Don't miss this great event! Richard Becker speaks compellingly on a subject he knows well, and with analysis not seen in mainstream media.
Thanks
Dan
Richard Becker speaks as part of a national tour with his new book, Palestine, Israel and the U.S. Empire.
Monday, Oct 12, 7 - 9pm ,
909 12th St, Sac. FMI 916-448-7157.
US harshly rebukes Israel on settlement plans
By MATTHEW LEE (AP) – 48 minutes ago
WASHINGTON  Alarmed by Israeli plans to build new housing units in settlements and dimming prospects for American peace efforts, the Obama administration on Friday put out a rare and harsh public rebuke of its main Mideast ally.
The White House said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's settlement plans were "inconsistent" with commitments the Jewish state has made previously and harmful to U.S. attempts to lay the groundwork for a resumption in peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.
"United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued settlement expansion and we urge that it stop," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said in a statement. "We are working to create a climate in which negotiations can take place, and such actions make it harder to create such a climate."
In a move sure to antagonize the Onion for not having come up with it first, former U.S. presidential candidate Mike Huckabee endorsed Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and rejected the "two-state solution." Instead, the Southern Baptist preacher suggested that Palestinians should "have a place of their own" some place else.
Both my parents immigrated to Indiana from the Palestinian town of Ramallah in the early 1960s, before Israel's occupation in 1967. Like many Palestinians in the Diaspora, they would have been happy with a secular democratic state in the entirety of historic Palestine/Eretz Israel with equal rights for both Jews and Arabs. But also like many Palestinians, convinced that Israelis would never agree to granting equality to all Palestinians, they have supported attempts to create a rump Palestinian state in the parts of Palestine occupied by Israel in 1967 where Palestinians could exercise their right to self-determination.
Living in Palestine: Witness to Occupation
Thursday, July 23, 2009, 7pm, Newman Center, 5900 Newman Court, Sacramento,
Sacramento activists Patricia Daugherty and Maggie Coulter share their recent experiences from 8 months in the Middle East including six months in the West Bank and a week in Gaza.
The event will feature Middle-Eastern snacks, and presentations by two eyewitnesses to the occupation of Palestine, followed by a discussion about what you can do to help end the violent and unjust occupation.
Speakers:
Sacramento's own Patricia Daugherty recently returned with her partner Maggie Coulter from an eight month long trip to the Middle East, six months of which were spent in Bethlehem in occupied Palestine. San Francisco-based activist Rae Abileah recently spent time with CODE PINK's Peace Delegation in Israel at the Gaza border.
To RSVP and get the address, please email or call Heather at 402-2752.
Youtube has removed my video, “Feeling The Hate In Jerusalem,†on the baseless grounds that it contains “inappropriate content.†They have offered me no further explanation and have stonewalled my inquiries and attempts to rectify the situation. Thus they have censored a video that contains far less inflammatory content than thousands of video they are already hosting. Why? I won’t ascribe motives to Youtube I am unable to confirm, but it is clear there is an active campaign by right-wing Jewish elements to suppress the video by filing a flood of complaints with Youtube. At the same time these elements have attempted to paint me as a self-hating Jew determined to foment anti-Semitism. I answered this last charge to Ha’aretz (read the barely coherent article here) last week: “I have received death threats from people, mainly ones calling me a self-hating Jew. I am self-hating, but my self-hatred has nothing to do with me being Jewish.â€ÂÂÂÂÂÂ
Obama inherits Cheney's army of assassins and promotes their commander
by Justin Raimondo, May 20, 2009
As the story of Bush administration’s war crimes comes out in fits and starts, it appears that torture is only one aspect – and not the worst, by any means – of this horrific history. In an interview in mid-March, Seymour Hersh let slip the following:
.
"After 9/11 – I haven’t written about this yet – but the Central Intelligence Agency was very deeply involved in domestic activities against people they thought to be enemies of the state. Without any legal authority for it. They haven’t been called on it yet. That does happen."
Well, yes, that’s hardly surprising. The PATRIOT Act and other legislation [.pdf] passed by Congress gives the government the legal "right" to spy on American citizens and, in the case of Jose Padilla, lock them up without a trial and throw away the key. But, as Hersh reveals, it gets worse. Much worse:
“Right now, today, there was a story in the New York Times that if you read it carefully mentioned something known as the Joint Special Operations Command – JSOC it’s called. It is a special wing of our special operations community that is set up independently. They do not report to anybody, except in the Bush-Cheney days, they reported directly to the Cheney office. They did not report to the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff or to Mr. [Robert] Gates, the secretary of defense. They reported directly to him. …
“Congress has no oversight of it.It’s an executive assassination ring essentially, and it’s been going on and on and on. … Under President Bush’s authority, they’ve been going into countries, not talking to the ambassador or the CIA station chief, and finding people on a list and executing them and leaving. That’s been going on, in the name of all of us."
