East regularly violates the
Geneva Convention by imposing collective punishment on entire
towns, villages, and camps, for the acts of a few, and even goes
as far as demolishing entire villages while people are still in their
homes?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East routinely kills young
Palestinian children for no reason other than throwing stones at
armored vehicles, bulldozers, or tanks?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East refuses to sign
the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and bars international
inspections? ?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East seized the sovereign
territory of other nations by military force and continues to occupy
it in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East routinely violates the
international borders of another sovereign state with warplanes and
artillery and naval gunfire?

Answer: Israel

Question: What American ally in the Middle East has for years sent
assassins into other countries to kill its political enemies (a practice
sometimes called exporting terrorism)?

Answer: Israel

Question: In which country in the Middle East have high-ranking
military officers admitted publicly that unarmed prisoners of war
were executed?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East refuses to prosecute
its soldiers who have acknowledged executing prisoners of war?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East created millions of
refugees and refuses to allow them to return to their homes,
farms and businesses?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East refuses to pay
compensation to people whose land, bank accounts and
businesses it confiscated?

Answer: Israel

Question:In what country in the Middle East was a high-ranking
United Nations diplomat assassinated?

Answer: Israel

Question: In what country in the Middle East did the man who
ordered the assassination of a high-ranking U.N. diplomat become
prime minister?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East blew up an American
diplomatic facility in Egypt and attacked a U.S. ship, the USS
Liberty, in international waters, killing 34 and wounding 171
American sailors?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country in the Middle East employed a spy,
Jonathan Pollard, to steal classified documents from USA
and then gave some of them to the Soviet Union ?

Answer: Israel

Question: What country at first denied any official connection to
Pollard, then voted to make him a citizen and has continuously
demanded that the American president grant Pollard a full pardon?

Answer: Israel

Question: What Middle East country allows American Jewish
murderers to flee to its country to escape punishment in the
United States and refuses to extradite them once in their
custody?

Answer: Israel

Question: What Middle East country preaches against hate yet
builds a shrine and a memorial for a murderer who killed 29
Palestinians while they prayed in their Mosque?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East deliberately targeted
a civilian U.N. Refugee Camp in Qana , Lebanon and killed 103
innocent men, women, and especially children?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East is in defiance of
69 United Nations Security Council resolutions and has been
protected from 29 more by U.S. votes?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East receives more than one-
third of all U.S. aid to the world yet is the 16th richest country in
the world?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East had its Prime Minister
announce to his staff not to worry about what the United States
says because "We control America?"

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East signed the Oslo Accords
promising to halt any new Jewish Settlement construction, but
instead, has built more than 270 new settlements since the signing?

Answer: Israel

Question: Which country in the Middle East has assassinated more
than 100 political officials of its opponent in the last 2 years while
killing hundreds of civilians in the process, including dozens of
children?

Answer: Israel

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Mork & Mindy: In Mork We Trust

Mork & Mindy: In Mork We Trust

Via - Jason Manford
August 13, 2014

Orson: The report, Mork.

Mork: This week I discovered a terrible disease called loneliness.

Orson: Do many people on Earth suffer from this disease?

Mork: Oh yes sir, and how they suffer. One man I know suffers
so much he has to take a medication called bourbon, even that
doesn't help very much because then he can hear paint dry.

Orson: Does bed rest help?

Mork: No because I've heard that sleeping alone is part of the
problem. You see, Orson, loneliness is a disease of the spirit.
People who have it think that no one cares about them.

Orson: Do you have any idea why?

Mork: Yes sir you can count on me. You see, when children are
young, they're told not to talk to strangers. When they go to school,
they're told not to talk to the person next to them. Finally when
they're very old, they're told not to talk to themselves, who's left?

Orson: Are you saying Earthlings make each other lonely?

Mork: No sir I'm saying just the opposite. They make themslves lonely, they're so busy looking out for number one that there's
not enough room for two.

Orson: It's too bad everybody down there can't get together
and find a cure.

Mork: Here's the paradox sir because if they did get together,
they wouldn't need one.



This post is dedicated to Robin Williams who played the character
of "Mork" on the American sitcom "Mork & Mindy" from 1978 until
1982 and the copy of this script is taken from the "In Mork We Trust"
episode (#1.21)(1979).

Rest In Peace Robin Williams

Friday, August 8, 2014

Hamas

Hamas

By Vijay Prashad
August 8, 2014

My pro Palestinian stance is very simple.

Incredibly easy and without doubt or inner conflict because of this.

You encage two million people into 140 square miles.

You are surprised when the people create tunnels to smuggle goods,
to resist.

You bomb hospitals, you bomb schools, you bomb water plants, you
bomb sewers – and you want us to feel sorry for you.

