War and Peace

Review: On the Israel-Palestine Conflict

2012-01-09T14:04:00.006Z

By Shih-Yu Chou
In Millennium - Journal of International Studies January 2012 40: 404-408

Adi Ophir, Michal Givoni and Sari Hanafi (eds), The Power of Inclusive Exclusion: Anatomyof Israeli Rule in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (New York: Zone Books, 2009, 641 pp., £28.95 hbk).

Ian J. Bickerton, The Arab–Israeli Conflict: A History (London: Reaktion Books, 2009, 248 pp., £15.95 pbk).

Daniel Kurtzer and Scott Lasensky (eds), Negotiating Arab–Israeli Peace: American Leadership in the Middle East (Washington, DC: USIP, 2008, 191 pp., £11.66 pbk).

What is unique and unprecedented about Israel’s rule over what the International Court of Justice (ICJ) calls the ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’ (OPT), which includes the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem? Can the Arab-Israeli conflict be resolved? Is there any international consensus on the Israel-Palestine conflict? What role does the US play in promoting a just and lasting peace in the Middle East? Three books tackle the aforementioned questions from different angles and present three competing accounts of the conflict. This review elaborates on how the volumes approach these questions and identifies their respective shortcomings.

The Power of Inclusive Exclusion examines the structure and nature of the Israeli occupation. The authors suggest that the Israel-Palestine conflict literature places too much emphasis on the history of the conflict, while too little attention is paid to the nature of Israeli occupation itself. They regard the underlying features of Israeli rule as ‘a sui generis regime or political system, a cluster of state and non-state apparatuses, a frame of mind, and a series of political technologies that should be studied in their own right’ (p. 15).

The book emphasises that analogies drawn between Israel and colonial rule/the apartheid regime (p. 281), which were characterised by ‘disciplinary’ and ‘bio-political’ power (p. 243), cannot capture the process of the institutionalisation and normalisation of Israeli law and rules, and the apparatus of state violence (p. 99). Nor can these analogies grasp the complete fragmentation of time and space (pp. 179-216), the reality of the disorientation and trauma that the Palestinian people suffer, and the scale of the economic destruction in the OPT. The volume comprises a dozen chapters, 10 sets of Israeli governmental documents, five photo essays and a circumstantial ‘chronology of the occupation regime, 1967-2007’ to make its case and demonstrates that, without a close examination of the nature of Israeli military rule, there is unlikely to be ‘effective resistance’ to the occupation in the OPT (p. 17).

The arguments presented in this book are generally well formulated, and overall this volume successfully sheds light on many crucial aspects of Israeli rule. There is one exception to this, however. Ben-Naftali and his colleagues suggest that an advisory opinion rendered by the ICJ in 2004 merely condemned Israeli settlements and the wall, and that the ICJ did ‘not question the legality of the occupation regime as such’ (p. 34). They consider the notion that occupation is deemed legal and permissible under international law (i.e. the Fourth Geneva Convention) to be problematic (pp. 31-68). Contrary to their claims, Israel was in fact severely condemned by the ICJ for refusing to abide by (1) the Fourth Geneva Convention, (2) the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and (3) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, given that Israel had been a signatory of these treaties.[1]

More specifically, the ICJ reiterated UN Security Council Resolution 242 (hereafter S/RES/242) adopted in 1967, reaffirming the principle of ‘the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war’, and ruled that the construction of the ‘security’ wall and all Israeli settlements in the OPT constituted a flagrant violation of international law.[2] Furthermore, the wall, Israeli military occupation and operations in the OPT and the transfer of the Israeli population to the territories amounted to de facto annexation. In light of this, the court ruled that Israel must end the military occupation, renounce all illegal settlements in the OPT and dismantle the wall. The ICJ additionally endorsed the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination upheld by the United Nations. In short, while this volume is a useful exploration of Israeli rule and an invaluable contribution to the scholarship on the Israel-Palestine conflict, it does not make positive references to international legal principles. Nor does it clearly set out that the ICJ did not allow Israel to place itself above the rule of international law and phrase Israel’s conquest, annexation and rule of the OPT in terms of security.

In contrast to Ophir et al., Bickerton takes a more even-handed stance on The Arab-Israeli Conflict and covers at length the major events that shaped the contours of the conflict. He assumes that there are legitimate grievances on both sides and that the conflict has remained unresolved because both sides ‘frame their issues in absolute terms’ (p. 10) and allow nationalism that is ‘driven by a sense of divine destiny’ (p. 29) to dictate solutions. To compound the problem, ‘the Christian, Muslim and Jewish worlds could not stand by’ (p. 24). He additionally argues that ‘the US has quite limited power to shape the course of the confrontation’, and that ‘it suits everyone to argue that the US holds the key to peace in the Arab-Israeli conflict’ (p. 209). While this book is a very thorough analysis of the conflict, it is not immediately clear why Bickerton finds the conflict to be interracial (‘Arab-Israeli’) or inter-religious, or why he considers the role played by Washington to be largely irrelevant. These statements are inconsistent with his account that begins with Britain’s imperial design in the Near East, with which Zionism aligned itself (pp. 51-65), and goes on to discuss the demise of the British Empire and the decades of American dominance in the region.

A few examples illustrate this point. Firstly, Bickerton indicates that ‘up to 1945 the United States was not intricately involved in the region, except for Christian missions, education efforts, and relatively small oil interests’ (p. 97). Historical records do not support this claim. Washington approached the House of Saud to secure oil concessions in the early 1930s and wrested control of Saudi Arabia from Britain in the early 1940s.[3] Securing the uninterrupted flow of Gulf oil can hardly be described as ‘small oil interests’. Secondly, Bickerton notes that Washington ‘is the largest supplier of military equipment and economic aid to Israel’ and that the figure for US aid has been ‘an average of US $3 billion per year’ (p. 211) for decades, and yet he assumes Washington’s unwavering support for Israel’s assault on Gaza in December 2008 to be the direct result of Israel’s ‘carefully crafted’ ‘propaganda campaign’ (p. 45). It is difficult to reconcile these two stories.

Thirdly, Bickerton proclaims that ‘any search for a solution must be grounded in a thorough understanding of the history leading from 1948 to 2009’ (p. 12) and that diplomacy rather than the use of force is the way forward. Given this, readers might be baffled by his argument (particularly in Chapters Seven, Eight and Nine) portraying the Israel-Palestine conflict as an irresolvable clash in which Washington played only a limited role. This contradicts the fact that the Eisenhower administration had no objection to the development of Israel’s nuclear weapons programme, assisted by France, for ‘peaceful purposes’, and that the US has indirectly helped Israel develop nuclear weapons from the late 1960s onwards.[4] Such help was an egregious violation of US congressional legislation. Moreover, the US voted against a 1993 General Assembly resolution condemning ‘Israeli oppression’ and ‘the violations of Palestinian human rights’ in the OPT (p. 171).

It is also worth recalling that since 1996 Washington has consistently voted against the international consensus codified in the General Assembly resolution on the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine (a vote of 152 in favour and two against).[5] This resolution has received the endorsement of Britain, EU member states, member states of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference, the Arab League and the rest of the world, with just the US and Israel steadfast in their rejection. The resolution ‘[a]ffirm[s] the principle of the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war’, and ‘[r]eaffirm[s] the illegality of the Israeli settlements’ in the OPT including East Jerusalem ‘since 1967’. From 2004 onwards, the resolution also ‘[r]ecall[s] the advisory opinion rendered on 9 July 2004’ by the ICJ. Given all this, this volume on the ‘Arab–Israeli’ conflict is at best incoherent and at worst senseless.

In contrast to Bickerton’s monograph, Negotiating Arab-Israeli Peace considers the role played by the US in facilitating peace in the region to be of enormous significance. The book is the result of an ambitious project launched by the US Institute of Peace under the leadership of Daniel Kurtzer, whose research group conducted ‘not-for-attribution interviews’ (p. x) with key players of the Bush, Clinton and George W. Bush administrations as well as participants from the Palestinian Authority and Israel. The volume draws 10 lessons from numerous mistakes made by Washington and seeks to enhance US influence in the Middle East.

This book suggests that there are two obstacles to peace. These are Israel and Arab ‘rejectionists’. It is not entirely clear why it is Israel rather than the US that stands in the way of peace because there is little evidence to substantiate the claim that US foreign policy always panders to external pressures, particularly ‘what Israel needed and wanted and required’ (p. 30), and is ‘manipulated’ by ‘parties outside Washington’ (p. 32). It is worth mentioning that the US confines the ‘peace process’ (pp. 25-122) to peace deals proposed by Washington and excludes both the international consensus discussed above and all peace initiatives offered by Arab states and the Arab League. Examples abound. In February 1970 Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser proposed making peace with Israel, should Israel observe S/RES/242 adopted in 1967 and withdraw to the pre-1967 borders, affirming the principle of ‘the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war’ indicated in S/RES/242. Anwar Sadat further offered a peace treaty with Israel in February 1971, should Israel implement S/RES/242. The US rejected both of these initiatives.

Syria, Jordan and Egypt subsequently put a two-state proposal based upon S/RES/242 to the Security Council in January 1976. The US vetoed this. The list could go on for many pages.[6] Oddly, none of these historical facts appear in the Kurtzer and Lasensky-edited chronology of the Arab-Israeli conflict between 1967 and 2007 (pp. 85-122). Nor are these peace plans mentioned elsewhere in their book. Given this, a few questions arise. Is Washington a peace-broker or a party to the conflict? Why have Arab states that are parties to the Arab–Israeli conflict not been allowed to frame peace deals on their own terms and bring them to the negotiating table? Why did Arab peace proposals never become a component of the ‘peace process’? If readers accept the US definition of ‘peace process’ that pushes the international consensus and Arab peace initiatives out of existence, they are likely to reach the conclusion that the US is indispensable to peace because Israel could not find a partner for ‘peace’ and because Arab leaders reject ‘peace’.

