The UN is now ready to vote on a ceasefire agreement.
The US stalled this vote until they got watered down language in the agreement.

Posted by: librul | Dec 22 2023 14:12 utc | 3

“creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities,”
I guess that means the folks most actively enforcing this UN resolution are the Houthis. someone get them on the UN payroll please.

Posted by: mastameta | Dec 22 2023 14:27 utc | 5

They found a way to identify the fascist implantation in Argentina with the genocide against the Palestinians.
Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against High-Ranking Hezbollah Member Who Helped Plan 1994 Bombing in Buenos Aires, Argentina https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-terrorism-charges-against-high-ranking-hezbollah-member-who
U.S. charges man in 1994 bombing at Argentina Jewish center that killed 85
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/12/20/argentina-jewish-bombing-indictment-reda-1994/
A special note> As in UN they use the black man to make the dirty work

Posted by: Argos | Dec 22 2023 14:30 utc | 7

Of interest to readers of MoA might be the following prospectus by Helen of Destroy (Helen Buyinski) on the criminalization of anti-zionist expression in the u.s. (otherwise known in the local vernacular as “antisemitism”)
https://helenofdestroy.substack.com/p/a-new-standard-by-which-to-measure

Posted by: Cuauhtemoc Negro | Dec 22 2023 14:37 utc | 9

much talk lately about estimating real IDF casually counts. nevermind that, if Israel fails to eliminate Hamas, the dual-passport settlers who left Israel recently due to security concerns aren’t coming back and there won’t be much new influx either.
much of what was categorized as tourism income for Israel actually was settler traffic and visits for prospective settlers.
so there goes the entire rationale of its colonial settler state, whose population cannot outpace Palestinians in births.
Israeli security was a myth, and a myth once shattered cannot be put back together again. the sense of safety is gone. gone too is the aura of Israel for “touristy” Jews who never heard of the Nakba before and now witness its new iteration. once seen, that cannot be unseen, no matter what happens to Hamas.

Posted by: mastameta | Dec 22 2023 14:59 utc | 11

@Posted by: librul | Dec 22 2023 14:53 utc | 10
don’t mean to be monopolizing
But I had posted about Nisman, “His term of usefulness to the US neocons had run out.”
It hadn’t run out yet. Even though he had a nothing-burger against the former president
Nisman was still good for a flurry of propaganda headlines. It was suggested by the propagandists
that Nisman was assassinated because he had lots to tell about the former president.

Posted by: librul | Dec 22 2023 15:02 utc | 13

By the time the UN gets a strong resolution passed, the Zionists will have finished their total destruction of the Gaza Strip.
Posted by: Morongobill | Dec 22 2023 14:59 utc | 12
____
Sadly this is somewhere between “possible” and “likely”. And yet—
1. The UN was never going to do anything meaningful anyway; and
2. The Zionazis may destroy Gaza completely, but whether they destroy Hamas is very much open to question. Increasingly it appears likely that they can destroy Hamas only at the cost of enormous numbers of Chosenites.

Posted by: malenkov | Dec 22 2023 15:08 utc | 15

with or without the cheeky remarks of pro genocidists, the future use of violence will seem far more reasonable as it occurs. we are all victims of the strategems being applied by a failed would be empire and the slavering murderers cowering beneath their wing.

Posted by: Not Ewe | Dec 22 2023 15:43 utc | 17

Oh and hapoy cristmas

Posted by: Mark2 | Dec 22 2023 15:56 utc | 19

Fake James?
Please tell me it’s fake James…

Posted by: furies | Dec 22 2023 16:00 utc | 21

God’s Chosen People
Israel has announced that it is using starvation as a weapon of war. The so-called “World Community” proves its total impotence by doing nothing. Not even powerful countries such as China, Iran and Russia do anything.
Good has departed from the world, chased out by Satan. Only evil remains, and it is in every country.
https://israelpalestinenews.org/watch-israeli-soldiers-film-themselves-looting-and-vandalizing-in-gaza/
On Wednesday, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reported that Israeli forces carried out a mass execution of civilians in northern Gaza Tuesday, separating 11 men from their families and summarily shooting them.
It is difficult to believe that there are Christians who support these agents of Satan.
The United Nations reports that Israeli forces are carrying out mass summary executions in Gaza.
These are, of course, in addition to the daily mass executions being conducted by the indiscriminate bombing and shelling of Palestinian civilians.
https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2023/12/22/gods-chosen-people-20/
referencing: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-12/in-gaza-israelis-attack-holy-family-parish-two-women-killed.html