Masjid Annur Islamic Center cordially invites you to a very special event with Member of the British Parliament (MP) and long time peace activist, George Galloway (RESPECT party). MP Galloway will be the keynote speaker on Friday May 22nd at our “Break the Siege on Gaza†community event.
What: “Break the Siege on Gaza†Community Event with MP George Galloway
When: Friday, May 22nd, 6 PM
Where: Radisson Hotel
500 Leisure Lane, Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 922-2020
Although the war on Gaza has ended, the residents of this region continue to suffer the aftermaths of the war and the ongoing siege. It is our responsibility as citizens seeking a just world to stand up for the rights of the people of Gaza, and demand that the siege and the economic blockade be lifted immediately!
George Galloway has recently returned from Gaza after leading a convoy of medical aid and humanitarian assistance to the region, and will share with us his experience and reflections. We hope that you will join us to be further inspired to take action and stand for justice.
We look forward to seeing you at this important event!
Beyond the Proscenium Productions (BPP) joins forces with the Jewish Voice for Peace (http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/) and the Palestinian American Congress (http://www.pac-national.org/) in presenting My Name is Rachel Corrie for the first time in California. Karen Nylund directs this controversial play, based on the diaries and email of the peace activist and college student, who was bulldozed to death in the Middle East, beginning May 15th and running to June 14th at the Threepenny Theatre, behind the gray fence at 25th and R Streets in Midtown Sacramento. Local favorite Tygar Hicks, last seen in the critically acclaimed Blackbird, will portray the title role in this one woman, one act show.
Tickets are $18 general admission and $15 students, seniors, military and SARTA members. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm. Seating is extremely limited so reservations are required. Please email contact@beyond-pro.org or call 916-456-1600.
My Name is Rachel Corrie is a play based on the diaries and emails of Rachel Corrie, edited by Katherine Viner and well known actor Alan Rickman, who directed it. It was originally performed at the Royal Court Theatre in London, where it went onto win a Theatregoers' Choice Awards for Best Director and Best New Play.
A senior British Army officer and six other military personnel survived attack when a tethered donkey laden with explosives was detonated as their armoured vehicle passed in southern Afghanistan.
The huge explosion showered the soldier standing on “top cover†out of the Mastiff’s turret with donkey entrails and blood, and the sight was so gruesome that the rest of those in the vehicle thought he had been mortally wounded in the blast, south of Garmsir in southern Helmand province.
â€ÂÂÂÂÂÂI’m all right, I’m all right,†he shouted, according to one of the officers at the incident who spoke to The Times, giving the first account of the incident.
â€ÂÂÂÂÂÂWe’d spotted the donkey tethered to a tree as we were on our way down south to monitor an operation that had been going on that day, but thought nothing of it. There are donkeys around everywhere,†the officer said.
Nothing happened when they first passed, but as the patrol returned to the British battle group headquarters at Forward Operating Base (FOB) Delhi, explosives hidden in buckets slung from the donkey’s saddle were detonated.
“I was asleep because you can feel quite nauseous travelling in a Mastiff and was woken by the explosion,†the officer said. “When I saw the top cover guy covered in blood, I tried to get to him with emergency medical kit.
“He said he was all right but I told him he had been badly injured. When we realised what had happened it wasn’t long before the first donkey jokes started to come out  ‘drop the dead donkey’ was one, and ‘pain in the ass’ another.â€ÂÂÂÂÂÂ
The explosion damaged three of the wheels of the Mastiff and caused severe hearing problems for the Territorial Army soldier riding aloft. The stench of donkey remains lingered for weeks inside the vehicle.
A version of this article was published in the April 9, 2009 issue of the Sacramento News and Review:
Oh little town of Bethlehem….
…. Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass……. (Luke 2:15)
“Ahalanâ€ÂÂÂÂÂÂ, welcome, in Arabic is the immediate greeting to foreigners who come to Bethlehem. A city sacred to Christians in an area also important to Jews and Muslims, Bethlehem, Palestine may soon become one of Sacramento’s sister cities. That is the goal of the Sacramento to Bethlehem Sister City Initiative.
“Because of its historic significance, the name “Bethlehem†is known around the world,†says Brigitte Jaensch, a member of the Initiative. “Yet many people have no idea who lives in Bethlehem, what their lives are like, or how the policies of our government affect them.â€ÂÂÂÂÂÂ
The sister city concept grew out of a “citizen diplomacy initiative†envisioned and encouraged in the years just after the traumas of World War II. Quite simply, these visionaries held the belief that regular citizenry could actually be more effective at diplomacy and “bridge building†than their respective governments.
Poll held among American Jews reveals that Yisrael Beiteinu chairman is not held in high esteem within community, some 60% of whom oppose views he expressed during elections. Some 75% support decreased financial aid to Israel should Jewish state be party to put skids under signing agreement with Palestinians
Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 03.23.09, 19:42 / Israel News
Washington- According to a poll conducted by liberal American lobby group 'J Street,' 32% of American Jews say that the appointment of Yisrael Beiteinu Chairman Avigdor Lieberman as a cabinet minister will weaken their ties with Israel.
