Daily Archives: September 19, 2020

2020-09-19: News Headlines

Yisrael Frey (2020-09-19). Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border on Covid-19 fears. middleeasteye.net Hasidic Israeli pilgrims trapped at Ukraine-Belarus border on Covid-19 fears | Thousands of pilgrims enduring grim weather, without shelter, blame Israeli government for abandoning them | Sat, 09/19/2020 – 11: 31 | Hasidic Jews sleep outside on the ground at the Belarus-Ukraine border (supplied) | On the biggest Jewish holiday, proclaiming the start of a new year on the Hebrew calendar, thousands of H…

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-18). Betrayers to Palestinian cause complicit in Zionists' crimes. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 18 (MNA) — Emphasizing that the betrayers to the Palestinian cause are complicit in all the crimes of the Zionists, Ghalibaf said that there will be no solution to the Palestine's issue without the participation of the Palestinians.

Philip Giraldi (2020-09-18). New US Ambassador to Germany Attracts the Usual Enemies: Doug Macgregor Feels the Wrath of the Pro-Israeli Lobby. globalresearch.ca There is an old saying that allegedly came out of the French Revolution, that revolution, like the god Saturn, devours its own children. It was reportedly uttered by Georges Danton at the trial that preceded his execution and could be …

Nora Barrows-Friedman (2020-09-18). 84 Percent of Canadians Want War Crimes Probe Into Israel. commondreams.org Protesters hold a giant Palestinian flag as they walk across University Avenue in front of the U.S. consulate, during a demonstration against the decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital on in Toronto, Canada, December 9, 2017. (Photo: Giordano Ciampini/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/canada_israel_protest_0.jpg

WSWS (2020-09-18). Trump's Middle East deal and the dead end of bourgeois nationalism. wsws.org The so-called "peace" agreements between Israel and two Arab monarchies signed on the White House lawn Tuesday are only the latest in the long record of betrayals of the Palestinian people.

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-18). Israel regime's nuclear weapons threat to world's security. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 18 (MNA) — Iran's Ambassador to the Vienna-based international organizations Kazem Gharibabadi said that the Zionist regime's acquisition of nuclear weapons is a serious threat to the security and stability of the region and the world.

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-18). VIDEO:Bahrainis protest on normalizing tie with Israel regime. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 18 (MNA) — People in Bahrain demonstrated on Thursday night and announced their strong opposition against normalization of ties between Bahrain and Zionist regime.

yenisafak (2020-09-18). Calhanoglu named MVP of 2019-2020 season at Milan. yenisafak.com Italy's Milan has named Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu their Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2019-2020 season.The Serie A side congratulated Calhanoglu on Twitter."You're our first Emirates MVP of the season," they said, using the name from the club's airline sponsorship deal.Calhanoglu, 26, scored 11 goals and made 9 assists in 38 games for Milan last season.

yenisafak (2020-09-18). Israel goes back to virus lockdown amid 5,000 new cases. yenisafak.com Israel is set to return to a total coronavirus lockdown later Friday as infections are mounting across the nation.The lockdown will be effective as of 2 p.m. local time (1100GMT). Under the lockdown, people must remain 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) of home.Businesses except for food and medicine will be closed and no more than 10 people will be allowed indoors and 20 people most will be allowed to gather outdoors.Israel registered additional 5,238 cases from the coronavirus outbreak over the past 24 hours.In a statement, the Health Ministry said the country's tally rose to 176,933 confirmed cases, including 1,169 death…

_____ (2020-09-18). TUC Calls For Israel Sanctions To "End Apartheid" popularresistance.org The British Trades Union Congress has condemned Israel's annexation plan, calling it "another significant step in the creation of a system of apartheid" in the West Bank. | Passed on Tuesday, the motion is thought to be the first time the British trade union umbrella body has described Israeli policies as apartheid. | The TUC motion calls for the UK to "take firm and decisive measures, including sanctions" against Israel to stop annexation, end the occupation and respect the right of Palestinian refugees to return. | It also called for unions around the world to join the campaign "to stop annexation and end apart…

Mitchell Plitnick (2020-09-18). Israel, the UAE, & Bahrain Didn't Sign Peace Deals, They're Military Alliances to Counter Iran. globalresearch.ca Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain in Washington on Tuesday. Brokered by the Trump administration, these deals represent two of the most broadly popular developments for both Trump and Netanyahu in many …

