Many congratulations to Palestine on being recognised as a non-member state at the United Nations. There is a distinct irony that, apart from the unreconstructed climate change deniers in the United States, Canada and the Czech Republic, the supporters of Palestinian genocide could only muster votes from the tiniest island states threatened by climate change. Where is the much vaunted American Empire now?
Both the United States and Israel are incapable of introspection; instead they have reacted by saying the rest of the world is mad.
There was also a chilling admission of the United States support for extreme zionist land claims, from Hillary Clinton, who called for negotiation “Between Jerusalem and Ramallah”. Not Tel Aviv; Jerusalem.
I argued a year ago that Palestine could join the International Criminal Court without waiting for this vote. But this vote certainly removes all doubt on that score.
I was absolutely disgusted by William Hague’s offer of support form Palestine if Palestine agreed not to join, or take cases to, the International Criminal Court. It is yet another example of that theme to which my writing constantly returns, the abandonment by neo-con UK governments of the principle of international law in favour of a might is right approach. It was always UK policy to encourage dispute resolution by international courts. Now we are discouraging it.
There is a very important practical point here. As I also wrote a year ago:
There is an extremely crucial point here: if Palestine accedes to the Statute of Rome, under Article 12 of the Statute of Rome, the International Criminal Court would have jurisdiction over Israelis committing war crimes on Palestinian soil. Other states parties – including the UK – would be obliged by law to hand over indicted Israeli war criminals to the court at the Hague. This would be a massive blow to the Israeli propaganda and lobbying machine.
This explains why Hague was so keen to avert Palestinian membership of the ICC. Not only can Palestine indict Israeli war criminals (and they should start immediately with those behind Operation Cast Lead and the attack on the Mavi Marmara) but Britain will be obliged – as will all other European Union countries – to hand them over to the court.
Given that this disgraceful government had specifically enacted legislation to block other avenues for the indictment of Israeli war criminals in the United Kingdom, this is infuriating for our zionist sponsored politicians.
It also raises an interesting point. We have seen the entire political establishment enthusiastically promoting the automaticity of European arrest warrants in the case of Julian Assange. How will those same politicians react to the automaticity of arrest warrants for Israeli war criminals? I suspect that they will suddenly discover there is a need for political intervention in such cases.
No doubt they will be very relieved at my inclination to forgive them as i am so massively powerful and influential in world politics 😉
I tend to agree with you, Duncan. But I think foreign aid (as Susan Rice already dropped the defunding bomb on Palestine) is the motivator. Maybe they should look toward independent economics, rather than the extortion welfare from the US. They are public servants, after all, who make these decisions, and they owe that service and should exercise the courage of their convictions. Easy for me to say…..
1948 UN recognition of Israel was unequivocaly conditional on right of return of all displaced Palestinian refugees. As that condition was never fulfilled, there is still yet no Israel.
Seeing Canada on the roll call of shame saddens me. Canda is another country which has a fine tradition of social democratic Governments, and is a country – like the US itself – with many progressive elements. But it’s now just another country whose executive has been taken over – ponerologized, one might say – by neoliberals. See also: the UK, Australia, France, Sweden, and others.
The first thing to say here is: this is not an accident. I’ll give you an example. Where I work (Oz), a staffer was telling me how she and her colleagues met people from the FBI. I recall thinking how odd this was, that she would meet with the FBI, in Australia. It was a small thing, but it was striking how routine this was, how little she thought about it. The FBI are homeland security in the US, and their presence in Australia is, if you think about it, rather strange. The US aren’t our ‘friend’, they are business partners who are not – not yet – thinking about invading us. That’s it. I do wish more people understood this. But the softening up, the propaganda, it all works.
As to Assange, we are wasting our breath. It’s now personal, and ideological; a strange subversion of the ‘personal is the political’. People hate Assange, and they aren’t open to reason. They’ll get him, and lie, and manipulate, ruin careers, blackmail judges, do what it takes to ensure he’s destroyed. Rape charge? He’s lucky they haven’t ‘found’ indecent images of donkeys on his laptop – – and maybe they will. I can just see the ‘Assange Beast Lover’ headlines. Nothing would surprise me.
Isn’t building on occupied land a violation of International Law, and can Palestine not appeal against this, and seek substantial damages?
