#IsraelUsaHamasWar / Spanish, Irish leaders call on Ursula von der Leyen to review EU-Israel trade accord over human rights concerns [February 14]
Duo calls for “urgent review” of trade agreement between Israel and the #EU in light of #Rafah military operation.
[…] In a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday, the two leaders called for “an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its obligations, including under the EU/Israel Association Agreement, which makes respect for human rights and democratic principles an essential element of the relationship.”
[…] If Israel is found to be in violation, the agreement needs to be reconsidered, Sánchez and Varadkar argue.
At least #PresidentGabrielBoric could block them from assisting to a civil-militar congress (#FIDAE) so them can't come to offer guns and other technologies in Chilean soil... (Officially)
@drmarioMD there’s no interest in stopping Israel. So far forcing aid through is really just so Israel can continue the killing without western countries be complicit as they can claim they did what they can. Israel can be stopped dead in its track with sanctions. An international arrest warrant should be issued for Netanyahu and Israeli soldiers fighting in Gaza should be arrested if they travel to other countries… lots can be done.
#Palestine / Netanyahu's "day after" document is devoid of any vision, and captive to the concept of deepening the occupation (Jack Khoury)
After 15 years as prime minister, it is clearer than ever that #Netanyahu has no vision for a solution to the conflict. The poverty, military rule, and violent oppression that he perpetuates only sow hatred and fuel the next war.
[…] A leader with a real political plan for the Gaza Strip would not have revealed it in the dead of night, but would have presented it to the public live. Netanyahu has no good news to offer, since Israel has already tried everything: full control, arrests, assassinations and building fences – but did not make the Palestinian issue disappear. The time has come to recognize reality – there is another people that shares this land.
[…] Israel was hit hard by Hamas' surprise attack, and went to war on the basic rationale of self-defense and returning the captives. But what is actually happening is not a war against Hamas, but a war against the Palestinian people and the Palestinian narrative - a war of pure revenge without any vision. If Israel wants to dismantle Hamas, end UNRWA's role in Gaza, and change the curriculum, it must address the reasons for their existence, recognize that there is another public sharing this land - and present a vision that will allow the Palestinians the right to self-determination.
#IsraelUSAHamasWar / U.N. experts urge embargo on Israel for arms that would be used in Gaza
“International law does not enforce itself,” the experts said. “All States must not be complicit in international crimes through arms transfers. They must do their part to urgently end the unrelenting humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.”
[cont’d] Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Israel Katz response:
[…] Since the massacre of October 7th, the UN has been cooperating with the #Hamas terrorists and trying to undermine #Israel's right to defend itself and its citizens. The disregard for Hamas' war crimes, sexual violence crimes and crimes against humanity is an indelible stain on the UN and Secretary-General António Guterres personally."
Katz, who kept a very low profile in the weeks after the October 7th attack, and since then became gradually more outspoken and vocal about continuing the war in Gaza, is known for his ad hominem attacks on critics of Israel. He claimed Poles "suckled anti-Semitism from their mothers' breasts," and referred to Erdogan's "friends in the Islamic movement" when he blamed Israel of #genocide in Gaza.
#UN / Intelligence report says Washington can’t verify Israeli assertions about widespread links to militant groups
Who could see this coming? At the rate IDF claims are being refuted, couple of days or a little bit longer after the initial claims are published, everything Israel is claiming needs to be double checked.
[…] The new intelligence assessment, as described by the officials, doesn’t dispute Israel’s allegations of links between some staff at Unrwa and militant groups, but it provides a more measured appraisal of Israel’s assertions than public statements by U.S. and Israeli officials.
[…] In the new report, which was completed last week, the U.S.’s National Intelligence Council, a group of veteran intelligence analysts, said it assessed with “low confidence” that a handful of Unrwa staffers participated in the Oct. 7 attack, those familiar with the findings said.
[…] The report also notes what it says is Israel’s longstanding dislike of the U.N. agency, two of those familiar with the document said.
[…] “There is a specific section that mentions how Israeli bias serves to mischaracterize much of their assessments on Unrwa and says this has resulted in distortions,” one person familiar with the report said.
The U.S. assessment also says that the reality of Hamas’ control in Gaza means that the U.N. agency has to interact with the group to deliver humanitarian relief, but that that doesn’t mean that the agency is collaborating with the militant group, the person said.
"A vote in favor of this draft resolution is support to the Palestinians right to life. Conversely, voting against it implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon them," Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council before the vote.
