Appointing Martin Indyk as Special Envoy to the upcoming peace talks was to be expected. It was signaled in advance. And yet it is revealing and distressing.
The only other candidates considered for the job were equally known as Israeli partisans: Daniel Kurtzer, former ambassador to Israel before becoming Commissioner of Israel’s Baseball League and Dennis Ross, co-founder in the 1980s (with Indyk) of the AIPAC backed Washington Institute for Near East Policy; handled the 2000 Camp David negotiations on behalf of Clinton.
The winner among these three was Martin Indyk, former ambassador to Israel (1995-97; 2000-01), onetime AIPAC employee, British born, Australian educated American diplomat, with a long list of pro-Israeli credentials.
Does it not seem strange for the United States, the convening party and the unconditional supporter of Israel, to rely exclusively for diplomatic guidance in this concerted effort to revive the peace talks on persons with such strong and unmistakable pro-Israeli credentials?
What is stranger, still, is that the media never bothers to observe this peculiarity of a negotiating framework in which the side with massive advantages in hard and soft power, as well as great diplomatic and media leverage, needs to be further strengthened by having the mediating third-party so clearly in its corner. Is this numbness or bias? Are we so accustomed to a biased framework that it is taken for granted, or is it overlooked because it might spoil the PR effect of reviving the moribund peace process?
John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, whose show this is, dutifully indicated when announcing the Indyk appointment, that success in the negotiations will depend on the willingness of the two sides to make ‘reasonable compromises.’ But who will decide on what is reasonable? It would be criminally negligent for the Palestinians to risk their future by trusting Mr. Indyk’s understanding of what is reasonable for the parties. But the Palestinians are now potentially entrapped. If they are put in a position where Israel accepts, and the Palestinian Authority rejects, “(un)reasonable compromises,” the Israelis will insist they have no “partner” for peace, and once more hasbara will rule the air waves.
It is important to take note of the language of reasonable compromises, which as in earlier attempts at direct negotiations, excludes any reference to international law or the rights of the parties. Such an exclusion confirms that the essential feature of this diplomacy of negotiations is a bargaining process in which relative power and influence weighs heavily on what is proposed by and acceptable to the two sides. If I were advising the Palestinians, I would never recommend accepting a diplomatic framework that does not explicitly acknowledge the relevance of international law and the rights of the parties. In the relation of Israel and Palestine, international law could be the great equalizer, soft power neutralizing hard power. And this is precisely why Israel has worked so hard to keep international law out of the process, which is what I would certainly recommend if in Tel Aviv’s diplomatic corner.
Can one even begin to contemplate, except in despair, what Benjamin Netanyahu and his pro-settler cabinet consider reasonable compromises? On what issues can we expect Israel to give ground: borders, Jerusalem, refugees, settlements, security?
It would have been easy for Kerry to create a more positive format if he had done either of two things: appointed a Palestinian or at least someone of Middle Eastern background as co-envoy to the talks. Rashid Khalidi, President Obama’s onetime Chicago friend and neighbor, would have been a reassuring choice for the Palestinian side. Admittedly, having published a book a few months ago with the title Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Undermined Peace in the Middle East, the appointment of Khalidi, despite his stellar credentials, would have produced a firestorm in Washington. Agreed, Khalidi is beyond serious contemplation, but what about John Esposito, Chas Freeman, Ray Close? None of these alternatives, even Khalidi, is as close to the Palestinians as Indyk is to the Israelis, and yet such a selection would have been seen as a step taken to close the huge credibility deficit. Yet such credibility remains outside the boundaries of the Beltway’s political imagination, and is thus inhabits the realm of the unthinkable.
It may be that Kerry is sincere in seeking to broker a solution to the conflict, yet this way of proceeding does not. Perhaps, there was no viable alternative. Israel would not come even to negotiate negotiations without being reassured in advance by an Indyk-like appointment. And if Israel had signaled its disapproval, Washington would be paralyzed.
The only remaining question is why the Palestinian Authority goes along so meekly. What is there to gain in such a setting? Having accepted the Washington auspices, why could they not have demanded, at least, a more neutral or balanced negotiating envoy? I fear the answer to such questions is ‘blowin’ in the wind.’
And so we can expect to witness yet another charade falsely advertized as ‘the peace process.’ Such a diversion is costly for the Palestinians, beneficial for the Israelis. Settlement expansion and associated projects will continue, the occupation with all its rigors and humiliations will continue, and the prospects for a unified Palestinian leadership will be put on indefinite hold. Not a pretty picture.
This picture is made more macabre when account is taken of the wider regional scene, especially the horrifying civil war in Syria and the bloody military coup in Egypt. Not to be forgotten, as well, are Israeli threats directed at Iran, backed to the hilt by the U.S. Congress, and the terrible legacy of violent sectarian struggle that is ripping Iraq apart. Naturally, there is speculation that some kind of faux solution to the Israel/Palestine conflict would release political energy in Washington that could be diverted to an anti-Assad intervention in Syria and even an attack on Iran. We cannot rule out such infatuations with morbid geopolitical projects, but neither should we assume that conspiratorial scenarios foretell the future.
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Global Justice in the 21st Century 
Well done, Richard. You ask what does the Palestine Authority have to gain? Obviously not credibility, rather to remain on the payroll. They have long ceded their legitimacy – no elections in over seven years! ‘Blowin’ in the wind’ indeed.
I can’t think of anyone who would be more credible to replace the AIPAC backed Indyk than you, yourself. Now that would be a move to make the talks credible.
