Category Archives:
US Politics

9

Trump and Netanyahu’s ‘deal’ for separate peace between Israel and Arab countries is a fantasy

Philip Weiss on

At their press conference today at the White House Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu laid out a vision for a peace deal between Arab countries and Israel that supersedes the Israel-Palestine conflict. John Kerry dismissed this as a fantasy: “There will be no advance and separate peace with the Arab world without the Palestinian process and Palestinian peace. Everybody needs to understand that. That is a hard reality.”

8

Donald Trump and the ‘ultimate deal’

Ted Snider on

Almost immediately upon getting elected, Donald Trump declared his desire “to do…the deal that can’t be made.” The new administration’s foreign policy is still unsettled, but Trump’s early statements, absence of statements, and Middle East appointments seem to be at odds with his expressed desire to be the president who finally closes “the ultimate deal.”

37

Jewish groups battle over Trump’s choice for Israel ambassador

Philip Weiss on

The Republican Jewish Coalition and J Street are at odds over nomination of David Friedman as ambassador to Israel. With Senate hearing on Thursday, Holocaust scholars publish letter vehemently opposing Friedman’s use of the word “kapos” to describe liberal Zionists.

7

Solidarity is not selective: Michael Bennett brings the struggle for Palestinian freedom to the NFL

Shireen Ahmed on

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett created ripples in the sports world when he publicly tweeted he was no longer going on a Post-Super Bowl trip to Israel. In a world where privileged football sports figures make vacuous and cowardly statements about politics, Bennett has been a voice of intelligence and compassion. His most recent public comments have cemented his unwavering commitment to understanding the roots of injustice — despite the attempts by Israeli organizations to gloss over the oppression of Palestinians.

23

Israel has had a ‘Muslim ban’ from the start

Jonathan Ofir on

Here in Israel we’re experts in Muslim bans. We’ve banned Palestinians, who we said didn’t even exist, from returning to their homes, for 7 decades. We just had to. Jewish State, you know. We’ve banned Palestinians from reunifying families. We’ve banned them from being full citizens. And liberal Zionists hold the bag for us.

2

Trump’s first counter-insurgency strike leaves 15 civilians dead and a town in Yemen destroyed

Allison Deger on

An eight-year old American girl in Yemen’s Bayda province was killed along with 14 other civilians on Sunday during the Trump administration’s first counter-insurgency operation. An American soldier was also killed during the fighting, which was ordered by the president without being fully briefed, according to critics from within the armed forces who–in an unusual move–leaked to the press.

1

Catholic mass for Muslims draws more than 600 people blocks from the White House

Sabith Khan on

Just a few feet from the White House, a “White House Mass for Muslim refugees” was organized recently to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community. This Mass organized by the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, a local advocacy group in Washington D.C. brought together a cross-section of DC’s residents. There were signs that read “Christians supporting Muslims” or “No ban, No Wall” “We are ALL Immigrants” “Our huddled mass welcomes your huddled mass” and “Refugees welcome”. This crowd of people brought together public-spirited Catholics, Muslims and others, with a passion for social justice.

3

White House insists executive order isn’t a ‘Muslim ban’, but Jews and Christians seem welcomed

Allison Deger on

The White House has dismissed the use of the term “Muslim ban” to describe the executive order signed by President Trump Friday that temporarily suspended the entry of travelers and refugees with origins from seven Muslim majority nations. But then why is the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv telling non-Muslims from those same countries they can still travel to the U.S.?