Posted by: Scorpion | Dec 22 2023 16:17 utc | 23

To repeat:
As the occupying power it is the responsibility of the Likud Gov’t to feed, house, and protect the Gaza refugees…..inside Israel
Period

Posted by: Exile | Dec 22 2023 16:26 utc | 25

Very good overview by Jonathan Cook on IDF’s Hannibal slaughter on Oct 7th.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-palestine-war-media-ignoring-evidence-actions-7-october

Posted by: daffyDuct | Dec 22 2023 16:28 utc | 27

https://new.thecradle.co/articles/israels-golani-brigade-turns-tail-from-gaza

Israel’s Channel 13 reported on 21 December that the army’s elite Golani Brigade withdrew from Gaza following 60 days of fighting to “reorganize its ranks” after facing unprecedented losses during the first weeks of battle in the strip.
The news comes days after it was reported that the elite infantry unit had suffered major losses during the ground assault on Gaza.

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Dec 22 2023 16:46 utc | 29

RE: “The US stalled this vote until they got watered down language in the agreement.”
Posted by: librul | Dec 22 2023 14:12 utc | 3
There’s nothing in this resolution that changes anything at all in ground. No serious aid monitoring or power to UNRW monitors, no ceasefire. A”pause” for Israel to get hostages back, then back to whatever Israel day to day wants to do.
It will be vetoed I’m guessing. Either by Russia, or China.
It would be nice if it were China this time, and Russia could abstain.
At this point, it’s uncertain that it will even make it to floor for a vote. Still needs 9 votes in current form to make it to the 5 permanent members, and it’s unclear it has that.
The U.S. presents this as a done deal, the US has “worked tirelessly” blah blah, but actually it’s the same resolution they’ve always bid for. “Hostages” released and Israel does whatever it wants, as long as it wants.
I see this deadpanned, or vetoed.
I don’t see Russia or others being frustrated enough to say… “yeah… a little pause and a little aid is at least something… let’s do it!”
Of course I’ve been wrong before.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 22 2023 16:52 utc | 31

From Simplicius’ latest (regarding Operation Empty Threat in the Red Sea):

The US is getting dragged deeper and deeper into conflicts that are overstretching its capabilities. As someone said, “He who defends everything, defends nothing.”

That’s philosophy, folks. Substitute your verb of choice for another fresh insight. Who believes everything believes nothing. Who controls everything controls nothing. Who knows everything knows nothing…

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Dec 22 2023 17:07 utc | 33

How dare the Pope!
He’s anti Semite!
https://religionnews.com/2023/12/18/pope-francis-condemns-saturdays-israeli-attack-on-christian-church-as-act-of-terrorism/

Posted by: Surferket | Dec 22 2023 17:11 utc | 35

UN Human Rights Office – OPT: Unlawful killings in Gaza City
https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/un-human-rights-office-opt-unlawful-killings-gaza-city

OHCHR OPT has received disturbing information alleging that Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) summarily killed at least 11 unarmed Palestinian men in front of their family members in Al Remal neighbourhood, Gaza City, which raises alarm about the possible commission of a war crime. This comes in the wake of earlier allegations concerning the deliberate targeting and killing of civilians at the hands of Israeli forces.
The Israeli authorities must immediately institute an independent, thorough and effective investigation into these allegations, and if found to be substantiated, those responsible must be brought to justice and measures implemented to prevent any such serious violations from recurring.
On 19 December 2023, between 2000 and 2300 hours, IDF reportedly surrounded and raided Al Awda building, also known as the “Annan building”, in Al Remal neighborhood, Gaza City, where three related families were sheltering in addition to Annan family. According to witness accounts circulated by media sources and Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, while in control of the building and the civilians sheltering there, the IDF allegedly separated the men from the women and children, and then shot and killed at least 11 of the men, mostly aged in their late 20’s and early 30’s, in front of their family members. The IDF then allegedly ordered the women and children into a room, and either shot at them or threw a grenade into the room, reportedly seriously injuring some of them, including an infant and a child. OHCHR has confirmed the killings at Al Awdabuilding, although the details and circumstances of the killings are still under verification. IDF has not released any information on the incident.

I’m sure they, the Zionazi’s, would have preferred to throw zyklon B instead of grenades into the room filled with women and children.