Furthermore, it is entirely unclear why Arab-Israeli peace has been derailed by the intransigence of Arab ‘rejectionists’, including non-state actors and Arab leaders who refused to recognise Israel’s ‘right to exist’ (pp. 90, 96, 118, 163). It should be noted that the phrase ‘right to exist’ is not a legal term under international law. States cannot claim a ‘right to exist’. Nor can states exercise a ‘right to exist’. Rather, they have a ‘right to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force’, as codified in S/RES/242, which was reaffirmed in 2004 by the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Israel is the sole state that refuses to define its borders. Thus Israel’s ‘right to exist’ has come to justify the rejection of any party to the conflict that resists Israel’s continuing expansion of settlements. One question arises. Why does Washington label Arab leaders and non-state actors who call for the full implementation of the international consensus on the Israel-Palestine conflict as ‘rejectionist forces’ and ‘rejectionist groups’ (pp. 2, 6, 8, 41)? There is also the additional question of whether the US-framed phraseology that undermines the fundamental principles of international law is conducive to ‘negotiating Arab-Israeli peace’, as suggested by the title of this book.

Unlike other intractable conflicts, there has been an overwhelming international consensus on the Israel-Palestine conflict since the mid-1970s, affirming ‘the inadmissibility of the acquisition of territory by war’. None of the books reviewed above sufficiently elucidate the cause of truth and justice and the crucial significance of international law upon which a meaningful two-state settlement can be built. Moreover, the substantive content of Negotiating Arab–Israeli Peace could not withstand even minimal scrutiny. Provided that readers question the dominant representations, which suggest that international law offers ‘little’ legal remedy for injustice, that ‘the Arab–Israeli conflict’ is ‘interracial’ or that the US inevitably has to continue to ‘broker’ ‘peace’, these three volumes will be valuable to IR students who wish to understand how the Arab–Israeli conflict literature has contributed to the construction of the only knowable ‘reality’. [7]

Shih-Yu Chou

Shih-Yu Chou is a PhD candidate in the Department of Politics at the University of Sheffield, UK.

1. International Court of Justice, ‘Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory Summary of the Advisory Opinion of 9 July 2004’, available at: http://www.icj-cij.org/docket/index.php?p1=3&p2=4&k=5a&case=131&code=mwp&p3=5 (accessed 17 October 2010).
2. The United Nations Security Council, ‘The Situation in the Middle East: Resolution Adopted by the United Nations Security Council on 22 November 1967’, S/RES/242, available at: http://www.un.org/documents/sc/res/1967/scres67.htm (accessed 17 October 2010).
3. For discussion, see As’ad AbuKhalil, The Battle for Saudi Arabia: Royalty, Fundamentalism, and Global Power (New York: Seven Stories, 2004); Said K. Aburish, A Brutal Friendship: The West and the Arab Elite (London: Gollancz, 1997).
4. Backed by the US, Israel has refused not only to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty but also to permit inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. For discussion of declassified high-level documents, see Avner Cohen, Israel and the Bomb (New York: Columbia University Press, 1998).
5. UN General Assembly, ‘Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine: Resolution Adopted by the General Assembly on 12 December 1996’, A/RES/51/26, available at: http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/3b00f33610.html (accessed 17 October 2010).
6. For discussion, see Noam Chomsky, Fateful Triangle: The United States, Israel, and the Palestinians (London: Pluto Press, 1999); Norman Finkelstein, The Holocaust Industry: Reflections on the Exploitation of Jewish Suffering, 2nd edn (London: Verso, 2003); Norman Finkelstein, Image and Reality of the Israel-Palestine Conflict, 2nd edn (London: Verso, 2003); Edward W. Said, The Question of Palestine (London: Routledge, 1980).
7. Mark Laffey and Jutta Weldes, ‘Beyond Belief: Ideas and Symbolic Technologies in the Study of International Relations’, European Journal of International Relations 3, no. 2 (1997): 193–237.

"Palestinian Prisoners Homecoming"

2011-10-20T22:26:00.004+01:00

"Tuesday marked the first phase of the prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel. Of a total of 1,027 Palestinians to be released, 477 were freed today, in exchange for the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been in captivity since 2006.Around 300 of the 477 freed from Israeli jails headed to Gaza and were greeted by their loved ones."

(Photos: Reuters)

(Photo: AFP)

The Most Beautiful Graffiti in Cairo

2011-09-07T21:44:00.005+01:00

“Pro-Palestinian activists turned the 100 meters long and three meters high wall surrounding Israel's embassy in Cairo into a site of creative protest. The wall was erected by the Egyptian army last Saturday. The wall replaced an iron fence smashed by protesters last month. The military junta claimed that it was set up to protect public property and not the embassy in particular.Activists sprayed the wall with pro-Palestine, anti-SCAF and anti-Zionist messages such as “No to reconciliation”, “We will not forget Deir Yassin”, “No to Israel”, “Bethlehem,” and finally “the Liberation of Palestine starts with the liberation of Egypt”, amid shouts of encouragement by passers-by and cars’ drivers.” (Photos: Maggie Osama)

A Tribute to Ahmad Ash-Shahat

2011-09-04T16:43:00.006+01:00

“Meet Egypt’s “Spiderman” [Ahmad Ash-Shahat], the man who climbed to the top of Israel’s embassy in Cairo on Sunday [21 August] and tore down its flag.”

How Israeli Military Courts Convict Palestinian Boys

2011-08-28T22:16:00.003+01:00

“In the hours before his interrogation, Sameer was kept blindfolded and handcuffed, and prevented from sleeping. Eventually taken for interrogation without a lawyer or parent present, a man accused him of being in a demonstration, and showed him footage of a boy throwing stones, claiming it was him….But most children are frightened into signing a confession, cowed by threats of physical violence, or threats against their families, such as the withdrawal of work permits….Pleading innocent is to invite lengthy court proceedings, during which the child is almost always remanded in prison….Israel’s policy has been successful in one sense, sowing fear among children and deterring them from future demonstrations. But the children are left traumatised, prone to nightmares and bed-wetting. Most have to miss a year of school, or even drop out”.

The Saudi Definition of Terrorism

2011-07-23T23:50:00.006+01:00

“A proposed Saudi counterterrorism law ... would ... mandate jail sentences for criticizing the king …It uses broad terms like “harming the reputation of the state,” for example, according to a translation provided by Amnesty International. It also mandates a 10-year jail sentence for anyone …who questioned the integrity or honesty of the two men [the king or the crown prince].”

Remove Bras for Security Check in Israel

2011-07-23T23:24:00.002+01:00

“[T]hree women [journalists] were told by security personnel to undress and take off their bras for x-ray in two separate incidents at the Jerusalem offices of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week. All three complied with the request…Each of the women was … patted down before being told to undress, then their bras were passed out in full view of male and female colleagues and security personnel, to be put through an x-ray machine.”

A tribute to Ibrahim Qashoush

2011-07-19T23:12:00.001+01:00

“Ibrahim Qashoush led singing and chanting at the demonstrations in Hama. He was killed by agents of the Syrian regime in Hama [on 3 July] and his broken body was found in the river on 4 July 2011.”

“The story of the flotilla is not over”

2011-07-13T16:18:00.000+01:00

Ewa Jasieiwcz wrote that “The pseudo-democracies of Israel, Greece and US bare their teeth, sending in the tanks, masked commandos and armed guards when threatened by real democracy from below. What the flotilla has shown, as have the Arab uprisings and all movements for justice is that it is only real democracy, people worldwide taking matters into their own hands, which creates the conditions for true change.”

Remembering Hemingway

2011-07-13T12:28:00.005+01:00

“In the New York Times this July 1, A.E. Hotchner, a friend of Hemingway’s for [14] years, explained that the writer “was afraid that the FBI was after him, that his body was disintegrating ... that living was no longer an option.”Writes Hotchner, “Decades later, in response to a Freedom of Information petition, the FBI released its Hemingway file. It revealed that beginning in the 1940s [1942] J. Edgar Hoover had placed Ernest under surveillance because he was suspicious of Ernest’s activities in Cuba. Over the following years, agents filed reports on him and tapped his phones. The surveillance continued all through his confinement at St. Mary’s Hospital. It is likely that the phone outside his room was tapped after all.”Hotchner adds: “In the years since, I have tried to reconcile Ernest’s fear of the FBI, which I regretfully misjudged, with the reality of the FBI file. I now believe he truly sensed the surveillance, and that it substantially contributed to his anguish and his suicide.”On July 2, 1961, Hemingway killed himself with a shotgun blast.”

The Use and Abuse of Chomsky

2011-07-10T19:00:00.012+01:00

Media Lens indicated that “Noam Chomsky was once famously described by the New York Times as ‘arguably the most important intellectual alive’ ... the Guardian is normally happy to ignore him and his views. But when Chomsky expresses criticism of an official enemy of the West, he suddenly does exist and matter for the Guardian. That indicates what we already knew: that the liberal press is perfectly aware of the importance of Chomsky's work. They just ignore it because it undermines the wrong interests”.

We Shall Overcome

2011-07-10T19:00:00.010+01:00

“Viola Liuzzo, a housewife from Detroit, was shot to death by members of the Ku Klux Klan. Every white who dared to lend a hand to the black struggle was seen as an enemy of the [white] race in the eyes of many, as a traitor whose life was cheap. Still, they marched. They marched because they understood that it was time to break through the indifference of the white community in the United States, that it was time to stop cooperating with the paranoia and racism of whites in the South and to stand on the side of justice and ethics, to stand on the right side of history.”