Andrew Korybko (2020-09-17). The 'Israeli'-Emirati Alliance: Geopolitical Impact on Africa. globalresearch.ca The misleadingly described "peace" deal between "Israel" and the UAE will enable the self-professed "Jewish State" to use the latter's military and civilian port infrastructure in the Gulf of Aden, thus challenging recent Turkish inroads in this part of the …

Chris Jones (2020-09-17). Hope and Fear: Refugees on Greece's Samos Island, September 2020. globalresearch.ca Roger came by the house yesterday evening. In his early 20s Roger is from Gaza. He's full of energy and ideas and has been like this since he arrived in Samos over a year ago. His days are full of …

Yasmina Allouche (2020-09-17). Charter against Bahrain-UAE-Israel normalisation deal signed by one million. middleeasteye.net Charter against Bahrain-UAE-Israel normalisation deal signed by one million | Emirati and Arab NGOs launch an online campaign in solidarity with Palestinians | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 13: 54 | The launch of the charter by the UAE Anti-Normlisation Association comes the same week as both the UAE and Bahrain officially signed normalisation agreements with Israel (AFP) | Over one million people hav…

Miko Peled (2020-09-17). Why Arab Leaders Are Suddenly Groveling at the Chance to Normalize Ties with Israel. mintpressnews.com Arab leaders understand that relations with Israel provide access to US Empire and all that comes with it, including much desired US-made weapons and other perks such as security and economic cooperation.

MEE staff (2020-09-17). Israel likely to manufacture F-35 wings for UAE: Report. middleeasteye.net Israel likely to manufacture F-35 wings for UAE: Report | Both Israel and the UAE have denied reports that the sale of the fighter jets was part of their controversial normalisation deal | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 11: 57 | Israel's state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is expected to manufacture wings for F-35 aircraft intended for sale to the UAE, according to a newspaper report (AFP/file photo) | Israel wil…

MEE staff (2020-09-17). US considering 'appointing' Mohammed Dahlan as next Palestinian president: Friedman. middleeasteye.net US considering 'appointing' Mohammed Dahlan as next Palestinian president: Friedman | US ambassador to Israel also says freeze on West Bank annexation is temporary and Arab-Israeli conflict will be over within a year | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 10: 55 | David Friedman predicted that the normalisation deals marked the beginning of the end of the Arab-Israeli-conflict (AFP) | The United States is considering supporting…

MEE staff (2020-09-17). Israeli newspaper rows back on Friedman quote on Dahlan. middleeasteye.net Israeli newspaper rows back on Friedman quote on Dahlan | US ambassador originally quoted as saying Washington was considering supporting the former Fatah leader as Palestinian president | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 10: 55 | David Friedman predicted that the normalisation deals marked the beginning of the end of 'the Arab-Israeli conflict' (AFP) | An Israeli newspaper has rowed back on a quote by US Ambassador David Fr…

MEE staff (2020-09-17). University of Toronto rescinds job offer to academic over Israel criticism. middleeasteye.net University of Toronto rescinds job offer to academic over Israel criticism | University denies Valentina Azarova had ever been officially hired; it did not address concerns that a judge and donor had reportedly objected to her hiring | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 16: 07 | Valentina Azarova, fellow at Manchester International Law Centre, worked to establish human-rights enforcement mechanisms globally and has consulted o…

MEE staff (2020-09-17). Israeli firm provided phone-hacking services to Saudi Arabia: Report. middleeasteye.net Israeli firm provided phone-hacking services to Saudi Arabia: Report | The report by The Marker says that Cellebrite was also active in the kingdom at the time of Jamal Khashoggi's murder in October 2018 | Thu, 09/17/2020 – 11: 02 | Cellebrite says its technology serves 154 countries and that it has been used to make convictions in 5 million cases of serious crime (AFP) | A controversial Israeli security firm…

Ramzy Baroud (2020-09-17). The 'Desaparecidos' of Palestine: Gantz Escalates Israel's War on the Dead. dissidentvoice.org On September 2, the Israeli government approved a proposal that allows the military to indefinitely withhold the bodies of Palestinians who have been killed by the Israeli army. The proposal was made by the country's Defense Minister, Benny Gantz. Gantz is the main political rival of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He also serves the role …

