Toufan: The road to a Palestinian state is not paved with roses

Originally posted on Facebook? --

Posted by Party of Labor of Iran Toufan

The road to a Palestinian state is not paved with roses

By Ali Al-Baazawi

What is certain is that the Al-Aqsa Intifada has put the Palestinian issue back on the agenda of the international community—its institutions, regimes, and peoples—after it had been on the verge of being lost amid waves of normalization, Zionist arrogance, and unconditional support for the Zionist entity by imperialist powers, primarily the United States and Europe. This is considered a significant gain for the Palestinian people, their just cause, and the resistance forces that have persevered and fought with all their strength and determination to achieve their goals. This round of resistance, which lasted for nearly a year and a half, has exposed the fragility of this entity, considered a paper tiger that lives off aid, donations, and imperialist military and political support, and thrives on the complicity and betrayal of the client and normalizing Arab regimes. Facts on the ground have also confirmed that this entity cannot endure and continue to live without this support and official complicity. The irreversible flight of tens of thousands of settlers to Western countries and the insistence of thousands of others not to return to their homes in northern occupied Palestine for fear of strikes by the Lebanese resistance, despite the penetration of the Zionist occupation army into some villages in southern Lebanon and its formation of a kind of protective belt against the infiltration of resistance fighters into the areas of Metula, Shebaa Farms and other areas adjacent to southern Lebanon, confirms this new reality, which constitutes a strategic gain for the resistance that can be built upon on the road to liberation.

A foundling and hybrid entity

The Zionist entity is an artificial entity planted by colonial powers on Arab Palestine, which is not their own land. Cities, villages, schools, universities, and hospitals were built for it, providing it with all the means of life and prosperity in a region considered one of the most fertile and beautiful in the Arab East, overlooking the sea and boasting beautiful beaches that annually welcome millions of vacationers and tourists from all over the world. The colonial powers planned to make this usurping entity a "model" of liberal democracy that could serve as an example and a destination for the peoples of the region, so that they would emulate this fabricated state/entity tailored to the whims and whims of the Western bourgeoisie. It has become required of Arab countries to respect this "model" and emulate it, promoting the values ​​of democracy, human rights, tolerance, and coexistence within their societies in exchange for aid and material and military support. Obtaining a loan from predatory financial institutions has become conditional upon coexistence with the Zionist entity, normalization with it, and emulating its model. But this fabricated image quickly collapsed in the face of the escalating pace of resistance activity, and the Zionist “model” became a fascist and war criminal, committing massacres against children (17,000 children were martyred in Gaza and 39,000 lost one of their parents during the war on Gaza) and women, deliberately killing relief workers and journalists, demolishing hospitals over the heads of patients, bombing universities, schools and water wells, abusing prisoners and detainees, trampling on international law and human rights instead of promoting and supporting them, raping women, seizing land, erecting barriers and separation walls between regions, preventing the historical owners of the land from communicating with each other, exploiting their lands and harvesting their crops, forcing them to live in camps or emigrate. Today, an institution for “voluntary” emigration has been established that will work to provide the requirements for emigration, including grants, work contracts and other things, in order to get rid of the original owners of the land, similar to what happened to the Native Americans in America when the Europeans invaded it in the late fifteenth century. The Zionists have bared their fangs and returned to their original essence as invaders, occupiers and fascist gangs funded by colonial powers.

The Zionist entity is an arm of imperialism

The implantation of Zionist gangs in the Arab land of Palestine was planned by the extremist Western colonialists, who were forced to withdraw by the struggles of the Arab peoples in Syria, Egypt, Iraq, North Africa and elsewhere, enabling them to achieve freedom and independence. This cancerous, alien entity was necessary to ensure control over the wealth of the Arab countries and prevent their unification into a strong nation that naturally possesses the elements of progress and advancement, including vast resources (oil, gas, phosphate, fertile agricultural lands, thousands of kilometers of coastline, etc.), a vast geographic area, and the diverse and rich culture of its peoples and the capabilities of its elites, in addition to its strategic location. According to these facts, it is considered a serious competitor to the European colonial powers and poses a strategic threat to them.