“Martin Luther King, Jr. and other activists marching in Alabama in 1965.”(Photo: AP)

Arundhati Roy on Resistance

2011-07-10T18:56:00.003+01:00

“If you're an adivasi [tribal Indian] living in a forest village and 800 CRP [Central Reserve Police] come and surround your village and start burning it, what are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to go on hunger strike? Can the hungry go on a hunger strike? Non-violence is a piece of theatre. You need an audience. What can you do when you have no audience? People have the right to resist annihilation.”

"Why was Salah muzzled for preaching peace in London"

2011-07-08T11:53:00.002+01:00

Jonathan Cook correctly pointed out that “The humiliation of [Sheikh Raed] Salah at the hands of the British legal system — supposedly in the interests of promoting “decency and respect” — will serve only to remind Muslims of the hypocrisy so often evident in Western policy. The double standards are especially glaring given the recent pledge by David Cameron’s government to Israel to change Britain’s universal jurisdiction laws. That move will ensure Israel’s growing constituency of suspected war criminals avoid any future threat of prosecution in the UK. As a result, suspected Israeli war criminals will receive a far warmer welcome than Salah”.

Call for the Release of Ai Weiwei

2011-05-16T19:01:00.004+01:00

Sign the Guggenheim Museum-launched online petition calling for the release of Ai Weiwei. (Photo: Reuters)

BBC Documentary, Ai Weiwei - Without Fear or Favour

2011-05-16T18:54:00.003+01:00

Chomsky on Operation Geronimo

2011-05-08T14:56:00.001+01:00

“The imperial mentality is so profound, throughout western society, that no one can perceive that they are glorifying bin Laden by identifying him with courageous resistance against genocidal invaders. It’s like naming our murder weapons after victims of our crimes: Apache, Tomahawk… It’s as if the Luftwaffe were to call its fighter planes “Jew” and “Gypsy.””

Superman to Renounce U.S. Citizenship

2011-05-01T10:28:00.005+01:00

(Picture: Action Comics’#900)

Chavez on Gaddafi

2011-03-07T23:43:00.007Z

“Venezuela’s self-styled socialist leader expressed “delight” at Mr Gaddafi’s first ever visit to South America [in 2009], referring to him as “one of the great leaders of this century”, and presenting him with a replica of a sword of South American independence hero Simon Bolivar.”

Hillary Clinton on US Mainstream Media

2011-03-07T22:44:00.002Z

“[O]ur private media, particularly cultural programming, often works at counter purposes to what we truly are as Americans and what our values are. I remember having an Afghan general tell me that the only thing he thought about Americans is that all the men wrestled and the women walked around in bikinis, because the only TV he ever saw was Baywatch and World Wide Wrestling. So, we are in an information war, and we are losing that war. I’ll be very blunt in my assessment. Al Jazeera is winning.”

Anthony Giddens on Gaddafi

2011-03-06T23:16:00.005Z

“The Green Book is based upon a theory of direct democracy. Representative democracy, Gaddafi argues, is an inadequate form of government, given that it means rule by a minority and in which the majority have little direct say. Soviet communism, on the other hand, led to government by an even smaller elite.”

Anthony Giddens Extols Gaddafi

2011-03-06T23:05:00.008Z

“As one-party states go, Libya is not especially repressive. Gadafy seems genuinely popular...Will real progress be possible only when Gadafy leaves the scene? I tend to think the opposite. If he is sincere in wanting change, as I think he is, he could play a role in muting conflict that might otherwise arise as modernisation takes hold. My ideal future for Libya in two or three decades' time would be a Norway of North Africa: prosperous, egalitarian and forward-looking. Not easy to achieve, but not impossible.”

Unfinished Revolution

2011-03-06T21:13:00.005Z

“The counter-revolution is using all the media at their disposal to rewrite the past by painting a nostalgic picture of the Mubarak era while simultaneously making all the accusations against his security apparatus and cronies appear unreal and unbelievable”.

Anarchist Quotes

2011-03-02T22:54:00.004Z

Mikhail Bakunin notes that “I recognise no infallible authority, even in special questions; consequently, whatever respect I may have for the honesty and the sincerity of such or such an individual, I have no absolute faith in any person” and that “if God really existed, it would be necessary to abolish him”.

Democracy Promotion: the Case of France

2011-03-02T22:46:00.002Z

“Defense Conseil International (DCI), a French state-owed training company, has three crowd-control specialists acting as advisers to the Bahrain Army, chief executive Jean-Louis Rotrubin said at the IDEX trade show. The advisers, drawn from the French Gendarmerie Nationale and elite GIGN special forces unit, are part of a program to train Bahrain special Zforces in non-lethal crowd control …The program aims "to develop a new approach to how manage crowds in cities"”

Democracy Promotion: the Case of Britain

2011-03-02T22:36:00.004Z

“In the past two years, British police have helped to train their counterparts in Bahrain, Libya, Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Saudi Arabia through schemes run by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA), which organises overseas training. At present, there are three full-time advisers working with the Bahraini police, which was heavily implicated in the violent crackdown on protests in Manama this week”.

Interview with Hossam el-Hamalawy

2011-03-02T19:31:00.001Z

“The Egyptian labour movement was quite under attack in the 1980s and 1990s by police, who used live ammunition against peaceful strikers in 1989 during strikes in the steel mills and in 1994 in the textile mill strikes. But steadily since December 2006 our country has been witnessing the biggest and most sustained waves of strike actions since 1946, triggered by textile strikes in the Nile Delta town of Mahalla, home of largest labour force in the Middle East with over 28,000 workers. It started because of labour issues but spread to every sector in society except the police and military.”

Fear Has No Dominion Over Egyptians

2011-03-02T18:48:00.002Z

“The uprising that started on 25 January 2011 was the result of a long process in which the wall of fear fell, bit by bit. The key to it all was that the actions on the ground were visually transmitted to the widest possible audience. Nothing aids the erosion of one's fear more than knowing there are others, somewhere else, who share the same desire for liberation – and have started taking action.”

Egypt’s Revolution

2011-02-23T13:14:00.009Z

“A young Egyptian holds a dove as she celebrates after the announcement of the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak from his post, Cairo, Egypt, 11 February 2011. Egyptian President Hosny Mubarak stepped down after 30 years in power, asking the army to run a country in the grip of a popular uprising for political change. His departure was announced on state television by his deputy, Vice President Omar Suleiman. EPA/STRINGER.”

The US and the World

2010-11-05T19:01:00.006Z

187 of the 192 UN member states supported UN General Assembly resolution to condemn US embargo against Cuba. Only Israel and the US voted against the resolution.

Rousseff's Victory

2010-11-05T18:05:00.008Z

According to the Economist, “[neoconservative former Sao Paulo governor] José Serra would be a better president than Dilma Rousseff”. It is not difficult to see why Economist did not like her. “Speaking at a victory rally, she said: "We cannot rest while Brazilians are going hungry, while families are living in the streets, while poor children are abandoned to their own fates and while crack and crack dens rule."”

The Conception Of Fair Pay

2010-11-05T13:40:00.018Z

Hillary Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive concluded a memorandum to create 10,000 garment-making jobs for Haitians. In her own words, “These are good jobs with fair pay [$3 a day] that adhere to international labor standards” and “Haiti is open for business again”.

The Liberal Media And Haiti

2010-11-05T13:40:00.017Z

The New York Times thinks that sweatshops are what Haitians deserve. “That idea (sweatshops!) may sound horrific to Americans. But it’s a strategy that has worked for other countries, such as Bangladesh, and Haitians in the slums would tell you that their most fervent wish is for jobs. A few dozen major shirt factories could be transformational for Haiti.”

Viva Cuba

2010-11-05T13:40:00.010Z

Click to read the 2010 Human Sustainable Development Index.“[W]hen the Global Footprint Network plotted the [Human Development Index] HDI against ecological footprints per capita, only one country, Cuba, was deemed to have a genuinely sustainable economy. It is worth noting that Cuba has achieved this feat without access to the greenest technology. Cuba does not appear in the 2010 HDI.”

A Formula For Mutual Cooperation

2010-10-09T13:42:00.007+01:00

The Palestinian Authority’s spokesman Ghassan Khatib claimed that “We [the PA] make no secret of our cooperation with Israel, but such Israeli activities [the killing of Hamas member Eyad Abu Shilbaya] give the impression that this is collaboration, not cooperation”.

Cast The First Stone

2010-08-25T23:17:00.006+01:00

An article entitled Crime (Sex) and Punishment (Stoning) explained that “Stoning is not practiced only among Muslims, nor did it begin with Islam”. The punishment was meted out to those who broke the Sabbath by Moses and was practiced among believers of Abrahamic religions. It is worth mentioning that this article did not specify that in addition to breaking the Sabbath, the Torah prescribed stoning for adultery (Deuteronomy 22:23-24), blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16), worshipping other gods (Deuteronomy 17: 3-5), and other crimes.