_____ (2020-09-17). Occupation Of UK Factory Involved In Israeli Drone Manufacture. popularresistance.org Direct action protests against Israel's largest weapons company have escalated in the UK, with an occupation of a factory building engines for drones used by Israel's army entering its third day on Wednesday. | Protests were also held outside Elbit System UK's London headquarters and at its landlord's main offices, as new solidarity group Palestine Action escalated its campaign to shut down the company's operation in the UK. | Elbit Systems UK is part of the high-tech weapons group that supplies more than 80 percent of the Israeli army's military drones, including the Hermes 900 and Hermes 450…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-09-17). Activists occupy Elbit Systems factory in UK. peoplesdispatch.org The factory of the Israeli weapon company Elbit Systems in Shenstone, UK, is under occupation by protesters belonging to Palestine Action. They have demanded the shut-down of all sites of Elbit Systems in the UK.

Fight Back (2020-09-17). Palestinians slam Arab regimes' 'normalization' with Zionist occupation. fightbacknews.org Chicago, IL – On September 15, the Chicago Coalition for Justice in Palestine (CJP) held a press conference to reject the charade that was happening the same day in Washington, DC, where the Trump administration was holding a signing ceremony for a 'peace' arrangement between Israel and both the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. | CJP represents all of the major Palestinian organizations in Chicago. They spoke against the Arab regimes' 'normalization' with the Zionist Israeli enemy. Solidarity activists with the American Friends Service Committee and the Chicago Faith Coalition on Middle East Policy and othe…

Philip Giraldi (2020-09-17). New Ambassador Attracts the Usual Enemies: Doug Macgregor Feels the Wrath of the Jewish Lobby. thealtworld.com As is all too often the case in the United States, the loudest voices, like ADL, are generally the ones that Congress pays attention to. | There is an old saying that allegedly came out of the French Revolution, that revolution, like the god Saturn, devours its own children. It was reportedly uttered by Georges Danton at the trial that preceded his execution and could be applied equally to the demise of Trotsky after the Russian Revolution. It meant that the leaders that drove the dramatic political developments frequently get a taste of power and become resistant to any further change. They often end up turning…

Marwa Osman (2020-09-17). Yankees Going Home—MES EP.72. thealtworld.com The top U.S. general in the Middle East Frank McKenzie confirmed plans for partial troop drawdowns in both Iraq and Afghanistan before the Nov. 3 election, as President Donald Trump seeks to fulfill a campaign promise to end what he calls "America's endless wars". The U.S. plans to cut the troop presence in Iraq from 5,200 to 3,000 by the end of September. To discuss this issue with us from London is Patrick Henningsen founder of the 21st century wire news website. | The announcement that Bahrain would establish full diplomatic relations with Israel leaves open the possibility that more Arab states will follow. B…

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-17). UAE, Bahrain's ties with Zionists part of US pres. campaign. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) — Iranian parliament speaker's adviser for international affairs said The UAE and Bahrain's normalization of ties with the Israeli regime is part of a broader plot linked to the US president's reelection campaign.

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-17). 'Israel-firsters betray their own people for votes'. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) — In a tweet on Thursday, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammd Javad Zarif named US President as an 'Israel-firster' who has betrayed Americans just for votes.

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-17). rallies against UAE, Bahrain ties with zionists. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 17 (MNA) — People of Tehran gathered in front of the Palestinian embassy on Thursday to denounce the disgraceful move by the UAE and Bahrain in the normalization of relations with the Tel Aviv regime.

sputniknews (2020-09-17). Israeli Security Forces Accuse Palestinian Woman of Spying, Recruiting for Hezbollah. sputniknews.com Israeli authorities have arrested a Palestinian resident of East Jerusalem, accusing her of spying for Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

yenisafak (2020-09-17). Stage is set for stronger Turkey-Bangladesh ties: Top diplomat. yenisafak.com The current level of bilateral relations between Ankara and Dhaka is ready for takeoff, said Bangladesh's top diplomat on a visit to Turkey, stressing that a slight push by the two governments is needed to get things going.In an inclusive interview with Anadolu Agency in Ankara during his four-day visit to Turkey, Bangladeshi Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said the economy and trade will be the key focus of bilateral relations.He also talked about the Rohingya refugee crisis, Dhaka's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and plan to revive the economy.On the normalization agreements with Israel and Arab states, Mo…

_____ (2020-09-17). Protests And Rockets As Gulf States Sign Deals With Israel. popularresistance.org At a White House ceremony on Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain officially established diplomatic relations with Israel. | The signing of the US-brokered Abraham Accords formalizes decades of clandestine relations between Israel and the two Gulf states. | US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Emirati foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani all spoke before the signing. | Al Nahyan and Alzayani also signed separate treaties with Trump and Netanyahu.

