Libya and Yemen: Obama's standards

Obama keeps saying that Qadhdhafi has to go.  His Secretary of Defense was asked the other day about `Ali `Abdullah Salih in Yemen.  He said that the US has no opinion because it does not interfere internal affairs of countries.  I kid you not.

Aljazeera's further deline

Now it is translating Thomas Friedman's columns.  I would rather they translate Lindsay Lohan's tweets on Egypt.  (thanks Hassan)

Who shot Anthony Shadid in 2002 in Ramallah (II)

A well-known Western correspondent in the Middle East sent me this (he/she permitted me to cite without identifying him/her):  "It was the Israelis. Not surprisingly the wording is mealy-mouthed. I had a few drinks with Anthony and his wife in the bar of the American Colony the evening he was shot (it was not a serious wound). He said he clearly saw the shooter was an Israeli soldier, and if I recall correctly he was treated in an israeli field hospital. There never was any doubt who shot him.
And here is some more intelligence for you: western reporters who covered today's bombing in Jerusalem were attacked (kicked and punched) by Israelis at the scene. Unlike encounters by reporters in Tahrir Square attacked by Mubarak thugs, this has not been mentioned on air, has it?"

Saudi sponsorship of the Libyan transitional council

If the midwife is Saudi Arabia, the child is a monster, for sure.

Racism in Lebanon

"An EU-funded report released Monday has criticized Lebanese society for rampant racism perpetrated against an estimated 1 million migrant workers in the country and upheld by gaps and loopholes in national law."  Angry Arab funded report released Monday has agreed with this report and added that there is rampant racism in Europe too.

Zionism is racism, always

This Egyptian newspaper, Al-Masri Al-Yawm, reports that an Israeli cafe chain bans its Arab workers from speaking in Arabic.

Zionists for Saddam and Qadhdhafi

Look at this:  "Keep Gaddafi in power: Op-ed: Saddam example showed West that Arab states may be worse off after tyrants’ removal" (thanks Rashid)

Nakbah denial institutionalized by law in the Zionist usurping entity

"Israel's parliament passed a measure on Tuesday enabling the denial of state funding to institutions that question the country's existence as a Jewish state, in a move criticized as targeting an Arab minority.  The so-called Nakba Law, using the Arabic word for "catastrophe" which is how many Palestinians regard the founding of Israel, passed by a vote of 37 to 25 after an angry debate among right and left-wing lawmakers." (thanks Chehab)

The new Egyptian foreign policy

"Israel should not rush into carrying out any military operations in Gaza, Egyptian Foreign Minister Nabil Elaraby said in a statement on Wednesday.  Elaraby "asked Israel to exercise self restraint and warned it against rushing into a military operation in Gaza"." Of course, it does not go far enough for me.

Comrade Hicham on Amr Mousa

Comrade Hicham, a PhD candidate in Canada, was working as a reporter then.  He sent me this about his encounter with Amr Mousa:  "The Man Who Now Wants to lead Egypt

I interviewed Mr. dithers of the Arab league Amr Musa who now wants to lead Egypt over five years ago on a trip of his to Canada. The interview took place in the car carrying him from CBC studios in downtown Toronto to a dinner honoring him hosted by an Arab community organization in Mississauga, a suburb-turned-city about a 20 minute ride from Toronto. I was eager at the time to tell him about the conditions of the Arab community in Canada. While he did listen at times to what I had to say, he showed little interest in the topic and did not bother to ask me any further questions. Instead, he admired the fast brand new cars on the highway (at one point exclaiming in awe as some slick black limo passed us by). He was a lot more curious about the malls and the golf courses Canada has to offer and the driver at some point told him how they should take him to shop and check out all the beautiful things out there.  When we got to Mississauga, the association leaders held a quick pre-dinner meeting with Musa. It was a most efficient and productive one. Musa told his hosts that he is there to hear their take and suggestions and requests and they told him they are there to hear his take and suggestions and requests.

Everyone then went to eat."

Don't call me "King of Humanity"

I am not making this up.  This is a major story in Saudi propaganda sheets (like the mouthpiece of Prince Salman and his sons, Ash-Sharq Al-Awsat).  It says that the Saudi King asked the people to not call him "King of Humanity".  King of humanity?  I call you many names but this is not one of them.

I wonder why

"Many Bahraini Protesters Angry With United States"

The New Egypt

"Egypt Air, the largest airline in Egypt, has removed Israel from the map – literally. On its website, Ynet has learned, Jordan's land reaches the Mediterranean Sea."