Posted by: xor | Dec 22 2023 17:25 utc | 37

Is the situation in Palestine really that 2m poor starved israelis are being swamped by the 7m strong Gazans, and the IDF is running out of supplies as it is blockaded by the multipolar alliance fleet off their coast while there is a huge airlift of weapons and munitions from the BRICs warehouses for the al-Qassam brigades? 🙂 How short until the al-Qassam forces enter al-Quds?

Posted by: Blissex | Dec 22 2023 17:35 utc | 39

UNSC adopts watered-down resolution. 13 in favour with two abstentions (US & Russia).
revised language: “calls for urgent steps to immediately allow safe, unhindered, and expanded humanitarian access and to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities”.
Apparently, both Biden and Israeli officials were directly involved with the US negotiators. It was the Israelis who strongly objected to a proposed UN role in distributing aid as well as mandated “cessation of hostilities”, with Biden personally reviewing the proposed language. About one thousand Gazan civilians were killed during the week of delays.

Posted by: jayc | Dec 22 2023 17:47 utc | 41

The IDF is going hit a sudden, painful resource crunch and it’s not going to take as long as 4 weeks to get there.
(Unless they take a ceasefire/pause to replenish.)
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Dec 22 2023 16:46 utc | 29
Yep. Uncle Sugar has already abandoned Ukraine and Taiwan in order to muster up a credible threat in West Asia and is failing at that. Nobody else wants to join up. The Congress has gone home until mid-January, at best. The Izzies do not have that long. They have be-shit themselves and Biden both with their behavior. Can’t come too soon.

Posted by: Bemildred | Dec 22 2023 17:52 utc | 43

Israel thanked the US and said the resolution was unnecessary and the UN has no role to play.
Posted by: Pq | Dec 22 2023 17:58 utc | 45
Do you have a reference? That is huge.

Posted by: Jonathan W | Dec 22 2023 18:06 utc | 45

https://twitter.com/johnkonrad/status/1737956292436615453
John Ʌ Konrad V @johnkonrad
This is by far the craziest story I have reported on in the 15 years I’ve been CEO of @gCaptain
BREAKING NEWS: Confirmation From Dr Sal on the news about @cmacgm and the French Navy I posted to my video this afternoon.
Next rumor to confirm is that @JakeSullivan46’s team at White House has running much of the coalition building directly with minimal Us Navy or MARAD involvement… and it’s a total mess!
Why is it a mess? The maritime interests of the nation were left to atrophy by the Obama administration who put a junior white house staffer and them a navy O5 submarine commander in charge of the important US Maritime Administration @DOTMARAD.
Trump recognized the deficiency and appointed 3 shipowners to his cabinet, put an experienced admiral in charge pf MARAD and opened a maritime desk – heady by a smart and – as @JoshuaSteinman can confirm – put an ambitious USCG officer- inside the national security council.
On day 1 of the Biden administration they closed the NSC maritime desk leaving the white house without any maritime experience. @SecretaryPete
was given DOT as a political favor and MARAD was staffed with a long retired Admiral who had a multi-billion dollar climate change agenda.
This is not a political tweet – much of what the Trump administration tried to accomplish in the Maritime domain failed in the last year or was overturned by entrenched civil servants – but they did have an abundance of Maritime and Navy experts at the highest levels and had a few home runs like the revitalization of Philly shipyard, and the building brand new college training ships.
Biden has no maritime expertise on staff. Furthermore Biden put an army general as secretary defense, and has done a little to nothing to support the US Navy.
tl;dr there is an extreme lack of maritme and naval expertise within this administration.
The result is that the cornerstone of Naval strength – which is not our carrier groups, it is the strength of our allied coalitions – has fallen apart over the course of just a couple of days.
Out of our naval allies, only ten signed up for Operation Prosperity Guardian. Two of those refused to comit any hard assets. Two had few assets to supply. And one – France – stormed out of the first operational meeting in disgust and quit the group to go protect its own ships.
And now the most important waterway of global maritime commerce is blocked to all but French owned ships (they will open it up to EU ships shortly), US flagged ships with 🇺🇸 sailors aboard sit without protection in the Red Sea, and thousands of ships are going around the Cape of Good Hope emitting untold amount of carbon which the Biden administration claims is a priority.
This is an EPIC failure and a completely avoidable one. The White House has no shipping or naval expertise and should not have taken charge of this operation.
This operation should have been handed off to @SECNAV with close assistance by @SecretaryPete.
I have very little faith in secretary Pete’s Maritime knowledge, but the secretary of the Navy – Carlos del Toro – has done an excellent job in the last few months . He is the one who needs to run point here without interference from @SecDef and @POTUS