From this perspective, the colonial powers defined the goal of implanting this illegitimate entity and outlined the roles it must undertake to ensure its survival and continuity on the one hand, and to secure the interests of the colonial powers and their major plundering companies and financial institutions in the region on the other. Within this framework, the entity's attacks on the nuclear reactors in Iraq and Syria, the assault on Nasserist Egypt, and the destruction of its military capabilities were carried out with the aim of subjugating it and forcing it to normalize relations. This occurred during the era of the late President Anwar Sadat and continues to this day. Within the same framework, the strike on Hammam al-Shatt in Tunisia, the repeated attacks on southern Lebanon were carried out to undermine the foundations of the resistance's rise, and finally, the invasion of Syria after the overthrow of the Assad family regime and the destruction of its military arsenal. The invasion of Gaza, waging a war of extermination and displacement of Palestinians, aimed at realizing the Greater Israel project, which covers all of historic Palestine and nibbles away at parts of Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia, are all part of the New Middle East project in which American imperialism dominates the entire region by relying on its agent, the Zionist entity. For this reason, it supplies it with the most modern weapons of mass destruction to ensure its military superiority and provide it with the means to withstand the escalating and growing resistance, both geographically and humanly, in addition to the incubating and supportive environment that continues to expand.

Client regimes are an obstacle to the liberation of Palestine.

The client Arab regimes constitute a stabilizing force for the Zionist entity. They support it financially, logistically, and militarily, confronting resistance missiles directed from Yemen and Iraq toward the occupied territories, providing it with water, fuel, goods, and all the necessities of life. They normalize relations with it secretly and publicly, allowing ships carrying weapons to dock at their ports before reaching Israeli ports, besieging the resistance in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and wherever else, preventing their people from expressing support for it. They refuse the flow of aid and essential goods into the Gaza Strip, and reluctantly accept the blockade and the closure of the crossings, thus contributing to the policy of starvation and genocide of the Palestinian people. The Zionist entity's participation in its crimes against the Palestinian people is achieved in return for support from the colonial powers that sponsor the entity through aid, loans, investments, and guarantees of its continued rule. Imperialism has, on more than one occasion, rushed to the aid of these regimes against attempts to overthrow them and the threats to their strategic interests in the region. It intervened in Tunisia in 2011 to maintain the change in the form of power without compromising its class essence, which is subservient to and protects the interests of the major corporations and institutions of the colonial powers. It intervened in Syria to divert the revolution from its natural course and achieve its goals. It divided Yemen, helped bring about the overthrow of Gaddafi's regime, and enabled King Mohammed VI to annex Western Sahara to the Kingdom of Morocco in exchange for normalization.

The client and normalizing Arab regimes have posed a real obstacle to the liberation of Palestine and have prevented the undermining of imperialist interests in the region, which conflict with the interests of the Arab peoples yearning for independence, liberation, and emancipation.

The liberation of Palestine depends on liberation from imperialist domination.

Zionist settler colonialism poses a threat to everyone. It is primarily a threat to the Palestinians, as it continues to subjugate them, confiscate their lands, exploit their resources, and attempt to humiliate, displace, and kill them. It is also a threat to the Arab peoples who yearn for independence and sovereignty over their countries' resources and to free themselves from the imperialist hegemony that hinders their independent advancement and development. It is also a threat to the client regimes themselves if they do not fully respond to the demands of imperialism and refuse to submit to and serve the Zionist-imperialist agendas. The liberation of Palestine and the defeat of the Zionist gangs inevitably requires the liberation of the remaining Arab peoples from neo-colonial hegemony and its local tools, the client big bourgeoisie. This liberation and independence open the way to liberation and emancipation for the Palestinian people, because an environment free from imperialist dependency and hegemony will constitute an incubator for resistance, supporting it financially, militarily, politically, and morally. Conversely, it is an environment hostile to Zionism and imperialism, the enemies of the people. The Zionist entity, in this new environment, will be unable to survive and continue. It will be like a foreign entity called to vanish and collapse, like a hybrid plant that cannot germinate, grow, and blossom in an environment that does not accept it or provide it with the necessary conditions for survival.