遺忘的廣島與伊拉克無聲的哀號

2010-08-10T22:19:00.021+01:00

戰爭為振興經濟的最佳良方。小布希（George W. Bush）

日本廣島及長崎的原爆至今年8月屆滿65週年。兩地原爆的倖存者迄今仍為輻射導致的後遺症所苦。美國今年首度推派代表出席日本的原爆追悼儀式。歐巴馬政府象徵性的參與引起了商業媒體關注。然而美國自1990年8月起至2003年間對伊拉克實施經濟制裁，造成100多萬伊拉克平民死亡，人數數倍於廣島原爆，卻罕見商業媒體報導。英美的種族滅絕罪行，至今年8月屆滿20週年。英美於2003年侵略伊拉克迄今，自由派知識份子一再聲稱國際社會對於「高度獨裁」和迫害人權的政權豈可袖手旁觀。此類知識份子從未直書海珊（Saddam Hussein）的崛起並非自然現象，中東全數的高度獨裁政權皆為美國炮製，更遑論坦承美國對伊拉克實施的經濟制裁實為種族滅絕政策。

美帝呼朋引類

海珊的崛起與伊朗獨夫巴勒維（Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi）二世如出一轍。［註一］伊拉克在第一次世界大戰結束後，為英國託管。英帝為控制伊拉克石油，故扶植傀儡政權賀希麥王朝（the Hashemite Kingdom of Iraq），即伊拉克的賀希麥家族，以維持阿拉伯人自治的假象。英國為了消滅抵抗帝國主義者，自1920年至1930年間，持續轟炸伊拉克村鎮。賀希麥王朝賣國求榮，對平民死傷，全然不予理會。伊拉克的石油蘊藏量為世界第二。美國垂涎伊拉克原油已久。美帝在1950年初期即與英帝暗中較勁。［註二］英帝在1956年蘇伊士運河危機（the Suez Crisis）後，財政困窘，自顧不暇。美國旋即乘虛而入。

伊拉克的賀希麥王朝在1958年遭軍官卡辛（Abd al-Karim Qasim）領導的政變推翻。卡辛清除獨夫後，廢除君主制，建立伊拉克共和國。他並與伊拉克國內各黨各派共組聯合政府。卡辛頗受伊拉克人民支持，美國卻深恨卡辛開明專制。卡辛執政後，旋即將英國政府利用伊拉克石油公司（Iraq Petroleum Company），亦為帝國代理人，掠奪而得的土地收歸國有。卡辛政權並進行土地重分配，扶助農民及窮人。此舉觸怒美國。美國為控制伊拉克原油及經濟，遂派遣由中情局訓練的海珊及其黨徒刺殺卡辛。由於屢次謀害卡辛未成，美國遂於1963年2月發動政變。卡辛將軍被捕，後遭槍決。海珊執政後，獨斷獨行，並依賴由中情局訓練的秘密警察以鞭箠刑訊推展伊拉克「民主」。

1979年伊斯蘭革命（the Islamic Revolution）後，獨夫巴勒維二世遭政變推翻。什葉派（Shi’ite）政治領袖何梅尼（Ayatollah Khomeini）於同年返回伊朗。卡特政府（Jimmy Carter）為推翻不受美國支使的何梅尼，故利用海珊發動兩伊戰爭（the Iran-Iraq War）。為使伊朗及伊拉克兩敗俱傷，民生塗炭，美國遂於兩伊戰爭期間源源不絕提供海珊生化武器及衛星照片。雷根（Ronald Reagan）政府為坐收漁利，另外經由以色列將武器私下轉手給伊朗。伊朗及伊拉克在8年的兩伊戰爭期間，各有100萬平民死亡。一言蔽之，海珊殺人如蓺、為禍中東，皆因美國火上澆油所致。

美國的欲加之罪

美國政府一再聲稱，1990年8月2日伊拉克入侵科威特為海珊一意孤行，其實大謬不然。［註三］伊拉克在兩伊戰爭結束後百廢待舉。科威特及沙烏地阿拉伯奉美國之命增產石油，使國際石油價格下挫。伊拉克的石油輸出占國家收入的9成。伊拉克因油價下跌，難以籌措戰後重建經費。海珊向科威特貸款遭拒，又與科威特發生邊境衝突，故而有意以武力解決爭端。科威特亦為美國扶持的傀儡政權。入侵科威特，必待華府首肯而後行之。海珊若自作主張，猶如對美國宣戰。海珊故而指示10萬地面部隊及5千輛坦克車於科威特邊境集結，按兵不動。

1990年7月25日，美國駐伊拉克大使葛拉斯比（April Glaspie）向海珊明確表示，布希總統（George Bush）裁示，美國對伊拉克與科威特邊境衝突無意見，不會介入兩方衝突。美國近東事務助理國務卿凱利（John Kelly）隋後出席眾議院國際關係委員會的聽證會時亦重申，美國不會協防科威特。由於美國已示意支持伊拉克侵略科威特，海珊遂於1990年8月2日揮軍進擊。美國向來對否決聯合國安全理事會（the UN Security Council）的提案不遺餘力。伊拉克入侵科威特後，布希政府旋即嚴詞譴責海珊的侵略行為。美國媒體並指控海珊為「新希特勒」（New Hitler）。1990年8月6日美國再於安理會強行通過了661號決議案，對伊拉克實施經濟制裁。海珊此時始知遭美國愚弄，伊拉克已在美國股掌。

為息事寧人，海珊及阿拉伯國家先後提出了5個外交方案與美國磋商。布希政府不欲伊拉克侵略科威特之事善了。美國政府與美國商業媒體遂絕口不提諸多和平方案。布希及美國商業媒體並對海珊再倒打一耙，羅織了伊拉克在併吞科威特後，意猶未足，亟欲吞併沙烏地阿拉伯的罪名。美國媒體一再強調，美國殫精竭慮，時時以中東和平為念。只因海珊「怙惡不悛」，故而美國的外交努力盡皆徒勞無功。美國無法「姑息養奸」，不得不於1991年1月16日出兵伊拉克「弔民伐罪」。

自1991年1月16日至同年2月27日間，美國於伊拉克及科威特投下了88,500噸的炸藥。美軍蓄意轟炸伊拉克基礎建設，如淨水廠、污水處理系統、煉油廠，貯油槽、發電廠、通訊系統、學校、醫院、博物館、圖書館、考古遺址乃至民間的食品工廠。此外，美軍轟炸伊拉克油輪後，再誣控海珊惡意污染海洋生態，將原油大量傾倒於波斯灣。

美國的種族滅絕政策

美國出兵伊拉克，既為「救民水火」，卻不除惡務盡，一舉推翻海珊，目的有二。其一，美國於1991年入侵伊拉克後，已將伊拉克生化武器工廠全數摧毀。美國對此不但秘而不宣，並謊稱巴格達屠夫意圖再度使用生化武器。此計可使惡名昭彰的海珊百口莫辯，並為日後美國再度侵略及永久占領伊拉克預作安排。其二，美國及英國堅持自1990年8月6日起實施的經濟制裁必須與海珊垮臺掛勾。此舉殺人不見血。英美又可將經濟制裁伊拉克造成平民死亡的責任轉嫁海珊。換言之，只要海珊持續執政，伊拉克獨夫即成眾矢之的。海珊的罪該萬死對照美國政府對「民主人權」的念茲在茲，高下立判。

美國在1991年侵略伊拉克期間蓄意破壞淨水廠、污水處理系統。嗣後，美國和英國並對經濟制裁伊拉克的禁運項目逐項審核。禁運內容包括伊拉克的石油出口及民生必需品進口。伊拉克糧食自給率不到3成。英美不但嚴禁伊拉克糧食進口，並全面禁止伊拉克進口淨水設施、抗生素、藥品、疫苗及嬰兒奶粉。自1990年8月至2003年美國第二次入侵伊拉克期間， 100多萬的伊拉克人民死於無清潔的飲用水及飢餓。其中50萬人為兒童。死亡者社經地位較差，原為海珊執政期間的受害者。

海珊一再呼籲英美重視伊拉克的人道危機，並解除經濟制裁，英美對伊拉克人民的死亡卻嗤之以鼻。美國駐聯合國大使歐布萊特（Madeleine Albright）對種族滅絕政策直陳無隱。她於1996年接受電視訪問時表示，經濟制裁即便要賠上「50萬伊拉克兒童的生命」，死亡人數「數倍於廣島的原爆」，也「很划算」。聯合國最高階的人道救援伊拉克協調官哈力廸（Denis　Halliday）批評英美踐踏國際法及戕害不辜。海珊安然無事，伊拉克人民卻因海珊之罪獲咎。哈力廸屢次與英美交涉無功後，憤而辭職。哈力廸明言英美以聯合國之名對伊克拉實施經濟制裁已犯下種族滅絕罪行。哈力廸的繼任者許邦諾克（Hans von Sponeck）亦直言，伊拉克人民不應為海珊觸怒英美獲罪，英美對伊拉克實施經濟制裁已構成種族滅絕罪行。由於聽者藐藐，許邦諾克亦辭職抗議。

2003年美國入侵伊拉克後，終於解除了對伊拉克長達13年的經濟制裁。然而伊拉克的基礎建設及公共衛生系統在美軍轟炸時破壞殆盡。兩河流域的伊拉克人民飽受無清潔的飲用水和無污水處理系統所苦。死於腹瀉或可預防的傳染病者，無日無之。美國在2004 年轟炸伊拉克的費盧家（Fallujah）市時，使用火苗高達攝氏816度的化學武器白磷彈（white phosphorous）及化學武器貧化鈾彈（depleted uranium）圍殺伊拉克平民。（圖片來源：uruknet.info，照片翻攝自記錄片《隱匿的費盧家屠殺》（Fallujah: the Hidden Massacre））。

根據發表於《環境研究及公共衛生國際期刊》（the International Journal of Environmental Studies and Public Health）的學術文章指出，美國在伊拉克使用貧化鈾彈所造成的嚴重輻射污染遠勝過廣島原爆。費盧家屠殺後，該地畸形兒，嬰兒死亡率，白血病、各種癌症比率亦高於廣島原爆。（圖片來源: 高遠菜穗子網站。）

美國的「人道戰爭」自2003年迄今又造成130萬伊拉克人民的死亡。若非自欺欺人，霸權與人權水火不容的道理，應當顯而易見。歐威爾（George Orwell）曾道：發動侵略戰爭的原因無他，金錢階級（moneyed classes）可自戰爭獲利而已。美國史學家辛（Howard Zinn）亦言道：高舉人道大纛發動戰爭，即是對兒童開戰（a war against children）。謹以本文悼念伊拉克人民的廣島浩劫，並追悼數百萬伊拉克人民近半世紀的切身之痛、喪亂之禍。

