2020-03-17: News Headlines

Prof Michel Chossudovsky (2020-03-17). Nine Years Ago: The US-NATO-Israel Sponsored Al Qaeda Insurgency in Syria. Who Was Behind the 2011 "Protest Movement"? globalresearch.ca It was not a protest movement, it was an armed insurgency integrated by US-Israeli & allied supported "jihadist" death squads. From Day One, the Islamist "freedom fighters" were supported, trained & equipped by NATO & Turkey's High Command.

Ramzy Baroud (2020-03-17). "Zionist" Biden in His Own Words: "My Name is Joe Biden, and Everybody Knows I Love Israel" dissidentvoice.org "I am a Zionist. You don't have to be a Jew to be a Zionist," current Democratic Presidential candidate, Joe Biden, said in April 2007, soon before he was chosen to be Barack Obama's running mate in the 2008 elections. Biden is, of course, correct, because Zionism is a political movement that is rooted in …

Ramzy Baroud (2020-03-17). 'A Policeman, A Pastor and A Palestinian': The 'Chilestinians' as a Model for Palestinian Unity. counterpunch.org I was only introduced to the term 'Chilestinians' last February at a conference in Istanbul, during a presentation by the Director of the Palestinian Federation of Chile, Anuar Majluf. When Majluf referred to the well-rooted Palestinian community in Chile, who number between 450,000 and half a million, using that unfamiliar and peculiar phrase, I smiled.

Jonathan Cook (2020-03-17). The Coronavirus Could Force Rival Benny Gantz to Shake Netanyahu's Hand. dissidentvoice.org Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's caretaker prime minister, is preparing to squeeze every last drop of personal advantage from a local and global crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. He has needed to move fast. Following this month's election, Netantyahu's efforts to establish a governing coalition appeared to have been thwarted yet again — for the third …

Delilah Boxstein (2020-03-17). The Coronavirus Outbreak is Revealing the Appalling Conditions Faced by Palestinians in Israeli Prisons. mintpressnews.com "Ailing prisoners traveled three days in a metal van tied to metal chairs with feet and hands cuffed. They don't have access to food or a toilet as they spend hours picking up other sick prisoners. Most sick inmates won't even go to Ramleh [Hospial] because they know how excruciating the journey can be."

sputniknews (2020-03-17). Imperialism Fans the Flames of Coronavirus Spread. sputniknews.com As "enemy" country rally to treat Covid-19 US falters; Bernie doesn't show up in latest debate; Gantz set to form unity government in Israel; Cuba contributions to anti-viral medicine…

Ramzy Baroud (2020-03-16). A Policeman, A Pastor and A Palestinian: The 'Chilestinians' as a Model for Palestinian Unity. mintpressnews.com The Palestinian diaspora in Chile, the Chilestinians, have had unique success in learning how to accept their political differences and unify over thier common cause.

Israel Shamir (2020-03-16). Julian in the Dock. "A Secret Trial" globalresearch.ca Julian Assange's extradition hearing has had very little media coverage. Even The Guardian and The New York Times barely mentioned it, though these newspapers made a fortune publishing Assange-provided cables. Unless you had been looking for it, you wouldn't …

Stephen Lendman (2020-03-16). Dubious Postponement of Netanyahu's Trial. globalresearch.ca Hopefully delay isn't an escape hatch for Netanyahu to avoid long overdue justice. | Notably, charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust he faces don't remotely rise to the level of his crimes of war, against humanity, and slow motion …

Ali Salam (2020-03-16). Sheikh Bukairat Arrested from Home in Jerusalem. imemc.org The Israeli police, on Sunday evening, arrested Sheikh Najeh Bukairat, deputy director of the Administration of Islamic Awqaf and Aqsa Mosque Affairs, from his home in Sur Baher neighborhood, in East Jerusalem, Days of Palestine reported. The Administration of Islamic Awqaf and Aqsa Mosque Affairs in Occupied Jerusalem, announced on …

Rami Almeghari (2020-03-16). Armed Israeli Colonists Uproot Tens of Palestinian Trees Near Bethlehem. imemc.org A group of armed illegal Israeli colonists stormed, on Monday morning, Palestinian-owned farmlands, close to Gush Etzion illegal colony, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank. Hassan Breijiyya, the head of the National Palestinian Committee against the Annexation Wall and Colonies in Bethlehem, said the assailants uprooted 50 fruitful …

PCHR (2020-03-16). PCHR: Weekly Report on Israeli Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (05-11 March 2020). imemc.org Israeli Violations Continue in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (05 — 11 March 2020) Summary During the period covered by the current report, the Israeli military occupation forces and Israeli settlers continued to commit further grave violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law. During this week, Israeli forces …

Rami Almeghari (2020-03-16). Four Palestinian Detainees Placed In Solitary Confinement. imemc.org The Israeli Prison Authority placed four Palestinian detainees in solitary confinement, under harsh detention conditions. The Ramallah-based Palestinian Detainees Committee explained in a statement, issued Monday, that over the past ten days, the Israeli administration at the Ramon detention center, has been confining Hatem Alqawasma, Osama Es'ied, Ibrahim Abdul-Hai, and …