The liberation of the Palestinian people from Zionist settler colonialism depends on the liberation of the Arab peoples from neo-colonial hegemony and the establishment of their own independent, democratic, and popular states dedicated to national sovereignty and social justice. Outside this framework, a radical and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, the central Arab issue, remains difficult to achieve, if not impossible. The struggles of the Arab peoples are interconnected and integrated and cannot be separated from one another. The liberation of historic Palestine is linked to the liberation of the remaining Arab countries. On this basis, the Arab peoples are called upon to continue the struggle on two fronts: the struggle against imperialist hegemony over their countries and supporting the Palestinian people and assisting them in their efforts to achieve their independence and liberation from the domination of the Nazi Zionist gangs.

Attacks on CodePink in the Capitol over Palestine and more news

 

consortiumnews.com/2024/05/23/a-brutal-suppression-of-speech/

An alleged member of the Zionist mob that attacked the UCLA encampment has been arrested, the only person arrested for the attack, though it was carried out about a month ago, April 30th/May 1st:  www.commondreams.org/news/ucla-attack-protesters-arrest

www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/24/set-the-killers-free-the-pardoning-of-daniel-perry/

www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/24/at-western-sahara-visiting-a-forgotten-people/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/4-000-soldados-marroquies-participan-en-la-masacre-de-la-poblacion-palestina-de-gaza/

diario-octubre.com/2023/07/18/israel-confirma-su-reconocimiento-a-la-soberania-de-marruecos-sobre-el-sahara-occidental/

diario-octubre.com/2023/06/28/sahara-la-ultima-colonia-africana-es-un-polvorin-a-punto-de-explotar/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/23/continua-el-montaje-contra-los-hermanos-kononovich-y-la-represion-a-la-juventud-comunista/

May 18th trucker strike over mobilization in Ukraine (?):  diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/huelga-de-los-camioneros-ucranianos-contra-la-ley-de-movilizacion-militar/  In Ukraine, Haiti, and the Palestinian Authority the USA and EU are fine with leaders who stay in power far beyond their legal term in office. 

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/18/los-aliados-de-la-otan-estan-cada-vez-mas-cerca-de-enviar-tropas-a-ucrania/

www.aaronmate.net/p/how-10-years-of-us-meddling-in-ukraine

[ diario-octubre.com/2024/05/24/rusia-senala-a-los-responsables-del-atentado-en-el-crocus-city-hall-y-revela-sus-intenciones/ ]

[ diario-octubre.com/2024/05/25/incidente-fronterizo-entre-rusia-y-estonia/ ]

NOAA Predicts 'Extraordinary' Atlantic Hurricane Season as Ocean Temperatures Soar:  www.commondreams.org/news/hurricane-season-2024

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/la-cia-utiliza-las-app-de-los-telefonos-inteligentes-para-espiarnos/

May 10th speech by PFLP Deputy Secretary-General Jamil Mezher:  www.workers.org/2024/05/78636/

www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/24/boeing-university-how-the-california-state-university-became-complicit-in-palestinian-genocide/

www.workers.org/2024/05/78763/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=philadelphia-cafe-vandalized-after-support-for-palestine

www.workers.org/2024/05/78696/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=agitacion-exterior

www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/24/top-ten-ways-to-soften-a-genocide/

www.workers.org/2024/05/78798/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=palestinian-resistance-denounces-u-s-floating-pier-in-gaza

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/contra-la-equidistancia-entre-victimas-y-verdugos/

www.workers.org/2024/05/78772/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=hamas-denounces-icc-decision-on-warrants-against-its-leaders

[ diario-octubre.com/2024/05/24/la-arana-atrapada-en-su-propia-tela/ ]

www.normalisland.co.uk/p/the-icc-decides-netanyahu-and-gallant

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/23/asi-vive-el-ex-presidente-de-iran-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-luego-de-su-segundo-mandato/

The BRICS Games, June 11th-23rd:  diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/brasil-ve-los-juegos-de-los-brics-como-una-oportunidad-para-profundizar-la-cooperacion/

[ diario-octubre.com/2024/05/24/mas-infiltraciones-policiales-en-madrid/ ]

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/amazonia-brasilena-con-mayor-degradacion-forestal-de-ultimos-15-anos/

[Google's machine translation -- The Sun is insubordinate:  The coming geomagnetic storm -- diario-octubre.com/2024/05/24/el-sol-se-insubordina-la-tormenta-geomagnetica-que-viene/ ]

