News Digest - Sept. 19th, 2011
Civil protests - Palestinian U.N. statehood bid - creeping fascism
by Diane V. McLoughlin, mcloughlinpost.com
It's hard to believe 9/11's tenth anniversary was only a week ago; so much has transpired
since then.
Good news on the continued push for Palestinian human rights, with the boycott Israel
movement otherwise known as BDS (boycott, divest, sanctions). The Trades Union
Congress (TUC) of the U.K., representing 6.5 million workers, voted overwhelmingly in favor
of support for Palestinian human rights and BDS, on September 14, 2011. [1]
~
Bad news - Musicians Censored:
'The London Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended four musicians for nine months, for using
its name when they called unsuccessfully for the cancellation of a concert by an Israeli
orchestra at the Proms...after they signed a letter as members of the LPO denouncing the
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) as an instrument of the country's propaganda.
'It said: "Denials of human rights and violations of international law are hidden behind a
cultural smokescreen. The IPO is perhaps Israel's prime asset in this campaign … Israel's
policy towards the Palestinians fits the UN definition of apartheid." [2]
- Subsequent letters to The Guardian were generally supportive :
'There is something out of tune about an orchestra that does not "tolerate" freedom of
expression.' [3]
~
Palestinian children's art exhibit - Children Censored:
'Berkeley, CA— The Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland (MOCHA) has decided to cancel
an exhibit of art by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East Children’s Alliance
(MECA), which was partnering with MOCHA to present the exhibit, was informed of the
decision by the Museum’s board president on Thursday, September 8, 2011. For several
months, MECA and the museum had been working together on the exhibit, which is titled “A
Child’s View From Gaza”...there was a concerted effort by pro-Israel organizations in the San
Francisco Bay Area to pressure the museum to reverse its decision to display Palestinian
children’s art...regrettably the Jewish Federation of North America and the Jewish Council for
Public Affairs launched a $6 million initiative to effectively silence Palestinian voices even in
“cultural institutions.” (Continues, below.)
One example from the exhibit - a child's experience in Gaza.
'The free exhibit, co-sponsored by nearly twenty local organizations, was scheduled to open
on September 24, and featured special activities for children and families, including a
cartooning workshop and poetry readings.
'The Gaza Strip, which has a population of 1.6 million, has been under siege since Israel
imposed a blockade against it in 2006. The United Nations and many human rights
organizations across the world have condemned the blockade...;' [4] [5]
~
Palestinian Authority
this week bids for United Nations statehood:
Skewered brilliantly by writer Stephen Lendman: 'Spread the word. On September 23, when
Abbas petitions the UN, sellout and betrayal will result at a time statehood and full UN
membership are within easy grasp if proper procedures are followed. They won't be, assuring
defeat!' [6]
~
Media Bias. Comment Censorship: As for me, I tried to leave a comment following a New
York Times piece on the same topic. As a launching-off point I tapped one of their
highlighted (the editors' favorites) comments - no. 107, by Berkowitz from the Bronx (which
would be a terrific handle for a rapper, by the way...yo) - to counter some of the more
egregiously false perceptions about the region. The bias of the New York Times being what it
is, my comment was, yet again, censored. So, Berkowitz gets pride of place to tell New York
Times readers that Palestinians:
'have not:
- unified their government
- renounced terrorism
- amended their text books to not preach hate
- developed effective security to control their borders
- acknowledged Israel's right to exist within their own borders as Jewish state unequivocal' [7];
My censored comment touched upon Berkowitz's points, adding a few of my own. Israel is a
divided, highly racist society wherein 46% of Israeli Jews indicate that they would be loathe to
live beside that 20%+ of Israel who are Israeli Palestinian. [7a] Israel has yet to renounce
ethnic cleansing or its apartheid system of discrimination. Israel's text books generally depict
Palestinians either as backward peasants or bloodthirsty terrorists. Strangely enough, there is
Jew on Jew racism in Israel, as well. In the past week when schools were beginning the Fall
session, one school blocked entry of little black Jewish children. "They looked at her as if she
were a monkey," lamented one frazzled parent of a daughter who was looking forward to
grade two. [8] What Palestinians wouldn't give to be able to secure their borders against the
violent occupation perpetuated by Israel's military, as well as the daily terrorist attacks
committed by the financially subsidized Jewish settlers (who are illegal squatters on Palestinian
land.) Israel has never acknowledged the right of Palestinians to exist on Palestinian land, at
all.