Andrew Korybko (2020-09-16). The US-Brokered Mideast 'Peace' Deals Aren't Really What They Seem. thealtworld.com The loud applause that followed the US-brokered Mideast "peace" deals between "Israel" on one hand and the UAE & Bahrain on the other is misplaced since there was never any real state of war between the "opposing" sides to begin with, but presenting these accords as a "breakthrough for peace" is meant to pressure those remaining countries that refuse to recognize the self-professed "Jewish State" by portraying them as "obstacles to peace" so that they too consider abandoning their principled support for Palestine in exchange for positive media coverage and other perks such as economic support. | There's No "Peace…

Staff (2020-09-16). Noura Erakat: Trump's Bahrain-UAE-Israel Deal Won't Advance Palestinian Peace & Will Up Repression. democracynow.org As the Trump administration celebrates deals establishing diplomatic ties between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, we speak with Palestinian American legal scholar Noura Erakat, who says Trump's "peace" agreements are a sham. "This is not about advancing any kind of meaningful, enduring peace, but instead about entrenching a geopolitical alliance that would otherwise increase oppression for people of the Middle East," says Erakat, assistant professor at Rutgers University and author of "Justice for Some: Law and the Question of Palestine."

MEE and agencies (2020-09-16). Hamas warns Israel of escalation following air strikes on Gaza. middleeasteye.net Hamas warns Israel of escalation following air strikes on Gaza | Tensions coincide with Israel's signing of normalisation deals with the UAE and Bahrain in Washington | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 08: 19 | Israeli air strikes against Gaza took place in the early hours of Wednesday after rocket fire from Gaza (AFP) | Hamas warned Israel it would face a military escalation on Wednesday after its warpl…

Kathryn Shihadah (2020-09-16). Life Under Seige: The Blockade on Gaza Turns Fourteen and Is Still as Illegal as Ever. mintpressnews.com With no foreseeable end in sight, Israel's blockade on Gaza not only runs afoul of international law, but it has also already been on the radar of the United Nations and human rights groups for well over a decade.

Mehr News Agency (2020-09-16). Zionist enemy to pay for aggression: al-Qassam Brigades. en.mehrnews.com TEHRAN, Sep. 16 (MNA) — Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas Movement, has issued a statement on Wednesday in reaction to the aggressions of the Israeli regime against the Gaza strip.

yenisafak (2020-09-16). Nearly 3,500 Palestinians killed during Netanyahu era. yenisafak.com During the prime ministry of Benjamin Netanyahu, who signed an agreement with the UAE and Bahrain to normalize relations, nearly 3,500 Palestinians, including many women and children, were martyred and thousands of others injured in the attacks of Israeli forces.Netanyahu, shown as one of the chief architects of Israel's oppression and violations against Palestine, served as the prime minister during the two bloody attacks on the Gaza Strip under the blockade by the Israeli army.According to the data of the Israeli rights group B'Tselem, nearly 3,500 Palestinian Palestinians have been martyred in the attacks of t…

yenisafak (2020-09-16). 1982 Beirut massacre still haunts survivors. yenisafak.com "We unwittingly came to Lebanon and we will return to our homeland Palestine whenever possible." | About one square kilometer (less than half a square mile) in size, the Sabra and Shatila camp, located west of Beirut, is home to 12,000 Palestinian refugees, according to unofficial data.