Rocks and soil electrified by the superstorm [and more may be coming in June]:  spaceweather.com

[On Nicaraguan revolutionaries German Pomares/El Danto and Blanca Arauz Pineda:  diario-octubre.com/2024/05/24/parlamento-de-nicaragua-recordo-a-destacado-guerrillero-sandinista/ ]

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/19/vietnam-conmemora-aniversario-134-del-natalicio-de-ho-chi-minh/

www.workers.org/2024/05/78712/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=malcolm-x-ho-chi-minh-presente-3

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/19/cuba-evoca-a-heroe-nacional-jose-marti-a-129-anos-de-su-muerte/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/19/la-canciller-coreana-felicita-a-lavrov-por-su-renombramiento-alcanzo-logros-notables/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/la-democracia-segun-la-ue/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/19/a-polonia-solo-puede-salvarla-su-clase-obrera/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/por-que-la-inexplicable-moda-por-el-filosofo-evald-ilienkov-equipo-de-bitacora-m-l-2024/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/fiscal-de-la-cpi-habla-de-las-amenazas-que-ha-recibido-por-investigar-a-israel/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/19/un-espectaculo-de-calidad-y-alegria-infinitas-para-celebrar-al-general-augusto-c-sandino/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/18/rosario-murillo-sandino-vive-y-todas-las-luchas-siguen/

www.workers.org/2024/05/78769/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ww-solidarity-with-the-iranian-people

www.commondreams.org/news/college-antisemitism-hearing

[NPR gave John Otis what seemed like over 5 minutes after 5pm on the 26th to say that the US and the ICC are basically going to get Venezuelan president Maduro, unless he leaves his country, as the US ordered Saddam Hussein to leave his country around spring 2003, or else.  NPR often has Latinos voice its US government propaganda against Latin America countries, and so on by ethnicity.  Otis quoted someone from the Atlantic Council pointing out that Maduro wouldn't have an incentive to give up power if that means imprisonment; as with Netanyahu and other US allies, they didn't mention.  They assume that Maduro will lose, citing a poll.  Polls indicate that bloody and not very democratic warmonger Biden is heading to a loss in November, after all of the talk about "democracy," including at 4pm today.  There were even quotes from the US-appointed "president" Juan Guaido, etc.  They ended by quoting that 'no good' Diosbado Cabello of the PSUV saying that the only transition coming in Venezuela is the transition to socialism, though it has stayed capitalist throughout the Bolivarian period.  If they can give up on prosecution, are they admitting that they don't have a real case?  Otis brought up how "dictators" used to go into exile, without noting that in Latin America those leaders were just about all US-backed rightists, and they often fled to the USA.   Someone claimed that they had offered to let Maduro and anyone else flee the country, but that it is too late now, and here Maduro says that he has been threatened:  diario-octubre.com/2024/05/25/presidente-maduro-revelo-que-el-imperialismo-le-ofrecio-riquezas-para-que-entregara-la-patria-jamas-caere/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/25/sin-la-represion-en-europa-las-matanzas-israelies-en-gaza-serian-imposibles/

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/25/a-los-capitalistas-les-sobran-millones-de-vidas-solo-les-queda-el-fascismo/

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi:  notorious terrorist or American agent? -- thecradle.co/articles-id/24084  The Battle of Fallujah was in April 2004 and al-Zarqawi is supposed to have been assassinated June 7, 2006.

www.normalisland.co.uk/p/tories-to-bring-back-national-service

Jill Stein became the GPUS' official presidential candidate May 25th [by the delegate count].  The BBC and NPR didn't report about that, but they have played a recording of Trump being booed at the Libertarian convention this weekend.  RFK Jr also spoke there.  I haven't heard the media say anything about the actual Libertarian candidates. 

Apparently May 25th is Geek Pride Day and May 26th is Paper Airplane Day, etc., according to the National Day Calendar website.  Africa Day is May 25th.  The Confederate Army of Trans-Mississippi surrendered May 26, 1865?  May 24th is Brother's Day, Escargot Day, Road Trip Day, Aviation Maintenance Technician Day, Wyoming Day, etc. and Pluto was given its name in 1930?  May 22, 2017 Trump became the first president to go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem while in office; he also went to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  The Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, was born May 22, 1942, and Arthur Conan Doyle in 1859.