A few other things. There is currently economic unrest in Israel. Young people are finding it
hard to make ends meet, particularly when it comes to the high cost of housing. There have
been several demonstrations over the issue. But what doesn't merit mention in their demands
for greater social justice is the occupation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in the West
Bank. Thus, it would seem obvious, that the government will look to stealing more
Palestinian property to give over to Israeli Jews for free, to quell the disquiet on the cheap.
Regarding racism and bigotry, these are not the reserve of just a subsection of the Israeli
Jewish population. Of the above-noted poll results [7a], Arab Israelis scored very high in
percentages of those who wouldn't want to live beside someone who was gay. So I'd like to
share a few thoughts with my Muslim and Arab friends. Over here on this side of the world,
there are many homosexuals who aren't just fighting for greater social justice for themselves.
There are gay people who risk even more marginalization by marching for the human rights
and civil liberties of the oppressed Palestinian people. Gay people need you to defend them
from discrimination, oppression and mistreatment, too.
~
Occupy Wall Street protest: 'We Are The 99% that will
no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.'
(Great pics by Juan-Carlos Hernandez)
Censored
Possible police brutality
Saturday, September 17, 2011,
a grassroots protest has begun to take form in
New York City over the gross financial manipulations
that have greatly contributed to America's current
economic recession/depression. Millions of Americans
are out of work. Millions are on food assistance.
The protest is entering it's fifth day, Wednesday,
as I write. Yesterday, five peaceful protesters
were arrested, one of whom may now be in
hospital in critical condition due to police brutality.
As with other protest movements these days, social media
plays a huge role in organizing and communication. On
Twitter, the most popular tags:
#occupywallstreet, #takewallstreet and #ourwallstreet.
Who got busted for censorship? Believe it or not, Yahoo!, which subsequently apologized
and lifted the block.
'As reports emerged on Twitter that several Yahoo! users had difficulty sending emails as
soon as they included a link to the protesters’ website occupywallstreet.org, members of the
Storyful team attempted the same thing. The result? “Your message was not sent. Suspicious
activity has been detected on your account.” ' [9]
~
Last, but not least: Libya (and Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Somalia.)
Pardon?!:
'Rebel leaders put death toll at 50,000'; Kim Sengupta; The Independent; Aug. 31, 2011
And for the millionth time I ask myself where is the mainstream press? What is wrong with
them?
____________
Recommended:
Legal harassment of peace groups. Support for Columbian and Palestinian human rights
appears to be the motivation: 'How the road from 9/11 led to my door'; Jeff Sundin; Al
Jazeera; Sept. 12, 2011
Bringing the hammer down on peaceful protest: 'Jury in Irvine 11 trial goes to deliberation';
Nora Barrows-Friedman; electronic intifada; September 21, 2011; http://electronicintifada.
net/blog/nora/jury-irvine-11-trial-goes-deliberation-after-attorneys-closing-
arguments#comment-1642 ;
'Why they hate us'; Laurence M. Vance; Lew Rockwell; Sept. 10, 2011; http://lewrockwell.
com/vance/vance257.html ;
'The Reverend Jeremiah Wright Recalls Obama's Fall from Grace'; Chris Hedges; TruthDig;
Sept. 19, 2011;
December 08, 1947, TIME Magazine, 'United Nations - Just Beginning'; on the U.N. vote for
partition of Palestine; http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,934118,00.html ;
___________
Notes
[1] Background: 'PTUC-BDS Welcomes TUC Policy Renewing Commitment to Implement
BDS Campaigns and Urging Unions to Review Relations with the Histadrut'; bdsmovement.
net; http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/ptuc-bds-welcomes-tuc-policy-8028?
utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Feed:+bdsmovement+%
28Palestinian+BDS+National+Committee%29&utm_content=FaceBook ;
[2] 'Orchestra suspends four musicians who opposed Israeli musicians' concert'; Stephen
Bates; The Guardian; Sept. 16, 2011; http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/16/london-
philharmonic-orchestra-suspends-four-musicians ;
[3] 'Suspension of orchestra members could set dangerous precedent'; Letters; The Guardian;
Sept. 18, 2011; http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/18/suspension-orchestra-members-
dangerous-precedent ;
[4] Media Advisory: Oakland Museum of Children's Art Shuts Down Palestinian Children's
Exhibit; Middle East Children's Alliance; Sept. 9, 2011; http://www.mecaforpeace.
org/news/media-advisory-oakland-museum-childrens-art-shuts-down-palestinian-children%
E2%80%99s-exhibit ;
[5] 'Shame on MOCHA for censoring Gaza exhibit'; Tammerlin Drummond; The Oakland
Tribune; Sept. 13, 2011; http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland/ci_18887769 ;
[6] 'Abbas and Fayyad: Collaborationist Israeli Allies'; Stephen Lendman; OpEd News; Sept.
19, 2011; http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Abbas-and-Fayyad-Collabor-by-Stephen-
Lendman-110919-170.html ;
[7] 'Readers' Comments - Palestinians set bid for U.N. seat, clashing with U.S.'; Ethan
Bronner and Elizabeth Kershner; NYT; Sept. 19, 2011; http://community.nytimes.
com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/world/middleeast/Abbas-Security-Council-
United-Nations-Vote.html?sort=newest&offset=9 ;
[7a] '53% of Israelis say Arabs should be encouraged to leave'; Greer Fay Cashman; The
Jerusalem Post; 12/01/2010; http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=197436 ;
[8] 'Religious school says no to Ethiopians'; Danny Adeno Abebe; ynetnews.com; Sept. 8,
2011; http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4119710,00.html ;
[9] 'Yahoo! apologizes for blocking Wall Street protest e-mails; Storyful.com; Sept. 19, 2011;
http://storyful.com/stories/1000008269 ;
Civil protests - Palestinian U.N. statehood bid - creeping fascism
by Diane V. McLoughlin, mcloughlinpost.com
It's hard to believe 9/11's tenth anniversary was only a week ago; so much has transpired
since then.
Good news on the continued push for Palestinian human rights, with the boycott Israel
movement otherwise known as BDS (boycott, divest, sanctions). The Trades Union
Congress (TUC) of the U.K., representing 6.5 million workers, voted overwhelmingly in favor
of support for Palestinian human rights and BDS, on September 14, 2011. [1]
~
Bad news - Musicians Censored:
'The London Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended four musicians for nine months, for using
its name when they called unsuccessfully for the cancellation of a concert by an Israeli
orchestra at the Proms...after they signed a letter as members of the LPO denouncing the
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) as an instrument of the country's propaganda.
'It said: "Denials of human rights and violations of international law are hidden behind a
cultural smokescreen. The IPO is perhaps Israel's prime asset in this campaign … Israel's
policy towards the Palestinians fits the UN definition of apartheid." [2]
- Subsequent letters to The Guardian were generally supportive :
'There is something out of tune about an orchestra that does not "tolerate" freedom of
expression.' [3]
~
Palestinian children's art exhibit - Children Censored:
'Berkeley, CA— The Museum of Children’s Art in Oakland (MOCHA) has decided to cancel
an exhibit of art by Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip. The Middle East Children’s Alliance
(MECA), which was partnering with MOCHA to present the exhibit, was informed of the
decision by the Museum’s board president on Thursday, September 8, 2011. For several
months, MECA and the museum had been working together on the exhibit, which is titled “A
Child’s View From Gaza”...there was a concerted effort by pro-Israel organizations in the San
Francisco Bay Area to pressure the museum to reverse its decision to display Palestinian
children’s art...regrettably the Jewish Federation of North America and the Jewish Council for
Public Affairs launched a $6 million initiative to effectively silence Palestinian voices even in
“cultural institutions.” (Continues, below.)
One example from the exhibit - a child's experience in Gaza.