Posted by: Naya May | Dec 22 2023 18:28 utc | 47

Arch @ 35,
thanks for that text.
The link didn’t work for me, but here is one to a Hindustani Times video that intersperses Abdul Malik Al-Houthi’s words with some interesting footage.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/videos/want-direct-war-with-u-s-houthi-chiefs-big-declaration-against-america-amid-red-sea-tensions-101703264900467.html
A few days ago I asked myself: Where are the international Lone Rangers who appear on the horizon, duke it out with the bad guys, and put a stop to the massacres and mayhem?
Looks like the Houthis are the Lone Ranger, Lone Defender, and Lone Avenger all-in-one.

Posted by: Jane | Dec 22 2023 18:31 utc | 49

Do you have a reference? That is huge.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Dec 22 2023 18:06 utc | 46
Al Jazeera live updates
Israeli UN envoy dismisses Security Council resolution
Gilad Erdan, speaking during the council meeting, says “The UN’s focus only on aid mechanisms to Gaza is unnecessary and disconnected from reality.”
He continued, saying that “Israel is already allowing aid deliveries at the required scale,” and that “The UN should have focused on the humanitarian crisis of the hostages.”
Erdan also thanked the US for its support during negotiations on the resolution, which according to him kept in place Israel’s ability to continue inspecting aid that enters Gaza.
After a week of wrangling, here’s what the final text of the Security Council resolution says:
Demands all parties “facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale” directly to Palestinian civilians.
Calls for parties to “create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities”; an initial version called for a halt to the fighting, while a second discarded draft called for a “suspension” of fighting to allow in aid.
Demands parties to “facilitate the use of all available routes to and throughout the entire Gaza Strip” for aid deliveries.
Requests the UN chief appoint an official to oversee aid disbursement, and requests that that official create a a UN mechanism for accelerating aid. That represents another compromise, with an initial draft calling for the UN secretary-general to create a binding mechanism for speedy aid.
Demands the release of captives.
Demands that enough fuel is allowed into Gaza to meet humanitarian need.
Antonio Guterres tells reporters at the UN’s headquarters in New York that it would be a mistake to judge the effectiveness of the humanitarian aid operation in Gaza based on the number of trucks that enter the enclave.
“The real problem is that the way Israel is conducting its offensive is creating massive obstacles to the distribution of humanitarian aid inside Gaza,” he said.

Posted by: Pq | Dec 22 2023 18:49 utc | 51

Demands the release of captives.
So 10,000 Arab civilians and 3 Israeli civilians released ?

Posted by: Exile | Dec 22 2023 19:02 utc | 53

RE: Posted by: librul | Dec 22 2023 18:35 utc | 51
Well, semantics by Russia Vas…
Abstaining is essentially “signing off “
Whatevs Vassily Nebenzia, no one cares anymore.
You’ve all opened the doors wider for slaughter. That’s all you’ve all done this week.
Merry Christmas.

Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 22 2023 19:09 utc | 55

“Spain Blocks EU from Joining Anti-Houthi War”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obnLaeVjIxM
So, now we have a “war” against the Houthis.

Posted by: Jane | Dec 22 2023 19:17 utc | 57

The Washington Post does a legal analysis of Israel’s attacks on Gaza’s hospitals. It’s rare to see this sort of critical discussion run concurrent with US approved operations. Suggests there is a bit of nervousness regarding eventual consequences.
The Case of al-Shifa: Investigating the Assault on Gaza’s Largest Hospital
Washington Post December 21, 2023
https://archive.is/62FdS