Julia Ward Howe was born May 27, 1819; Wild Bill Hickok was born May 27, 1837; Rachel Carson was born May 27, 1907;  May 27, 1931 humans first flew into the stratosphere, by balloon; light from the star Arcturus in Bootes, up now, inaugurated the Chicago World's Fair May 27, 1933; pedestrian traffic began on the Golden Gate Bridge May 27, 1935; and May 27, 1999 Discovery became the first Shuttle to dock at the ISS.  The Battle of Cempoala [1520], US Memorial Day, Grape Day, Cellophane Tape Day, etc.?

There are reports that Hamas fired rockets from Rafah, some of which hit in Israel, for the first time in a while and there are reports that more Israeli soldiers have been captured and taken underground.  Perhaps in return, Biden-backed Israel bombed a supposedly safe camp for displaced civilians.

From Balance and Accuracy in Journalism, slightly edited:

Born of skepticism over war talk in 1991,

our BAJ programs have consistently given voice to

those working for equality and cooperative existence

rather than chaos and bloodshed or simple passivity 

while global issues need however much or little we can do.

    Details follow.

The Orange County Peace Coalition and Eisenhower Chapter

of Veterans For Peace have invited former Marine captain and

State Department officer Matthew Hoh, to speak this Monday.                

Hoh publicly resigned his Afghanistan post in protest in 2009, .

He has shared his insights at our BAJ programs and recently 

at the UN Security Council.

Our local Raging Grannies will sing, and NC orthopedic surgeon

Mark Perlmutter, just back from emergency room service in Gaza, 

sends us a brief video with his views, and our role in stopping genocide.

 [photo]

Th program centers on all the victims of war, 

including needs unmet at home.

     For Balance and Accuracy in Journalism

     Jerry Markatos  [ ]

     ——

 

A Memorial Day Commemoration for ALL Victims of War

Monday, May 27 • 2 - 3:30 p.m. 

Extraordinary Ventures (200 S. Elliott Rd. Chapel Hill)

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: MATTHEW HOH [photo]

Now an independent analyst, his writings have appeared in the Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA

Today, and many other national and international publications. Most recently, he presented

a Briefing before the UN Security Council on “Threats to International Peace and Security." 

Songs of Peace and Justice: Triangle Raging Grannies

Municipal Proclamations: Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and Hillsborough Reflections from Gaza: Dr. Mark Perlmutter

Memorial Day Message: Douglas Ryder for Veterans For Peace Poetry Reading: Jeremy Berggren
Taps: Christopher Megli ]

[I had planned to post again last week about the 13-year cicadas, which or who are still going May 26th, though many have died.  Annual cicada species will beginning calling in a few weeks, in late June.]

diario-octubre.com/2024/05/22/criminal-de-guerra-activistas-interrumpen-discurso-de-blinken/

CodePink actions:  www.codepink.org/palestine

www.codepink.org/burchettlie

CODEPINK Demands Rep. Burchett Retract Lie Told In Foreign Affairs Hearing

[Photo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 24, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa GArriga | melissa [at codepink ] 

CODEPINK Demands Retraction of Representative Tim Burchett’s Deflamatory Claim in House Foreign Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, during the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing with Secretary of State Antony Blinken,Tennessee Rep Tim Burchett falsely claimed that someone from CODEPINK threatened to kill his wife and daughter. That is a dangerous  and horrific accusation from someone in power. 

When pressed on this outrageous lie, a staffer for Burchett claimed it happened two days ago. Knowing that no one from CODEPINK would ever threaten to kill anyone, the D.C. team continued to ask questions about the alleged encounter. The staffer could not identify the person and said he had no witnesses. The congressman also did not file any report about receiving a death threat. 

CODEPINK spends countless hours in Congress trying to stop the U.S. support of the murder of innocent people, like mothers and daughters in Gaza . We would never threaten the lives of mothers and daughters here in the United States. However, what we often do is ask these elected officials who wholeheartedly support the ongoing genocide to consider how they would feel if their own families were bombed and starved to death. That is an attempt to appeal to their humanity. We are asking for empathy, not threatening violence. It is a shame that Rep. Burchett would take such an appeal to humanity and twist it into a death threat. 