'The free exhibit, co-sponsored by nearly twenty local organizations, was scheduled to open
on September 24, and featured special activities for children and families, including a
cartooning workshop and poetry readings.
'The Gaza Strip, which has a population of 1.6 million, has been under siege since Israel
imposed a blockade against it in 2006. The United Nations and many human rights
organizations across the world have condemned the blockade...;' [4] [5]
~
Palestinian Authority
this week bids for United Nations statehood:
Skewered brilliantly by writer Stephen Lendman: 'Spread the word. On September 23, when
Abbas petitions the UN, sellout and betrayal will result at a time statehood and full UN
membership are within easy grasp if proper procedures are followed. They won't be, assuring
defeat!' [6]
~
Media Bias. Comment Censorship: As for me, I tried to leave a comment following a New
York Times piece on the same topic. As a launching-off point I tapped one of their
highlighted (the editors' favorites) comments - no. 107, by Berkowitz from the Bronx (which
would be a terrific handle for a rapper, by the way...yo) - to counter some of the more
egregiously false perceptions about the region. The bias of the New York Times being what it
is, my comment was, yet again, censored. So, Berkowitz gets pride of place to tell New York
Times readers that Palestinians:
'have not:
- unified their government
- renounced terrorism
- amended their text books to not preach hate
- developed effective security to control their borders
- acknowledged Israel's right to exist within their own borders as Jewish state unequivocal' [7];
My censored comment touched upon Berkowitz's points, adding a few of my own. Israel is a
divided, highly racist society wherein 46% of Israeli Jews indicate that they would be loathe to
live beside that 20%+ of Israel who are Israeli Palestinian. [7a] Israel has yet to renounce
ethnic cleansing or its apartheid system of discrimination. Israel's text books generally depict
Palestinians either as backward peasants or bloodthirsty terrorists. Strangely enough, there is
Jew on Jew racism in Israel, as well. In the past week when schools were beginning the Fall
session, one school blocked entry of little black Jewish children. "They looked at her as if she
were a monkey," lamented one frazzled parent of a daughter who was looking forward to
grade two. [8] What Palestinians wouldn't give to be able to secure their borders against the
violent occupation perpetuated by Israel's military, as well as the daily terrorist attacks
committed by the financially subsidized Jewish settlers (who are illegal squatters on Palestinian
land.) Israel has never acknowledged the right of Palestinians to exist on Palestinian land, at
all.
A few other things. There is currently economic unrest in Israel. Young people are finding it
hard to make ends meet, particularly when it comes to the high cost of housing. There have
been several demonstrations over the issue. But what doesn't merit mention in their demands
for greater social justice is the occupation and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in the West
Bank. Thus, it would seem obvious, that the government will look to stealing more
Palestinian property to give over to Israeli Jews for free, to quell the disquiet on the cheap.
Regarding racism and bigotry, these are not the reserve of just a subsection of the Israeli
Jewish population. Of the above-noted poll results [7a], Arab Israelis scored very high in
percentages of those who wouldn't want to live beside someone who was gay. So I'd like to
share a few thoughts with my Muslim and Arab friends. Over here on this side of the world,
there are many homosexuals who aren't just fighting for greater social justice for themselves.
There are gay people who risk even more marginalization by marching for the human rights
and civil liberties of the oppressed Palestinian people. Gay people need you to defend them
from discrimination, oppression and mistreatment, too.
~
Occupy Wall Street protest: 'We Are The 99% that will
no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1%.'
(Great pics by Juan-Carlos Hernandez)
Censored
Possible police brutality
Saturday, September 17, 2011,
a grassroots protest has begun to take form in
New York City over the gross financial manipulations
that have greatly contributed to America's current
economic recession/depression. Millions of Americans
are out of work. Millions are on food assistance.
The protest is entering it's fifth day, Wednesday,
as I write. Yesterday, five peaceful protesters
were arrested, one of whom may now be in
hospital in critical condition due to police brutality.
As with other protest movements these days, social media
plays a huge role in organizing and communication. On
Twitter, the most popular tags:
#occupywallstreet, #takewallstreet and #ourwallstreet.
Who got busted for censorship? Believe it or not, Yahoo!, which subsequently apologized
and lifted the block.