International Mediation: Conflict Resolution and Power Politics by I. William Zartman1, Saadia Touval2 in Journal of Social Issues Volume 41, Issue 2, pages 27–45, Summer 1985:
Quote:
“It was found that a mediator intervenes because of its interest in the conflict or in obtaining an outcome, and it can play three roles-communicator, formulator, manipulator- in accomplishing its objectives. The mediator is accepted by the parties, not because of its neutrality but because of its ability to produce an attractive outcome. The mediator’s power, or leverage, comes from the parties’ need for a solution, from its ability to shift weight among parties, and from side payments.”
The mediator is the United States of America. It is not neutral. Its Special Envoy represents his state’s position. Indyk does it.
===========================================
Nomination, selection and appointment of mandate holders (e.g. Special Rapporteurs …)
———————————————————————————————————————
In its resolution 5/1 the Human Rights Council clarified the parameters related to the selection and appointment of special procedures mandate holders.
According to resolution 5/1, the following general criteria will be of paramount importance while nominating, selecting and appointing mandate-holders (e.g. Special Rapporteurs):
(a) expertise; (b) experience in the field of the mandate; (c) independence; (d) impartiality; (e) personal integrity; and (f) objectivity.[…]
Eligible candidates are highly qualified individuals who possess established competence, relevant expertise and extensive professional experience in the field of human rights. Technical and objective requirements have been further clarified in HRC decision 6/102.
I very much like you, Richard, and more often than not I agree with your research, analysis and conclusions.
But, I wouldn’t say that you’re neutral when touching the Israel-Palestine or Zionist-Antizionist “Canaanite” conflict. I only want to see you being impartial and objective and independent.
A US State Dep. Special Envoy should fulfill similar criteria, except (c) independence, which in their case should be replaced by honest loyalty.
Indyk fulfills them, I think.
Thanks, Robert, for your thoughtful message. I agree about a Special Envoy
having this obligation of loyalty to his country, but in this context it would
seem to me if a genuine solution to the conflict is the goal, some symbolic
effort to give an impression of evenhandedness would be in America’s national
interest.
As for my SR role, I have tried my best to be truthful with no pretension of
balance given the realities of the Israeli occupation. From a human rights/
international law perspective there are not two sides of this story, except
possibly in certain details. The Palestinians have been subjected to a rightness
existence for more than 45 years with no end in sight, accentuated by daily
flagrant abuses.
With best wishes,
Richard
Dear, Robert Soran-Schwartz
I pray for Hillel Neuer because the Spirit of God has shown me that he is bewitched. Meaning, he is not in a full realization of truth objective, but is following essence of bewitchment. My concern and prayers are with him, and I hope that is valid to be so.
And I was praying that he is let go from that bewitchment that he is following, so that he is places under the Law that is Spiritual and is good and is valid, and the works of Faith.
Now, this may be mystery to you, but there is a specific tribe in the earth that is very anti-Semitic and that act as the best friend to Israel when they are in fact the worst enemy to the people in the Holy Land. Historically they have a record of spiritual and natural evil toward Jewish exiles and the Land of Israel.
I agree with you, there is no other Land in the world that needs grates blessing over their soil…right here in US because it is impossible for the Church to graft in that wicked tribe—just impossible. Only time they are grafted in is when Church mature in Spirit –or Judah Spirit-filled is mixes with their seed—or they are baptized by free fall of the Spirit. There is no other way—or hope for that tribe. Their Christianity and Faith is invalid, as are their works of faith are not valid. (When they mix with mere Israelites—both get spiritually excommunicated and do whatever, much evil/evil unconditional). There is nothing new under the Sun. Now this is what Church Charismatic sees. For mere churches is best to stay out of issues that concern Holy Land because they are capable of unconditional evil, and we are here only to warn about that. There is no other purpose for the Church to be involved because the Church is neutral.
Blessed and faithful Jewish Rabbis should keep those wicked churches in tap, in their oversight when come to the Land of Israel and Landmarks. (They, counterfeit churches/believers are just a spiritual enemy, and then they become natural enemy, as well). Look and see the Land of Israel in this point in time. (Look and see other lands that were touches by wicked churches, and servants of that).
Still, I do believe by revelation of God’s Spirit that you have underestimated authority which is vested in our beloved Mr. Falk. He has responsibility to the International law without shortfall. (I do not think that you have a full ability to evaluate that).
Again, I may not be qualified to judge all things when comes to the international issues, simply because I am no expert in the Law International, and I can be so wrong and ineffective in that part. (You may well say, “invalid and in a dead-end to apply my judgment on that”). Then, you would be right by you legitimate and expert authority that you have to judge on my behave…as the Church I am submitted to all valid Laws that are appointed—otherwise I would be church-invalid, and lawless.
Now when comes to the Land of Israel, there is a landmark that is point of distress for the People in Holy Land because they were appointed without approval of people of the Holy Land and Jewish exiles. Who has appointed and supported that landmark? (Look toward wicked tribe, and spiritually excommunicated Israelites).
I will be amazed and under a major distress if disqualified people take the spiritual and natural authority over the Holy Land when they have not.
By Faith and Spirit of God,
K.F.
Kata, please remember to keep your comments brief and to the point!
walker
Dear Mr. Walker B. Percy,
Yes, I will do that as much as it is possible for me.
Thank you,
K.F.
For the sheer enjoyment of it and also the educational value, you might want to read ‘God and his demons’ by Dr.Michael Parenti. It leaves no doubt as to where the sore points are in today`s society.
