From a reader: ""At least 19 civilians were killed on Wednesday when a Saudi-led coalition air strike hit a house in western Yemen, according to residents, medics and a local official."
The victims
Yemen: On the brink of starvation
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Physicians without Borders II
Physicians without Borders today declared that Saudi bombing of Yemenis have been good for the health of the Yemeni children.
Physicians without Borders
Physicians without Borders today declared the Saudi King as "the best Physician in the world".
Senate tacitly endorses U.S. role in Yemen war
"The Senate overwhelmingly agreed to proceed with arms sales to Saudi Arabia on Sept. 21, in effect casting the first vote on US participation after 18 months of war in Yemen." "We now have a war in Yemen, and yes we are directly involved in that war," Paul said. "And yes, this is a vote not just about weapons; this is a vote about whether we should be at war in Yemen." "
Sen. Corker claims that U.S. weapons can help the Saudi monarchy "fight terrorism"
"Corker also claimed that U.S. weapons can help the Saudi monarchy “fight terrorism.” Saudi Arabia has, at best, a mixed record on terrorism. As the U.S. State Department and the European Parliament have both acknowledged, “Donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide.” Moreover, Saudi Arabia has spent tens of billions of dollars exporting its fundamentalist state Wahhabi ideology — which is very similar to the ideology of ISIS and al-Qaeda — throughout the world, fueling extremist groups."
Repugnant Exploitation of the Holocaust is permitted by American Zionists if done by Zionists
" "[Think about if we] want to cut off military aid to [Iran] because of human rights violations when the people on the other side are watching Iran destroy the Mideast, threaten us and create the possibility of a second holocaust of the Jewish people," Graham said."
Israeli embassy in London linked to anti-BDS "black ops"
"The new director of the Jewish Labour Movement was an officer at the Israeli embassy in London for the past year, The Electronic Intifada can reveal." "In an August 2014 interview with Jewish News, when she was incoming president of the Union of Jewish Students, Ella Rose promised to “combat BDS.” "Recently, the director general of the Israeli government ministry charged with fighting BDS said the ministry was using its $45 million budget to wage a “battle” against BDS “with a lot of secrecy.” According to one veteran Israeli security journalist, the ministry is engaging in “black ops” against activists around the world, which may include “defamation campaigns, harassment and threats to the lives of activists” as well as “infringing on and violating their privacy.” "
Jordanian elections
I follow the Jordanian tribal-clannish-royal "elections" with the same zeal in which I follow the results of camel races of Gulf royals.
How many strongholds does Hizbullah have?
"Hezbollah has ramped up its influence from its stronghold in southern Lebanon, despite being classified as a terrorist group by various foreign states and despite its control of a militia." (thanks Basim)
You see, Saad Hariri is suffering from serious financial crisis
And Saudi royals are refusing to meet with him to bankroll his company, Saudi Oger. So he is trying everything: including having people writes articles for him in praise of Saudi regime: "Contrast this with what Saudi Arabia has done for Lebanon. In the 1980s, while Iran was busy directing its proxy militias in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia helped the country reach a historic agreement to end its civil war."
This is hilarious. Look at the mild language director of HRW uses about (not against) Saudi regime
| Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) | |
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Saudis are now owning up to finding Islamic extremism in the past, but have they stopped? Very unclear. bit.ly/2d3uhuXpic.twitter.com/2Ay5RF10Ea
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How Israel pressured US Berkeley to cancel a course in mid-semester
"According to an Israeli TV station, the Assn. of University Heads in Israel had "covertly" tried to stop the course. Administrators said the reason for pulling the plug was procedural — that proper approval had not been obtained."
Amos Oz issues a fatwa about anti-Semitism
"“But if they carry on saying that therefore there should be no Israel, that’s where anti-Zionism becomes anti-Semitism". So if you say that there should be no Iranian Islamic republic or no Saudi kingdom, it means you are anti-Islam? Because I am against all three.
PS Of course, the article cites me to prove that the agenda of BDS is against the very existence of Israel--which is not, and I wish it is.
PS Of course, the article cites me to prove that the agenda of BDS is against the very existence of Israel--which is not, and I wish it is.
French government really wants to help Arab media
"Canal France International (CFI), the French cooperation agency and media operator of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently signed two substantial contracts (worth €2.7million) with the European Union to develop projects in support of independent media in the Arab world.
The first is a two-year contract concerning a project to further the development of independent media in Syria, mainly by providing training.