Posted by: jayc | Dec 22 2023 19:23 utc | 59

RE: UNSC
Tass : “Russian Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya said.
“Had not this document been supported by several Arab countries, we would have undoubtedly vetoed it,” he said following the vote.
The diplomat noted that several countries, including some Arab states, “withdrew their co-authorship.” “We invariably proceed from the fact that the Arab world is capable of making its own decisions and taking full responsibility for them. This is the only reason why we did not block this document,” he explained.
So, if US Israel poodles (Egypt/Jordan/UAE/SA) are bribed into allowing the massacre, alls ok with Russia. It’s the “Arab worlds” choice.
Russia is allowing the newfound treacherous UAE BRICS partners a ridiculous swath of latitude:
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/22/716829/iran-foreign-minister-russia-territorial-integrity
“The Iranian minister made the remark during a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Friday.
It was in reaction to a joint statement issued by several Arab countries and Russia on Iran’s three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb.
Pointing to the final statement of the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum in Morocco issued on Thursday, the foreign minister once again reiterated that the islands in the Persian Gulf are an “inseparable” part of the Iranian territorial integrity.”
“https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2023/12/22/716810/Tehran-slams-Arab-Russia-statement-on-Iranian-trio-islands
Tehran has condemned a joint statement from several Arab countries and Russia about Iran’s three Persian Gulf islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb as an interference in its internal affairs, stressing that it will not hesitate to preserve its territorial integrity.
Ali Akbar Velayati, a senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, said on Thursday that the final statement of the 6th Arab-Russian Cooperation Forum in Morocco on the three Iranian islands was regarded as interference in Iran’s internal affairs.
“The meeting was held in the presence **+of some Arabs, who are ignoring the fate of the Palestinians, *+**and Russian experts in Morocco and issued a statement that has various flaws, the most important of which is interference in Iran’s affairs,” he said, condemning the statement.
So Russia looking to play footsie with UAE,Egypt & SA and BRICS goes into new year, and put them ahead of old friends that are solid… well, have at it.
What a tool Russia is reordering the world around. Another buffoon global leader, unable to stand their ground.
“Calling on Russia to pay further careful attention to its stances regarding the Islamic Republic, the senior advisor said “The strategic and friendly relations between Iran and Russia have not been achieved easily.”
“In such circumstances that Russia is in a complex international situation, some positions of the Russian Foreign Ministry are regrettable,” he said, acknowledging that “although, some political pressures on Russia in the current complicated situation will cause it to damage its reputation in order to obtain a worthless point.”

Posted by: Trubind1 | Dec 22 2023 19:40 utc | 61

be honest and say – resolution not possible, US/Israel are in charge and UN SC is helpless…
@ JB | Dec 22 2023 19:38 utc | 62
So the United States finally succeeded in watering down the resolution so much there’s nothing left to veto. Big whoop. The utterly obvious meaninglessness of this exercise makes the same statement, albeit less honestly: the UN is useless. The more urgent the need, the more vacuous the response.

Posted by: Aleph_Null | Dec 22 2023 19:45 utc | 63

Lebanese TV reports;
20:48 Islamic Resistance in Iraq strikes a vital target in the Mediterranean Sea a few days ago with appropriate weapons, achieving direct hits: statement
Comment – ship attacked ?

Posted by: Exile | Dec 22 2023 20:16 utc | 65

At least Reuters is admitting that Yemen is causing serious global logistic problems

Shipping companies sailing around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid Houthi attacks on the Red Sea face tough choices over where to refuel and restock, as African ports struggle with red tape, congestion and poor facilities….

Posted by: psychohistorian | Dec 22 2023 20:32 utc | 67

Menz I really appreciate your posts. Short and to the point.

Posted by: Jonathan W | Dec 22 2023 20:53 utc | 69

mastameta 17
You refer to envoys. Blair and Blinken are professional envoys. An envoys job is to obfuscate and negatexany negative impact on the criminals who.pay them.
Oversimplification is the standard shill’s dismissive statement of anybody approaching the truth.
The US and UK have both declared that their current military and diplomatic offensive is directed away from the Atlantic region and towards the Pacific.
Israel’s current objectives are inward looking towards fascist control over Liberal political thought by means of eliminating the power of the Judiciary.
The kind of thing Pritti Patel was trying to do in the UK before her foul-. mouthed language to top civil servants was publicised.
Netanyahu is one of many US populist-nationalist proxies, BoJo , DeLying, Zelensky , Erdogan. Just because he is commanded to brandish a map of Greater Israel in the UN doesn’t mean that it is his Israeli agenda, any more than BoJo’s agenda was an oven-ready Brexit. Or Russophobiavis Zelensky’s agenda, the comedian.
Once the neocons have decided whose kidneys they want to eat for breakfast, the ants run around organising it for them. Israel is massively compromised by this genocide.
Cui bono this genocide ? Just the US neocons and snivelling Atlantacist puppy poodles. Don’t say ” over simplification ” again. Arsehole.

