(2021-02-08). ICC's "Landmark Decision" Could Open Door to Prosecuting Israel for War Crimes in Palestine. democracynow.org 
In a landmark decision, judges at the International Criminal Court say the body has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, opening the door to possible criminal charges against Israel and militant groups like Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the international tribunal's decision "pure anti-Semitism" and rejected its claim of jurisdiction, as did the United States, while Palestinian officials and human rights groups welcome the news. Human rights lawyer Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, says the decision restores "the i…
(2021-02-08). Raji Sourani: Gaza Faces COVID Crisis as Israel Withholds Vaccines While Imposing Inhumane Blockade. democracynow.org 
The World Health Organization estimates there have been 51,312 confirmed cases and 522 deaths from COVID-19 in Gaza since reporting began in July 2020, and the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees warns the Gaza Strip's health system could collapse if the number of cases continues to rise. We get an update from Raji Sourani, human rights lawyer and director of the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in Gaza, on how Gaza has been impacted by COVID-19 as an ongoing blockade has destroyed its health infrastructure. "Our equipment is unable to deal with the emerging situation," Sourani says.
(2021-02-08). WAFA: "African leaders: Israeli settlements on occupied territories are illegal" imemc.org 
ADDIS ABABA, Sunday, February 07, 2021 (WAFA) — African leaders reaffirmed today that all Israeli settlements erected on the occupied Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem and the Syrian Golan, are illegal. In the final statement of the two-day virtual 34th African Union Summit, African leaders stressed that Israel's settlements constitute serious violations of international humanitarian …
(2021-02-08). Palestinian Authority will use its own postal codes from April. peoplesdispatch.org The services, set to start from April 2021, will soon be extended to the blockaded Gaza strip. The move is expected to provide relief to Palestinians who have seen over 7,000 postal violations by Israel in 2020…
(2021-02-08). Arabic press review: Palestinians step up efforts to sue Israel at ICC. middleeasteye.net 
Arabic press review: Palestinians step up efforts to sue Israel at ICC | Meanwhile, Hamas is reportedly split on decision to participate in elections, and Egypt and the UAE feel alienated after results of UN-sponsored Libyan elections | Mon, 02/08/2021 – 14: 25 | The Bakr family in their house in the al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza City on 7 February, with posters of four children from their exten…
(2021-02-08). "Freedom is Never Voluntarily Given": Palestinian Boycott of Israel is Not Racist, It is Anti-Racist. dissidentvoice.org 
Claims made by Democratic New York City mayoral candidate, Andrew Yang, in a recent op-ed in the Jewish weekly, 'The Forward', point to the prevailing ignorance that continues to dominate the US discourse on Palestine and Israel. Yang, a former Democratic Presidential candidate, is vying for the Jewish vote in New York City. According to …
(2021-02-08). Soldiers Demolish Well, Two Sheds, Near Ramallah And Tubas. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers demolished, Monday, an irrigation well near Ramallah, in central West Bank, and two residential sheds near Tubas, in northeastern West Bank. Media sources said the soldiers invaded the al-Mughayyir village, east of Ramallah, and demolished an irrigation well. Marzouk Abu Na'im, the head of the -Mughayyir village council, said the well is owned …
(2021-02-08). Landmark ICC Decision Could Open the Door for Prosecuting Israel on War Crimes. truthout.org 
In a landmark decision, judges at the International Criminal Court say the body has jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Palestinian territories, opening the door to possible criminal charges against Israel and militant groups like Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the international tribunal's decision "pure anti-Semitism" and rejected its claim of jurisdiction, as did the United States, while Palestinian officials and human rights groups welcome the news. Human…
(2021-02-08). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestine TV Crew Near Salfit. imemc.org 
Several Israeli colonists attacked, Monday, a crew of Palestine TV near the entrance of Ariel colony, which was built on stolen Palestinian lands, near Salfit, in central West Bank. Palestine TV said the colonists attacked its crew members while filming a documentary about the escalating illegal Israeli colonialist activities and the dangerously increasing assaults by …