Jets over Bahrain

I have received word that "Fighter jets in the skies over bahrain for the 2nd night."

US asked Mubarak to ban Al-Manar

"Highlighting the daily incitement to terror televised by the Hezbollah-run Al Manar channel, Gonzales requested that GOE use existing laws to prohibit Al Manar from being broadcast via Egypt-based NileSat television. Mubarak responded that Al Manar is a ""sensitive"" issue, and Egypt is not ready to prohibit it from utilizing NileSat, as this would create ""big problems with Hezbollah.""

Mubarak analyzes the Palestinian question (now we know who Israeli are still crying over his downfall)

"Mubarak went on to criticize the Palestinians historically for ""only being interested in getting Arab money,"" and he criticized the Arabs for offering it. From here, he went on to relate familiar stories of Saddam Hussein's bribery of Arafat during the Gulf War, and attempts to bribe Egyptian officials and journalists with luxury cars and, in Mubarak's case, with $25 million in cash."

Who shot Anthony Shadid in 2002 in Ramallah?

Look at this sentence in the NYT: Shadid should be furious.  "Anthony was shot in the back in 2002 by a man he believed to be an Israeli soldier." (thanks Maddy)

Nabih Birri in Wikileaks

Here is one revealing the true nature of conflict and tensions between Amal and Hizbullah.

Wikileaks on March 8

Many propagandists in March 14 were talking about how Al-Akhbar is not publishing Wikileaks about March 8 characters.  They did, about `Awn MPs.  But today these are more explosive: one about the Minister of Health, Amal's Muhammad Jawad Khalifah.

PS The minister denied the contents of the document and said that he now doubts the whole Wikileaks business.

Yahya Al-Jamal

So Al-Jamal (who was in charge of the revision of the constitution and is deputy prime minister) was talking to the correspondent of Al-Arabiyyah (the news station of the brother-in-law of King Fahd and is run by his son) was talking about democracy challenges in Egypt.  And he started to talk about the sinister Israeli role and that Israel does not want Egypt to have a democracy.  The correspondent started showing displeasure especially when Al-Jamal talked about dirty Israeli hands in Egypt.  The correspondent interrupted: but we don't want to accuse people here of treason.  Al-Jamal said: but Israel has its tools here.

Look at this racist question by Thomas Friedman

"Is Iraq the way Iraq is because Saddam was the way Saddam was or was Saddam the way Saddam was because Iraq is the way Iraq is..."

Saudi-US honeymoon (continues)

"From today’s Mideastwire.com briefing – On March 23, the Saudi-owned London-based Al-Hayat daily carried in its paper edition the following report by its correspondent in Riyadh Joumana Khoja: “American Ambassador in Riyadh James Smith told Al-Hayat that Saudi-American relations were very strong. He added: “Our bilateral relations have not been affected or altered and they are still very strong. More than 32,000 Saudi students are currently present in the United States and we are in cooperation with the Saudi government over a number of matters, mainly in regard to terrorism issues.”
“The ambassador added saying: “I do not think that anything can affect our ties with the Kingdom. We are still facing together the same external threats and our commitments toward the Kingdom are unchanged. The United States appreciates the efforts deployed by King Abdullah Bin Abdul-Aziz in order to reform and develop his country. But it must be noted that the United States has nothing to do with and is not behind the revolutions that have taken place in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia. However, I expect that the new realities in the region will present better opportunities to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict in the future.”" (thanks Nicholas)

Jeffrey Feltman and Qadhdhafi's henchman, Musa Kusa

"FM-equivalent Musa Kusa assured visiting Acting A/S Feltman July 27 that the Government of Libya was prepared to launch a bilateral Human Rights Dialogue; would sign the HEU-LEU agreement in time to meet the September deadline to transfer its nuclear spent fuel; was ready to move forward on security cooperation, including signing the end-use monitoring agreement; was prepared to take a second look at some kind of participation in the Trans Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP); and was discussing a plan to expedite the visa approval process for U.S. officials, business travelers, and technical experts. On signing a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), Kusa did not give a clear answer but stated that strategic dialogue was possible in the international sphere. Kusa confirmed that the GOL was planning to host a one-day AU Summit meeting in Tripoli August 31 to discuss crisis spots in Africa. Kusa also noted that counterterrorism and Darfur would be on the Leader's agenda for any possible meeting with POTUS on the margins of the upcoming UN General Assembly. Feltman asserted that any potential meeting would be enhanced by Libyan agreement to the several issues raised and that the Libyan side would be well-advised to make efforts to temper Qadhafi's rhetoric while in New York to the extent possible." (thanks Redouane)