See this strident BBC World Service woman Zeinab Badawi speaking for the US torture system in this video with Julian Assange. She insists on repeating the words of the ‘top Pentagon lawyer, Jay Johnson’ that Bradley Manning was not subjected to torture and no ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ were used on him. How appalling that the BBC are defending US atrocities like this. What next Ms Badawi? Gitmo is a health spa?
30 November 2012 Last updated at 23:27
Wikileaks suspect Bradley Manning admits making noose
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20563539#
I meant “now” instead of “not” in the last post. Don’t usually post follow-ups on my own typos, but that single character lost my entire point. Now that things have changed, and Palestine is now actually recognised as a state of sorts, can these “settler” land-grabbing Nazis, not now be subjected to the law?
Julian Assange built a small organization to defy the world’s only super-power. Not only that but he was wildly successful in his efforts. For that he deserves our everlasting support.
But to imagine that he personally could survive seems unrealistic. He has the British, Swedish and US governments after his scalp. I would think that this is just too much for one person. It will be a testament to his influence if the US is forced to overthrow the current government of Ecuador in order to get his scalp. But thanks to you Brits, they will likely succeed.
Is William Hague committing treason, having tendered out British foreign policy to Israel?
Will Hague get a lucrative directorship at the Jewish bank Goldman Sachs, for his services to Israel while he should have been protecting our British interests at the Foregn and Commonwealth Office?
Is Hague a domestic enemy?
@ Duncan, thanks for the morning wake up laugh, totally agree with you, everyone should recognise your leadership potential by sending you a bottle of finest single malt, immediately…
@Inma Santos, bon dia, maybe Hague and his consort Osborne have already paid up in advance, by appointing an ex Goldmann sachs CEOP to run the bank of England for the next 8, yes eight, full years.
One wonders what they planning during that period and whether the economy will improve through anything else than arms sales. he was closely involved in helping the US during the slump by buying mortgages and does not strike me as a man who could tackle off shoring without thinking of his erstwhile brethren first.
Zerohedge calls his appointment ‘the last piece in a puzzle’, maybe that’s what JA was hinting at when he gave that interview to RT, an exposure of banks and their clients, a behind the scenes look at who is using these crook repositories for their nest eggs/QE/arms deals…
http://www.social-europe.eu/2012/11/why-carneys-appointment-as-bank-of-england-governor-should-be-challenged/
Hillary Clinton warns Israel on settler homes
The US Secretary of State said the UN vote should give everybody a pause
The US has criticised Israel’s decision to authorise the construction of 3,000 more housing units in occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that “these activities set back the cause of a negotiated peace”.
The White House had earlier described the proposal as “counter-productive”.
~~~~
So what are you going to do about it Hillary? Cancel the $3bn annual hand out? Resolve never to speak at AIPAC or the like again? Outlaw the American Zionist organisations? Cancel the joint US/Israel military ‘exercises’?
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/dr/hln/www/release/sites/default/files/imagecache/textarticle_640/2012/11/20/hillary-clinton-israel.jpg
@Mary
“See this strident BBC World Service woman Zeinab Badawi speaking for the US torture system in this video with Julian Assange. She insists on repeating the words of the ‘top Pentagon lawyer, Jay Johnson’ that Bradley Manning was not subjected to torture and no ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ were used on him. How appalling that the BBC are defending US atrocities like this.”
This is comical you praise RT as being the only place where debate is allowed – but the moment a BBC interviwer tries to put a counter view to one of your heroes – based on repeating the words of someone else she is labelled as speaking herself for the US torture system. Clearly debate is only ok when the position you agree with is taken as a given and not allowed to be challenged and alternative views are properly rubbished. Not much of a fan of democracy are you?
Michel Platini is a shill for Israel.
Michel Platini in Israel to promote 2013 under-21 Euro tournament
Platini said he was proud that Israel was hosting the tournament, despite his having received “many letters” opposing Jerusalem’s bid. On Wednesday, he attended the under-21 draw in Tel Aviv and a Europa League game in Haifa to assuage skeptics’ security concerns in the wake of a bus bombing which wounded 27 in Tel Aviv last week.
“We are very proud to come here. Football is a beautiful thing for peace,” he said.
http://cdn.timesofisrael.com/uploads/2012/11/Mideast-Israel-Palest_Horo7-635×357.jpg
See the state of the football pitch in Gaza in this Guardian photo.