@CalNativeLandscape
It’s pretty obvious the White House is running the show… on the Israeli side, which I’m focused on, everything seem to revolve around what the USA might do or not do next, with the temporary ceasefire proposal the US planning to bring to the SC seen as an implied threat.
IMHO the US wants the Hamas out of the way so Biden gets a shot at brokering a deal, forcing the already weak PA to accept meaningless statehood, and celebrate that as peacemaking. It seems to me he’s betting everything on that.
"A vote in favor of this draft resolution is support to the Palestinians right to life. Conversely, voting against it implies an endorsement of the brutal violence and collective punishment inflicted upon them," Algeria's U.N. Ambassador Amar Bendjama told the council before the vote.
Israeli soldiers reminding themselves of their mission statement: "occupation, expulsion, settlement" - effectively describing #EthnicCleansing. Is this IDF's actual mission in Gaza?
At least, it should raise concerning questions. If this is what SOME soldiers believe their role to be, how does it impact their treatment of the local Palestinian population? Does it translate into a mentality of killing as many as possible?
The soldier's use of the #Hebrew name for the month also suggests he likely comes from the nationalist-religious camp. This segment of the population is known for a zealous ideological commitment to settling all of historic #Palestine.
So both the words expressed and background of the soldier point to an extremely troubling mindset among a portion of #IDF troops tasked with engaging with Palestinians. A mindset that at its core endorses and perpetrates systemic ethnic cleansing.
#IsraelUsaHamasWar / 26 EU countries warn Israel against 'catastrophic' Rafah offensive
[...] The statement was issued in the name of "Foreign Ministers of 26 Member-States of the European Union" and diplomats said #Hungary - a close ally of the Israeli government - was the sole country that did not sign up.
"an immediate humanitarian pause that would lead to a lasting ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and the provision of humanitarian assistance".
#Israel / The Israeli High Court rejected outright a petition filed by 62 families of Gazan which sought information about their loved ones
Just another reminder how the Israeli courts enable policies that might be seen as violations of international law regarding detention and occupation.
The Israeli High Court rejected outright a petition filed by 62 families of Gazan residents held in Israel as security prisoners, which sought information about their relatives. The court dismissed the case on procedural grounds, arguing that these involve separate matters pertaining to different detainees, with distinct factual backgrounds for each individual.
#Palestine / Russia has invited representatives of all Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on February 26
With the United States firmly aligned with Israel in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, Russia may see an opportunity to expand its influence in the region. The Kremlin could leverage America's partisanship to portray itself as a more neutral arbiter in Middle Eastern affairs. Russia has already offered to mediate talks between Israel and Hamas. By inserting itself diplomatically, Russia potentially stands to gain greater sway over key regional issues, from the Iran nuclear deal to the Syrian civil war. With U.S. credibility damaged by its explicit support for one side, Moscow may seek to exploit cracks in America's regional hegemony.
PM Mohammad #Shtayyeh addressed the Munich Security Conference: saying "Russia has invited all Palestinian factions to meet in Moscow on the 26th of this month […] We'll see if Hamas is ready to join us on the ground." as reported by https://www.albawaba.com and other outlets.
#IsraelUSAHamasWar / US Plans to Send Weapons to Israel Amid Biden Push for Cease-Fire Deal
Delivery would include bombs, precision-guidance kits and bomb fuses
[…] An assessment of the proposed arms transfer drafted by the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem, and viewed by The Wall Street Journal, said the Israeli government requested “rapid acquisition of these items for the defense of Israel against continued and emerging regional threats.”
[…] The assessment said there were no potential human rights concerns with the sale. “Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights. In the past, Israel has been a transparent partner in U.S. investigations into allegations of defense article misuse,” the assessment says.
<The assessment said there were no potential human rights concerns with the sale. “Israel takes effective action to prevent gross violations of human rights and to hold security forces responsible that violate those rights.>
This is demonstrably false, and whoever penned it (and authorized it) needs to go to jail.
#Rafah / French President Emmanuel Macron told Netanyahu of his opposition to an Israeli offensive in Rafah
[…] Macron raised […] concerns in a phone call on Wednesday with #Netanyahu, the president's office said, saying further forced displacements of people could also bring regional escalation.
#UNRWA / Philippe Lazzarini interview with Haaretz: “Israel did not provide us with evidence for suspicions against employees, we expect full cooperation”
Lazzarini says #Israel has not provided substantive evidence to back its accusations against UNRWA employees and dismissal of the organization's neutrality. He calls for full cooperation from Israel in investigating the claims.
Despite Israel not providing full intelligence report; Lazzarini says he fired 10 of them immediately based only on a verbal briefing from Israel's Foreign Ministry.