The project will receive funding of €1.5million, including €1.2million from the European Union (EU). The overall goal is to enable a new generation of Syrian journalists to produce high-quality, professional information today and to become pillars of the post-crisis media in the future.
In April2014, CFI will open a media centre, the Syrian Media Incubator, in the Turkish city of Gaziantep, 60km from the Syrian border, to the north of Aleppo. This collective workspace aims to provide modern telecommunication tools and support Syrian journalists who are determined to continue relaying news from their country, whatever the cost.
As a reminder, CFI already works in partnership with International Media Support (IMS) and Reporters sans frontières(RSF), and, in particular, helped in2013 to set up an independent Syrian radio station called Radio Rozana, which broadcasts from Paris and relies on a network of 30correspondents based in Syria. CFI provided several training sessions for these correspondents in2013.
In2013, CFI carried out 21projects to train 120Syrian journalists and citizen journalists.
The second contract signed with the EU will enable CFI, over a period of three years, to fund projects seeking to develop online information services in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria.
These projects are to be led by private or voluntary media services in the countries concerned (newspapers, radio stations, television) or by new independent online information services (“pure play” providers), which are innovative and show strong potential for development. The beneficiaries will mainly be selected through calls for applications, the first of which will be launched in May2014. The funding distributed by CFI under this contract may be as much as €80,000per project. The scheme should provide support for around 30projects over the next three years.
In this way, as the Arab world continues to evolve rapidly, CFI is redoubling its efforts to support the independent media that is destined to play a major part in the fragile processes of democratisation taking place." (thanks Amir)
Cal State San Bernardino study shows hate crimes against American Muslims up 78%
"Recurring terrorist attacks on U.S. soil along with racially and culturally divisive rhetoric on the campaign trail has fueled a 78 percent increase in hate crimes against American Muslims in 2015, a level unsurpassed since 9/11, according to a study by Cal State San Bernardino."
Saudi influence over Arab and Western media: Syrian refugees in the Saudi kingdom of horrors
There are no articles refuting the lies of Prince Muhammad bin Nayif at the UN when he brazenly claimed that the kingdom allowed 2.5 million Syrian refugees into the kingdom. The real figure is zero, of course.
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
This is classic: the latest from Human Rights Watch in the Middle East: it condemns racism--kid you not
This is really classic. Deputy director of Human Rights Watch in the Middle East condemned the statement of Lebanese foreign minister, Jubran Basil, in which he called for excluding Syrians and Palestinians from nationality laws. Now of course, Basil is a repugnant figure whose chances of leadership after the passing of his father-in-law are smaller than my chances of being crowned king of US. But since when Human Rights Watch care about condemning racist and exclusivist statements by politicians? Of course, they only did that because Basil happens to be opposed to the March 14 coalition with which Human Rights Watch is attached body-and-soul. The anti-Shi`ite and anti-Alawite statements by Gulf officials and leaders of the Syrian exile opposition (including statements that called for extermination of Shi`ites) never warranted a word of condemnation from Human Rights Watch. Amin Gemayel made statements against the Armenians (after he lost his parliamentary election) and accused them of disloyalty to the homeland. That never warranted statements from HRW. The various anti-Palestinian statements by various right-wing leaders in Lebanon never resulted in condemnation by HRW. And the anti-Syrian refugee statements by Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs never warranted a condemnation. And the sexist statements by Minister of Interior never warranted a condemnation by HRW. But then again: the the last two are part of the March 14 coalition in Lebanon. Did I not tell you once I heard that the secretariat of March 14 wanted to invite HRW to join?
at least six African countries had drone bases, including Morocco, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Djibouti
From Amir: ""By 2013, at least six African countries had drone bases, including Morocco, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Uganda and Djibouti.318 By arming monarchic regimes and military dictators, US leaders do not promote democracy but instead maneuver in what they claim to be the nation’s interest by collaborating with anyone who will grant the US government license to carry out targeted killing when and where they please."
Calhoun, L. 2016. We Kill Because We Can. London: Zed Books. Page 309.