‘The Palestinian Football Association has long protested that it cannot operate freely because of the actions of the Israeli military. Its president, Jibril Rajoub, wrote to Platini earlier this year to say that Israel was in breach of Fifa regulations because of its treatment of Palestinian footballers.
Platini was not sympathetic.
“We cannot hold the Israel FA responsible for the political situation in the region or for legal procedures in place in its country. You know better than anyone that it is not by punishing people and isolating them that we achieve our aims. It is through dialogue that solutions are found,” he replied.’
{http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov/30/footballers-u21-european-championship-israel}
“We are very proud to come here. Football is a beautiful thing for peace,” he said.
Except when it’s racist. Or when they spend their time squabbling over managers and/or referees, and who said what to whom, or who wouldn’t shake whose hand etc.
“You know better than anyone that it is not by punishing people and isolating them that we achieve our aims. It is through dialogue that solutions are found,” he replied.’
He should tell that to Israel.
Resident Dissident
You said:
“Just to support Michal’s case that “both” Palestinian states have war crimes and other breaches of the UNHCR (which I presume they should now be seeking to comply with?) to answer please find the link here to the Amnesty report
http://www.amnesty.org/en/region/palestinian-authority”
I followed the link, I found no evidence of war crimes at all and no evidence of human rights violations that could even compare with the violation of human rights committed by Israel against Palestinians.
All this “both sides are as bad” propaganda is a cop out, it’s bullshit, look at the facts.
Dear Shill R..D.. So quick to reply. Lurking? She was NOT putting her own view. She was putting that of the US military machine. She has history too.
And you do not see any sort of discussion like the RT one I linked to on terrestrial TV in this country. Do you live in this country? Perhaps Israel itself or even the US?
Only came across this Spiegel article now, sorry. Looks like Julians worries and possible cold is amplified and compounded by the removal of the tax exemption protection of WHS, their Hamburg donations operation. I regret that the City i was born in has colluded with the political aims of the US and denounce those who are implementing iot as traitors to humanity.
http://www.spiegel.de/international/zeitgeist/hamburg-revokes-2010-tax-exemption-for-wikileaks-supporter-a-865671.html
Nothing ‘odd’ about that at all. Just like it’s not odd that the now admitted per-prepared attack on the CIA post in Benghazi occurred on 11th September. Netanyahu has admitted to Putin that he controls the Islamic mercenaries fighting in Syria, Islamic mercenaries who have been flown in from Libya.
“Brainwashing and the Assange Test”
Assange worked for Israeli interests and against US interests. He coordinated with the MSM to *limit* the release of leaked data to that which exposed US duplicity and crimes while removing all references to Israel’s. He continues to be part of a mass media disinformation campaign as witnessed by the latest ‘lung infection’ non-story. Media obsession like this is to be treated with the utmost suspicion.
Personally, I hope the Americans get hold of him, not least for the way he has treated the real hero of Wikileaks Bradley Manning.
Resident Dissident, 11:44pm, 30.11.12:
“In all honesty I don’t think you are right – I think most US diplomats would like to see a two state solution, with the states at peace with each other, if they could wave a magic wand. That isn’t to say that there isn’t a voluble and influential minority within the US who still somehow think that the Palestinians can somehow be made to disappear.”
Thanks, I agree. I wasn’t really talking specifically about US diplomats. Over the past several decades, with the rise and rise of the Pentagon and of the “influential minority” to which you refer in the corridors – no, the directors’ boardroom – of power in the USA, US diplomats – and indeed, the State Dept in general – have had relatively little power within the apparatus. I think that, as with, to some extent, UK diplomats, they are often in an invidious position. I may be talking nonsense, though – Craig and some others who regularly post here would know far more about this than I, of course.
It’s nice to know that the “International Community” is in fact the US, Canada, Israel, Panama, Micronesia, Paulua, and Moomoobungaland. I presume that they also double up as the “Free World” and “Family of Nations” when required.
Mary
When I reply at 9:24am to your own post at 3:40am – might it not suggest that it is you rather than me who is not in the UK or who is working on behalf of someone else – what is the time difference with Moscow or which ever totalitarian regime you are favouring at the moment?
Just because as you now admit Badawi was putting across US views and not her own – then perhaps you should have the grace to admit that she was not speaking FOR the US torture system as in your original post.