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 22 2023 20:59 utc | 71

While Russia, China and others were unable to move an acceptable resolution through the Security Council owing to USUKIS obstruction, Guterres did give voice to the disruption/withholding of humanitarian aid occurring as a result of Israel overseeing the process as well as continuing concerns regarding the ongoing genocide of Palestinians. No one owns the verified fact that Israeli’s are not only pilfering for themselves but also removing much needed medications, particularly all anesthesia so painful operations are done with no anesthesia and probably no prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection.
Those who are concerned regarding the lack of overt confrontation in this situation by Russia, China, et. al. might wish to consider that Russia is currently negotiating for free passage of Russian oil tankers through the Red Sea and that Chinese ships are being escorted by/supported by their naval base in Djibouti. Arab countries as well are experiencing no difficulties or Houthi threats. Inquiring minds wonder exactly whom the naval coalition of the willing being organized by Jake Sullivan is there to support – one country and one country only? Also, continues to fall apart before even taking to the sea – Eu out/Australia out/some countries sending only one or two officers. And Jake Sullivan’s naval, maritime, war credentials? Naval Security Desk set up by Trump, naval participation in cabinet – all immediately axed by Biden upon accession to the presidency. The very real issue is the possibility of an unintended incident given the congestion in the Red Sea of vessels flying under so many different flags. This situation is prime for a false flag, with one country having extensive experience in such happenings. This coalition presents a very real acceleration of the risks to expansion of the current conflict to a much, much larger war.

Posted by: abierno | Dec 22 2023 21:02 utc | 73

Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸
@jacksonhinklle
🚨🇫🇷🇾🇪 BREAKING: FRANCE has WITHDRAWN NAVAL SUPPORT for Operation Prosperity Guardian, the Us-Led Coalition to guard against Houthi Rebel attacks in the Red Sea.
https://twitter.com/jacksonhinklle/status/1738264648703443428
Another source:
…the French Navy, a cornerstone of the coalition, has withdrawn support, possibly temporarily, to focus on helping French-owned ships. This decisive move comes as US leadership faces mounting criticism among US shipowners for leaving American sailors dangerously exposed within range of Houthi forces, without adequate protection.
https://gcaptain.com/french-navy-quits-operation-prosperity-guardian/

Posted by: Menz | Dec 22 2023 21:18 utc | 75

Another excellent piece of analysis of the genocide in Gaza and Germany’s proud role in it by Wolfgang Streeck
“The Israeli massacre in Gaza is a catastrophe, and not just for the city’s tortured inmates, languishing for decades under a merciless occupation. The United States in particular, but also Germany, will forever be closely associated with this unrelenting slaughter of thousands of innocent men, women and children, a slaughter that both countries continue to underwrite materially and diplomatically….”
https://newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/master-and-servant?pc=1569
Read it along with this companion piece by Oliver Nachtwey:
“After eighteen years, Die Linke is no longer a presence in the German Bundestag. When Sahra Wagenknecht and nine other MPs quit the party last October, the remaining deputies lost their status as a parliamentary group. The defectors are now planning to contest the upcoming European elections along with three state elections in eastern Germany. Initial polls put support for their new outfit, the Sahra Wagenknecht Alliance – for Reason and Justice (BSW), at an impressive 12%. For many commentators, including Joshua Rahtz in a recent article for Sidecar, this is a hopeful development. Wagenknecht, he writes, directly addresses the material concerns of the German public: the ruling-class attack on living standards, the retrenchment of the social state, and the subordination of the national interest to that of Washington. He views her programme, focused on redistribution and opposition to NATO, as a serious response to the Repräsentationslücke – or representation gap – in the electoral system, where nearly half of the population does not identify with any party. To assess whether Rahtz’s optimism is warranted, we need to take a closer look at the character of the BSW. How radical are its policies? And, beyond them, does it have an intellectual or philosophical orientation towards the left?….”
https://newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/sovereign-virtues?pc=1569
For the afficionado there is a third article, by Albert Toscanno, on the life of Toni Negri the Italian Communist who died last week
“…..Negri offers the overcoming of death – a resolutely atheist and collective idea of eternity – as the substance of his thought, politics, and life. He writes: ‘And yet the possibility of overcoming the presence of death is not a dream of youth, but a practice of old age; always keeping in mind that organising life to overcome the presence of death is a duty of humanity, a duty as important as that of eliminating the exploitation and disease that are death’s cause.’..
“…It is no accident that he devoted the very last pages of his autobiography, his parting words, to the fight against the far right that engulfed his own childhood and now threatens to return. The multitude’s weakness and fear, he tells us, is once again making room for a terror that wants the apotheosis of property, patriarchy and sovereignty, that wishes all expressions of joy prohibited. ‘Fascism’, Negri tells us, ‘rests on fear, produces fear, constitutes and constrains the people in fear’. Against fascism’s watchword, ‘long live death’, Toni built a life of thought, comradeship, love and struggle. I can’t think of a better way of honouring it than transcribing the final paragraph of his autobiography:
‘In the resistance to fascism, in the effort to break its domination, in the certainty of doing so, I have written this book. All that is left, my friends, is to leave you. With a smile, with tenderness, dedicating these pages to the virtuous men and women who preceded me in the art of subversion and liberation, and to those who will follow. We have said that they are ‘eternal’ – may eternity embrace us.’
https://newleftreview.org/sidecar/posts/a-communist-life?pc=1569