Yes, Albert. Parenti’s book is a good suggestion for Kata. I would go even further back and recommend Walter Kaufmann’s “Critique of Religion and Philosophy.” Unfortunately, I think Kata is so wound up in her religious spiritualism that she probably wouldn’t grasp such secular views.
I agree with you “health and wealth Gospel” charismatic-church is/are in that “demons of Satan” (that is their god). Charismatic Church in Rome (Vatican) is very clean, and celibate. Now women-ordained, Awww
Some secular people have fun insight and are valid…Some are confused/defiled (think/hear by demons, in fact).
Thanks Gene
K.F.
P.S. I be outing today and will not be able to pick up for next 5 hours.
Anyone taking on Kerry’s job must be prepared to sacrifice his immediate political career. The job calls for someone who accepts that the cause of peace is bigger than he is.There is no sign that any of the players recognize this simple imperative. How many photo-ops for peace have american Presidents and Secretary’s of State put us through in the last two decades? Are we that dumb to take them seriously ? Nevermind Netanyahu finds the perfect moment to announce more plans for settlement expansion?
How is it that Erekat/Abbas accepted a zio-freak like Indyk? and if America’s intentions were pure what possessed them to put Indyk forward?
Why should prisoners/Palestinians “deal with the man with the gun pointed at him”? Justice systems in a civilized world are supposed to ensure that doesn’t happen.
If America, at long last, wished to appear clean and avoid problems at home, it could find good defensible reasons for turning the whole issue over to the UN/ICC, where it belongs, at the same time explaining to the American public what the hell’s really going on.
So much for the promises of transparency in the much hyped/ advertised/marketed Cairo speech.
If the Palestinians were to walk away and take their case to the proper authorities, it could spell the beginning of the end for the zio-infestation that grips the US and UK governments– that is, if the moves are properly exploited by the worldwide solidarity movement.
Instead going along with the charade is not helpful, au contraire.
We (the solidarity movement) should call for dismantling of the illegitimate Palestinian authority, encourage Hamas and PA unity, call for fresh elections and finally encourage them to take their case to the ICC.
@ Debbie
What is going on? We ask that.
It seems that different cults/church-cults and similar are pushing their way through the governments. This is in part.
Regardless, it is all lawlessness. The all are avoiding order of the Law/Institutions that is/are appointed.
US have had” no business/stand-alone” on issues of different governments. (It is a lawless interference).
But it is not alone–not really. It is one team with these who ditch the Laws appointed. For long time they were just NATO/colonies, right? They really had no part in UN that much during the Cold War. They were busy, as they are now, but just in another way/package (busy in contemporary way/package of same old).
It is that same old Nazi-spirit that does not go away, but is repacked according to time contemporary. It will not go away. But it will get its way even @ UN just if it can. In this point in time it has its way, even at UN. We say, “Sure, do whatever–you lawless?”
When the mission, values and goals are not in harmony, then there is an organizational/institutional issue.
I think on this: “I always tell you: What is the difference between “mission” and “missions?” It has to be of one kind–or it is diversified, and not valid…and they get a out, out, out /restriction from/by UN.
There are countries @ UN that need to be excommunicated from the governing body, all together until they figure out that lawful ways. (I really see it just like that).
Now this would be reasonable, still I am Church Chatolic Charismatic and I am neutral, and not qualified in Law/Politics.
By the gift of the Spirit
K.F.
I really appreciate your firm stand on ‘the side’ of human rights, Richard. ‘Peace’, if indeed that is the object, requires balanced incentive on both sides to achieve and maintain. Appointing Martin Indyk to this role confirms to Palestinians only that peace will not be achieved at the negotiating table; and we know what happens when subjugated people lose all hope. International law must be the basis of any ‘negotiation’; or it must be imposed by those who still believe in the equal distribution of human rights. I look forward to hearing you in Canberra in September.
Sandra,
Could you please elaborate on your comment, “we know what happens when subjugated people lose all hope.”? I think you are saying what we all really know, but can’t quite bring ourselves to admit: that we must expect global terrorism, including martyrdom actions, to continue forever, since the US gov’t. has been infiltrated by partisans of one side of this endless, boring dispute, and so the other side has lost hope of ever recovering their property and their dignity, leaving no recourse other than suicide.
It is time to accept that the US-mediated “peace process” is a sham. But there is hope, and we should be grateful to American patriots like Glenn Greenwald, Edward Snowden and Bradley Manning for pulling back the curtain so that we can all begin to accept the sad truth, and then try to figure out how to defeat the zionist-industrial complex. Our only hope is to expose the endless venality of Israel and it supporters, and to reverse the damage caused by this group of insane, traitorous bastards.
Walker
If I was to express my opinion here walker b percy, you could rightly accuse me of plagiarism. But I will indulge in a little overview of it.
Too bad,that the best sailors are always on the shore, otherwise Richard would be called upon to take part in these negotiations, which obviously are just a PR exercise, like all the previous so-called attempts. Israel will not compromise in any way, because they know, they have the US in their back pocket.
Since this conflict became UN-related — peculiarly by the political-zionists themselves — it will ultimately have to be solved accordingly, eventhough the political zionist now have turned away from the UN; for obvious reasons, but anyway. Also this Kerry-steered effort will necessarily fail — no USA-official is in a position to honestly broker the differences at stake — but let us try to remain optimistic and accept this move as another step towards the final stage of this ordeal, in order to get it over with: the appointment of a UN-committee of three men with outstanding credentials regards international law and without any relation to either party involved, be it confessionally and/or ethnically.