We ask Representative Burchett to retract his unfounded claim. He does not have to agree with us about Israel’s actions, but it is unacceptable for him to defame our organization and the passionate volunteers who try to hold our elected officials accountable. 

We know that wars, genocides, and occupations are driven by hate and lies. With all that is happening in the world, all the death and destruction, we need peace and cooperation now more than ever. CODEPINK remains committed to promoting diplomacy and disarmament through creative, nonviolent actions to address issues of militarism, injustice, and inequality.

[video]

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Take Action:  Congress Must Stop Threatening the ICC

May 23, 2024 | adc.org | Washington, DC — Within hours after ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan announced arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity, US laws scrambled to find ways to attack the ICC.    Speaker of the House Mike Johnson announced his pursuit of legislation to sanction the ICC. On the Senate side, in testimony before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed his willingness to work with Congress on a bipartisan basis to sanction the ICC.   ADC calls on members of Congress to denounce recent rhetoric and legislative efforts aimed at sanctioning the International Criminal Court (ICC).    The threats coming from Congress that vilify and delegitimize the ICC are completely abhorrent . We urge all members of Congress to reject such delegitimizing speech and oppose any legislative efforts to undermine the ICC's authority.   Urge members of Congress to do the right thing and issue a clear statement supporting the ICC's arrest warrants by clicking here   At this pivotal moment in history, we must choose between doing what is right and what is not. Today, we ask Congress to make the moral decision to uphold international institutions by publicly supporting the ICC Prosecutor's applications for arrest warrants.   Take Action: Congress Must STOP Threatening the ICC

www.codepink.org/juliaunjustarrest

Capitol Police Arrest CODEPINK Staff Member Without Just Cause

[Photo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | melissa [at codepink ] 

CODEPINK Condemns Repression by Capitol Police: Staff Member Arrested for Quietly Exiting Hearing Room

WASHINGTON – A CODEPINK staff member was arrested this afternoon after she quietly exited a room where a hearing was taking place. At CODEPINK, we routinely risk arrest at congressional hearings while we disrupt warmongering politicians – but that was not the case in this instance. Our staff member awaits a court date for a previous arrest and did not intend to be arrested today. At the time of her arrest, she was exiting a hearing room without saying anything or holding up any signs, just holding up her hands for a brief moment. This symbolic action alone has never resulted in an arrest in our last 20 years of protesting on Capitol Hill. No disruption was taking place.  According to the police, she will be held overnight or potentially until her court date in June. 

"The Capitol Police know our faces well at this point; we are there daily. Julia's arrest today is nothing short of political repression and intimidation. Earlier today, they assaulted our members at a hearing, and now they are threatening to hold our members in jail for doing nothing at all." Danaka Katovich, the National Co-Director of CODEPINK. "In what democracy do police forces arrest recognizable activists? Julia's arrest and assaults on our activists earlier today signal a larger state of repression we are entering in our fight for a free Palestine. We will continue to stand by our staff and all activists against political repression," she continued. 

Today, as well, police forces at the University of Michigan raided a student encampment, using pepper spray and landing several people in the hospital. More and more arrests are taking place at peaceful protests for Palestine all over the country. And now, in our very own congressional buildings that our tax dollars pay for – activists are assaulted and arrested for interrupting politicians and holding up signs, or even, in Julia's case – for just being a recognizable activist who is doing nothing illegal. 

We condemn all acts of political repression against advocates for peace and justice, whether it's attacks on our non-profit staff or students from Columbia to Michigan.  

You can watch footage of her arrest here.

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www.codepink.org/blinkendisruptmay21

BREAKING: Four Peace Activists Arrested, One Left Bleeding After Disruption of Antony Blinken

[Photo]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 21, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | melissa at codepink ]

Peace Activists Face Charges of Resisting Arrest During a Disruption of Secretary Blinken’s Testimony in a Senate Foreign Affairs Committee

WASHINGTON -- Peace activists with CODEPINK and American Muslims for Palestine disrupted war criminal Antony Blinken this morning in the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on American Diplomacy and Global Leadership. In the United State’s true authoritarian and anti-democratic fashion, two activists face charges of resisting arrest and were threatened with charges of assaulting a police officer.” There were plenty of witnesses who can attest that neither activists assaulted anyone. 