(2021-02-08). Soldiers Abduct Eight Palestinians In Ramallah. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers abducted, on Monday at dawn, eight Palestinians, including five who were kidnapped by undercover forces, in the Ramallah governorate, in central West Bank. Media sources said several army jeeps invaded the al-Jalazoun refugee camp, north of Ramallah city, before the soldiers stormed and ransacked many homes. They added that the soldiers abducted a …
(2021-02-08). Israeli Soldiers Abduct Four Palestinians, Including One Who Was Shot In Chest, In Jenin. imemc.org 
Several Israeli army vehicles invaded, on Monday at dawn, Jenin refugee camp, and Qabatia town, in the northern West Bank governorate of Jenin, before the soldiers stormed homes and abducted four Palestinians, including one who was shot in the chest in his home. Media sources said dozens of soldiers invaded Jenin refugee camp, before the …
(2021-02-08). Israel's Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption weeks before election. middleeasteye.net 
Israel's Netanyahu pleads not guilty to corruption weeks before election | The premier is the first to be indicted in office after he was charged last year over graft allegations
| Mon, 02/08/2021 – 07: 48 | Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives to a hearing of his corruption trial at the Jerusalem district court, on 8 February 2021 (AFP) | Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin…
(2021-02-08). Washington ready to rejoin UN Human Rights Council… to shift its attention from Israel's violations. rt.com 
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has announced America will "re-engage" with the UNHRC as an "observer" in a bid to pressure the international body to dispense with what he called its "disproportionate" focus on Israel. | Touting the Biden administration's supposed return toward "a foreign policy centered on democracy, human rights, and equality," the newly-appointed diplomat tore into the council over its efforts to hold Israel accountable for its ongoing violations of international law. | "We recognize that the Human Rights Council is a flawed body, in need of reform to its agenda, membership, and focus,…
(2021-02-08). US rejoins UN rights council, but voices concern over 'focus on Israel'. middleeasteye.net 
US rejoins UN rights council, but voices concern over 'focus on Israel' | The move reverses the Trump administration's decision to pull Washington from council over its criticism of Israel | Mon, 02/08/2021 – 15: 31 | The empty seat of United States during an urgent debate on 'systemic racism' at Human Rights Council in Geneva, 17 June 12020 | The United States has rejoined the UN Human Rights Council, Secreta…
(2021-02-08). Israel PM pleads not guilty as corruption trial resumes. laprensalatina.com (Update 1: Adds plea, alters lede and headline.) Jerusalem, Feb 8 (efe-epa).- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday formally pleaded not guilty before judges at Jerusalem's District Court as the corruption trial against him resumed. A three-judge panel heard the defendants' response to the indictment and set the date for the next evidentiary stage …
(2021-02-08). Defensive Moves Or Preparation For War With Iran? popularresistance.org The US has decided to deploy the Israeli Iron Dome Missile Interceptor Systems, purchased in 2019, in Eastern European countries and also in the Gulf countries where the US Central Command (CENTCOM) operates and has established operational military bases. This step coincides with the US decision that Israeljoin CENTCOM (with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrein, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan and more) following the normalisation of trade and diplomatic relations between several Arab and Islamic countries and Tel Aviv.
(2021-02-07). Int'l Criminal Court will take up Israeli War Crimes and Apartheid in Palestine. zcomm.org On Friday, the International Criminal Court found that it had jurisdiction to consider war crimes and crimes against humanity and the crime of Apartheid in the Palestinian territories…
(2021-02-07). OCHA-OP: "Humsa al Bqai'a | Flash Update #1" imemc.org 
Report By: The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territory OCHA-OPT: Posted on 5 February 2021 Highlights During two major incidents in recent days, Israeli forces demolished or confiscated 46 structures in the Palestinian Bedouin community of Humsa — Al Bqai'a in the Jordan Valley, leaving 60 people, including 35 …
(2021-02-07). Israeli Navy Attacks Palestinian Fishermen In Gaza. imemc.org 
Israeli navy ships attacked, Sunday, Palestinian fishing boats in Gaza territorial waters, in the southern part of the besieged coastal region, and near Gaza city. Media sources said the navy ships fired many live rounds at the Palestinian fishing boats, in addition to using the high-powered cater cannon against them, near Khan Younis, in the …