Actually, there is no proper solution to this quagmire, since the political-zionist project — a Jewish State, guaranteed by public law, so called democratic as well; how on earth can someone imagine or propose such a monstrosity — is a fallacy, but as it has been tolerated, after the horrific Holocaust, we ‘simply’ have no other choice than to find a way out, with the least possible victims, in whatever camp. We will need all our imagination and perseverance to bring this degrading conflict to an end, in order to finally be able to turn to the task of tiqun olam, to heal the world; a Jewish motive, of great meaning…
Having difficulty trying to leave a message. Thanks for an informative and interesting article. Hope the Israeli government starts to be more reasonable. The Palestinians should be helped by international laws and human rights.
Dear Richard,
I agree with your points of view.
This will be another charade – as the prevous ones.
Change and maybe better in terms of human rights and laws for subjugated suffering Palestinians will only come – in my opinion – when other states /BRICS; China and/or Russia – start to interfere by putting heavy ‘materials’ on their ‘tables.
Israel as well as USA are loosing out within the EU-population. Only EU governments (how shameful for us Europeans!!) stick or are puppets.
With Internet and more global information channels our world-population becomes more and more aware where truth can be found and how it is in reality.
The majority of US-citizen are still held in dark, only a small percentage is aware.
US-citizen have been too much “manipulated” over decenniens – I think – they aren’t even fighting for their own rights up til yet.(Whether it concerns their environment, Monsanto and misuse of taxpayers money, no real movement by millions and millions can be seen!!)
Take care of yourself,
monalisa
As usual, monalisa, I find myself in full agreement with your perceptive remarks. We must hope that somewhere beneath the surface the forces that make for sea changes in historical evolution are preparing the way, as yet invisible. Warmly, Richard
Hi Mona Lisa,
I agree with you, except that I do see some changes, and we may soon reach a public opinion tipping point in the US. There is a proxy war brewing between Israel and the US, where politicians in the Republican Party are engaged in a public brawl, a thinly veiled argument about continuing to support Zionist war profiteers regardless of the cost to American prosperity and happiness, not to mention the oppression of millions of Arabs in Palestine. Senator Rand Paul, representing the libertarian, non-interventionist wing, is arguing against maintaining the NSA surveillance state, while Governor Chris Christie insists that we need to maintain these programs or suffer further terrorist attacks. Both men are likely candidates for the Republican nomination for President in 2016. While they are not overtly arguing about Israel, that is the subtext, it seems to me; Rand Paul is the son of Ron Paul, who has publicly stated that all payments to Israel should be halted, and he appears to hold the same core beliefs, even if he is slightly more circumspect in his public utterances. Of course, this is the money that allows these villains and thieves to continue their oppression of their impoverished and ever-more desperate neighbors. Christie represents the political establishment, and he needs AIPAC money. Rand Paul appears to have enough grass roots support to fund his upcoming campaign. We should all be rooting for Rand Paul here (even though Hilary Clinton is likely to be the next President) because he has the best interests of the country at heart, as compared with rat finks like Christy and the rest of the AIPAC Sabbath Goys. Does this analysis seem plausible to you?
Walker
Dear Walker,
I precive good things about Rand Paul by Spirit, too. (Still, I have no understanding about it, just brain-storming).
Thank you,
K.F.
hi walker b percy:
I have my doubts that this will really lead to more democratic ways in USA.
Calling for more democracy and spending taxpayers money for the benefit of US citizen needs grassroots/millions of people (not only a few millions, the US state has more than 150 millions of people being able to think by themselves as well as to call onto the government) onto streets. Meaning every US state should have its people demanding from their governments how and for what its money is used.
This – as I see it – will not be very likely.
Both big parties in US poltical arena have the same agenda.
Change can only come from the bottom and not from the top.
Too many top-politicans are profiting and holding their hands open.
Too many politicans don’t care for the state and its citizen.
Too many people in USA are holding still the belief that their country is the best concerning democracy and freedom.
They all forgot that USA implemented Nazi-rules, Nazi-beliefs as well as USA recruited several hundreds of top Nazi scientis and engineers from Nazi-Germany after the WWII into its governmental processes (whether it belongs to the CIA or NSA or any other governmental complex), Those Nazi-US-citizen never saw any trial. and were instead rewarded with good jobs and money.
If you look carefully at the agenda and nowadays fully clear and visible is the recent US history after WWII which direction USA took – you certainly have to agree that USA took the wrong turn: wars over wars, millions of people dead, murdered, environments damaged for a long time.
The US recent history tells everything – no doubt about.
US citizen were too silent and except for some desasters of US soldiers and pictures concerning Vietnam nothing would have been stopped.
No wars were won – check it for yourself.
In order to convince Europeans concerning the former Communist UdSSR CIA together with NATO secret armies planted false-flag bombs in several cities in Europe, where innocent people died and put it into the shoes of the former Communist UdSSR.
In my opinion the US government is handling its agendas not for the benefit of its people.
If all the spend money for wars would have been put into science and environment as well as infrastructure USA would be the leader of our globe – in means of wisdom and how to handle a state for the benefit of its citizen.
I feel so very sorry, however everyone can re-read what happened after WWII. No secrets there, all visible, the dead and the evironments damaged.