註一：伊朗原為中東第一個民主國家。伊朗首相莫薩德克 (Mohammad Mossadeq)博士原為第三世界最受尊敬的政治領袖。莫薩德克領導的議會民主政府在1951年將英伊石油(the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company)公司，即英國石油(BP)公司前身，亦為英國政府在伊朗的代理人，收歸國有。英國以該公司控制伊朗原油及經濟近半世紀。此案經國際法院 (the International Court of Justice) 判定英國政府敗訴。英帝及美帝遂以圍堵共產主義擴張為名，於1953年聯手推翻莫薩德克政府。政變後，莫薩德克博士遭終身監禁。美國扶植獨夫巴勒維 (Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi)二世執政，並由中情局（the CIA）訓練的伊朗祕密警察(Savak)嚴刑拷訊異議份子及莫薩德克政府的支持者，以促進伊朗「民主」。欲瞭解英美在1953年於伊朗策動之政變，請參考Stephen Kinzer著作。

註二：英帝扶植了二個賀希麥王朝。約旦的賀希麥王朝亦為英帝傑作。欲瞭解英美自20世紀初迄今發動的石油戰爭，請參考William　Engdahl著作。欲瞭解英美為了石油，促進中東「民主與人權」的歷史及現況，請參考As’ad AbuKhalil，Said Aburish，Noam Chomsky 著作。

註三：欲瞭解第一次波斯灣戰爭（the Persian Gulf War）期間，美國商業媒體及政府的共生關係，請參考Douglas Kellner著作。波斯灣戰爭期間，美國運用媒體纂改歷史及製造假新聞的模式係由福克蘭群島戰爭（the Falklands war）時操控媒體的方式發展而得。欲瞭解英國政府製造新聞的模式，請參考Robert Harris著作。

美國及以色列對加薩的種族滅絕政策：
￭定罪以色列流氓緝盜有贓

War Is Peace

2010-07-31T19:21:00.007+01:00

Aisha was a 18-year-old Afghan girl. Her nose and ears were cut off by the Tiliban. Time Magazine posted her photo to sway the public. I did not know that the US-led invasion was meant to liberate Afghan women. A leaked CIA document explained how to engineer German and French support for the NATO-led occupation in Afghanistan. This rule applies to the American public. (Photo: Time)

Chinglish

2010-07-31T10:01:00.007+01:00

The New York Times posted a series of snaps of “Chinglish”. Very descriptive.

維基解密照見國家恐怖主義

2010-07-29T21:33:00.018+01:00

獨立新聞媒體維基解密(Wikileaks)於7月25日與英國衛報(the Guardian)、德國明鏡周刊(Der Spiegel)及美國紐約時報(the New York Times)同時刊載美國在阿富汗「反恐戰爭」的細節。

維基解密取得了9萬份文件。長達20萬頁的內容記錄了美國正規軍隊自2004年至2010年間日復一日的「反恐」任務。9萬份原始文件皆為美國士兵及情報人員撰寫，以供美軍分析阿富汗平民與神學士(the Taliban)成員死亡、受傷、遭拘禁的人數及比例。

此外，9萬份原始文件中亦包括美國使館與美軍的連絡記錄。內容含括美國扶植的阿富汗政權不惜民命、貪贓弄權、威福由己。儘管維基解密公佈的第一批 75,000份文件內容並未涵蓋美軍特勤任務，亦不涉及中央情報局(the CIA)參與的特勤任務及派遣無人飛機的轟炸及暗殺任務，一般的研究者，以一人之力，也得歷時數年才能消化阿富汗戰爭文件。維基解密另行保留15,000 份文件，內容涵蓋美國特勤部隊及中情局參與的轟炸及暗殺任務。該批文件待維基解密成員研究完成，再擇期公佈。

維基解密為使阿富汗人民的慘痛遭遇獲得重視，並影響輿論，故而將第一批文件交由三家商業媒體同步刊載。衛報及明鏡周刊的報導著重於阿富汗平民死傷及美軍濫殺無辜。紐約時報在刊登維基解密文件前，已奉告白宮，對平民死傷亦刻意淡化處理。紐約時報網站並未提供維基解密網站的原始連結。紐約時報的處理方式，深得白宮讚許。美國譴責維基解密挺身揭弊之舉為「不負責任」，危及美國「國家安全」，並否認美國在阿富汗一再濫殺無辜。

獨立媒體挑戰帝國主義與資本主義

維基解密並非「爆料」網站。維基解密自我定位為無國界亦無實體地址的獨立新聞媒體。編輯報告的撰寫人皆以記者自居，以揭露政府及企業弊端為職志，並對消息來源絕對保密。維基解密依賴全球的捐款運作。成員皆為義工，約數百人，實際人數不詳。無一人支薪。維基解密網站伺服器數十台，遍及全球。故一處機器經政府查抄，成員遭逮捕、判刑、甚至殺害，維基解密網站仍可運作如常。［註一］維基解密創辦人亞桑傑(Julian Assange)無辦公室，亦不在同一個國家停留超過6週。維基解密摘奸發伏，已為獨立媒體的運作樹立典範。

商業媒體報導維基解密文件時指出美國政府現已承認巴基斯坦情報局(Inter-Services Intelligence)或有「部份」成員支持神學士。但商業媒體隱諱美國政府何以「反恐」和美國大量輸出國家恐怖主義(state terrorism)的歷史背景。

美國扶植伊斯蘭基本教義派

美國在阿富汗支持聖戰游擊隊(Mujahideen)，即神學士及蓋達組織(Al-Qaeda/Al-Qa’idah)前身，之歷史回溯至卡特 (Jimmy Carter)政府。［註二］美帝為了替克里姆林宫(Kremlin)製造蘇聯版本的越戰，故而支持伊斯蘭聖戰游擊隊顛覆阿富汗親蘇聯的政府。

卡特並於1979年7月3日簽署行政命令以機秘預算支持伊斯蘭聖戰組織對抗蘇聯。嗣後，美國與沙烏地阿拉伯投入了60億美金於巴基斯坦及阿富汗二國訓練5萬名恐怖份子。成員泰半非阿富汗人。武器則由美國經巴基斯坦情報局轉手給聖戰游擊隊。雷根(Ronald Reagan)對恐怖份子青眼相待。他直言，他將聖戰組織與美國開國元勳等量齊觀(the moral equivalent of our Founding Fathers)。

蘇聯因久戰阿富汗不克，遂於1988年與雷根政府達成協議。若美國不再策應聖戰組織，蘇聯立即自阿富汗徹軍。蘇聯入侵阿富汗九年期間，造成100萬阿富汗人民死亡。蘇聯徹軍後，美國旋即食言，再度訓練及金援聖戰組織。

美國扶植聖戰游擊隊除了替蘇聯製造「越戰」外，另一個目的是對抗伊朗的何梅尼(Ayatollah Khomeini) 政權。伊斯蘭的基本教義派能異軍突起，皆拜美國之賜。伊朗原為中東第一個民主國家。伊朗首相莫薩德克 (Mohammad Mossadeq)博士領導的議會民主政府在1951年將英伊石油(the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company)公司，即英國石油(BP)公司前身，收歸國有。［註三］英國政府心有不甘，請求國際法院(the International Court of Justice)裁決，即全球位階最高的國際法裁決機構。

此案經國際法院判定，伊朗政府勝訴，英國政府敗訴。丘吉爾(Winston Churchill)誓不甘休，故以圍堵共產主義擴張為名，與美帝在1953年勾結伊斯蘭什葉派(Shi’ite)的基本教義份子，聯手推翻莫薩德克政府，以控制伊朗石油。政變後，莫薩德克博士遭終身監禁。美國並扶植獨夫巴勒維 (Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi)二世執政。巴勒維與中情局訓練的伊朗祕密警察(Savak)以心狠手辣著稱，其殘虐不仁在中東（美國支持的）專制政權中亦屬名列前茅。何梅尼因與巴勒維意見相左，故流亡法國。

巴勒維統治期間，左翼政治領袖或遭殺害、或遭拘禁、或出亡異國。嗣後伊朗國內殘存的反對勢力僅剩伊斯蘭什葉派的基本教義份子。1979年伊斯蘭革命後，獨夫巴勒維二世欲出亡美國。巴勒維二世已成了美國負擔，卡特遂拒其入境。

什葉派政治領袖何梅尼於1979年返回伊朗。他對左翼人士及異議份子的迫害與巴勒維毫無二致。何梅尼完全不受美國支配。英美兩國為推翻何梅尼，遂支持阿富汗及巴基斯坦的遜尼派(Sunni)聖戰組織對抗伊朗，並利用海珊(Saddam Hussein)發動兩伊戰爭(the Iran-Iraq War)。此外，英美再提供海珊生化武器，殺害100多萬伊朗人。

今年7月22日，美國共和黨眾議員提案支持以色列攻擊伊朗，主要的原因即是美國自1979年後，對未能掌控伊朗原油始終耿耿於懷。一言蔽之，伊斯蘭基本教義派在沙烏地阿拉伯、阿富汗、巴基斯坦及伊朗的崛起皆與美帝直接或間接的推波助瀾有關。

美國以「反恐戰爭」之名侵略阿富汗，完全師出無名。911恐怖攻擊後，阿富汗神學士政權表示，若美國提出資料證實蓋達組織策劃911恐怖攻擊，神學士願意配合美國政府將蓋達成員引渡至美國受審。

小布希(George W. Bush)政府無法證明蓋達組織與911攻擊的直接關連，遂嚴詞拒絕。此外，美國深知參與911攻擊的恐怖份子大多為沙烏地阿拉伯人。美國自1940年初期即支持沙烏地阿拉伯殘虐的沙德(the House of Saud)家族，即沙德王朝，及瓦哈比派(Wahhabism)教義，亦即伊斯蘭基本教義派中最偏鋒的支派，以控制沙國原油。

