Tag: israel

Hitham’s Tale

Just weeks ago, Gazans were pummeled once again by the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). With its mighty arsenal of drones, fighter jets, and cruise missiles, the IDF is the most powerful military machine in the region. Its capability is further augmented by steadfast support from the only superpower in the world. Hamas’s most potent weapons … Continue reading “Hitham’s Tale”

Israeli Soldiers Fail to Cease Firing

ABASSAN, Gaza Strip — “It was the first day of the ceasefire. An Israeli soldier shot once in the air and within seconds shot me in the leg. He was only a few meters away.” Haithem Abu Dagga, 26, an electrician and farm laborer, will not be able to work for as many months as … Continue reading “Israeli Soldiers Fail to Cease Firing”

US Building $100-Million Underground Bunker at Secret Israeli Missile Base

Walter Pincus reported in The Washington Post a few days ago that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has put out a request for proposals, seeking contractors with top-secret clearances to develop a $100-million underground military facility for the Israeli army. Here’s the project description: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to supervise construction … Continue reading “US Building $100-Million Underground Bunker at Secret Israeli Missile Base”

Thanks for the Warnings, Israel

I have been in Gaza for five days now, and I am having difficulty understanding the eight-day war and the subsequent ceasefire. Let me explain the difficulty I am having. The Israeli Offensive Forces insist they protect civilians in Gaza, only targeting terrorists. They have several methods to protect innocent civilians. One method is to … Continue reading “Thanks for the Warnings, Israel”

Jeffrey Goldberg: Prison Guard of American Journalism

Former Israeli prison guard Jeffrey Goldberg, now writing for The Atlantic, has a new prison population to deal with: the American news media, and, specifically, that portion of it covering the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In response to a few fairly innocuous tweets from New York Times reporter Jodi Rudoren, – Golberg kvetched: "Jodi Rudoren, the Times … Continue reading “Jeffrey Goldberg: Prison Guard of American Journalism”

Netanyahu’s War Crime

There has been considerable debate over who “won” the recent fighting in and around Gaza, though the question itself might lack relevancy as both sides have largely returned to the status quo ante. Hamas has indeed proven itself capable of resisting Israel and has gained the respect of its Arab neighbors while its political opponent … Continue reading “Netanyahu’s War Crime”

Children Face the Fallout of Gaza War

GAZA CITY — As Israel and Hamas separately celebrate the ceasefire and their “victory” over the other following Israel’s blistering eight-day military assault on the Gaza strip, civilians continue to pay the price. According to the Palestine Center for Human Rights (PCHR), more than 160 Palestinians lost their lives by Nov. 21, the last day … Continue reading “Children Face the Fallout of Gaza War”

Abetting Murder in Gaza

The Nov. 22 ceasefire between Israeli and Hamas forces is a huge relief for the civilian population on both sides — the primary victims of the conflict. But the Obama administration’s unconscionable decision the previous week to block a ceasefire effort by the U.N. Security Council not only resulted in additional civilian deaths but also … Continue reading “Abetting Murder in Gaza”

How to End the Gaza Violence

As of late Friday the ceasefire in Gaza seems to be holding, if tentatively. While we should be pleased that this round of fighting appears temporarily on hold, we must realize that without changes in U.S. foreign policy it is only a matter of time before the killing begins again. It feels like 2009 all … Continue reading “How to End the Gaza Violence”

Is Gaza Outside Israel?

On returning from his first trip to the Gaza Strip, Noam Chomsky told Democracy Now‘s Amy Goodman, “It’s kind of amazing and inspiring to see people somehow managing to survive as caged animals subject to constant, random, sadistic punishment only to humiliate them, no pretext. Israel and the United States keep them alive basically. They … Continue reading “Is Gaza Outside Israel?”