Sorry Percy, I would feel much, much more comfortable if it would be otherwise especially if there would have been some turn-around of political agendas and more wise politicans.
monalisa
Mona Lisa,
Perhaps you are right. There is no question that America has betrayed its promise by allowing the war profiteers to exploit public ignorance and blood-thirst. I love my country and am in pain over its self-destruction. While a few guys like Falk act heroically, our side seems never to prevail; even Obama cannot do much. It is so sad to see what we have done to our world. We seem to have gone beyond the point at which recover is no longer possible.
walker
Dear Walker,
The nature has its way to be repairing itself. Still, human agents are not stopping, not with the ways that are in, within this point in time.
Our only hope is in those who receive calling, and act according to that calling, we hope for callings that are answered. We also hope that people are equipped for that calling, so that they are not overthrown in their callings—hindered by that which comes through the human agents.
I believe that people of good will that are right here in US are not alone, and it is also appointed to be so.
Now, my hope is that you are encouraged with the works that will follow that which is appointed.
By the Gift of God’s Spirit
K.F.
Hi Walker, it seems, that everybody thinks, that the US is the democracy it claims to be. I for one have my gravest doubts, because a democratic majority in the US seems to me to be too smart to allow, what is happening and has happened for decades already. There seems to be a sinister force controlling all the vital powers in the government of the US,either by proxy or graft. Look at the powers the banks have via Wallstreet and the Federal Reserve, not to mention the right to create money out of thin air and loan that out at usury-like rates. The Glass-Steagall Act went out the window and fractional reserve banking became fashionable. Are the citizens, who originally owned the country still the owners and do they still call the shots? Didn`t Thomas Jefferson say: “When the people fear the government, there is tyranny, but when the government fears the people, there is freedom and democracy”? Look at the amount of real estate these private banks own via the default route alone. And who knows the truth about the gold assets of the US? Maybe the Fort Knox reputation is just a mirage.
Why is this guy Kerry wasting tax payers money in this farce?
August 1, 2013
The Prawler Plan is to be voted on today. First vote already passed.
I heard about this, not long ago. This would be devastating to the bedouins in the
Negev.
Today, I saw petitions to stop the P. Plan, and protests planned.
Jewish voice for peace (JVP) petitions/facebook
avaaz.org/en/petition/Stop_Prawler/?acnC
_ (above)
Hi walker b. percy:
additional remark:
the real sad thing is – especially in the Western hemisphere of our globe – that masses are willing to gather when it concerns American football games or soccer or when at some musical events thousands over thousands of people gather, especially young ones, and all these masses are there either supporting their football/soccer parties and/or applouding musicians by waving with some light-sticks like lunatics.
But when it comes to support our globe environments (sea, air and soil) when it comes to support civil and human rights those masses are missing onto the streets.
Taking too into account that we live in a time period where truth about real facts can be found much much more easier than at any previous time.
This is the real extremely sad point of our human race nowadays.
monalisa
Dear Professor Falk,
Your great efforts to achieve peace and justice in the Holy Land are admired everywhere, despite the campaigns by those who are trying to usurp the Palestinians from their basic human rights, and freedom. I doubt that these negotiations will lead anywhere because the United States government is either supportive of or unable to oppose the Israeli policies against the Palestinians. As you may recall we spoke in Santa Barbara, CA, I still believe that the Palestinian leadership is failing in representing the aspirations of the Palestinian people. I worked in the United Nations Center against Apartheid for sixteen years on the question sanctions against South Africa. I recall that during the international campaign against apartheid, and while Nelson Mandela was in prison, the apartheid regime proposed to release him from prison. His answer was that it was not a personal matter for him. It was the cause of the people of South Africa. He did not want to the apartheid regime to utilize the question of his release from prison for propaganda purposes while the system of apartheid was still oppressing the people of South Africa. Unfortunately the Palestinians people have been engaged in the struggle for freedom and independence for the more than six decades, but the United Nations, world major powers as well as well as their leadership have always failed them. However, we should not be in despair, in the early days of the struggle against apartheid, certain major powers were defending the apartheid regime in the United Nations, however, the peoples’ anti-apartheid movements forced those who were reluctant to support the struggle against apartheid, and to agree on sanctions against South Africa.
Finally, I wish to bring to your attention my article on this question, and other pressing questions in the Middle East, and in particular the military coup in Egypt. For your information, I sent this article to the New York Times, and other major newspapers in the United States, and all of them refused to published, and it was published by the Dailycensored. http://www.dailycensored.com/the-obama-administration-and-recent-developments-in-the-middle-east/
Reblogged this on ingerstyrbjörns sida and commented:
Tveklöst en mordbrand… “Solen sa polisen”…
Dear Dr. Falk,
It is no surprise , and probably also to you, that ” Israel has expanded West Bank Settlement subsidies and approved for dozens of illegal settlements, just days after resumption of talks with Palestinians” (Aljazeera Aug.4, 2013)
“Israel Widens Settlement Subsidies”…”angers Palestinian officials” BBC Aug 4, 2013
I do not understand why BBC article states ….” a subsidy scheme to settlements that WERE illegal UNTIL RECENTLY, …..days after peace talks restarted.
I emailed Mr. Kerry last week, about the Prawer Plan, and just received a long reply, which I have to read carefully. At a glance I did not see anything meaningful – I will have to see.
Netanyahu has no respect for the U.S. He is only interested in having “a free hand”.
I think there is only one possible way to deal with him, and that is not by tip toeing around. I believe he really laughs at it all, and plays for time, while proceeding with his agenda, wasting no time, I should add.