I can think of many cases in the past where I have seen debates on Israel/Palestine on UK television/radio/press – that said I can see why most ordinary people see them as something of a turn off as they usually result in both sides stating entrenched positions with little attempt to appreciate the views of the other or to develop any dialectic that might actually result in some progress ( a bit like this blog really)
Suhayl
It is good that you acknowledge that there are different currents of thinking within Western thinking – and I am sure that the same applies on the other side of the equation. This is really where the chances for peace and compromise lie, rather than painting each side as black and white.
For those who still hanker for a one state solution I do really think that they should look back at the lessons of English history and consider how futile and damaging the attempts of the English monarchy were in trying to force a one state solution for England and France – and how that created an antipathy between the two states that works against co-operation even into modern times.
RD, when were England and France living together in adequate peace for near 2000 years, and what would then genetic make up show up, the real proof of the pudding, you are two people who have intermingled for centuries and a two state solution and walls, as you can see from the German example will never work,
walls are not peaceful expressions and the legitimate rights of Palestinians who share the same soil should have been recognised by all involved, whether its according to Balfour or the original UN declaration.
Nobody has the right to set themselves above and over others and until you regard each other as equal human beings, I will do my best to boycott Israeli 729 bar coded goods.
before Israel hosts international sport events, it should make amends and facilitate the materials to rebuild Gaza’s stadion, on the double.
http://jews4big.wordpress.com/category/uefa/
@Heretic
Wrong. Assange hasn’t exposed Israeli crimes and misconduct because if he did, he’d be dead already. That’s how Mossad works and everyone knows it. There’s nothing sinister about wanting to stay alive.
And regarding Bradley Manning, where do you and all the other anti-Assange creeps get off criticising Assange for the mistreatment of Manning by the US military? Please provide some explanation as to how Assange has neglected to do the right thing by Manning without playing into the hands of his US enemies. Manning’s defence has been financially supported by Wikileaks and Assange makes frequent demands for justice in his case. What more can he do? Give us your clever advice as to how Assange can better support Manning.
The full interview of Julian Assange by the state broadcaster’s hackette.
1 December 2012 Last updated at 04:17
Wikileaks founder Julian Assange has spoken about his battle against extradition to Sweden in a rare and defiant interview with the BBC from the Ecuadorean embassy in London.
Mr Assange sought refuge at the embassy in June, to avoid extradition for questioning over allegations of rape and sexual assault, which he denies. He has remained there since and was granted asylum by Ecuador in August.
He spoke to the BBC’s Zeinab Badawi about the claims, as well as the case of Private Bradley Manning – currently facing a US Army trial for allegedly giving secret files to Wikileaks – and about freedom of speech
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20563871
See how she starts off with a lie. Revolting woman.
Yes, I too, would like to see the rationale, and hopefully evidence of Israeli redaction and Mannings’ poor treatment by Assange.
Just thought I’d share this incisive piece by Esam Al-Amin
http://www.counterpunch.org/2012/11/30/showdown-in-egypt/
“Brainwashing and the Assange Test”
Assange worked for Israeli interests and against US interests. He coordinated with the MSM to *limit* the release of leaked data to that which exposed US duplicity and crimes while removing all references to Israel’s. He continues to be part of a mass media disinformation campaign as witnessed by the latest ‘lung infection’ non-story. Media obsession like this is to be treated with the utmost suspicion.
Personally, I hope the Americans get hold of him, not least for the way he has treated the real hero of Wikileaks Bradley Manning
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Is there any proof out there that Assange worked for Israel interest against the USA? or is it the usual rumour mills to discredit Assange’s wikileaks work….
@Heretic
“Brainwashing and the Assange Test”
Assange worked for Israeli interests and against US interests. He coordinated with the MSM to *limit* the release of leaked data to that which exposed US duplicity and crimes while removing all references to Israel’s. He continues to be part of a mass media disinformation campaign as witnessed by the latest ‘lung infection’ non-story. Media obsession like this is to be treated with the utmost suspicion.
Personally, I hope the Americans get hold of him, not least for the way he has treated the real hero of Wikileaks Bradley Manning
______________________________________________________________
Is there any proof out there that Assange worked for Israel interest against the USA? or is it the usual rumour mills to discredit Assange’s wikileaks work….