Lake Asad

I turned to the official TV of of the Syrian regime. They are airing a documentary on Lake Asad.  It says that the water is so pure that trees around the lake "are eager" for the lake.  Kid you not.  Yesterday, I received a desperate plea from Dir`ah as the troops were storming into the mosque.  Wait the documentary on Lake Asad also says:  water washes the faces of stones around the lake every other moment.  Kid you not.

Hear, ye. Hear, Ye: Elliot Abrams is now a human rights expert

This is new.  "“He was a pro, and a reasonable man,” said Elliot Abrams, who advised Mr. Bush on democracy and human rights."  Of course, Abram's official title was dealing with the Middle East, and then became deputy national security adviser.  So I guess this is a new shtick: Zionists will now pose as experts on "democracy and human rights."

Regarding Arab public opinion and Western bombing of Libya

Why did the Western media not report that when Ban Ki-Moon attempted to enter Tahrir Square two days ago, he was chased out by angry young Egyptians who were chanting against Western bombing of Libya?

Egypt Military Council

Momentarily, you will read that the Egyptian Military Council have made demonstrations, protests, and sit-ins punishable offenses.  Welcome to Tantawi's republic.

Tantawi's foreign minister

The government in Egypt represents the unelected Military Council, and not the Egyptian people.  Not yet, anyway.  And yesterday, the Foreign Minister of Egypt, Nabil Al-`Arabi, proved that the Egyptian Military Council is subservient to Saudi Arabia, when he endorsed Bahraini repression.

Yemen analysis

Comrade Fawwaz on the Yemeni situation (and on the sinister role of the newly defected, `Ali Muhsin Salih, commander of the 1st armored Division in Yemen).

Not in the US press: Palestinian victims

This is one of the children who was killed by Israeli tanks yesterday.  Not in the US press.

Halabjah

Do you notice that Western media are not reporting about the protests in Iraqi Kurdistan and did not report about the shooting at civilians just yesterday in--ironically--Halabjah?

Shame on Fares Akram of the New York Times: a servant of Israeli propaganda

First, look at the news of the Israeli murder of Palestinian children is headlined:  "Israeli Attack on Gaza Militants Kills 4 Civilians."  Can you imagine if Palestinian bombings are headlined:  Palestinian attack on soldiers kill civilians?  Can you image what would happen to the reporter or editor?  Now forget about the headline, because it is rarely put by the reporter.  But look at the opening paragraph:  "An Israeli attempt to hit Palestinian militants who had fired rockets at Israel went horribly wrong on Tuesday, with mortar shells killing three youths playing soccer and a 60-year-old grandfather leaving his house."  Horribly wrong? Have you seen a more blatant propaganda language that is offered to justify the pattern of Israeli murder of civilians?

Shooting at Libyan civilians who attempted to greet US "rescuers"

"Six Libyan villagers are recovering in hospital after being shot by American soldiers coming in to rescue the U.S. pilots whose plane crash-landed in a field.  The helicopter strafed the ground as it landed in a field outside Benghazi beside the downed U.S. Air Force F-15E Eagle which ran into trouble during bombing raid last night.  And a handful of locals who had come to greet the pilots were hit - among them a young boy who may have to have a leg amputated because of injuries caused by a bullet wound." Now, look at the typical convoluted explanation that the New York Times gives:  "Channel 4 News in Britain reported that six villagers were shot by American troops in rescuing one of the two airmen. None of the villagers — who were interviewed by a reporter in a nearby hospital — were killed, although a small boy may need to have a leg amputated."  And has there ever been a case in which civilians are killed by US troops and in which the US military does not engage in clear obfuscations, fabrications, cover-ups, and ridiculous rationalizations?  Just one case?

Shame on Aljazeera

The sinister role of Aljazeera (Arabic) has gotten worse--much worse.  Yesterday, I was seething all day because it could not break from its annoying, obsessive non-stop coverage of the Libya story to report extensively about the Israeli murder of Palestinian children.  Aljazeera and Al-Arabiyyah (station of King Fahd's brother-in-law) barely covered the story and both were covering extensively the Libya story and the "successes" of Western bombing of Libya.  Worse, today, as news of the explosion in Jerusalem came, Aljazeera did end its Libya coverage (albeit temporarily) and provided non-stop live coverage of the news of the explosion.  It seems that Aljazeera now operates according to the Western standards by which Israeli victims are more precious than Palestinian victims.

