Anti..

 

For all the post-September 11 focus on Islamic anti-Americanism, the world's reaction has exposed the variety, complexity and ubiquity of antipathy towards the US. 

In Argentina, Hebe de Bonafini, an internationally known human rights activist, has said: "When the attack happened I felt happiness."

In France, the editor of Le Monde Diplomatique offered his summary of the world's reaction: "What's happening to [Americans] is too bad but they had it coming.

"Although few America-haters resort to terror, their simmering rage not only incubates violence; it also provides the moral support that can transform a crime against humanity into the opening salvo of a political, religious, cultural and economic struggle. 

Anti-Americanism's most frequent expressions usually reflect a mish-mash of grievances. But one can identify five types: politico-economic, historical, religious, cultural and psychological. 

Politico-economic anti-Americanism represents a reaction to current US foreign policies: support for Israel or for repressive governments in the Middle East; the US's role in the Balkans; its embargo on Iraq and Cuba; the lack of support for the Kyoto protocol on climate change or for the establishment of the international criminal court. US economic policies also draw fire, whether for limits on imports from poor countries or for the use of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to advance US interests.  (Carnegie 7/2001)      Just a thought.

Dumb..

 

Nearly half of the air-to-ground munitions that Israel has used in Gaza in its war with Hamas since October 7 have been unguided, otherwise known as “dumb bombs,” according to a new US intelligence assessment.

The assessment, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, says that about 40-45% of the 29,000 air-to-ground munitions Israel has used have been unguided. The rest have been precision-guided munitions, the assessment says.

Unguided munitions are typically less precise and can pose a greater threat to civilians, especially in such a densely populated area like Gaza. The rate at which Israel is using the dumb bombs may be contributing to the soaring civilian death toll.

Dumb ammunitions, was it intended?

Militancy..

 

President Joe Biden’s national security adviser is meeting with top Israeli officials.

The visit by Jake Sullivan comes as a public rift has opened between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the mounting civilian casualties in Gaza and differences in a future for Palestinians after the combat operations end.

Sullivan is also set to discuss efforts to release the eight American hostages who remain under Hamas control. (Exchange)

 Israel’s Minister of Defense, told Sullivan “ the war will last more than several months, but we will win and we will destroy them (Hamas),”
Gallant also thanked Sullivan for US support of Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

Left..

This latest retaliation against the United Nations official comes two days after the UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator issued a statement outlining the ways Israel has impeded access to aid  and ahead of an earlier warning.

Israel’s Foreign Minister, Eli Cohen, announced today via X that he revoked Lynn Hastings’ visa, confirming the move the occupying country told the United Nations it would do last Friday after accusing Hastings of being biased.

Citing what Cohen called “UN bias,” Cohen further accused Hastings via X of failing to “condemn Hamas for the brutal massacre of 1,200 Israelis, for the kidnapping of babies and the elderly.”

Two days ago,  Hastings published a statement, in which she described the “hellish” scenario unfolding in Gaza.  According to Hastings, the resumption of Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip and Israeli forces expanding their operations into Southern Gaza have created a situation where “nowhere is safe in Gaza and there is nowhere left to go.” 

Uptick..

 

Israel forged ahead with its air and ground offensive in Gaza for Eight Weeks, drawing international outrage and rare criticism from the United States over the killing of thousands of civilians.

On the other side of concern, US Government officials met American-Jewish leaders to discuss steps to counter what a White House official described as an alarming uptick in reported instances of antisemitism on university campuses.

Just a thought.

Me..

 

First..

Ceasefire..

 

Menorah..

 

Organizers are expecting over 500 Jewish New Yorkers and allies to attend the protest, which falls on the two-month anniversary of Israel’s current genocidal assault of Gaza and Hamas forces’ attack on October 7, as well as the first night of Hanukkah.

The protest is being led by Rabbis 4 Ceasefire, an ad hoc group organized to oppose Israel’s bombardment of Gaza, and is co-organized by Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Jewish Voice for Peace, IfNotNot and Shoresh. Organizers are encouraging people to bring their own menorahs for the protest at 5pm Eastern time.P

r“Tonight marks the first night of Chanukah. What is supposed to be a holiday falls exactly two months after Hamas’ horrific October 7th attack, meaning it also marks two months of Israel’s ongoing horrific assault on Gaza, which escalates every day,” said Sophie Ellman-Golan, communications director for Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, in a statement to Truthout. 

“It has been too much to bear, watching the death toll rise daily in our name, funded by our tax dollars. It feels impossible to celebrate, and essential that we come together as a Jewish community, with our neighbors and allies.”

Hate..