Eds. (2020-09-16). CBC doubles down on erasing Palestine. mronline.org Activists are determined to hold the broadcaster to account for minimizing Palestine's national identity…

Peoples Dispatch (2020-09-16). Palestinians protest against UAE and Bahrain signing "normalization" deals with Israel. peoplesdispatch.org Hundreds of protesters throughout the occupied territories denounced the US mediated deals as betrayal of the Palestinian cause, and vowed to continue their fight against the Israeli occupation…

Rayhan Uddin (2020-09-16). Al Jazeera staff hit out at US decision to register it a foreign agent under FARA. middleeasteye.net Al Jazeera staff hit out at US decision to register it a foreign agent under FARA | AJ journalists criticise "politically motivated attack", and question timing amid Israel-UAE normalisation deal | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 13: 51 | Doha-based media network Al Jazeera said it was "deeply disappointed" by the US decision to register it as a foreign agent (AFP/File photo) | Staff at AJ+, Al Jazeera's US-based a…

Joe Gill (2020-09-16). Occupation of UK factory involved in Israeli drone manufacture enters third day. middleeasteye.net Occupation of UK factory involved in Israeli drone manufacture enters third day | A direct action group is pushing to end the UK's military complicity with Israel's human rights abuses

| Wed, 09/16/2020 – 11: 37 | Activists scaled the building at UAV Engines factory, where engines for Elbit Systems drones are built in Shenstone, near Birmingham (Palestine Action) | Direct action protests against Israel's…

MEE and agencies (2020-09-16). Dubai's DP World and Israeli group to jointly bid for Haifa port privatisation. middleeasteye.net Dubai's DP World and Israeli group to jointly bid for Haifa port privatisation | UAE and Israeli companies sign agreements to potentially open direct shipping line between two countries | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 17: 52 | Haifa Port will need to be upgraded to compete with port being built in area by China's Shanghai International Port Group (AFP/File photo) | Dubai Ports (DP) World announced on…

Ali Harb (2020-09-16). UAE-Israel deal voices support for Trump's 'deal of the century'. middleeasteye.net UAE-Israel deal voices support for Trump's 'deal of the century' | The accord does not mention the two-state solution and makes no reference to the holy sites in Jerusalem, unlike the previous announcement | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 01: 57 | Palestinians had forcefully rejected Trump's plan to end the conflict, known as 'deal of the century' (AFP) | The normalisation agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Israel…

MEE staff (2020-09-16). Trump tells American Jews: 'We love your country', and asks for their votes. middleeasteye.net Trump tells American Jews: 'We love your country', and asks for their votes | US president suggests American Jewish leaders see themselves as Israelis during pre-Rosh Hashanah presidential call | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 21: 05 | Throughout his presidency, Trump has made many concessions to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (AFP/File photo) | In a call with American Jewish leaders, President Donald Trump spen…

Thomas Klikauer — Nadine Campbell (2020-09-16). The Anti-Racist Feminist and the Corporate CEO. counterpunch.org In 2016, the former corporate leader and TV show host Donald Trump became US president. In the night that his victory was announced, previous Ku Klux Klan (KKK) leader David Duke described the event as one of the most exciting nights of my life. A year later, the FBI revealed that hate crimes increased for a second consecutive year, with attacks targeting Muslim and Jewish people as well as the LGBTQ community.

Sondos Asem (2020-09-16). Arab normalisation with Israel: Who is next? middleeasteye.net Arab normalisation with Israel: Who is next? | Trump has said five countries might follow in the UAE and Bahrain's footsteps – but which ones was he referring to? | Wed, 09/16/2020 – 12: 47 | From left, Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, US President Donald Trump, and UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan hold up signed agreements at the…

Tom Anderson (2020-09-16). A new campaign is challenging UK complicity in Israeli apartheid, and it really means business. thecanary.co In the early hours of the morning of Monday 14 September, a group of Palestine solidarity organisers set up a blockade at the gates … | By | In the early hours of the morning of Monday 14 September, a group of Palestine solidarity organisers set up a

_____ (2020-09-16). 'Palestinian Self-Determination Not For Sale'. popularresistance.org As US President Donald Trump brought together leaders from Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates to sign deals to establish diplomatic relations, just outside of the White House, hundreds of Palestinians, civil rights and advocacy groups gathered in protest of the occasion, accusing the leaders of ignoring the voices of Palestinians. | Coming together with waves of Palestinian flags, donning traditional keffiyehs, and some wearing masks with the words "Free Palestine", the demonstrators shouted slogans: "No hate, no fear, Bibi is not welcome here", and "Occupation is a crime, normalisation is a crime".