美國無法佐證911恐怖攻擊為蓋達策劃，遂於2001年10月以反恐戰爭為名入侵阿富汗。美國聯邦調查局 (the FBI) 局長穆勒(Robert Mueller) 於2002年6月向華盛頓郵報(the Washington Post)透露，美國研判911的主謀藏身德國或阿拉伯聯合大公國，但美國至今仍對911首謀為何人一無所悉。換言之，美國既不知悉911主犯為何，侵略阿富汗即是以國家恐怖主義戕害阿富汗平民。

美國策劃北約恐怖主義

美帝蓄意殘害平民由來已久。美國在1949年成立北大西洋公約組織時，即由中情局及英國情報局(SIS)，即軍情六處(MI6)策劃，於北約組織設置國家恐怖主義指揮部。北約「防堵共產主義擴張」的官方說辭全為避人耳目。［註四］

中情局及軍情六處復與英、法、德、義、西、萄、希臘、比利時、荷蘭、盧森堡、丹麥、挪威、土耳其諸國情治單位合作，建立國家恐怖主義據點。嗣後，中情局和北約並於前述各國發動恐怖攻擊並栽贓東歐陣營。

此處僅舉一例。1980年8月2日，中情局與義大利情報局在波隆那(bologna)火車站，引爆炸彈。此一恐怖攻擊造成85人死亡，200餘人受傷。波隆那恐怖攻擊至今年8月2日，屆滿30週年。屆時，當地應有小型的家屬悼念儀式。此類的恐怖攻擊在冷戰期間為常態。輸出恐怖主義的惡名則由東歐集團背黑鍋。接二連三的恐怖攻擊亦使資本主義國家的人民視共產主義如寇讎。

一言蔽之，美國包藏禍心，並與其盟國之情治單位制度化(institutionalise)國家恐怖主義。中情局及北約組織自導自演恐怖攻擊。美國再以「圍堵共產主義擴張」之名，行帝國主義之事。美國名為恐怖主義的受害者，實為國家恐怖主義最大的受益者及輸出國。

北約組織不但助美國為虐，在蘇聯解體後更持續擴張至今。北約組織並協助占領阿富汗，導致生靈塗炭。美軍於2007年 8 月間，由B1轟炸機投下了6顆2,000磅炸彈，殺害赫爾曼(Helmand)省村莊300多名阿富汗平民。美軍事後謊稱擊殺了50名的恐怖份子。

2009年5月美軍殺害葛拉尼(Garani)村的140多名阿富汗平民，死者大多為婦女及兒童。美軍在屠殺後卻謊稱清除了20多名恐怖份子。同年 12月27日，美軍特殊勤務部隊於清晨1 點闖入庫拿(Kunar)省村莊的民宅，將10名沈睡中的阿富汗平民拖出屋外槍決。其中8人為孩童。嗣後，美軍宣稱遭槍決者皆為恐怖份子。美國一如往常拒絕提供資料佐證美軍如何肅清「恐怖份子」。從美軍的罪惡行徑及維基解密文件不難看出發動侵略戰爭者及日復一日濫殺無辜卻無動於衷者，才是恐怖份子。

美國眾議院在維基解密文件公佈後，仍以308票比114票通過370億美金的預算以增援美國在阿富汗及伊拉克的軍事占領。維基解密公佈的資料反映了阿富汗平民經歷的長期苦難，亦反映出知識及權力的共生關係。美帝自2001年10月入侵阿富汗至今，製造的死傷超過美國911數十倍。知識份子卻一再聲稱，反恐戰爭，難免傷及無辜。阿富汗人「素質低下」，故而「民主」難以於阿富汗生根。亦有學者指出，歐巴馬的外交政策係以「公義戰爭」(Just War)為基礎。

「反恐戰爭」非為反恐。其理猶如美國在冷戰期間「圍堵共產主義」的反共堡壘，非為反共。隱諱了帝國主義及國家恐怖主義在國際政治的實際操作，所謂的「國際關係」學門，不過是知識份子為虎作倀的謊言。亞桑傑曾道：公開透明的政府才是公義的政府。不愧不怍，大可公開透明。在政府、知識份子、商業媒體一手遮天的時代，「公開的政府方為公義的政府」，格外發人深省。

註一：歐巴馬政府延續小布希的暗殺美國公民政策，視美國憲法修正案之條文「未經正當法律程序，不得剝奪任何人的生命與自由」若無物。

註二：欲瞭解美帝及英帝扶植伊斯蘭聖戰組織及基本教義派的歷史及現況者，請參考Noam Chomsky及Mark Curtis 著作。

註三：欲瞭解英美在1953年於伊朗策動之政變，請參考Stephen Kinzer著作。

註四：欲瞭解北約恐怖主義，請參考Daniele Ganser著作。欲瞭解國家恐怖主義，請參考William Perdue 著作。

Cancer Rate In Fallujah Worse Than Hiroshima

2010-07-24T21:39:00.002+01:00

Iraqi civilian deaths have become an everyday occurrence and have not been considered newsworthy since the US-led invasion in 2003. Tom Eley wrote an article. His piece revealed the immense human suffering caused by depleted uranium. “The savagery of the US assault shocked the world, and added the name Fallujah to an infamous list that includes My Lai, Sabra-Shatila, Guérnica, Nanking, Lidice, and Wounded Knee. But unlike those other massacres, the crime against Fallujah did not end when the bullets were no longer fired or the bombs stopped falling.” Definitely worth reading.

The Images The US Didn't Want Seen

2010-07-24T20:26:00.029+01:00

Visit Nahoko Takato’s website to view “What is happening in Fallujah ”, Iraq. (Photo: Dr. Samira)

What Makes Mainstream Media Mainstream

2010-07-24T20:26:00.028+01:00

The Washington Post spent two years to look into “a Top Secret America hidden from public view and lacking in thorough oversight” as the US government has contracted out intelligence services to the private sector from 11 September onwards. Jeremy Scahill indicated that establishment journalists barely scratched the surface of the problem. In his view, “What is perhaps most telling about the Post [Top Secret America] series is how little detail is provided on the most sensitive operations performed by contractors: assassinations, torture, rendition and operational planning [i.e., drone attacks]”.

Under The Watchful Eye

2010-07-20T23:53:00.006+01:00

The US government has its citizens under complete surveillance. According to Dana Priest, “Every day, collection systems at the National Security Agency intercept and store 1.7 billion e-mails, phone calls and other types of communications. The NSA sorts a fraction of those into 70 separate databases”.

Campaign Against BP

2010-07-20T14:11:00.027+01:00

Go to Greenpeace UK to vote for the new face of BP. (Picture: Greenpeace UK)

BP And White House Continued To Cover Up Oil Spill

2010-07-20T14:11:00.026+01:00

BP prevented journalists from covering BP oil spill, and journalists “who come too close to oil spill clean-up efforts without permission could find themselves facing a $40,000 fine and even one to five years in prison under a new rule instituted by the [BP/US] Coast Guard late last week.”

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

2010-07-05T00:30:00.020+01:00

Hillary Clinton said the a permanent US missile base in Poland poses no threat to Russia because the base was set up to “protect Poland and our [US] allies from evolving threats, such as those from Iran”.

Chinese Philosophy: The Way Of Perfect Harmony

2010-07-02T13:02:00.035+01:00

Censorship and press freedom never go hand in hand. The Chinese Capitalist Party found no such contradiction. It launched a 24-hour English-language news channel and “present[ed] an international vision with a Chinese perspective”.

The US Is A Terrorist State

2010-07-02T13:02:00.034+01:00

According to Iraq war veteran Josh Stieber, it was “not out of the ordinary” that American troops massacred Iraqi civilians . Indeed, “we [the US] had that was fairly similar or even more extreme than this [Wikileaks video released in April] was that if a roadside bomb went off then we were supposed to shoot anyone standing in that area. So it pretty much got to the point that the philosophy was to out-terrorise the terrorists [meaning eliminating anyone resisting the occupation of Iraq]. We were told that we needed to make the local population more afraid of us, so that maybe if they see someone trying to plant a bomb they’ll try and stop them rather than having to face whatever we might do afterwards”.

The Only Shame Is To Have None

2010-07-02T13:02:00.032+01:00

Benjamin Netanyahu justified the siege of Gaza and Israeli piracy on the high seas. He called upon “all human rights activists in the world - go to Tehran, [not Gaza] that’s where there is a human rights violation”.

Agent Orange Blights Only Vietnam Veterans

2010-07-02T13:02:00.031+01:00

On 25 March U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs “published a proposed regulation that will establish B-cell leukemias, such as hairy cell leukemia; Parkinson's disease; and ischemic heart disease as associated with Agent Orange exposure. Eligible Vietnam Veterans may receive disability compensation for these diseases”. However, to date America has insisted that “there is no clear link between Agent Orange and health problems” in Vietnam.

Servility To Power

2010-07-02T01:37:00.002+01:00

A study conducted by the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard found “a significant and sudden shift in how newspapers characterised waterboarding. From the early 1930s until the modern story broke in 2004, the newspapers that covered waterboarding almost uniformly called the practice torture or implied it was torture: The New York Times characterised it thus in 81.5% (44 of 54) of articles on the subject and The Los Angeles Times did so in 96.3% of articles (26 of 27). By contrast, from 2002‐2008, the studied newspapers almost never referred to waterboarding as torture. The New York Times called waterboarding torture or implied it was torture in just 2 of 143 articles (1.4%). The Los Angeles Times did so in 4.8% of articles (3 of 63). The Wall Street Journal characterised the practice as torture in just 1 of 63 articles (1.6%). USA Today never called waterboarding torture or implied it was torture. In addition, the newspapers are much more likely to call waterboarding torture if a country other than the United States is the perpetrator. In The New York Times, 85.8% of articles (28 of 33) that dealt with a country other than the United States using waterboarding called it torture or implied it was torture while only 7.69% (16 of 208) did so when the United States was responsible. The Los Angeles Times characterised the practice as torture in 91.3% of articles (21 of 23) when another country was the violator, but in only 11.4% of articles (9 of 79) when the United States was the perpetrator”.