The only people assaulted today were the disrupters. CODEPINK member Ann Wright received an injury to her wrist when the police violently removed Mohamad Habehh from American Muslims for Palestine. Mohamad, disrupted Blinken by evoking the name of Hind Rajab, a 6-year victim of Israel’s 7-month long genocide of Gaza. Hind is one of tens of thousands of children murdered by Israel with the aid and support of the United States. 

“Hind Rajab was 6 years old when Israeli soldiers killed her. Over 35,000 Palestinians have been murdered in Gaza with American taxpayer dollars. Their blood is on your hands. You will be remembered as the butcher of Gaza. Your legacy is genocide. You’re just as guilty as Netanyahu. You’re killing our families, Blinken,” charged Mohamad. 

 “As a retired US diplomat, I am horrified by what Tony Blinken is doing a secretary of state and being a part of the genocide the Israeli genocide of Gaza, Tony Blinken, and the state department should be ashamed of themselves for assisting in the destruction of Gaza and the killing of 10 of thousands of Palestinians,” explained Ann Wright who was there to also disrupt Secretary Blinken. 

We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, where over 35,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, with American taxpayer dollars funding this violence. Secretary of State Antony Blinken bears direct responsibility for these atrocities and will be remembered as the "Butcher of Gaza." His legacy is one of genocide, on par with the actions of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

CODEPINK volunteer, Tina, reminded Blinken of the war crimes he is purposely turning a blind eye to when she disrupted. She yelled to the “undiplomatic” diplomat, "There have been 7 mass graves outside of hospitals. This is sick. This is deranged. You are a war criminal. Shame on you!" 

Secretary Blinken is actively funding and financing this genocide. As the Secretary of State, it is his duty to ensure that U.S. weapons supplied to foreign militaries are used in accordance with international law. This obligation has been egregiously neglected, as evidenced by the continued bombing and starvation of hospitals, schools, mosques, churches, and refugee camps. Blinken's actions constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law. This cannot be allowed to continue.

Olivia DiNucci, who alongside Mohamed is being charged with resisting arrest, made it clear that the United States is responsible for death and destruction around the globe - not diplomacy and leadership as the hearing titled implied. 

“The U.S. has given billions to Israel, but our country urgently needs these funds for healthcare, housing, and addressing climate change. We must end our complicity in this destruction and focus on building a just and equitable society at home,” DiNucci explained. 

For more information about the disruption and arrests, including access to videos, please contact Melissa at melissa [ at codepink ]. 

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www.codepink.org/peaceweekpressconference

PRESS CONFERENCE: Peace Activists to Address Dangers of Fleet Week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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May 20th ADC email:

Community Pulse: Presidential Survey Results

Washington, D.C. |  adc.org | May 20, 2024 - ADC and the Truth Project have launched Community Pulse - an initiative to gauge Arab American perspectives on issues that directly impact the community. Between the dates of May 17 - May 18, ADC and the Truth Project conducted a survey to measure vote choice in the upcoming Presidential election among Arab American voters, and our allies.    The results show that only 7% of Arab American voters plan on voting for President Biden in the upcoming general election. GOP Candidate Donald Trump has less support, with only 2% committed to casting a ballot for the Former President this November.    Since the start of the genocide many have speculated about who Arab Americans would vote for – Biden or Trump. The answer is neither, with third party candidates getting substantial support.    Dr. Jill Stein, the Green Party Candidate received the most support at 25% . Dr. Stein is running on an anti-genocide platform, and has been a strong and vocal supporter of Palestine her entire career. Dr. Cornel West, who is running as an independent, is at 20% support. Dr. West has also stood for Palestine and Palestinian human rights throughout his entire career.

The Uncommitted option received 23% support. Currently 19% of respondents plan on voting in November, but are undecided about who they will vote for. 3% of voters plan on not voting, however, that number increases to 5% in battleground states.    The same remains consistent in battleground states , with Dr. Jill Stein and Dr. Cornel West receiving 25% and 17% of the vote, respectively. Biden and Trump received 7% and 2% respectively.    36,139 Arab American and allied voters all matched to the voter file were asked a simple question: Who are you voting for in November? Within hours 2,196 responded (6%) indicating a high level of enthusiasm among our community to engage on this topic.   As the 2024 Presidential election approaches, it is evident that Arab American and allied voters are supporting candidates that are listening to our concerns and demands.  Sign up for the Community Press and make your voice heard. What is Community Pulse? Community Pulse is opinion and sentiment research designed by Arab Americans to understand the issues that most affect Arab Americans. Grounded in the principle of “For Community, By Community” Community Pulse is not just about research; it's about strengthening our community and ensuring that our voices, stories and issues are heard and addressed.

