September, Week 3: Mainstream media does not cover the scores of “small” stories of Palestinian loss of freedom, property, life, and hope. IMEMC brings the stories to us daily. Below are many of the headlines from the past week.
In preparation for Alison Weir’s informative event on the Israeli occupation of Palestine, Fresno CA braced itself for protests that Israel partisans had promised. The ADL, American Jewish Committee, etc had condemned the event. But the evening was peaceful and educational, with a large, full auditorium, extremely receptive audience, and TV news reports on the event. After the almost 2-hour talk, there was a long line of audience members eager to purchase her book…
Israeli military raided a Palestinian NGO in the middle of the night, confiscating electronics and doing damage to Palestinian rights – but not to aspirations for justice.
Racism was part of the birth of the state of Israel; apartheid is part of its fabric. Nelson Mandela agreed. Palestinians struggle for equality, as do people of color (both Jewish and non-Jewish).
Netanyahu conducted by far the ugliest – and most reckless – campaign in Israeli history (almost including a declaration of war on Gaza to delay the election), but it wasn’t enough. Coalition-building in the current environment will be tough.
Israeli massacres, many including child victims, span 70 years – thousands of Palestinian lives snuffed out in the pursuit of a Jewish State.
Rabbi Daniel Lehmann, with a history of advocating for Israel despite its many human rights abuses, is about to be inaugurated president of the ‘most comprehensive center for the graduate study of religion in North America’ – a ‘mostly-Christian’ center with a focus on peace and justice. Lehmann has already opposed a prominent Muslim professor and aired misgivings about America’s first Muslim college, located right across the street… Rabbi Lehmann is known for his fundraising ability.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu got suspended from Facebook this week after a long string of racist statements. Critics have accused the premiere of race-baiting ahead of the hotly contested elections, which are set to be held on September 17th. On Friday, Netanyahu made comments insinuating that his government could launch an offensive on the besieged Gaza Strip “at any moment.”
Second week of September 2019: Israeli violence includes confiscating a piece of private Palestinian land the size of Ellis Island; killing, injuring, abducting, and bombing children and adults – all by the “most moral army in the world.”
PBS recently presented an excellent report on Israeli sniper violence at the Gaza border, but headlined it with a pro-Israel spin. The truth is simply too damning to be presented un-spun to an American audience. Philip Weiss discusses the report and how it was packaged.