In short, he is making a laughing stock of this this administration, as usual, and I don’t believe anyone in the White House has the chutzpah to take the necessary steps for fear of retaliation.
The elections are over, and still the same curtsying behavior is going on. I think it looks plain weak.
The time for sanctions is now. I know there are all kinds of political “constraints”, etc.
But I honestly do not believe that it is in America’s interest to have a “special relationship” with Israel.
We cannot have any buffoons playing soft with Netanyahu. I do not disrespect Mr. Kerry, nor his character and efforts.
I just think that Netanyahu will step on anyone, and the U>S> as long as it can and expects to get away with it.
Netanyahu insults America, with mirth, I believe. He provokes, like a gambler, for higher and higher gains, unless he is called out.
I do not play cards, but seems like a good analogy. Hardball is all he will respect, or understand.
I feel the outrage over his arrogance, and the provocation he devises to continually undermine the Palestinians in their courage to hold on to hope.
I think he truly is a deluded and self aggrandizing figure.
I doubt this will get much coverage, or reaction in the press.
But Delta Airlines has just cancelled their orders for some kind of Israeli snack, made in an illegal settlement , or something – I cannot think right now.
It will take a lot more than cancelling snack orders, but will any one get tough on Israel.
European Union just did something… but Israel? Netanyahu how he responds to that!
The only way is to keep it up, till Israel feels the pain.
I wrote a tough email to Mr. Kerry. I’ll never know, if he even got it, or heard of it. If the U.S. cannot handle a small country like Israel, then it shows, not only how much the country is willing to compromise itself, but also how weak it is.
My apologies for the bad typing. my eyes are not good, and I don’t type .
Regards.
JG
p.s. I heard over the weekend that Israeli firm, NIKUV operated and paid to “fix” Mugabe election results – “Proof Mugabe Buys elections – Israeli Firm is being paid U.K. 8.5 million to counter ‘unfavourable’ results”.
dailymail.co.uk/news July 13, 2013
The world seems to not change. As the French say, “Plus ca change, plus c’est la meme chose”.
Dear jg,
My take on the ME situation is, that Israel has enough stranglehold on the affairs of the US by means of ownership of many of its larger corporations and on its banking system via the mainly privately owned Federal Reserve and major banks like Goldman-Sachs and the likes, that Netanjahu feels quite confident about his power.
When the banks were given the power to print money and 90% of it of the virtual variety through the fractional reserve banking, which really should be in public hands only, they managed to get control over all the world banks and by extension over the sovereignty of the different countries. These is a small cabal, that runs the entire affair and since it is private, we can call it a form of dictatorship/tyranny/slavery.
A world government would be a great idea, if it was under UN constitutional rule and not by the rules of the present UN Constitution.
The rules in the present UN chapter have been written by the victors of WWII and is therefore inherently skewed in their favor. A world government should never be in private hands in any way and that should be made constitutionally impossible to ever change by anybody through any means, otherwise the world may be faced with the worst form of slavery it has ever known in history.
Did you see that clip, I believe it was last year, when Netanyahu was lecturing Obama in his White House? Why the American people did not protest en masse about that, showed a collective moral weakness, lack of national pride and a sort of defeatism.
And as far as the EU is concerned, they are tethered to the US through that obsolete body known as NATO.
Have you never wondered, who effectively owns all the foreclosed on properties in the US and every other western country? And by virtue of the giant loans the corporations have taken out at the banks, they are also in their control.
For all practical purposes, we already are slaves of the system and the democracy we hear so much talk and bragging about, is just a pacifier for the naïve masses, thrown at us ad nauseam by the propaganda machine. The world of politics today is the result of many decades of careful long-range planning, scheming and conniving.
It seems to me, that the three Abrahamic religions are in collusion with that cabal, or for their ultimate purpose used to keep the people divided, so that the different countries can be picked off individually.
Every rope can be broken, if you sever the strands one by one and there are not too many strands left.
I wish you peace.
I believe that David, David, David is here in this presence/descendents of David…and Judah is here as well. I believe that it is just enough for a blessed undertaking…for that which has to be done. I believe just few, and that is all. That which they chose to undertake it will be blessed, and it will be done. We say, “Do whatever…and whatever will be done.” (There is no plan to do whatever). 🙂
Albert, your outlook is bleak, but probably accurate. I would love to hear more about your vision for what is behind what appears to be the slow implosion of our world. Who is this cabal, and what is its relationship to Israel? Are the Protocols real, after all? What does this tell us about what really happened in World War 2? Was the holocaust some kind of self-fulfillment of a mad obsession with global domination, exactly like we are seeing now? The American colossus may be waking up, what will happen then? Could we about to see a new spasm of global horror, as the cabal gets what it wants?
Walker & Albert,
I am having some brain storming about Hillel Neuer’s limitation’s and two of you.
I just have brain storming, but no understanding. Can you rationalize that?
Maybe we can brain-storm in group of three (or more)?
This is my mail-box:
kfisher@liberty.edu
Dear Kata,
For very obvious reasons, I decline to get involved in a personal discussion, that goes outside of this forum and that is not, because I don`t feel the conviction of my expressed and alluded to viewpoints, but my views are open for debate and scrutiny in the public domain and I welcome all constructive criticism by anyone, who feels compelled to do so.
Your mention of one Hillel Fisher made me attempt to familiarize myself with that person. And what I learned, did not make him enter my favorites list. His attacks on Richard Falk in this video:
on Dr. Falk`s person as well as on his credibility and the material he used for it, does not stand up to any kind of scrutiny.