(2021-02-07). Palestinian Groups Call On ICC To Take Swift Action. popularresistance.org Palestinian organisations have urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to move swiftly in holding Israel to account for its actions in the Occupied Territories after a landmark decision on Friday. | Judges ruled that it is within the court's remit hear war crimes allegations made against Israel in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem. | In a preliminary investigation opened six years ago, chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda focused on 2014's Israeli aggression on the besieged Gaza Strip, which left 2,257 Palestinians dead, along with 74 Israeli soldiers. | In December 2019, Ms Bensouda said there was…
(2021-02-07). Soldiers Shoot A Palestinian Worker Near Jenin. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers shot, on Sunday morning, a Palestinian worker near the illegal Annexation Wall near Barta'a town, southwest of the northern West Bank city of Jenin. Eyewitnesses said the soldiers fired live rounds at Palestinian workers near the wall, wounding one of them. They added that the soldiers shot Khaled Mer'eb Freihat with a live …
(2021-02-07). Israeli Soldiers Injure Three Palestinians, Abduct Two, In Jenin. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, Jenin city in northern West Bank, and injured three Palestinians, including one who was rammed with an army jeep, in addition to abducting two Palestinians, including one child. Several army jeeps invaded the center of Jenin city and attacked Palestinian protesters with live rounds, rubber-coated steel bullets, and gas bombs. Medical …
(2021-02-07). Israeli Soldiers Invade Archaeological Site Near Nablus. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, the archeological site in Sebastia Palestinian town, north of Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Mohammad Azem, the Mayor of Sebastia, said several army jeeps invaded the town, before heading towards the archeological site. He added that the soldiers forced the Palestinian away, and closed the site, …
(2021-02-07). Israeli Colonists Cut 30 Olive Saplings Near Salfit. imemc.org 
Several fanatic illegal Israeli colonists invaded, Sunday, a Palestinian olive orchard near Salfit, in central West Bank, and cut more than thirty olive saplings, in addition to stealing equipment. Eyewitnesses said the colonists invaded the Palestinian orchard near Bruqin village, west of Salfit, before cutting at least thirty olive saplings. They added that the colonists …
(2021-02-07). Illegal Israeli Colonists Spray Toxins On Palestinian Lands Near Nablus. imemc.org 
On Sunday, several fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on Palestinian lands, invaded Palestinian farmlands in Khirbat Tana village, east of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and sprayed them with chemical toxins. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel's colonialist activities in northern West Bank, said the Israeli assailants came from Itamar …
(2021-02-07). Army Halts Construction Of Seven Palestinian Homes Near Nablus. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers invaded, Sunday, the town of Sorra, west of the northern West Bank city of Nablus, and handed seven locals military orders halting the construction of their homes. Morad Eshteiwi, the head of the "Wall And Colonization Resistance Commission" in northern West Bank, said the soldiers halted the construction of seven Palestinian homes near …
(2021-02-07). Covid-19: Israel begins exit from third virus lockdown. middleeasteye.net 
Covid-19: Israel begins exit from third virus lockdown | Despite a vaccination campaign, the country has been registering a daily average of 6,500 new Covid-19 cases
| Sun, 02/07/2021 – 15: 48 | While a third of Israelis have received the vaccine, Palestinians living in the occupied territories have been left out of the roll-out (AFP) | Israeli barbershops and some other businesses…
(2021-02-07). Army Abducts Two Palestinians In Hebron And Jerusalem. imemc.org 
Israeli soldiers abducted, earlier Sunday, two Palestinians from Hebron, in southern West Bank, and in Jabal al-Mokabber, south of occupied East Jerusalem. Media sources said the soldiers invaded Be'er al-Hummus area, in the center of Hebron city, before storming and ransacking homes. They added that the soldiers abducted Haitham Talal as-Sammak, 22, from his home …
(2021-02-07). Israeli Colonists Attack Palestinian Shepherds Near Hebron. imemc.org 
A group of fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on private Palestinian lands, attacked many shepherds, Sunday, in the Masafer Yatta area, south of the southern West Bank city of Hebron. Fuad al-Amour, the head of the "Protection and Steadfastness Committee" in Masafer Yatta and Southern Hebron Hills, said the colonists came from Havat Ma'on illegal …
(2021-02-07). Israel to Ask Allies to Pass 'Discreet Message' to ICC Not to Open Alleged War Crimes Probe – Report. sputniknews.com The Israeli government previously slammed the ICC decision as "anti-Semitic". So far, only two countries – the United States and Australia – have officially objected to the ICC ruling.