Ali Salam (2020-03-15). Israeli Forces Shoot, Injure one Palestinian in Kufur Qaddoum. imemc.org A Palestinian young man suffered a shrapnel wound in his back, on Saturday, when the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) fired towards a peaceful group, marching in Kufur Qaddoum town, east of Qalqilia, a local official reported. Morad Eshteiwi, the coordinator of the Popular Committee against the Wall and Colonies, said …

Ramzy Baroud (2020-03-15). "A Policeman, a Pastor and a Palestinian": The "Chilestinians" as a Model for Palestinian Unity. dissidentvoice.org I was only introduced to the term 'Chilestinians' last February at a conference in Istanbul, during a presentation by the Director of the Palestinian Federation of Chile, Anuar Majluf. When Majluf referred to the well-rooted Palestinian community in Chile, who number between 450,000 and half a million, using that unfamiliar and peculiar phrase, I smiled. …

Ali Salam (2020-03-15). Israeli Forces Close Al-Aqsa due to Corona Virus, Allow Israeli Settlers to Invade. imemc.org Israeli occupation forces, on Sunday, closed most of the doors of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem, under the pretext of "precautionary measures against the Corona virus," while allowing dozens of settlers to storm it. According to the Palestine News Network, Israeli forces closed the gates of the sacred …

Rami Almeghari (2020-03-15). Gaza's Border Crossings Closed. imemc.org All Gaza crossings have been reportedly indefinitely closed, Sunday, said Palestinian and Israeli sources. In Gaza, local authorities in the Israel-besieged territory announced that the Rafah Egyptian-Palestinian crossing terminal, sole outlet to the world for Gaza's 2-million residents, will be closed for two weeks, for travelers on both sides of …

Rami Almeghari (2020-03-15). Detainee Bilal Ekmail Enters 15 Years of Imprisonment. imemc.org Palestinian detainee, Bilal Ekmail, has entered 15 years of imprisonment, under very strict detention conditions, imposed by Israeli authorities. Montaser Sammour, director of the Jenin office of the Palestinian Prisoners Society (PPS) in northern West Bank, said that Ekmail is serving a 20-year prison sentence, and has been frequently held …

IMEMC News (2020-03-15). Israeli Colonists Cause Damage To Twenty Palestinian Vehicles Near Nablus. imemc.org Many fanatic illegal Israeli colonists invaded, on Sunday morning, the western area of Huwwara town, south of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and caused damage to at least twenty cars, trucks and buses. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel's illegal colonialist activities in northern West …

teleSUR (2020-03-15). Israel's Gantz Secures 61 Majority to Form Government. telesurenglish.net In a hard blow for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's bid for reelection, his main rival Benny Gantz was tasked Sunday by Israel's President Reuven Rivlin to form a new government, after the leader from the Blue and White party secured a 61-seat majority. | RELATED: | "At the end of the consultations, 61 Members of Knesset had recommended… Benny Gantz, as opposed to 58 Members of Knesset who had recommended the current…

teleSUR (2020-03-15). Israeli President Begins Talks to Pick Next Prime Minister. telesurenglish.net Israeli President Reuven Rivlin began on Sunday a series of consultations with all parties elected in the parliamentary election before tasking someone with forming the next government. | RELATED: | According to a timetable released by the President's Residence, the consultations, which are being broadcast live, are expected to be concluded by Sunday evening. | Rivlin will hear the recommendations of eight factions that…

Ali Salam (2020-03-15). Israeli Settlers Attack Palestinian Herders Near Ramallah. imemc.org Israeli settlers, on Saturday, attacked Palestinian herders as they were grazing their livestock near the village of al-Mughayir, east of Ramallah city, in the central occupied West Bank, according to a local source. Mayor of the village, Ameen Abu Alia, told Palestinian WAFA News Agency that illegal settlers chased the …

Staff (2020-03-06). Headlines for March 6, 2020. democracynow.org 3,500 Cruise Ship Passengers Quarantined Off California Coast over Coronavirus Fears, Seattle Area Residents Urged to Work from Home as Coronavirus Spreads Across U.S., World Health Organization's Coronavirus Warning: "This Is Not a Drill", Stocks Tumble as Coronavirus Rattles Global Economy, Sen. Elizabeth Warren Suspends 2020 Presidential Bid, Bernie Sanders Campaign Rally Disrupted by Protester with Nazi Flag, Russia and Turkey Agree to a Ceasefire in Syria's War-Torn Idlib, Israel Accused of Collective Punishment After Demolishing Palestinian Homes, Israeli Opposition Parties Bidding to Unseat Netanyahu After…

Middle East Eye (2020-02-07). Russia Says Israel Used Civilian Plane as Human Shield During Syria Strikes. theantimedia.com Russia accused Israel of "making a total mockery of the lives of hundreds of innocent civilians."

CounterSpin (2020-01-31). Omar Baddar on Israel/Palestine 'Peace' Plan, Rainey Reitman on Greenwald Persecution. fair.org MP3 Link This week on CounterSpin: It is strange to think that you could create a plan to shape the relationship between two entities, in consultation with one but not the other, and then not just declare it, yourself, a "win-win," but also say to the unconsulted party, "You better take it, or else." Yet …