You know, or at least ought to know, that anybody defending the truth and speaking out against the abuses of power by the powerful, gets relegated to the sidelines, except now in the age of the internet, where it does not have the same silencing effect as it once had, the silent majority is given a voice. In fact, for the truth, one has to stay away from the msm, unless one knows how to find the truth between the lines. One can lie on the lines, but not between them.
You seem to be a very religious person, which I was at one time too. But then I started to dare think for myself and question everything, that made no sense to me. It took a long time to overcome the indoctrinated fears instilled in me during my childhood years, but once I managed, I felt liberated as never before. Strange as it may seem to you, I do believe in a God, but my definition of God does not coincide with the one of the religions. You see, it was religion that fogged up my glasses until then.
My God does not need periodic adjustments to stay in step with the scientific findings.
You may want to try to walk the path of the humanist. Love your fellow human beings and also the rest of creation. The golden rule does not need an explanation because of its simplicity.
@ Albert,
I am ordained, and it is complicated. I am totally “free” from religions, just totally independent-call it neutral to all, nothing compels me. The best term for my spiritual state would be “just existence in an odd form”.
I am burdened about things with Hillel; it appears that some limitations are applicable to the whole issue, all together. But he needs these gifts/talents here. (He is in some kind of calling that may be misplaced).
I hear calling, don’t you hear calling? (I do nothing without team, I need a team with gifts of same kind).
I cannot get into specifics–that which is confidential to another person, about shortfalls and so on.
I saw that video and that is time pass—no longer applicable to Hillel. It is a time-pass.
So, never mind, for it may not be you.
K.F.
Israel’s behavior is not so good with the philistine; Israel is performing cruel values on the philistine. It is the need of time that the super power should work for the safety of philistine.
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Fat chance if you think the super power will change its ways. That’s precisely why they appointed Indyk.
They are stuck in the time that is a pass. When tribe of Benjamin was whipped out, all tribes of Israel were (but in blood lines they were whipped out). However, all has started with something that Levi did (I think Levi, but I am not sure), and what he should have not done. They had neither priest or King over them; they did all according to their own judgments, and they had taken part in guilt of blood, just by that. Even today Judah and David does not rule them—they reject all rules that are appointed (they are just into their inter-tribal mulling and nonsense). Coercing them into obedience would be acceptable, in a way.
In Vatican there is a ritual that is evil, and it is an abomination over the cup of Christ of Nazareth. What wicked pagans did in time-pass it is an abomination and a stronghold (then and now). Bertone (Bertoni) and people like him (in Vatican) should know better than that…Why are they so blind? Why? Yes, we ask why.
Pope is not buried because his blood is in a cup, and they do something with that blood of Pope that they seal in the cup. That is a mockery toward Spirit of God, and it is mockery toward Church that is Spirit-filled. (We see church immature strong-held and there is nothing we can do about it). It is a mockery of a spirit that mocks the life of service to God (it mocks a relationship, and service, all together).
What Catholics do and do not do it may be just because of cup of blood that is mixed in with sacrifice to demons. Still, Church Charismatic knows that, and it really hurts us not a whole lot.
But wicked leadership in the Church does according to the ways of Anti-Spirit of God. We know not—or they know not? And we all take part in guilt of blood? What will congregation do…we would like to acknowledge that which we know by Spirit of God. If Paul Apostle would be here, he would curse that place that is called Vatican, and would coerce them to do away with abominations in their ways.
But look and see that they reject the way of life, in part.
The only state that benefits from the “peace process” is the state of Israel. The Palestinians are again blamed, demonized and faulted for now being willing to give up what is rightfully theirs, the United States loses a little more credibility in the global arena and only Israel becomes giddy over the belief that they have pulled the wool of the eyes of the international community. The lens with which the peace process should be viewed is through the application of International law, not Israel’s Hanukkah wish list.
If the only party benefiting from the current talks is Israel, perhaps the Palestinians should accept the status-quo of being a “semi-automomous” region of “Greater Israel,” than seeking to become an independent, stand alone state (or states, if Palestinians are unable to form a unity government), which will have to eventually ratify the result of the negotiations in a national referendum, as will the Israelis.
However, the majority of both Palestinians AND Israelis favor the talks, and apparently despite the presence of Mr. Indyk, are proceeding with the negotiating process. The persons primarily responsible for the success, or non-success of the process are Saeb Erekat and Tzipi Livni, not Mr. Indyk, whose role is limited to keeping the talks underway.
Don’t forget that this situation resulted from a failed “war of “aggression” against Israel by parties which had no intent to create a Palestinian state, which did not become a central objective until the 1993 Oslo agreement. Following the 1967, Israeli victory, attempts to trade land for peace were rebuffed, particularly with the “Three No’s (No negotiation, recognition, or peace with Israel)” of the 1967 Khartoum Conference.
In 2000 and again in 2008, Yasser Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas, respectfully, walked away from peace agreements which would have established the Palestinian state and returned captured lands from 1967. Perhaps, these negotiations are Palestinians’ last, best and only hope for independent statehood. As Palestinians place a far greater commitment to the process and have not withdrawn to Mr. Indyk’s presence, we should respect Palestinian negotiators priorities and let the Palestinians determine what is most critical to achieving peace and statehood!