Posted by: bevin | Dec 22 2023 21:29 utc | 77

Exile drone attack on gas fields. Israel sources say was repelled. Iraq group claims hits. Israel bombed hezbollah hard after that maybe thought they did it. Either way this should be some kind of priority. Remember Ukraine said it was legitimate targets as revenue helped putin fund his war.
As Scott Ritter so cleanly stated . Empty those ships of expensive defensive missiles with cheap drones . Resupply is far away in a port somewhere else. Asymmetric warfare whack a mole is near impossible to counter.

Posted by: Hankster | Dec 22 2023 21:52 utc | 79

Posted by: bevin | Dec 22 2023 21:29 utc | 79
Of the very few political rock stars in Europe, Sahra Wagenknecht is a name to remember. Keep an eye on what she is doing beginning early next year.

Posted by: Jonathan W | Dec 22 2023 21:59 utc | 81

Posted by: Moonie | Dec 22 2023 22:03 utc | 85
Lol that is the fear. But let’s say Wagenknecht knows what she is doing and has already been called a Putin puppet, which is a great plus. Orban must be feeling lonely.

Posted by: Jonathan W | Dec 22 2023 22:09 utc | 83

Will she turn out like ” rock star ” Giorgia Meloni ?
Posted by: Moonie | Dec 22 2023 22:03 utc | 85
Meloni was never a rock star. She was touted as one in the Western MSM because they guessed correctly that she was more pliant and obedient than the hate filled demagogue Salvini. I rmeember a glowing portrait of her in the Economist saying something to that effect. In Italy she is known mockingly as “Lady Aspen” as she is an Aspen University Fellow. She always was and is a political opportunist. The only thing on which she resonates with a part of the population is xenophobia.
Sara Wagenknecht seems much more honest. I could be wrong but the Economist has never and is unlikely to say anything nice about Sara.

Posted by: pq | Dec 22 2023 22:17 utc | 85

This article summarizes a Haaretz article behind a paywall
https://www.palestinechronicle.com/bad-news-from-the-front-top-israeli-analyst-on-war-gone-bad-and-the-unbridgeable-gap/
“Parts of the Israeli public really believed that within a few weeks the IDF would clear the Gaza Strip of buildings, and build a park in the north of the Strip, opposite the settlements that were destroyed in the massacre.”
In an article published on Friday in the Hebrew edition of the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Israeli journalist and political analyst Amos Harel argued that there is “a large gap, almost unbridgeable” between Israeli politicians’ statements and the reality in Gaza.
“In view of the congestion in the south, and the developing challenge in the north, moving to phase 3 of the war in the Strip seems to be a desirable move under the difficult circumstances,” the report said.
“Chief of Staff Halevy, who seems to have already digested the change in the situation, will have to explain to the cabinets whether in his opinion the time has come to move relatively quickly to the more limited phase three,” it added.
…
Much as I keep ranting about Israel, today I saw this video which made me feel sad for this Israeli soldier giving testimony to a Knesset committee. Guy really had his life ruined. I wonder if he was an unwilling soldier or one of those asses who was gung ho about killing Palestinians. If the latter case, karma is a bitch.
The lesson here is that while Israel thinks of itself as “chosen” it treats its people as dispensable. Like the USA. If four Americans are killed in Falluljah then the US will bomb the crap out of it with forbidden weapons. But vets back home don’t get the help they need.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CksatWakte0