Saudi Mohammedan

2010-07-02T00:25:00.008+01:00

Obama claimed that “I always value His Majesty’s [Saudi despot Abdullah] wisdom and insights [into maintaining an Arab façade of American rule]”.

De-Develop The Less Developed Countries

2010-07-02T00:22:00.005+01:00

Lawrence Summers, later chief economist at the World Bank, asked “shouldn’t the world Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the Less Developed Countries?... I’ve always thought that under-populated countries in Africa are vastly UNDER-polluted”.

Thus Spoke White House Mouthpiece

2010-07-02T00:19:00.002+01:00

David Brooks denounced Michael Hastings’ Rolling Stone piece on General Stanley McChrystal because it posed “a direct challenge to presidential authority”.

In Solidarity With Chinese Workers

2010-06-18T01:30:00.010+01:00

Chinese workers at Honda got fed up with working the hardest and earning the least. They went on strike over “wages and right to elect union representatives”. It is very rare to see that Chinese workers put a smile on their faces. (Photo: Reuters)

Oil Spill Apocalypse

2010-06-17T12:24:00.020+01:00

“[BP] Oil Spill [in the Gulf of Mexico] Estimate Increased To 35K-60K Barrels A Day”. This constituted 1.75%-3% of US oil consumption. To compound the problem, “BP oil spill may not be capped until Christmas”.

Once A Crook Always A Crook

2010-06-15T23:37:00.027+01:00

Corporate Mafia media obscure more than they reveal with very few exceptions. According to CBS, five top U.S. charities raising funds “have spent only a fraction of funds raised. The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund and the Clinton Foundation are among the most delinquent; they have raised $52 million and spent only $7 million”.

The Only Shame Is To Have None

2010-06-15T23:37:00.026+01:00

Isralie War Criminal Shimon Peres proclaimed that Israeli troops “preferred getting hurt over hurting someone else”.

The Images BP Didn't Want Seen

2010-06-15T23:37:00.025+01:00

BP intentionally concealed the news of the environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico, rather than solving the environmental catastrophe. “AP Photographer Charlie Riedel … filed ... [8] images of seabirds caught in the oil slick on a beach on Louisiana's East Grand Terre Island”.

Corporate Poodle

2010-06-15T00:49:00.004+01:00

Obama did not dare rein in British Corporate Mafia despite the growing outrage over BP’s inability to fix the environmental catastrophe in the Gulf of Mexico. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs conceded that Obama “lacked the authority to play anything more than a supervisory role” in capping and clearing up the BP oil spill.

Cuba And The Green Nobel

2010-06-14T23:53:00.005+01:00

14 June is Che Guevara’s birthday. He would be very pleased to know that Cuban researcher Humberto Rios Labrada became “the first Cuban to receive the Goldman Environmental Prize, sometimes called the Green Nobel and the largest prize in the world given to grass-roots environmentalists”.

定罪以色列流氓緝盜有贓

2010-06-11T23:52:00.010+01:00

原文刊登於苦勞網06/11/2010

以色列5月31日於公海劫殺人道救援船隊前已有預謀。5月29日當天以色列日報Maariv已詳盡描述以色列「海軍」計劃公海「自衛」的五大步驟。Maariv並誣衊船上乘客（包含美國退休官員）為蓋達組織（Al-Qaeda/Al-Qa’idah）訓練的「伊斯蘭聖戰份子」（Jihadists）。以色列至今仍宣稱強行登船為反恐行動。自由艦隊「歹徒」配備槍枝、防彈背心、手榴彈、夜視鏡，並攜帶大筆現金，意圖武裝對抗以色列，並對以色列突擊隊員處以「私刑」。

以色列5月31日地中海東部時區清晨4點於天色昏暗無光時攻擊自由艦隊。以色列官方變造的錄影帶卻顯示，事發當時，天色明亮。［註一］6月1日以色列外交部與世界錫安組織（the World Zionist Organisation）已提供簡報文件要求支持以色列軍事占領的商業媒體配合演出。簡報文件並詳列如何聲東擊西，以迴避國際法問題和扯謊要領。

流氓外長李博曼（Avigdor Lieberman）及美國國務院迄今仍無法提出土耳其人道救援組織（IHH）與蓋達組織和哈瑪斯（Hamas）掛鉤的證據，亦無法提供查扣艦隊「恐怖分子」「槍枝、防彈背心、手榴彈、夜視鏡」的證據。

自由艦隊乘客中有人成功攜帶長達一小時的以色列海盜殺人錄影記錄，並於6月10日美國東部時間下午4點於聯合國召開記者會，還原真相。

不論各方對乘客提供的錄影證據之解讀為何，美國、以色列、商業媒體仍會設法以安全之名，避談巴勒斯坦人在加薩屠殺後所歷的無窮浩劫及美國和以色列的種族滅絕政策。［註二］

流氓國家為使巴勒斯坦人民無以為生，在加薩屠殺22天期間毀壞耕作機具、水利設施、324間工廠。為使加薩糧盡援絕，以色列另行破壞加薩5,000英畝耕地、305口灌溉水井、140,965株橄欖樹、136,217株柑橘樹、22,745株果樹、10,365株棗樹和8,822株其他樹種。以色列恐怖份子復屠殺100多萬隻雞、36,000頭山羊及綿羊。加薩人民的人均所得（per capita income）從十年前的2,500美金，降為現下的600美金，即每人每天不到2美金。

以色列恐怖份子在加薩屠殺時蓄意攻擊15所醫院、40間診所、280所學校包含幼稚園、11,000間民宅及電力系統。國際特赦組織（Amnesty International）指出，加薩處處敗宇頹垣、百廢待舉，急需至少55,000輛卡車的重建材料。流氓國家為使巴勒斯坦人民餐風露宿，自2009年1月加薩屠殺告終至2009年12月期間，僅放行41輛卡車的重建材料進入加薩。

加薩屠殺前，加薩部份醫院因缺電致使醫療設備如嬰兒保溫箱、洗腎儀器和加護病房停擺。為使巴勒斯坦人疾痛慘怛及交叉感染，以色列恐怖份子處心積慮阻撓醫療儀器及零件進入加薩。加薩的醫院普遍欠缺消毒設備。醫院再因電腦斷層掃描儀器無法運作，故無法檢查全身各部位的病變，諸如血管狹窄、腦中風、冠狀動脈狹窄、骨骼關節病變、腫瘤、癌症等。

加薩屠殺後，加薩近八成的巴勒斯坦人民依賴聯合國近東巴勒斯坦難民救濟和工程處（the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East）的人道救援。以色列依加薩人口統計資料計算每人每日應攝取的卡路里。待救援的巴勒斯坦人民每日需要至少400輛卡車的糧食。流氓國家為使巴勒斯坦人民并日而食、生不如死，每日只放行24輛至100輛卡車進入，即實際需要的6%至25%。裝載物皆為缺乏蛋白質、礦物質、維生素的糧食，如米、麵粉、沙拉油。

以色列在2006年時已轟炸加薩電廠，對加薩部份地區斷電。在2007年7月哈瑪斯控制加薩後，旋即對加薩全數平民斷電。巴勒斯坦人民為求生，只得自購發電機應急。樂施會（Oxfam）指出，僅於2009年一年，便有75名巴勒斯坦人死於發電機失火或（吸入發電機廢氣所致）一氧化碳中毒。2010年1至2月間另有15人因前述原因致死。

加薩因以色列斷電，污水處理系統無法運作，造成污水長期滲入含水土層。飲用水污染所致的腹瀉及腹瀉出血十分常見，亦為加薩難民常見疾病。加薩屠殺期間，以色列恐怖份子轟炸污水處理系統，並破壞民宅儲水設備。由於污水大量滲入含水土層，造成水質中硝酸鹽（nitrates）濃度過高。依照世界衛生組織（World Health Organisation）建議，飲用水的硝酸鹽含量不應超過每公升50毫克。

世衛亦指出，大多數國家飲用水的硝酸鹽含量不超過每公升10毫克。相形之下，加薩飲用水的硝酸鹽含量超過此一數值30倍。

硝酸鹽無色、無臭、無味。硝酸鹽慢性中毒會阻礙血液正常帶氧，並造成器官缺氧受損和呼吸困難，對嬰兒及兒童危害尤甚。以色列為使巴勒斯坦人精神耗散、奄奄垂絕，費盡心機阻止淨水設備進入加薩。國際特赦組織表示，加薩人口極度欠缺清潔飲用水。加薩地區90%至95%含水土層水質因受硝酸鹽嚴重污染，水質已不堪飲用。加薩150萬人常年暴露於高濃度的硝酸鹽毒害，導致嬰兒體重不足、畸形和嬰兒死亡率增加。加薩的全數人口經年累月遭硝酸鹽毒害的案例為全球首例。戈德史東報告（the Goldstone Report）的共同作者指出，飲用水的問題若無法解決，加薩地區恐不堪居住。

商業媒體對巴勒斯坦人民在加薩的浩劫視而不見，卻大篇幅報導美國重申封鎖加薩係因「國家安全」，其意不言而喻。歐威爾（George Orwell）曾道，民主國家的知識份子和商業媒體習於避實擊虛、使聽之者惑。知識份子顛倒是非係出於自願（largely voluntary），毋需政府言論管制。政治語言之設計旨在使「謊言可信、謀殺可敬」（to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable）。哀莫大於心死。以色列的「公海合法自衛事件」只能掩飾美帝與以色列的種族滅絕政策，掩飾不了知識份子的走骨行屍。