US arms for Saudi regime
""I think it's important to the United States to maintain as good a relationship with Saudi Arabia as possible, and I hope we'll defeat the resolution of disapproval of the arms sale," McConnell told reporters, calling Saudi Arabia a good ally. The Pentagon announced on Aug 9 that the State Department had approved the potential sale of more than 130 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armoured recovery vehicles and other equipment to Saudi Arabia. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency said General Dynamics Corp would be the principal contractor for the sale."" (thanks Nabeel)
Indian workers in Qatar
"As many as 400 migrant workers working for an electrical company in Qatar have gone unpaid for up to four months, a leading figure in the Indian community said on Tuesday." (thanks David)
Scandalous but not surprising: Physicians Without Borders praises Saudi relief work in...YEMEN
I am not making this up. I know that the Saudi regime media often lie and fabricate but I was able to get a confirmation from an inside source in Physicians Without Borders. Physicians without Borders officially praises the relief work of the Saudi regime in Yemen. I told you before: if there is anything Arabs learned in the last few years is that all Western human rights and relief organizations don't dare to deviate from the foreign policies of Western powers and are willing to cater to tyrannical regimes when they are in line with US policies. Just as UN Secretary General withdrew a report critical of Saudi regime after he was pressured to do so.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Denmark is also bombing in Syria--along with the rest
"British, Danish and Australian warplanes took part in the U.S.-led coalition's airstrike Saturday that reportedly killed more than 60 Syrian government troops and threatened to unravel the "cessation of hostilities," military officials said Monday." (thanks Amir)
Restaurant owner puts up “Muslims get out” sign
"A Minnesota restaurant owner is drawing controversy over a sign telling Muslim customers to “get out.”
The sign outside Treats Family Restaurant in Lonsdale, Minnesota, reads “Muslims Get Out.” A second line reads “In Support Of St. Cloud,” reports CBS Minnesota.
On Saturday, a man stabbed several people at a St. Cloud mall, allegedly asking victims if they were Muslim before attacking them.
Restaurant owner Dan Ruedinger said the sign has led to some backlash, but he says business is up so much that he had to call in three extra workers Monday.
“It’s time that people started standing up, not worrying about the PC crowd and do what is right,” Ruedinger said. “And I feel what we’re doing is right. We are not targeting the Muslims in general, just the extremists. And that’s all I can say. It’s my right and I’m going to stand up, and I wish more people would do it.”"
While Western governments prostrate before UAE royals, this is how UAE regime avoided dissent
"Three years ago, the UAE government prosecuted en masse 94 government critics and activists who called for reform in the Emirates.
Since this time, there has been no Arab Spring-like uprising. No anti-government protests that have come close to shaking the ruling regime. Yet the state-sponsored repression of human rights advocates and journalists continues unabated.
Arrests, enforced disappearances, torture, unfair trials, deportations, and revocation of citizenships are among the tactics the UAE authorities regularly deploy to silence dissident voices and make sure that no such uprising takes place within its borders.
This week, 33-year-old Amina Abdouli is scheduled to appear before the Supreme Federal Court on charges related to her activities on Twitter. According to Amnesty International, she stands accused of:"…creating and running two Twitter accounts and publishing information with the aims of inciting hatred against the State and disturbing public order; mocking and damaging the reputation of State institutions; publishing false information about Saudi Arabia and making derogatory remarks about an Egyptian official with the aim of endangering the State’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Egypt…
Social Media and Pol participation lab at NYU: What "ordinary Arabs" think--provided they think in line of what the Gulf government thinks
"Look at this scientific sample selection of Arab tweets: "While it certainly does
not comprise a representative sample, the demographic makeup of the Arab online sphere has become progressively more diverse in recent years, and the percentage of social media uses that
report discussing politics, community issues, or religion online ranges from 60 to 81% across the
region. Social media sites are remarkably popular in the Gulf, with Saudi Arabia boasting the
highest Twitter penetration in the world. As a result, social media data provide detailed real-time
views into shifting narratives and interest levels in response to events on the ground." So how representative is this sample when most are in the Gulf and in that region any tweet that does not conform to the views of the governments can land one in jail? The Washington Post billed this as the views of "ordinary Arabs". Public opinion surveying is not a science in general, but public opinion surveys of Arab opinion by Western firms are really quackery. Notice that according to the lab almost all Arabs have one view on Syria--the view which conforms to the views of Washington Post and New York Times and their correspondents in the Middle East.
Ahmad Rahami's father on FBI's investigation of his son
"“Two years ago I go to the F.B.I. because my son was doing really bad, O.K.?” he said. “But they check almost two months, they say, ‘He’s O.K., he’s clean, he’s not a terrorist.’ I say O.K.” He added: “Now they say he is a terrorist. I say O.K.”"