(2021-02-07). Israel begins gradual easing of national lockdown. laprensalatina.com Jerusalem, Feb 7 (efe-epa).- Israel on Sunday began gradually easing national lockdown restrictions that have seen people confined to within one kilometer of their homes for more than a month. Although people can once again travel more freely, businesses remain subject to closures or capacity limits. Restaurants can now serve take-out food, national parks can …
(2021-02-07). Russia searches for remains of 2 Israelis in Syria. yenisafak.com The Russian army conducted searches in a cemetery near the Yarmouk camp for Palestinian refugees in Syria, in an attempt to find the remains of two Israeli soldiers who went missing 39 years ago during the first Lebanon war, The Times of Israel reported.The Hebrew daily, citing Syrian media reports, named the two soldiers as Tzvi Feldman and Yehuda Katzwent. They went missing during the battle of Sultan Yacoub in 1982, along with Zachary Baumel, whose remains were recovered and returned to Israel in 2019.In 2019, Tel Aviv received the remains of Baumel, who was killed in the same battle with the Syrian army near…
(2021-02-07). Governments mustn't confuse Criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism: British-Israeli Academics. juancole.com Via Israeli Academics UK Call to reject the IHRA's 'working definition of antisemitism' To: Vice Chancellors, Members of Academic Senates, all other UK Academics and Students & Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP Secretary of State for Education RE: The IHRA 'working definition of antisemitism' We, British Academics who are also Israeli citizens, strongly oppose …
(2021-02-07). Why Israel Is Joining The Pentagon's 'Arab NATO'. popularresistance.org With none of the usual fanfare associated with such a momentous decision, the Pentagon announced last month a major reorganisation to bring Israel – for the first time – inside its military command in the Middle East alongside the Arab states. | Until now, Israel has belonged to the US military's European command, or Eucom, rather than the Middle Eastern one, known as Central Command, or Centcom. The decision effectively jettisoned the traditional wisdom that Israel's inclusion in Centcom would increase friction between the US and Arab states, and would make the latter more reluctant to share intelligence or coop…
(2021-02-07). Intel Drop: The Truth Behind Red Don and his Duck Dynasty Warlords. thealtworld.com VT, the Senior Editor in consultation with intelligence operatives | Let me tell you a story: | What if Russia was helping Israel fight that war against Iran, but fight it inside Syria? | What if Russia were feeding attack information, tactical intelligence on Iran and Syria and even Hezbollah to Israel and even the US? | What if Russia, now that Biden is in, stands to make billions arming Iran with planes and other military technology, to stand against an Israel fully supported by Russia…against Iran? | With up to 200,000 Duck Dynasty warriors armed to the teeth in America, many active duty military and servin…
(2021-02-06). In Game Changer, Int'l Criminal Court will take up Israeli War Crimes and Apartheid in Palestine. juancole.com Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) — On Friday, the International Criminal Court found that it had jurisdiction to consider war crimes and crimes against humanity and the crime of Apartheid in the Palestinian territories. Israeli politician Abba Eban once quipped that Palestinians never lost the opportunity to lose an opportunity. But Palestinians have carefully, methodically created …
(2021-02-06). Israeli village demolition leaves Palestinian families desperate and homeless. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli village demolition leaves Palestinian families desperate and homeless | Residents of Humsa al-Fawqa have repeatedly had their homes in the Jordan Valley destroyed by Israeli forces | Sat, 02/06/2021 – 10: 03 | Aisha Abu Awwad sitting in a tent in the demolished surroundings of Humsa al-Fawqa (MEE/Shatha Hammad) | Aisha Abu Awwad, 57, sat in front of a demolished tent that once constituted h…
(2021-02-06). ICC Clears Way For War Crimes Probe Of Israeli Actions. popularresistance.org Jerusalem – The International Criminal Court said Friday that its jurisdiction extends to territories occupied by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war, potentially clearing the way for its chief prosecutor to open a war crimes probe into Israeli military actions. | The decision was welcomed by the Palestinians and decried by Israel's prime minister, who vowed to fight "this perversion of justice." The U.S., Israel's closest ally, said it opposed the decision. | The ICC's chief prosecutor, Fatou Bensouda, said in 2019 that there was a "reasonable basis" to open a war crimes probe into Israeli military actions in the Gaz…
(2021-02-06). In Game-Changer, ICC Will Take Up Israeli War Crimes and Apartheid in Palestine. commondreams.org Palestinian victims of Israeli war crimes from various generations will gain the right to seek justice after decades of occupation. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/views-article/thumbs/palestine_6.jpeg …
