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New UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur for Palestine
Stephen Lendman
Canadian Law Professor Stanley Michael Lynk replaces Indonesian diplomat Makarim Wibisono - leaving his post effective March 31 because of Israeli obstructionism.
The UN post is a thankless job. Wibisono said his best “efforts to help improve the lives of Palestinian victims (were) frustrated every step of the way.”
Human rights defenders aren’t safe in Israel. They risk arrest, physical assault and death threats.
Falk explained Israel and Zionist zealots vilified him. He was expelled him from the country in his first term, denied free access to Occupied Palestine, obstructed from doing his job to keep Israeli human rights abuses suppressed.
Lynk is critical of Israeli policies. Expect no cooperation from its regime when he assumes his post. The ultra-Zionist UN Watch called his appointment “a travesty of justice and a breach of the world body’s own rules.”
US Rejects Emergency Meeting with Russia on Syria Ceasefire Violations
Stephen Lendman
Farcical peace talks accomplished nothing so far, chances for conflict resolution virtually nil.
On Sunday, Assad urged Arab and Islamic world unity in fighting terrorism. Syrians are combatting this scourge on behalf of all its people, confident of eventual victory, he stressed.
Longterm struggle continues. Syrian UN envoy/chief peace talks negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari resisted pressure by Steffan de Mistura, proximity talks go-between, serving Western, not Syrian interests.
Al-Jaafari blasted Security Council members and other rogue states supporting terrorism.
Media Hype Terrorism Following Brussels Blasts
Stephen Lendman
Western media operate irresponsibly in lockstep, reporting state-sponsored propaganda, keeping news consumers misinformed about major issues affecting everyone.
Knee-jerk reporting following Tuesday’s Brussels blasts hyped “terrorism” - despite no credible evidence proving it.
The official narrative is accepted unquestioningly. Big Lies and misinformation substitute for hard truths. Dissenting views aren’t allowed, notably when evidence corroborates them.
New York Times editors shun responsible journalistic standards. “Standing With Brussels Against Terrorism and Fear,” they hyped - blaming ISIS for what happened despite no credible evidence proving it, repeating the official narrative proving nothing.
Duma Arson Murder Witness’ Home Set Ablaze
Stephen Lendman
Last July, extremist settlers set the Dawabsha family home ablaze, immolating 18-month-old Ali, husband and wife Saad and Riham later succumbing to third-degree burns too severe to save them.
Four-year-old Ahmad alone survived, enduring months of excruciating treatment, recovering from third-degree burns covering most of his body.
Now aged five, his treatment continues in Ramat Gan’s Sheba Medical Center, the PA paying his medical expenses. Israel doesn’t recognize him as a terror victim. He needs many more months, maybe years, for full recovery. His scars remain deep. Perhaps lifetime trauma awaits.
Israel Investigating Breaking the Silence
Stephen Lendman
Breaking the Silence (BTS) is comprised of former IDF soldiers, committed to expose the harsh reality of life in Occupied Palestine, state-sponsored Israeli high crimes regime authorities want suppressed.
BTS publishes testimonies of soldiers based on their participation in military action, experiences “chang(ing) them immensely.”
Netanyahu announced the organization is being investigated for allegedly publishing classified information, soldiers exposing war crimes Israel wants suppressed.
The group “crossed yet another red line,” Netanyahu raged. “The defense establishment’s investigative bodies are looking into the issue.”
Pro-Palestinian, Anti-AIPAC Protests
Stephen Lendman
On Sunday, thousands of Palestinian supporters rallied in Washington - protesting in front of the White House and outside AIPAC’s policy conference venue.
Activists chanted “Free, free Palestine.” “End the genocide.” “Support the right of return.” “Stop US funding of Israeli apartheid.” Speakers had their say.
ANSWER (Act Now to Stop War & End Racism) coalition activists sponsored the “national march on Washington to support Palestine.” A march and rally coincided with the opening of AIPAC’s annual policy conference. ANSWER urged Palestinian supporters to come to Washington.
Obama in Cuba
Stephen Lendman
He’ll arrive Sunday afternoon, March 20, the first US president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928.
He’ll meet with dissidents challenging governance most Cubans support, an unacceptable affront. He won’t announce Guantanamo’s closure, returning the territory to its rightful owner, or plans to end lawlessly imposed embargo.
Claiming Congress alone can lift it is false. For 24 consecutive years, the UN General Assembly last October voted 191 - 2 (America and Israel alone dissenting), calling for an end to the US imposed economic, commercial and financial embargo - initiated in October 1960.
America Invents Global Threats
Stephen Lendman
America invents threats to justify outsized military budgets, its global empire of bases and permanent war policy - ravaging and destroying one country after another.
In testimony before Senate Armed Services Committee members, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter urged greater military spending than already, requesting $582.7 billion - $523.9 billion for the basic budget plus another $58.8 billion for overseas contingency operations, without mentioning regular supplementary add-ons, adding billions of dollars more, along with huge amounts for black budgets not disclosed. America’s only enemies are ones it invents. Carter lied to Congress, calling Russia America’s top threat, followed by China, North Korea, Iran and ISIS.
Senator Orrin Hatch Reverses Himself on Merrick Garland Nomination
Eric Zuesse
On March 13th, Republican U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch said of Obama’s process to nominate a replacement for the deceased former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, “This is all about the election. The President told me several times he’s going to nominate a moderate, but I don’t believe him. He could easily name Merrick Garland, who is a fine man. He probably won’t do that.”On March 16th, President Obama announced, “Today I am nominating Chief judge Merrick Brian Garland to join the Supreme Court.”
On March 17th, Senator Hatch said, “I remain convinced that the best way for the Senate to do its job is to conduct the confirmation process after this toxic Presidential election season is over.”
Sergey Lavrov on Russia’s Foreign Policy
Stephen Lendman
Lavrov is a world-class diplomat, a tireless pursuer of world peace and stability, Putin fortunate to have him as foreign minister.
They deserve joint Nobel Peace Prize recognition, an honor usually reserved for war criminals. Obama is Exhibit A.
On March 3, Russia in Global Affairs magazine published Lavrov’s thoughtful essay, titled “Russia’s Foreign Policy.”
“International relations have entered a very difficult period,” he said. Russia is “at the crossroads of key trends.” He explained Russian history and its “special role in European and global history,” an impressive scholarly account, rare for figures in his position, maybe unique in today’s world, showing he has special stature.
He’s no ordinary diplomat, shaming his Western counterparts, serving his country with distinction, a devoted advocate for peace, democratic values and rule of law principles.
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