John McCain suggested told CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday that the White House should send former President Bill Clinton to negotiate peace talks between Israelis and Palestinians.
Ahmed joins Marc and Alicia to discuss the mideast conflict between Gaza & Israel.
Marc and Alicia discuss the mideast conflict between Gaza & Israel.
Some Israeli products sold in South Africa will no longer carry the label “Made in Israel.” A new law will require vendors to distinguish between consumer goods made in Israel and those made in the West Bank or what is also called Judea and Samaria. Anything manufactured in the Jewish settlements will now carry the label “Made in IOT” or the Israeli Occupied Territories. South Africa is the first country to legally require this kind of label and it has provoked a very angry response here in Jerusalem. Israeli Foreign Ministry officials are calling the law totally unacceptable and discriminatory… “It brings to mind ideas of a “racist nature” which the government of South Africa, more than any other, should have wholly rejected” — that is how the Foreign Ministry described the new law in their official response… Its’s true — South Africa has not mandated new product labels for any other countries where territorial disputes exist…it has no prior record or uniform policy on the issue. Israeli officials say the new law is all about taking political sides in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict…South Africa’s objective, they believe, is to support an economic boycott of the Jewish settlements, a step endorsed by pro-palestinian groups…by punishing Jewish businesses in disputed areas, they can show solidarity with the Palestinians and strengthen their own political position… South Africa, like most of the international community, considers the Jewish settlements in the …
Uri Rozenthal - Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Israel. The Dutch government wants expansion of relations with Israel while the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu constantly proves to have paint to basic principles of international law, as well as American and European calls to finally get serious peace negotiations with the Palestinians to begin. The Netherlands supports the way that Israel 45 years ago has taken. As long as Israel keeps all in violation of all international law the Palestinian territories in a rock solid grip, oppressed the Palestinians with military hard hand, promotes emigration of its own population into the occupied territories including East Jerusalem. Israel’s occupation kills Israeli democracy, morally and spiritually. Criticism of Netanyahu comes from the Israeli security of Israel. It is incomprehensible why responsible Dutch parties VVD and CDA have no eye for the Israeli society initiatives that are aimed at serious talks with the Palestinians and halting the construction in the settlements. A majority of Dutch people want the occupation is ended and that the European Union puts pressure on Israel to terminate the settlements. So Rutte, Verhagen and Rozenthal, freeze relations with Israel and boycott all products from illegal Jewish settlements.
In the middle of the night Monday, Israeli commandoes boarded ships in the "Freedom Flotilla" attempting to bring humanitarian aid to residents of still-blockaded Gaza. The aggressive response by Israel turned deadly, after with at least nine activists killed. The international community has reacted with shock and outrage; protests have erupted around the world outside Israeli embassies, with protesters even teargassed in Paris. Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a meeting with President Obama and headed back to Israel to do damage control, and Turkey, from where the flotilla departed, has recalled its ambassador and issued a travel warning to its citizens. Huwaida Arraf was on one of the ships; she joins us via phone from Ramallah, along with Norman Finkelstein, to tell us what happened to her and offer some analysis on the situation. Then we speak to Richard Falk, UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, for more on the international reaction and the U.S.'s involvement. Finally, Laura reminds us all of some words on the U.S./Israel relationship from General David Petraeus.
On Monday, Israeli commandoes boarded ships in the "Freedom Flotilla" attempting to bring humanitarian aid to residents of still-blockaded Gaza. The aggressive response by Israel turned deadly, with at least nine activists killed. The international community has reacted with shock and outrage; protests have erupted around the world outside Israeli embassies, with protesters even teargassed in Paris. Benjamin Netanyahu has cancelled a long awaited meeting surrounding peace talks with President Obama and headed back to Israel to do damage control, and Turkey, from where the flotilla departed, has recalled its ambassador and issued a travel warning to its citizens. Huwaida Arraf was on one of the ships; she joins us via phone from Ramallah, along with Norman Finkelstein, to tell us what happened to her and offer some analysis on the situation.