Posted by: pq | Dec 22 2023 22:30 utc | 87

Responding to Maracatu @22 on the previous thread:

IMO, the Israelis are headed to defeat, as is concluded here on the Duran. Since the vast majority of Israelis wanted the impossible goal of the complete “ethnic cleansing” of Palestine, I expect large numbers of Israelis to emigrate elsewhere. What is now known as “Israel” will thus shrink substantially, allowing many Palestinians to eventually reclaim their lands in the long run. I see no other way around it.
Posted by: Maracatu | Dec 21 2023 17:13 utc | 22

I agree with commentators who say that the Hamas raid on October 7th dealt a strategic defeat to Israel. But one thing that I have found missing in the commentary so far is what the strategic defeat of Israel will be like, concretely and materially.
On the Duran discussion you linked to, John Mearsheimer describes four possible scenarios into which the current situation can unfold: 1) one democratic state where Palestinians and Israelis coexist, 2) a two-state solution, 3) an Israeli-controlled apartheid, and 4) ethnic cleansing. He concludes that 1 and 2 above are off the table and won’t happen, leaving 3 and 4 as the only possible outcomes.
I disagree with him, in that his “menu” fails to take into account the concrete unfolding of a military defeat of Israel. The worst case outcome he depicts from the Zionist perspective is 1. He does not state under what conditions this outcome would result. Rather, he dismisses this option as being “off the table because Israelis would never accept that”, implying that this is not a “defeat” scenario. So has Mearsheimer actually considered any outcomes of an Israeli military defeat? I don’t think a victorious Palestinian people would choose to implement Mearsheimer’s first option. Note: choose, not accept; as the victorious party, they choose the outcome.
So here is my question to fellow Bar Flies: what would a Palestinian victory over Zionism look like, concretely?

Posted by: Palm & Needle | Dec 22 2023 22:41 utc | 89

Good description of all the moves.
https://tomluongo.me/2023/12/21/no-one-grokked-suez-houthi-gambit/
‘Check mate to Putin’

Posted by: Ink | Dec 22 2023 22:52 utc | 91

Genocidal = Viki Nuland

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 22 2023 22:57 utc | 93

Jonathon W 94
Putin’s learning curve is the same trajectory as a hypersonic missile.
Inshallah hits the target before the neocons know what’s hit them.

Posted by: Giyane | Dec 22 2023 23:03 utc | 95

Posted by: genocidal | Dec 22 2023 22:51 utc | 95
«If the Houthis think a real genocide is occurring why not offer to take in the Gazans ?»
Posted by: genocidal | Dec 22 2023 23:15 utc | 104
“what would a Palestinian victory over Zionism look like, concretely?”
«genocidal Oct 7 on a countrywide scale»
If there is a real possibility of the palestinian arabs genociding the palestinian jews, why don’t the USA, UK etc. offer to take in the palestinian jews?
If the only possible outcomes are that either the palestinian jews exterminate the palestinian arabs or viceversa, why should be the palestinian arabs who have to move far away to Yemen?

Posted by: Blissex | Dec 22 2023 23:36 utc | 97

Posted by: Palm & Needle | Dec 22 2023 22:41 utc | 93
So here is my question to fellow Bar Flies: what would a Palestinian victory over Zionism look like, concretely?

A victory over Zionism would not only involve Palestinians but all the major regional nations who will have to change the status quo that permits Israel to unilaterally dictate facts on the ground under cover of a 1940’s non-binding UN resolution without any Arab or Palestinian approval.
Essentially, the lack of any ultimate Authority since first the Ottomans and then the Brits pulled out is the prime cause of the current mess. The Palestinians alone cannot remedy this but the urgency of their current plight might spur regional players to finally step up especially given the weakening of the Hegemonic West along with the strengthening of the Eurasian bloc.
Israel is going to have to be made an offer they cannot refuse by those able to impose it, a sine qua non of any true Authority. Clearly the UNSC cannot serve in this capacity, but the International Community has proven both unwilling and unable to address its own shortcomings.
Hopefully this is why Russia is holding back. A major power somewhat outside the Regional Powers, many of whom are still rivals, is going to have to play the part of honest broker in some extremely difficult negotiations. They have a long history with the Jewish people plus there are over two million Russian Israelis.
Or: Meerschaumer will be proven correct and either apartheid or ethnic cleansing will be the end result.

Posted by: Scorpion | Dec 22 2023 23:38 utc | 99