Former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a key ally of Joe Biden, has signed a letter from dozens of congressional Democrats to the US president and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, urging a halt to weapons transfers to Israel.
It marked the 1st time #Biden has indicated a willingness to reassess his unwavering support of #Israel’s campaign in #Gaza, as pressure grows among prominent #Democrats to condition #weapons sales to Israel as the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 32k, acc/to the Gaza Health Ministry. #POTUS’ rhetoric has grown increasingly sharp regarding Israel’s handling of the crisis, but until now he had not directly warned Israel of #consequences if it does not change course.
The Australian government has been accused of being secretive about its defence exports to Israel, as calls grow internationally for countries to suspend arms transfers that could be used to commit human rights abuses in Gaza.
Senate hearing heard that 52 defence permits were granted to the Israeli government in 2023 alone, and more than 350 were granted since 2017.
🚨 Elbit war criminal CEO: We were forced to shut down operations of an Elbit subsidiary in the U.S. Our profits decreased by 22% after the war on #Gaza.
We are facing difficulties after some countries banned supplying weapons to “israel.” Exports to & sales in the U.S. & Canada declined during the last quarter of last year.
Our profits decreased after closing factories in “Kiryat Shmona” and “Sderot.” Our production declined due to the drafting of 2,000 of our employees into the army and the killing of 5 workers.
Elbit‘s CEO said their supply chain disruptions are due to:
Maritime freight shipping issues (taking longer & more expensive)
Components for weapons systems are experiencing disruption globally & some vendors are choosing not to sell & work with Elbit
In other words: Yemen’s sea blockade and Palestine Action’s international direct action campaign are tanking Elbit’s profits!
From Haaretz: "What didn't go under the radar was the extensive total scope of the airlifts to Israel. According to publicly available flight-tracking data, at least 140 heavy transport planes have taken off from American bases around the globe – transporting equipment mainly to the Nevatim Airbase in southern Israel – since the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack, Hezbollah's offensive in the north, and the Israeli army's responses in Gaza and Lebanon. Munitions and other equipment have also arrived in Israel aboard a number of cargo ships."
A laboratory found a pattern of cell damage that has been seen in #veterans exposed to #weapons blasts, & said it probably played a role in the gunman’s spiral into #violence.
A specialized laboratory examining the #brain of the gunman who committed #Maine’s deadliest #MassShooting found profound #BrainDamage of the kind that has been seen in #veterans exposed to repeated blasts from #weapons use.
The lab’s findings were included in an autopsy report that was compiled by the Maine chief ME’s office & released by the #gunman’s family.
The delicate tissue sheaths that insulate each biological circuit lay in “disorganized clumps,” & throughout #RobertCard’s #brain there was scarring & inflammation suggesting repeated #trauma.
This was not #CTE, the report said. It was a characteristic pattern of damage that has been found before in #military#veterans who were repeatedly exposed to #weapons#blasts during their service.
"GENEVA (23 February 2024) – Any transfer of weapons or ammunition to Israel that would be used in Gaza is likely to violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately, UN experts* warned today."
„American schools hit a record last academic year with more than 340 shootings reported across the country. The high-water mark points to another troubling trend closer to home — more students were caught bringing guns to school.“
"Israel and the ‘crime of crimes’
The International Court of Justice says Israel might be committing genocide in Gaza. Scholar of genocide A. Dirk Moses explains to Coda how we got here"
“Israeli long-range missiles and exploding drones known as loitering munitions have made up for Azerbaijan’s small air force, even at times striking deep within #Armenia itself. Meanwhile, #Israel Barak-8 surface-to-air #missiles have protected #Azerbaijan’s airspace in shooting down missiles and #drones,” said Pieter Wezeman, senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, which tracks #arms sales.