You have politicians who say they want to kill all Gazans, academics
who call for rape as war’s weapon.

And you are silent?

Where are you?

Your arms have killed hundreds, injured thousands, displaced tens
of thousands.

You clap, you cheer.

You weep when your soldiers fall.

On which side of the border should my tears fall?

On the side of the bombers or the side of the bombed?

Your morality is challenged, your ethics on fire.

All you can say, in bad faith, is Hamas, Hamas, Hamas.

You kill a child. Hamas.

You bomb a school. Hamas.

You bomb a UN building. Hamas.

You bomb a disability center. Hamas. Hamas. Hamas.

For you Hamas has become a full-stop, an exclamation point, a
digression, a shaggy dog, a golden ring, a do-not-go-to-jail card.

Who are you that you take shelter in five letters – Hamas – when
entire families are wiped out in your name?

What you bomb is not Hamas.

It is Palestine.

Not a dream, but a people.

Not a refugee camp, but a country alive in its peoples’ hearts."

— Vijay Prashad

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Americans Are Mostly Mercenaries And Treasoners

Americans Are Mostly Mercenaries And Treasoners

By Race Rules
August 07, 2014

What is a mercenary?

Someone who takes money usually to perform some immoral task
who distances themselves from any emotional involvement.

What is the American federal tax system?

It is a way for the government to steal income from workers and
then use that money to perform immoral and illegal acts of violence
against other countries and their inhabitants.

We dare call it the Department of Defense when it is really
a Department of Offense.

What is treason?

The offense of acting to overthrow one’s own government according
to Webster and similarly for the Constitution.

The Declaration of Independence, however, states the following:

“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive
of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish
it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such
principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

So which is it?

The answer is the second one…..the Right to Revolution.

Treason is defined absent any moral compass.

It basically says that if the US is evil and you try do good by
stopping your government from doing evil that you have committed
treason.

It basically assumes that anyone against the US is evil, when in fact
we know the truth to be the complete opposite.

The only way America could be considered good is if we completely
reverse the definition of good and evil.

The Jewish media is good at doing that.

So Americans are basically mercenaries from a job and tax sense.

Most of us are hired by corporations to earn barely enough to live
on and provide our services while the Federal government parasites
off of us with illegal taxes to conquer the world at the behest of
Israel and the global elite.

Isn’t that why Americans fought the British in the first place?

We are right back in the same mess because we never really
won the first time.

Jewish financiers won because they financed both sides of all
major conflicts and then force the winner to pay the debts of
the vanquished.

Get it?

They don’t teach it in public school……..the truth that is.

The military and police willingly take their jobs to murder, torture
and enslave the people for a small paycheck or a sign-up bonus so
their treason is that much more egregious because they lie to
themselves that they are doing good.

So are Americans treasoners?

I would argue yes.

It is not only the right of the people to abolish abusive government
but a duty.

Americans believe voting effectively addresses the ills of society
with a two-party system.

That is insane.

That has never worked in the history of mankind because it
cannot work.

Voting legitimizes the corrupt system that Americans refuse
to believe is un-salvageable.

That means voters are complicit in keeping two corporate political
parties in power so they can keep taking bribes and kickbacks as
career politicians to promote the agenda of the global elite.

Voters are complicit in these crimes against humanity and hence
also guilty of treason.

The only ones who do not fall into this category are tax resistors
and those who never vote.

Americans fear the IRS will audit them and throw in jail.

The federal government is soon going to do much worse than
that to you.

We fear being fined or going to prison like Wesley Snipes or Lauryn
Hill, who were merely scapegoats used to continue the ruse that
taxing wage labor is legal.

In other words we are cowards who claim to be patriots when in
fact we cringe like scared kittens when we need to stand up to
unjust authority.

Voting makes us believe we are doing the right thing and then
we lambast the nonvoters and tell them they have no voice.

The only ones with no voice are the voiceless voters who falsely
believe that two corporate parties operate independently of each
other when in reality they both serve the corporate elite.

There you have it.

Most Americans are treasonous mercenaries who don’t even
realize it.

You’ve been bought with phony, funny money and your soul
sold to Satan compliments of Israel.

Good luck in the afterlife when you have to explain this to God
and karmically atone in hell or future lives of misery for the
collective injustice America has wreaked on the world.

http://racerules.wordpress.com/2014/07/19/americans-are-mostly
-mercenaries-and-treasoners

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

‘Apocalypse’ Gaza

‘Apocalypse’ Gaza

Based at the Chelsea and Westminster, St Mary’s and Royal Marsden
hospitals in London, for the past 20 years David Nott has also
volunteered for the Red Cross, traveling to war zones including
Bosnia, Iraq and now Gaza.