The New York Times uncovered major terrorist leanings of the father of Ahmad Rahami
"While the father said he did not harbor anti-American feeling, he opposed the war in Afghanistan." The jerk opposed the war in Afghanistan? He must surely be a terrorist then. I suggest for safety to round up all those who opposed the war in Afghanistan. Who but terrorists opposed it?
This won't appear in the uniform Western press: Yazidis withdrew from Syrian National Coalition
Complaining about lack of justice and democracy, Yazidis withdraws officially from the Syrian National Coalition. Notice that Western media never report what could be harmful to the propaganda efforts and image of Syrian rebels.
New York Times covers Jordan election
"In Jordan, ideological arguments split the group into rival factions, with one recognized by the government as the official Brotherhood." Ideological splits? The regime split the party and confiscated its property and gave them to its tool. ""The fact that Jordan is actually holding elections ...in a region that is full of blood and fight and weapons — that in itself is important," he said. "It shows the strength of this country, and the credibility of its institutions and the reform process."" What? Strength and credibility? The lousy Syrian regime held elections, is that also a sign of credibility? If this sham election is being held in Syria or Iran, the Western media would be mocking it.
Only Zionist media would talk about the sham election in Jordan in this way
New York Times headline: "Jordan Election Seen as Small Step Toward Democratic Reform". Seen? by Whom? by Israel?
Jordanian regime creates its own opposition and Western media cheer its "democratic reform"
"We in Jordan have our own unique example of political participation," says Ms Tahboub. "As an Islamic movement, we're part of the system. Even when we were boycotting we were part of the official opposition." (thanks Basim)
According to Adonis, the Syrian people didn't protest against the Asad regime: this guy has no connection to reality whatsoever
Read about his latest horrible vulgar Orientalist remarks about Islam and such. But it just occurred to me, Adonis is a famous atheist and he tours and speaks throughout the Arab world. I remind you of this given the Western media schtick that there are no atheists allowed in the Arab world.
Monday, September 19, 2016
American Muslims on the cases of terrorism
To ask American Muslims and American Muslim organizations to condemn acts of violence and terrorism by individual Muslims is as crazy as asking White Americans and White American organizations to condemn acts of violence and terrorism by individual whites. Condemnation of violence and terrorism by the population should be expected and not required only from certain group which are deemed to be more suspicious.
Drudge Report
Drudge Report does not differ in any substantial way from the Nazi anti-Semitic propaganda media of the 1930s in Germany. And there is such acceptance of his role by all in the media establishment, with the Republicans desperate to win his endorsement (as Trump has).
BY the way: he is alive. Desmond Totu dead: a man who was never intimidated by American Zionists
"Desmond Tutu, the noted civil rights leader who became the first black archbishop of Cape Town, compared Israel's treatment of the Palestinians to the apartheid regime that discriminated against blacks in his native South Africa. Tutu, the Nobel Peace laureate, told News24, a South African media entity, criticized Israeli policies toward the Palestinians in the territories as "humiliating." "I have witnessed the systemic humiliation of Palestinian men, women and children by members of the Israeli security forces," he said in a statement."
Elections in Jordan
Now it is noticeable that US and Western media are not covering the silly elections in Jordan. As far as selections go, this is not worth covering at all: it is as insignificant as the elections in Syria. But what is worth covering is the extent to which the regime plays with the elections rules and the conditions in which the candidates compete. That is worth covering but it is becoming rarer and rarer to find US media covering corruption and abuse in regimes that are aligned with US/Israel. Increasingly especially in the Middle East and also in other regions, US media have become a propaganda voice for US government.
An Israeli war criminal at Harvard this Wednesday.
Ehud Barak, former Israeli PM and Defense Secretary during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008-09, is coming on Wednesday at 6 pm.
NGOs in the Middle East
US media and Western human rights groups are more worried about the plight of NGOs in the Middle East than about civilians who die from US or Russian bombs.
Hate Crimes Against American Muslims Most Since Post-9/11 Era
"Hate crimes against American Muslims have soared to their highest levels since the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, according to data compiled by researchers, an increase apparently fueled by terrorist attacks in the United States and abroad and by divisive language on the campaign trail."
Saudi Arabia appears to be using U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in its war in Yemen
"Saudi Arabia appears to be using U.S.-supplied white phosphorous munitions in its war in Yemen, based on images and videos posted to social media, raising concerns among human rights groups that the highly incendiary material could be used against civilians."
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