Israel

German Chancellor Merkel defends Israeli onslaught on Gaza

By Dietmar Henning, 2 January 2009

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has given her full backing to the murderous attack launched by Israel on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Israel continues to pound Gaza as troops mass on border

By Julie Hyland, 31 December 2008

Israeli jets continued to pound Gaza for a fourth day amidst threats of worse to come. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has described the lethal bombardment as just “the first of several stages” of military action.

The New York Times and Gaza: Justifying genocide

31 December 2008

There is little to distinguish the “newspaper of record’s” version of events from the mendacious account being peddled by the American media in general: the Palestinians are the aggressors and Israel the victim. Never mind the grim and unequal equation of the conflict: roughly 100 Palestinians killed for every Israeli.

Third day of Israeli attacks deepens anger of Arab masses

By Chris Marsden, 30 December 2008

The Israeli Air Force has waged its third day of bombing against Gaza, killing over 300 Palestinians and wounding more than 1,400. The Israeli offensive has sparked solidarity demonstrations around the world, which in many Arab nations have become political protests against the ruling regimes.

The Gaza crisis and the perspective of permanent revolution

By Bill Van Auken, 30 December 2008

The onslaught against Gaza has provoked popular outrage throughout the Middle East and around the world, even as governments in the Arab world and elsewhere have lined up to provide justifications for this US-Israeli war crime.

Israel inflicts mass suffering on Palestinian population

By Tom Eley, 30 December 2008

Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza strip, which has killed at least 345 Palestinians and maimed scores, has sharply intensified a severe humanitarian crisis in the area.

As death toll mounts

Israel threatens ground invasion of Gaza

By Chris Marsden, 29 December 2008

Israel seems set for a ground invasion of Gaza following sustained bombardment that has left more than 300 dead and over 1,000 injured.

Washington bears guilt for Gaza war crimes

29 December 2008

The Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Gaza is a war crime for which not only the government of Israel but also that of the United States bears full responsibility.

In Spitting Distance: war, exile and other daily realities for Palestinians

By Richard Phillips, 24 November 2008

In Spitting Distance is an emotional and at times darkly ironic exploration of the situation facing a Palestinian actor/playwright in Ramallah, Paris and Tel Aviv in 2002.

“Good theatre makes you ask questions”

An interview with Khalifa Natour and Ofira Henig

By Richard Phillips, 24 November 2008

In Spitting Distance, a one-man show performed by Khalifa Natour and directed by Ofira Henig, was recently staged at the Sydney Opera House. Henig and Natour discussed the production with Richard Phillips.

Political stalemate forces general election in Israel

By Jean Shaoul, 1 November 2008

Israel will go to the polls to elect a parliament on February 10, some 12 months earlier than scheduled.

Israel’s plan to attack Iran confirmed

By Jean Shaoul, 30 September 2008

Reports confirmed last week that Israel was actively considering a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities last spring.

Livni’s election and the ongoing shift to the right in Israeli politics

By Jean Shaoul, 26 September 2008

Tzipi Livni, foreign secretary in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s Kadima-Labour coalition government, narrowly won the vote for the leadership of the Kadima party after her predecessor was forced to resign over mounting allegations of corruption.

French President Sarkozy visits Syria to seek new alliances

By Pierre Mabut, 15 September 2008

French President Nicolas Sarkozy made a two-day visit to the Syrian capital Damascus on September 3-4 to continue Israeli-Syrian peace negotiations brokered by France, Qatar and Turkey.

United Nations report: Israeli forces have inflicted a “reign of terror”

By Jean Shaoul, 24 March 2004

A recent report by John Dugard, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights’ Special Rapporteur, stated that Israeli forces had “inflicted a reign of terror upon innocent Palestinians in the course of their assassinations of militants in densely populated towns, their destruction of homes, and their random firing in built up areas—not to mention the methodical intimidation and humiliation of civilians at checkpoints.”

Israel: Histadrut trade union halts general strike against austerity plan

By David Cohen, 5 May 2003

Histadrut trade union federation chairman Amir Peretz called off a general strike that began on April 30 after just two days.

Israel’s Histadrut trade union federation calls off planned general strike

By David Cohen, 14 April 2003

After intensive workers’ protests and struggles against Likud Finance Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s austerity proposals, the Histadrut labour federation decided to halt the 10-day-old public sector work stoppages and order government employees to return to work on April 10.

Israel: Demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Haifa against occupation of Palestine territories and Iraq

By David Cohen, 14 April 2003

Almost 1,500 Jewish and Arab demonstrators gathered near Tel Aviv’s Central Train Station to protest against the occupation of Iraq and in defence of Israeli soldiers who refuse to serve in the Occupied Territories. The crowd shouted slogans like “The Occupation Is Terror, The Refusenik is Hero.” The popular singer Aviv Gefen sang, “Let’s bury the guns, not the children.” He continued, “Let’s march to the dream, with no race and national difference. Let’s occupy the peace, not the territories.” He slammed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and got applause from the crowd.

Protests in Israel against war in Iraq

By David Cohen, 12 April 2003

Thousands of Israelis have demonstrated during March and April against the imperialist war on Iraq. Protest rallies and marches were held in front of the United States Embassy in Tel Aviv, the Arab cities in northern Israel, the cities of Haifa and Nazareth and at the universities of Tel Aviv and Haifa.

Israel: Sharon government steps up attacks on Palestinians

By Ann Talbot, 8 April 2003

The Israeli Defence Forces shot two International Solidarity Movement activists in the town of Jenin on the West Bank. This follows the murder of Rachel Corrie, who was crushed to death last month beneath an Israel armoured bulldozer as she tried to prevent it demolishing a Palestinian house.

Israel: Netanyahu’s nephew victimised for refusing military service

By Harvey Thompson, 29 March 2003

Jonathan Ben-Artzi, a 20-year-old physics student, has served a total of 214 days in military imprisonment for refusing to fight in the Israeli army. He has now spent more time in prison—stretching seven sentences—than any other Israeli conscientious objector and was recently designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International.

Defying growing state repression, 100,000 Israelis rally against war

By David Cohen in Israel, 14 May 2002

More than 100,000 Israelis gathered in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv on May 11 for a Peace Coalition rally. Yossi Sarid of the social democratic party, Meretz, who is the leader of the opposition in the Knesset, and former Justice Minister Yossi Beilin spoke at the rally, as did entertainer Dudu Topaz and writer Amos Oz. The demonstrators held up signs calling for the withdrawal of Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and the creation of “two states for two peoples.”