I agree with your basic sentiment of allowing the Palestinians to decide what is in their best interests given the circumstances. But I worry as to whether the Palestinian Authority is sufficiently independent and representative of the Palestinian people to reach
a sustainable and just peace. You are right also to point to the opinion polls on both sides that favor the resumption of direct talks. Again I worry about whether there is a sufficient public awareness of the consequences of the likely failure to produce a viable outcome, which could be despair and violence. Your comment does point to the complexity of the situation and raises useful points, but I still feel that it was sending a bad signal to have appointed as Special Envoy someone so clearly aligned with Israel, the stronger side in any event. Think of a couple seeking a divorce, allowing the rich husband to pick his best friend to mediate negotiations on a property settlement.
In the whole discussion here it is forgotten, that Hamas was democratically elected by the Palestinian people to be their representative, but that Israel rejected them, because they could not be manipulated like Abbas and his group. After what happened to Arafat, it would take an exceptionally courageous person to fill Arafat`s sandals with the same daring zeal.
Just like in Egypt with the Arab Spring successes and the democratic election of Morsi, who did not have the blessing of Israel, there too we are supposed to believe, that the people opposed Morsi and the military on their own account unseated Morsi and took over the government. And like Hamas, the Brotherhood got elevated to the status of ‘terrorist organization’. If Israel was neutral in Egypt, then why is Israel taking that aggressive stance and bombs areas of the Sinai? And similarly in Syria, why does Israel or the US for that matter, interfere there in Syria`s internal affairs? If either country needs help from outside, would and should it not be for the UN to fill that position rather than for Israel or its vassal the US? How come, that that world-organization stands back and allows these goings on?
Was the UN not created to step in in just these kinds of disputes? It is quite clear, that the UN has been rendered impotent by allowing some states veto rights, beside it being a very subjective body, which in principle is very undemocratic and which have extensively been (ab)used by the US on behalf of Israel.
I can understand the US protecting Israel, the newborn nation, but is it not about time to cut the umbilical cord and stop the suckling process?
Only the most dense of minds cannot grasp the dangerous path the world is forced onto. The subterfuge is becoming so transparent, that the artificially created fog can no longer hide the intent.
Just a comment re: your reference to Morsi and the Egyptian Army. The 50 billion US$ plus that the US has invested in the Egyptian Army over the past 30 years means that the US owns it. period, whatever johny-come-latelys like Saudia says!
Yes, Hamas was democratically elected, but primarily as a massive protest to the rampant corruption of Yasser Arafat. While elected democratically, Hamas is unconcerned with the implementation of democratic rule, imposing its theocratic Islamist regime despite the wishes of secular Gazans. It was a “one-time” election, with no respect for the rights of those with different perspectives. After Arafat’s death, his widow and child live in luxury in Paris with little concern for either the fate of Palestinians, or the course of the negotiations.
But then, neither Palestinian faction, either Fatah, or Hamas, has practiced real democracy. A single election without more does not make a democracy. See: “The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad,” by Fareed Zakaria, W.W. Norton & Co. Inc. 2004. Khalid Meshaal is now in his 8th year of the five year term to which he was elected, and Mahmoud Abbas is in his 8th year of the four term to which he was elected. It appears that the implementation of democracy is secondary to the establishment of the Palestinian state, yet Hamas in particular, is not a “partner for peace” and per the terms of Article 13 of its Charter, rejects any form of non-violent conflict resolution. Read it at http://www.mideastweb.org/hamas.htm As negotiation is not an element of the Hamas playbook, I.D.F. military retaliation (“Operation Cast Lead,” “Operation Pillar of Defense”) is the price Hamas willingly pays for its indiscriminate rocket attacks on Israeli civilian communities. The fact that Hamas deliberately targets civilians, in violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, does not win it sympathy from western nations, which would otherwise support Palestinian independence. Note that Article 32 of the Hamas Charter labels any Palestinian who negotiates with Israel as a traitor to the cause, thus placing Mr. Abbas squarely in the cross-hairs of Hamas assassins, when the time is right to seize control of the Palestinian state.
Morsi, the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas’ parent organization in Egypt, presented Egyptians with the same problem as Hamas. Morsi tried to impose Islamic rule, contrary to the wishes of secular Egyptians. The Army, responding to the wishes of a narrow majority, deposed him. While Israel took no part in the deposing of Morsi, it makes no question of its support of General el-Sissi. In a region where “the enemy of my enemy is my friend,” it is irrelevant who gets the credit, as long as the common enemy is vanquished.
Contrary to popular misconceptions, Israel has “no dog in the fight” in Syria. None of the Syrian factions, irrespective of which, if any, ultimately wins, is likely to become an ally of Israel. Israeli participation has been limited to removal of advanced “game changing” weapons which could threaten it if allowed to fall into the hands of Hezbollah. As neither Hezbollah, nor Jabhat al-Nusra have an air force, or a navy, the loss of those anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles does not impair the ability of the Assad regime to defend itself. Prior to Assad’s ham-fisted handling of dissent, which initiated the civil war, Assad had been involved in secret U.S. mediated negotiations with Israel for peace and the return of the Golan Heights. To Assad’s credit, from 1974 through 2012, he had kept the Syrian-Israel border quiet and peaceful.
Of course, both the U.S. and Russia can be expected to support their respective allies, Israel and Syria, with strategic vetoes of critical resolutions. To argue to the contrary would be a case of “do as I say, not as I do” hypocrisy. With all of the nations which attacked Israel in 1948 engaged in civil war, or otherwise in disarray, the last, best and perhaps only remaining opportunity for Palestinian independent statehood lies with negotiation with Israel.
Those pictures alone will put political caricaturists out of business.