Israel did not raise any issues with the list of all UNRWA employees that is shared annually. The 12 suspected employees were included on the latest list from May 2023.
Lazzarini questions the claims that 10% of UNRWA Gaza staff are linked to Hamas, saying they have not received this information and don't know the source.
He argues UNRWA has limited ability to detect Hamas tunnels under its buildings in Gaza, as it lacks military expertise and mandate.
He denies claims of widespread diversion of UNRWA aid to Hamas, saying aid is distributed directly to families without intermediaries. He acknowledges he can't fully rule out some aid being taken and resold on black market.
@oatmeal@israel@palestine
People still believe the lies that Israel tells?
What idiots we are.
Why can’t we see? It’s so clear.
Another way to annihilate the Palestinian people is to deny aid to them. It can’t be denied that it is a brilliant strategy to throw this blanket accusation to put the whole institution’s reputation in doubt. They knew the idiot western countries would believe them, not the UNRWA.
It’s monstruous what we are allowing to happen.
@oatmeal@ia42@MisuseCase@israel@palestine Refugees are no longer refugees if they become citizens of another country. The status becomes “resettled,” no longer “refugee.” EXCEPT for Palestinians. Why this special exception found nowhere else within international law?
#Israel / Ben-Gvir: “lethal force should be used against women and children approaching the fence”
During a cabinet meeting, far-right Israeli Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir clashed with #IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi over rules of engagement along the #Gaza border. Ben-Gvir argued that clear directives were needed to prevent another #Hamas attack, saying lethal force should be used against women and children approaching the fence as potential militants.
The heated exchange reflects tensions between the military and the new right-wing government over policies toward Palestinians, with hawkish ministers pushing for tougher measures and clearly illegal measures, despite warnings from security officials and the international community.
@ia42@tzafrir@oatmeal@israel@palestine So...for two weeks before an attack that the IDF had been warned about, they quit patrolling and allowed explosives to be piled along the wall. That's interesting...
[cont’d] Supreme Court rejected petition against the appointment of Ben Gvir as Minister of National Security.
Justice Amit criticized Ben Gvir's past and current conduct, but emphasized that the minister declared before #Netanyahu and the Court that he has changed his ways, and that Netanyahu has the authority to make decisions based on political considerations.
"The Prime Minister has the authority to consider also political, coalition, and party considerations, within the framework of his decision to appoint a person to the role of minister in his government. The complexity of life in general and political life in particular presents a wide range of possible appointments, including those that clash with the purpose of integrity and public confidence that is required. Therefore, there is room - and even a necessity - to exercise discretion. But this will be done with care, and intervention will be in exceptional cases."
#Netherlands / Future of Dutch arms sales to Israel to be decided today
The Hague Court of Appeal will announce its verdict in the case brought by Oxfam Novib, PAX and The Rights Forum against the Dutch government regarding the delivery of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel.
Other EU countries like Wallonia and Spain have already decided to stop arms exports to Israel due to the risk of contributing to serious violations of international humanitarian law.
The NGOs are confident ahead of the verdict, but regret that legal action was necessary. They warn about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in #Gaza with disease and acute hunger outbreaks amidst ongoing bombings and fighting. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has vowed "total victory."
The NGOs criticize the contradiction of the Netherlands providing medical aid while also supplying F-35 parts used to bomb Gaza, saying this narrative cannot be justified.
The court said it was likely the F-35s were being used in attacks on #Gaza leading to unacceptable civilian casualties. This ruling comes after the #ICJ in January ordered Israel to prevent acts of #genocide in its war against Hamas, prompting renewed calls to ban weapons exports to #Israel.
The implications are that Israel faces mounting legal pressure regarding its conduct in Gaza, with courts in multiple countries questioning arms exports that may facilitate violations of international law. This latest Dutch ruling represents another setback for Israel in its attempts to defend its military offensive in Gaza diplomatically and legally. Restrictions on F-35 parts could also impact Israel's military capabilities.
The court said it was likely the F-35s were being used in attacks on #Gaza leading to unacceptable civilian casualties. This ruling comes after the #ICJ in January ordered Israel to prevent acts of #genocide in its war against Hamas, prompting renewed calls to ban weapons exports to #Israel.
The implications are that Israel faces mounting legal pressure regarding its conduct in Gaza, with courts in multiple countries questioning arms exports that may facilitate violations of international law. This latest Dutch ruling represents another setback for Israel in its attempts to defend its military offensive in Gaza diplomatically and legally. Restrictions on F-35 parts could also impact Israel's military capabilities.