Here he describes last Friday – meant to be the first day of a
ceasefire – and why he risks his life to help the wounded in
‘Apocalypse’ Gaza.

By David Nott
Daily Mail U.K.
August 06, 2014

Last Friday was supposed to be the start of a 72-hour ceasefire,
but within two hours, all hell had broken loose.

In the end I spent almost 12 of those hours in the operating theatre
at Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, where I’m based. It was a difficult
day.

We had a child, an eight-year-old girl, who had severe fragment
wounds from an exploded bomb.

She had a hole in her stomach, her back, in her chest and colon.

Thankfully, we did manage to save her.

Most of the operations we’re doing are on children and
young people.

They come in with crush injuries, and massive fragment
wounds from shells and bits of buildings.

In the afternoon, we heard that the hospital was about to
be bombed.

I was operating at the time so could not leave the patient.

There was only me and a colleague.

We are both very experienced, so we hid ourselves away
in the operating theatre and just went on with it.

On Friday night I was operating on a 25-year-old man
who had massive injuries caused by a bomb blast.

Sadly he died in intensive care six hours after surgery.

The trauma was just too much for him.

We don’t know where the bomb threats come from.

The situation is unfathomable, to be honest.

There are other groups fighting apart from the Israeli Defence
Forces and Hamas, so the threat could have been from anybody.

We’re aware all the time of the bombs: there’s the constant
‘thud, thud, thud’ of them.

But we operate all day, trying to save lives and limbs.

In a sense it’s easier being the surgeon, because you are just
stuck in the operating theatre.

It’s far more difficult for my Italian colleague, Dr Mauro Della
Torre, who’s working in the emergency room receiving everybody
who comes in.

A couple of days ago, 140 people came in, in 20 minutes.

He was on the floor doing operations, performing tracheostomies.

He says the Al-Shifa’s ER is ‘the most chaotic in the world,
but it’s still functional’.

A few days before that we had all seven operating theatres going
as well as procedures on trolleys outside, such as on a man whose
arm and shoulder had been blown off.

But no matter how bad it gets, everybody gets a chance of life
here.

Nobody is turned down for treatment, apart from those who have
absolutely no chance of surviving.

Last week was like the Apocalypse.

It was night and there were rockets coming in from the sea, fire
from tanks and F-16s dropping bombs everywhere.

It was indescribable, as if we were in one of those silly Tom Cruise
Hollywood movies.

None of us could sleep because the bed, the room, even the house
was shaking.

It was like the end of days.

You feel your life is in danger.

I could have died that night.

During a ceasefire last week the Palestinian Red Crescent Society
brought in 100 bodies, which they had not been able to get to
before because it was so unsafe.

Some of them had been dead for eight days.

The smell hung around for days.

Will this make me stop?

No, far from it.

The trouble is there might be another Apocalypse tomorrow.

Why do I do it?

Because I feel that I can offer help and support in desperate
situations.

But to do this job you have to detach yourself completely from
what is going on around you.

Because if you don’t, you won’t be able to work and do your
best for the patient.

That takes experience.

It might sound odd, but what I do here is comparable to my
NHS work.

Every case is the same, in that you are trying to do the best
you can for the patient.

It is different surgery, but the mindset is the same.

Some say I must find it terrible.

But it is not because you are doing what is right for the injured.

Obviously in the NHS, working in London or wherever, it’s quiet
and calm.

Here at any moment you could die.

But that is the risk that you take if you feel you have a calling,
as I do.

I don’t have a wife or children, or parents to worry about me.

I could have chosen marriage but I didn’t want it.

I wanted to do this.

There have been some terrible things that have happened since
I have been here.

Last week there was a six-year-old boy wandering in the street,
with either autism or post-traumatic stress disorder, and he was
screaming.

It sounds awful, but somebody had tied him to a tree.

The International Committee of the Red Cross talked to the
combatants, and it was arranged for an ambulance crew from
the Palestinian Red Crescent Society to go to rescue him.

But when they went to save the child the crew was attacked
and the driver shot dead.

Another time I was at a hospital dealing with 180 casualties
who came in.

A Palestinian doctor there was in tears, sobbing uncontrollably.

He told me he had been called over from another hospital
in the middle of the night because of an attack.

One of the casualties was a girl, about 19 or 20, who had
lost her baby and sister.

This surgeon amputated her right leg, performed a vascular bypass
graft, shortened her femur, and fixed up her abdomen.

He was crying because she was his sister.

There is terrible human suffering here.

It needs to stop.



To donate to the Red Cross’s Gaza and Israel Appeal,
visit redcross.org.uk/gazaisrael.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2714424/It-s-like-Apocalypse-says-British-doctor-Gaza-In-harrowing-dispatch-heroic-NHS-surgeon-describes-horror-treating-child-bomb-victims-ceasefire.html