Journalist Hafsa Kara-Mustapha attended an international conference on Palestine in the Iranian capital Tehran last week. She argues that despite all the demonization against Iran , the country stands out from all others as a supporter of the Palestinian cause. This article was originally published by 5Pillars…
The former Constitution Party presidential candidate writes that “Netanyahu is one of the most corrupt political leaders on the planet” and one of the most heavily financed. Netanyahu’s plummet in popularity at home is one of the reasons “why he is pressuring Trump to ratchet up a war against Iran and why he is mobilizing accelerated (illegal) Israeli settlements on private land owned by Palestinian people… War and military conflict has always been a favored tactic of embattled politicians to increase their popularity and deflect negativity…”
The Trump administration is shaping its policy toward Israel and a potential peace settlement with the Palestinians in ways that may seem surprising for a president who had appeared to offer the government in Jerusalem a blank check on the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and other issues.”
Trump’s evolving settlement policy appears more lenient toward Israel than the Obama administration’s, but not as lenient as sought by many of Israel’s strongest backers. There may be more continuity with past policy on Israel and on Iran than many foreign policy analysts had expected.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott called in his budget for passing laws cutting off businesses from Texas pension plans that adhere to Israel boycotts and broadening laws banning state investments in Iran. He traveled to Israel on a jet supplied by pro-Israel megadonor Sheldon Adelson. Adelson has said he regretted serving in US Army, would have preferred being in Israeli army…
The ‘Vandenberg Coalition’ (led by Elliott Abrams, a major neoconservative for most of the last half-century) wants Trump to prioritize Israel and maintain Iran as enemy number one.
Every day reveals more devastation in northern Gaza and West Bank; US alone at UN in opposition to UNRWA; New Zealand does not welcome Israeli war criminals
Great joy, great devastation, massive need in northern Gaza; West Bank resembles Gaza more every day; a conversation with Peter Beinart; Trump.
The humiliation of 1m people being unable to return home because of 1 Israeli soldier; 2 killed, many homes demolished in West Bank; instead of evacuating Lebanon, Israel kills 22 Lebanese trying to return home
Israel kills 1 in Gaza with a “warning shot”; 2nd prisoner release is complete; 2 killed in West Bank, including toddler; Ali Abunimah arrested; pro-Israel groups target pro-Palestine int’l students for deportation
Harsh conditions in Gaza, as Trump admin halts almost all foreign aid (Israel is exempt); private US security contractors to run checkpoints in Gaza; countdown to UNRWA departure; West Bank under fire; Pope Francis stays in touch with Gaza; Lebanon news; Harvard; more.