'As reports emerged on Twitter that several Yahoo! users had difficulty sending emails as
soon as they included a link to the protesters’ website occupywallstreet.org, members of the
Storyful team attempted the same thing. The result? “Your message was not sent. Suspicious
activity has been detected on your account.” ' [9]
~
Last, but not least: Libya (and Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Somalia.)
Pardon?!:
'Rebel leaders put death toll at 50,000'; Kim Sengupta; The Independent; Aug. 31, 2011
And for the millionth time I ask myself where is the mainstream press? What is wrong with
them?
____________
Recommended:
Legal harassment of peace groups. Support for Columbian and Palestinian human rights
appears to be the motivation: 'How the road from 9/11 led to my door'; Jeff Sundin; Al
Jazeera; Sept. 12, 2011
Bringing the hammer down on peaceful protest: 'Jury in Irvine 11 trial goes to deliberation';
Nora Barrows-Friedman; electronic intifada; September 21, 2011; http://electronicintifada.
net/blog/nora/jury-irvine-11-trial-goes-deliberation-after-attorneys-closing-
arguments#comment-1642 ;
'Why they hate us'; Laurence M. Vance; Lew Rockwell; Sept. 10, 2011; http://lewrockwell.
com/vance/vance257.html ;
'The Reverend Jeremiah Wright Recalls Obama's Fall from Grace'; Chris Hedges; TruthDig;
Sept. 19, 2011;
December 08, 1947, TIME Magazine, 'United Nations - Just Beginning'; on the U.N. vote for
partition of Palestine; http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,934118,00.html ;
___________
Notes
[1] Background: 'PTUC-BDS Welcomes TUC Policy Renewing Commitment to Implement
BDS Campaigns and Urging Unions to Review Relations with the Histadrut'; bdsmovement.
net; http://www.bdsmovement.net/2011/ptuc-bds-welcomes-tuc-policy-8028?
utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Feed:+bdsmovement+%
28Palestinian+BDS+National+Committee%29&utm_content=FaceBook ;
[2] 'Orchestra suspends four musicians who opposed Israeli musicians' concert'; Stephen
Bates; The Guardian; Sept. 16, 2011; http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/16/london-
philharmonic-orchestra-suspends-four-musicians ;
[3] 'Suspension of orchestra members could set dangerous precedent'; Letters; The Guardian;
Sept. 18, 2011; http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/sep/18/suspension-orchestra-members-
dangerous-precedent ;
[4] Media Advisory: Oakland Museum of Children's Art Shuts Down Palestinian Children's
Exhibit; Middle East Children's Alliance; Sept. 9, 2011; http://www.mecaforpeace.
org/news/media-advisory-oakland-museum-childrens-art-shuts-down-palestinian-children%
E2%80%99s-exhibit ;
[5] 'Shame on MOCHA for censoring Gaza exhibit'; Tammerlin Drummond; The Oakland
Tribune; Sept. 13, 2011; http://www.insidebayarea.com/oakland/ci_18887769 ;
[6] 'Abbas and Fayyad: Collaborationist Israeli Allies'; Stephen Lendman; OpEd News; Sept.
19, 2011; http://www.opednews.com/articles/1/Abbas-and-Fayyad-Collabor-by-Stephen-
Lendman-110919-170.html ;
[7] 'Readers' Comments - Palestinians set bid for U.N. seat, clashing with U.S.'; Ethan
Bronner and Elizabeth Kershner; NYT; Sept. 19, 2011; http://community.nytimes.
com/comments/www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/world/middleeast/Abbas-Security-Council-
United-Nations-Vote.html?sort=newest&offset=9 ;
[7a] '53% of Israelis say Arabs should be encouraged to leave'; Greer Fay Cashman; The
Jerusalem Post; 12/01/2010; http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=197436 ;
[8] 'Religious school says no to Ethiopians'; Danny Adeno Abebe; ynetnews.com; Sept. 8,
2011; http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4119710,00.html ;
[9] 'Yahoo! apologizes for blocking Wall Street protest e-mails; Storyful.com; Sept. 19, 2011;
http://storyful.com/stories/1000008269 ;