Jerusalem bombing

I wonder. Will US newspapers tomorrow give this headline to the story: Palestinians responds to Israeli murder of children?  Do you notice that every Israeli murder of civilians is always justified in the US press?  Always portrayed as mere retaliation or response?

Holocaust Denial and Nakbah Denial

I think that I will start--and urge you to start with me--and effort to monitor and condemn all manifestations of Nakbah denial, just as we should monitor and condemn all manifestations of Holocaust denial.  This is not about comparing the scale or magnitudes of both historical disasters, but there are similarities in the impulses and thrusts of both movements.  They both: 1) suffer from racism which blind them to the suffering of a particular national or religious group; 2) they both refuse historical evidence and facts; 3) they both aim at justifying repression and injustice.  We should shame those writers and historians who are guilty of Nakbah denial.

The Economist Debate: my contribution

Here is the new (on-going) Economist Debate about Western intervention in Libya, and my contribution.

Bahrain update

A confidential source sent me this:  "There is something very strange going on in Bahrain.  Bahrain's General Labor Union called off the general strikes today morning.  All these people started saying that the union's head was be threatened by the government or that the information was false.  The seven opposition societies then came out and said that despite what the union said, they are calling all workers to continue the strike.  The union then comes out and denies that it was threatened and releases a clear statement calling for the strikes to end.  The seven opposition societies then come out and say that they support the unions decision and call for the end of the strikes.  The youth movement then come out and say that they are against the opposition's decision and that the strikes should continue.  Meanwhile, although violence has subsided in some areas, there was renewed shooting in the village of Naim and fighter jets flying really low from the sky."

Colonial return

As’ad Abu Khalil, a Lebanese-American professor of political science at California State University, warned that Western military intervention in Libya could abort democratic uprisings in the region. “Bahrain of today is the vision for Libya tomorrow, as far as the West is concerned,” he said. “The charade of overthrowing regimes and invading countries in the name of democracy was a bloody farce in the [George W.] Bush era.”  Abu Khalil, who publishes the popular Web site ‘The Angry Arab’, also cautioned against the Western powers’ “colonialist” ambitions. He claimed that Western military intervention in Libya was intended to “legitimise the return of colonial powers to our region.”"

Rescue and...shoot the villagers (the last item is in passing, by the way)

"The other pilot was reported to be safe and in "American hands". Six villagers were believed to have been shot by a US helicopter during his rescue."

Saudi editors

The New York Times reported that Saudi editors--all of them--were summoned to receive orders at the feet of the Saudi king.  The orders are clear from the Saudi propaganda coverage: basically, treat Arab protests as directed against republics only, and promote the notion that all the monarchies are safe because they are virtuous models of governance.  I kid you not.

`Ali Muhsin Al-Ahmar

I just watched Al-Ahmar delivers a statement (he heads the 1st armored division).  He must have learned Arabic either from Saudi King or Sa`d Hariri.

Obama, the peace candidate

I am sure that in 2012 when Obama runs for re-election, he would pledge to end the war in Libya (along with the two other more famous wars).

Sectarianism of Saudi media

Alain sent me this link with this comment:  "Look at this front article. Every single sentence has loads of sectarianism, racism and hatred."

The Mustafa `Abd Al-Jalil council

"The behavior of the fledgling rebel government in Benghazi so far offers few clues to the rebels’ true nature. Their governing council is composed of secular-minded professionals — lawyers, academics, businesspeople — who talk about democracy, transparency, human rights and the rule of law. But their commitment to those principles is just now being tested as they confront the specter of potential Qaddafi spies in their midst, either with rough tribal justice or a more measured legal process.

Like the Qaddafi government, the operation around the rebel council is rife with family ties. And like the chiefs of the Libyan state news media, the rebels feel no loyalty to the truth in shaping their propaganda, claiming nonexistent battlefield victories, asserting they were still fighting in a key city days after it fell to Qaddafi forces, and making vastly inflated claims of his barbaric behavior."  I should only add that the `Abd Al-Jalil marginalized the lawyers and professionals and secularists.