(2021-02-06). 'Better Late Than Never': Palestinians Welcome ICC Decision Enabling War Crimes Probe of Israel. commondreams.org An investigation "would not, for sure, bring my kids back to life," said a survivor of an Israeli airstrike. "However, I am certain that I need to continue to try to find some sort of justice." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_special_coverage/public/headline/thumbs/gettyimages-4542290061.jpg …
(2021-02-06). Over 45 Palestinians arrested by Israel in January: NGOs. yenisafak.com Israeli forces rounded up 456 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in January, according to Palestinian organizations that monitor the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.Ninety-three minors and eight women were among those detained last month, the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners' Affairs Commission, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and the Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a joint statement.According to the statement, 105 administrative detention orders were carried out by occupation authorities, including 30 new orders along with the extensio…
(2021-02-06). At least 456 Palestinians arrested by Israel in January: NGOs. yenisafak.com Israeli forces rounded up 456 Palestinians in the occupied West Bank in January, according to Palestinian organizations that monitor the conditions of Palestinian prisoners.Ninety-three minors and eight women were among those detained last month, the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners' Affairs Commission, the Palestinian Prisoner Society, the Addameer Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, and the Wadi Hilweh Information Center said in a joint statement.According to the statement, 105 administrative detention orders were carried out by occupation authorities, including 30 new orders along with the extensio…
(2021-02-06). Biden Set to 'Put a Little More Distance' in Relations With Israel, Focus on Iran – Reports. sputniknews.com The approach of the new US administration will reportedly be different from what former president Donald Trump had pursued – namely, embracing ties with Saudi Arabia and Israel.
(2021-02-06). Illegal demolition of Palestinian Bedouin village condemned. peoplesdispatch.org Israeli forces demolished the village of Khirbet Humsa for the second time in four months. The rights organization B'Tselem accused Israel of trying to displace the entire Palestinian Bedouin community of the village…
(2021-02-06). Israel Elections: Competition Among Right-Wing Zionist Parties for Arab Votes. globalresearch.ca All Global Research articles can be read in 27 languages by activating the "Translate Website" drop down menu on the top banner of our home page (Desktop version). | *** | Introduction | It is noteworthy to mention that at the beginning of …
(2021-02-05). The Struggle Inside Senator Mitch McConnell's Brain. counterpunch.org Since 2015, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell has ruled the Senate with an iron hand, describing himself as "the Guardian of Gridlock." He was Senator "NO," except for confirming over 200 mostly corporatist federal judges. Now comes a new challenge for Mitch McConnell as he leads 49 other Republican Senators, twenty of whom are up
(2021-02-05). ICC rules it has jurisdiction to probe alleged war crimes by Israel and Hamas. middleeasteye.net 
ICC rules it has jurisdiction to probe alleged war crimes by Israel and Hamas | Finding, strongly rejected by Israeli prime minister, clears path for probe into alleged war crimes committed since Israel's 2014 bombardment of Gaza | Fri, 02/05/2021 – 19: 29 | Israeli soldiers deploy as Palestinians and left-wing Israelis protest against settlements and land confiscation, south of Hebron city on 15 January (AFP/…
(2021-02-05). Our Mutual Fight: The Case against Pakistani Normalization with Israel. dissidentvoice.org The Pakistani government should never, under any circumstances and no matter the pressure, normalize with Israel. Doing so is not only dangerous — as it will embolden an already vile, racist, violent apartheid Israel — but it would also be considered a betrayal of a historic legacy of mutual solidarity, collective affinity and brotherhood that …
(2021-02-05). Israeli settlers kill unarmed Palestinian near Ramallah. middleeasteye.net 
Israeli settlers kill unarmed Palestinian near Ramallah | Residents of Palestinian town of Ras Karkar say killing of Khaled Nofal was unjustifiable | Fri, 02/05/2021 – 15: 46 | Khaled Nofal (R), an accountant from the West Bank, was shot by an Israeli settler on Friday (Twitter)
| An Israeli settler shot dead a Palestinian man near the town of Ras Karkar in the central occupied West Bank on Fri…
(2021-02-05). Palestinian Killed By Israeli Paramilitary Settler Near Ramallah. imemc.org 
A paramilitary illegal Israeli colonialist settler shot and killed, in the early morning hours Friday, a Palestinian man near the central West Bank city of Ramallah, after he reportedly attempted to break into a house. According to the Israeli military, the man, who was unarmed, attempted to break into a home in the illegal Sadeh …