The poll's results, released on Monday, examined the position of American Jews regarding President Barack Obama's policies on the Middle East, the election results in Israel, the possibility for a right-wing coalition in Israel, and Lieberman's political positions.
[...]
Gerstein said statistics clearly showed that Lieberman is not very popular amongst American Jews.
The poll showed that 60% of respondents knew who Lieberman is, and 69% of them are opposed to the positions he took during the elections campaign. Despite the fact that many said that Lieberman's appointment as a cabinet minister would put a damper on their connection with Israel, 58% said that it would not change their relationship with the country. Ten percent said that it would actually strengthen their connection with the Jewish state.
In general, it seems as though the American Jewish community is not overly enthused by the concept of a hawkish right-wing Israeli government. The poll showed, however, that in a confrontation between Israel and the Obama administration, most American Jews would side with Obama. Gerstein noted that such support is exceptional, noting that the Jews of America support the American policy on the Middle East.
'Decrease aid if Israel holds up peace'
Some 76% of poll respondents believe that Obama supports Israel. Seventy-three percent said that he shares their values, and 72% support his management of the Israeli-Arab conflict. In accordance, 58% of respondents support American involvement in the peace process, even if it means America's public disagreement with Israel.
Submitted by Dan Bacher on Mon, 03/16/2009 - 12:48pm
Bethlehem Updates Number 17, March 15, 2009
In this update:
- Rachel Corrie and Tristan Anderson
- Demonstrations on Monday, March 16 in Sacramento & San Francisco
- Take action: The U.S. should go to Durban 2
- Quote from Joel Kovel
- Example of creative resistance
Rachel Corrie and Tristan Anderson
On Friday, three days before the sixth anniversary of the murder of Rachel Corrie by an Israeli soldier in Gaza, U.S. activist Tristan Anderson was shot by an Israeli soldier in the West Bank. Corrie and Anderson are among the many internationals and Palestinians who have protested the illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine. Since 2000, the Israelis have killed over 6,000 Palestinians and a few of their many international supporters.
Submitted by Dan Bacher on Fri, 03/13/2009 - 5:34pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UPDATE: Oakland, CA Volunteer Shot by Israeli Army in West Bank, Palestine
Please Contact:
Adam Taylor (English), ISM Media Office +972 8503948
Sasha Solanas (English), ISM Media Office - +972 549032981
Woody Berch (English), at Tel Hashomer hospital +972 548053082
13th March 2009, Ni'lin Village: An American citizen has been
critically injured in the village of Ni'lin after Israeli forces shot
him in the head with a tear-gas canister.
Tristan Anderson from California USA, 37 years old, has been taken to
Israeli hospital Tel Hashomer, near Tel Aviv. Anderson is unconscious
and had been bleeding heavily from the nose and mouth. He sustained a
large hole in his forehead where he was struck by the canister. He is
currently being operated on.
The Cost Of The Occupation To Israelis And Palestinians
The View Of An American/Israeli Living In Israel For Over 50 Years
Speaker: Dorothy Naor
Date: Monday, March 23, 2009
Place: Blanchard Room, Davis Public Library
315 East 14th Street, Davis
Time: 7 PM
Dorothy Naor is a native San Franciscan, who married an Israeli and has made her home, with her husband and three children, in Israel. She holds a Ph.D degree in English Literature from Tel Aviv University and has been an English teacher for most of her professional life. For the past 9 years, she has spent the better part of her time in action against the occupation. Amongst other activities, she is a member of New Profile and the Israeli Committee for Residency Rights. New Profile, an Israeli pluralist feminist organization, aims to transform Israel from a militarized to a civil society. Israel Committee for Residency Rights (ICRR) is an organization opposing the Israeli policy of denying legitimate entry into the occupied territories, particularly to Palestinians.
As the story of Bush administration’s war crimes comes out in fits and starts, it appears that torture is only one aspect – and not the worst, by any means – of this horrific history. In an interview in mid-March, Seymour Hersh let slip the following:
Masjid Annur Islamic Center cordially invites you to a very special event with Member of the British Parliament (MP) and long time peace activist, George Galloway (RESPECT party). MP Galloway will be the keynote speaker on Friday May 22nd at our “Break the Siege on Gaza†community event.
Although the war on Gaza has ended, the residents of this region continue to suffer the aftermaths of the war and the ongoing siege. It is our responsibility as citizens seeking a just world to stand up for the rights of the people of Gaza, and demand that the siege and the economic blockade be lifted immediately!
A senior British Army officer and six other military personnel survived attack when a tethered donkey laden with explosives was detonated as their armoured vehicle passed in southern Afghanistan.
