The Democrats' Lebanon Failure
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- Written by Stephen Zunes Stephen Zunes
- Published: 24 October 2006 24 October 2006
- Hits: 7965 7965
Soon after Israel began its offensive on July 12, House Republican leader John Boehner, along with House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, introduced a resolution unconditionally supporting Israel’s military actions and commending President Bush for fully supporting the Israeli assault. Despite reports by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the U.N. High Commissioner from Human Rights that Israel was committing war crimes in attacking civilians, the resolution praised Israel for its “longstanding commitment to minimize civilian loss” and even welcomed “Israel’s continued efforts to prevent civilian casualties.” The resolution also claimed that Israel’s actions were “in accordance with international law,” though they flew in the face of longstanding, universally recognized legal standards regarding the use of force and the treatment of noncombatants in wartime.
Despite such a brazen attack against the credibility of reputable human rights groups and the U.N. Charter that limits military action to legitimate self defense, Rep. Tom Lantos, the ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee and likely next committee chairman should the Democrats win back the majority in November, signed on as a full cosponsor.
Even more alarmingly, all but 15 of the 201 Democrats in the House of Representatives voted in favor of the resolution.
Settlements grow on Arab land, despite promises made to U.S.
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- Written by Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondent
- Published: 24 October 2006 24 October 2006
- Hits: 8006 8006
The information in the study was presented to two defense ministers, Amir Peretz and his predecessor Shaul Mofaz, but was not released in public and a number of people participating in the investigations were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.
According to security sources familiar with the study, the material is "political and diplomatic dynamite."
Read more: Settlements grow on Arab land, despite promises made to U.S.
Israel admits phosphorous bombing
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- Written by BBC News BBC News
- Published: 22 October 2006 22 October 2006
- Hits: 8170 8170
Israel had previously said the weapons were used only to mark targets.
Phosphorus weapons cause chemical burns and the Red Cross and human rights groups say they should be treated as chemical weapons.
The Geneva Conventions ban the use of white phosphorous as an incendiary weapon against civilian populations and in air attacks against military forces in civilian areas.
The British officer said: 'We are now just another tribe'
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- Written by Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Basra Ghaith Abdul-Ahad in Basra
- Published: 13 October 2006 13 October 2006
- Hits: 8208 8208
He can see the general's point. "There is so much poverty and frustration in the streets of Basra, as long as you are in the street, someone will shoot at you. We complicate the situation. We give the disaffected and frustrated a chance to empty their frustrations by shooting at us."
Read more: The British officer said: 'We are now just another tribe'
Gaza fishermen risk Israeli fire
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- Written by Alan Johnston, BBC News, Gaza Alan Johnston, BBC News, Gaza
- Published: 13 October 2006 13 October 2006
- Hits: 8120 8120
But they are defying an Israeli ban on all Palestinian fishing, and Rami al-Habeel knows how dangerous that can be.
Last week, he saw his friend, Hani al-Najaar, shot dead on the deck of their trawler.
For more than three months the Israelis have ordered all fishing craft to stay in port.
They say this is to prevent militants who have captured an Israeli soldier in Gaza, smuggling him out by sea.