May 20, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | melissa [at codepink ]

CODEPINK San Pedro and San Pedro Neighbors For Peace and Justice to Hold Press Conference During Fleet Week to Counter The Week's Celebration of War

SAN PEDRO, CA—We invite you to attend a press conference hosted by CODEPINK San Pedro and San Pedro Neighbors For Peace and Justice. This conference aims to address the sponsors of Fleet Week and raise awareness about the objections from many seaside communities regarding the propagation of war propaganda. In a time when diplomacy and democracy should prevail, war and conflict stand as antithetical forces.

Press Conference Details:

• Notable speakers: 
  • Jack Eidt is the Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia, a platform for his work as a novelist, urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate advocate. He also produces the EcoJustice Radio show and podcast, which is nationally syndicated, and co-founded SoCal 350 Climate Action.
  • John Parker is a prominent anti-war organizer and founder of the Harriet Tubman Center for Social Justice. He is a member of the Socialist Unity Party and contributes to StruggleLaLucha.org. Last November, Parker was detained in Egypt for 37 hours while participating in the Global Conscience Convoy, protesting U.S. and Egyptian policies to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
• Location: 3rd and Harbor Blvd., USS Iowa
• Date: Saturday, May 25, 2024
• Time: 11:00 AM

This press conference is part of the week-long actions of the 9th Annual L.A. Harbor Peace Week. We aim to resist the normalization and promotion of war during the U.S. military's "L.A. Fleet Week." Instead of sponsoring Fleet Week, we believe communities should advocate for peace and democracy, both locally and globally. We hope our message resonates and inspires you, igniting a spark to join us in this cause.

Your attendance and coverage of this event are crucial in amplifying our message of peace and solidarity.

For more information about the press conference or the 9th Annual Peace Week, please get in touch with Melanie Cohen at melaniecohen372 [ gmail ].

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www.codepink.org/househearingunrwaarrest

BREAKING: Medea Benjamin and Others Arrested For Telling Truth at House Foreign Affairs Hearing on US Aid

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 17, 2024

Media Contact: Melissa Garriga | melissa [at codepink ]

CODEPINK Members Arrested at House Committee on Foreign Affairs Hearing on US Aid

Washington, D.C. - Four members of CODEPINK were arrested today at a House Committee on Foreign Affairs hearing focused on eliminating U.S. aid to entities designated as terrorists.

CODEPINK member Julia Norman challenged the testimonies presented during the hearing, accusing those testifying of disseminating false information. Another member, Mary Beth, vocally confronted the participants, asserting that their actions were directly responsible for the starvation of children in Gaza.

After the meeting adjourned, Medea Benjamin, co-founder of CODEPINK, addressed the room, stating that she had visited Gaza seven times. She emphasized that she has personally witnessed the operations of UNRWA schools and distribution centers and refuted claims made during the hearing that U.S. aid intended for Gazans is going to Hamas. Benjamin emphasized that the allegations made in the hearing were without evidence. CODEPINK member Pua Ali’i Lum echoed her sentiments. 

Despite the hearing being officially over and no signs being used, Medea Benjamin and Pua Ali’i were detained and arrested in the hallway for "demonstrating in a federal building." The arrest decision appeared to have been made by Capitol police rather than the committee chair.

The sham hearing featured three witnesses, yet failed to entertain any testimony from witnesses on behalf of UNRWA. The actual criminal act is when elected officials and their "witnesses" lie under oath in the people's house. It is even especially heinous when those lies are directly contributing to the death by starvation of innocent men, women, and children. 

Despite the oppressive tactics today, CODEPINK will continue to speak truth to power that lies. We will continue to call out those who are directly contributing to war crimes. 

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For more information about the arrests, please contact Melissa at melissa [at codepink].

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