［註一］參考以色列公佈案發當時，官方「錄影」畫面。
［註二］Sara Roy的著作對巴勒斯坦人民在加薩所歷浩劫，研究最為深刻。

￭一九四八巴勒斯坦種族淨化
￭帝國恐怖主義斷送巴勒斯坦和平
￭制裁以色列的種族隔離政策
￭以色列海盜大事化小小事化了

以色列海盜大事化小小事化了

2010-06-05T01:39:00.007+01:00

原文刊登於苦勞網06/02/2010

以色列於5月31日地中海東部時區清晨4點，在距離加薩走廊65公里的公海以攻擊直昇機、快艇，襲擊航向加薩的人道救援船隊「自由艦隊」 (Freedom Flotilla)。該艦隊由6艘於土耳其註冊的商船領航，載運1萬噸人道救援物資於塞浦路斯會合後航向加薩。〔註一〕船隊近700名乘客中包括諾貝爾和平奬得主、以色列的阿拉伯裔國會議員、歐洲議會議員、醫生及數十國人道主義運動者。

不願面對的真相

以色列突擊隊員於5月31日清晨4點尚未強行登船前，已自攻擊直昇機朝乘客開槍，並以催淚瓦斯攻擊自由艦隊乘客。因以色列海盜罪行醜狀駭人，部分乘客遂以木棍、小刀還擊。以色列突擊隊員殺害至少9名乘客後，將自由艦隊押送以色列港口。嗣後並要求自由艦隊全數乘客包含記者不得攜帶護照以外之物品下船。以色列海盜並砸碎自由艦隊內所有錄影器材及銷毀海盜劫殺國際人士的錄影畫面。以色列拘留自由艦隊全數乘客後，復拒絕提供遭以色列海盜劫殺的死者、傷者名單以及現今仍遭以色列拘留的國際人士名單。以色列政府並發布官方錄影「證明」以色列突擊隊員登船後，即遭長期與蓋達組織(Al-Qaeda/Al-Qa’idah) 及「恐怖組織」哈瑪斯(Hamas)掛鉤的國際人士「暴力」攻擊。所幸以色列突擊隊員習於反恐行動，故突擊隊員無人死亡。

美國政府對自由船隊不循「正當」人道救援「機制」將物資轉交以色列，卻以「對抗」、「挑釁」代替「合作」所致之死傷「事件」表示遺憾。以色列外交部表示，以色列所做所為「完全遵守國際法」，以色列並譴責該船隊意圖以「暴力」方式「侵犯以色列主權」。

美國與以色列的外交辭令全屬無中生有。依照國際法院(the International Court of Justice)，即全球位階最高的國際法裁決機構，於2004年做成的判決，加薩為巴勒斯坦領土。一言蔽之，加薩領土20海浬（約37公里）以內為巴勒斯坦領海。以色列官方所謂的「完全遵守國際法」之說，無異於宣稱以色列對公海具有完全的司法管轄權。與加薩相鄰的公海既為以色列領土，以色列海軍遂可逕自於距離加薩走廊65公里的公海（亦為以色列領海）以自衛之名攻擊人道救援船隊。

在國際公海強行登船並殺害平民為國際法定義之海盜罪行。試想5月31日若是敍利亞或伊朗於公海以自衛為名，襲擊以色列民船，登船後旋即射殺平民，強行扣留船隻，拒絕提供無辜遭劫的死者名單，以色列政府怎肯善罷甘休？美國必然會痛詆此一謀財害命的海盜行逕及國際恐怖主義，並「弔民伐罪」。

無聲的哀號

2009 年聯合國人權理事會責成南非國際法權威戈德史東(Richard Goldstone)調查以色列入侵加薩的戰爭罪行。猶太裔的戈德史東於報告中明確指出，以色列封鎖加薩陸地、領海、領空已構成國際法定義之戰爭行為。美國及以色列對此矢口否認。美國及以色列並一再攻訐戈德史東報告「偽訛謬誤」，然而兩個流氓國家迄今從未就戈德史東報告種種「謬誤百出」的內容，提出具體的事證。

此外以色列外交部長李博曼(Avigdor Lieberman)一再謊稱加薩人道危機(humanitarian crisis)一說全係巴勒斯坦人杜撰。李博曼絕口不提以色列自2007年7月迄今對加薩平民斷糧、斷水、斷電。加薩150萬平民之中近7成為聯合國登記有案的難民。加薩即是150萬人的集中營。歐巴馬政府與以色列為趕盡殺絕，復於今年年初於加薩和埃及邊界立起長達11公里的種族滅絕牆。該建築物為美軍設計、監造、施工，現已完工。種族滅絕牆深入地下25至40公尺，以阻絕巴勒斯坦人自加薩和埃及邊界地下坑道運送食品及醫療物資。今年5月20日，美國眾議院再以410票贊成、4票反對，要求歐巴馬政府增加「援助」以色列的預算。即將今年30億美金預算，再額外加碼2億美金，以軍援以色列，鞏固以色列軍事占領。

以色列戰機自2007年全面封鎖加薩後，不時侵犯加薩領空並轟炸易於偵測的大型坑道。巴勒斯坦人為避飛來橫禍，遂以開挖不引人注目的小型坑道替代。巴勒斯坦人於死中求生，地下坑道越挖越深，坑道深度和坑道土石落磐息息相關。絕大多數的小型坑道皆十分簡陋狹窄，僅能由瘦骨嶙峋的青少年攜帶食品及醫療物資或抱著山羊以或爬或蹲的方式勉力通行。以色列海盜劫殺人道救援船隊的前一日，加薩與埃及邊界一處運送民生必需品的地下坑道坍塌，6名巴勒斯坦人瞬間遭土石活埋，全數罹難。

以色列公海犯案當日，21歲的美國公民漢諾喬維斯(Emily Henochowicz)在約旦河西岸城市和平抗議以色列海盜劫殺人道救援船隊。以色列士兵仍循往例攻擊手無寸鐵的和平抗議者。漢諾喬維斯遭以色列士兵高速擊發的催淚瓦斯罐正中左眼，頭部重傷。漢納喬維斯送醫後，已於耶路撒冷的醫院以手術移除左眼。

商業媒體對美國政府遺憾少數國際人士死傷的「事件」和以色列「遵守國際法」的公海「自衛」行為詳加報導，並誣衊合法政府哈瑪斯意圖「消滅」以色列。然而商業媒體對種族滅絕牆、不時坍塌的地下坑道卻隻字不提。對巴勒斯坦人與國際人士和平抗爭屢遭殺害、重殘，僅以「自然現像」淡化處理。更遑論揭露以色列政府與英國天然氣公司(BG) （即英國石油(BP)集團的子公司）聯手瓜分加薩外海的天然氣。〔註二〕商業媒體如此避重就輕，並非蒙昧無知，而是別有用心。

美國及以色列對國際人道救援船隊尚且殺一儆百，其迫害巴勒斯坦人民之凶虐更是擢髮難數。以色列在加薩的種族滅絕政策若無外力施壓，永無改弦易轍之日。唯一使其轉向的方法即是加入全球民間自發抵制、制裁以色列，並自以色列撤資的運動(Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement)，方可重創以色列經濟，迫其就範。

至今仍相信知識份子宣傳的「全球安全與秩序」、「國際安全與戰略」、「霸權秩序」、「現狀秩序」者，應當思考所謂的「全球」安全秩序，究竟是誰的安全？誰的秩序？誰自此一殺人如芥的戰略獲利？何以遵守國際法，對「全球穩定」不但無益，反而有害？又是那一類的知識份子為損人益己，長期宣傳此一「全球」安全與戰略？林德維斯特(Sven Lindqvist)曾道：我們不缺知識，只缺乏勇氣理解所學知識和下結論。

〔註一〕船隊包括一艘以已故的美國和平運動者瑞秋．柯利(Rachel Corrie)（台灣譯為若雪）命名的船隻，以記念柯利投身巴勒斯坦和平運動的典範。瑞秋．柯利號並非六艘先行的船隻。在以色列海盜殺人案件後，瑞秋．柯利號及另一艘船隻，仍依原定計劃駛向加薩。

〔註二〕加薩領海30公里處的海床天然氣，蘊藏量據保守估計為1.3兆立方英尺，其市價至少為40億美金。

Israel's State Terrorism

2010-05-31T20:49:00.007+01:00

“Lebanese leftist activists demonstrate in the port city of Sidon, south of Beirut on May 31, 2010, as demonstrations were held across Lebanon to denounce Israel’s deadly raid on a flotilla of ships [in international waters] carrying [humanitarian] aid to the Gaza Strip.” The military assault killed 19 international activists on board. (Photo: AFP/Getty Image)

Shame on Taiwan

2010-05-25T01:31:00.017+01:00

“The ethecon international negative award “Black Planet Award 2009“ goes to ... [the] Wang [family], Lee Chih-tsuen, and other executives of the multinational chemistry company FORMOSA PLASTICS GROUP[(FPG)]/Taiwan”. Diane Wilson, who has stood up to FPG over the past twenty years, explained corporate crimes committed by FPG.

一九四八巴勒斯坦種族淨化

2010-05-15T12:31:00.011+01:00

五月十五日是巴勒斯坦人的浩劫(Nakba)日，也是巴勒斯坦人哀悼以色列宣告獨立翌日，旋即以軍事行動種族淨化巴勒斯坦。

以色列政府自一九四八年迄今一再謊稱巴勒斯坦人拒絕聯合國於一九四七年十一月分割巴勒斯坦領土的建議，係因巴勒斯坦人無意追求和平。以色列於一九四八年五月十四日甫宣告獨立，旋即遭「心有不忿」的阿拉伯聯軍圍攻。阿拉伯聯軍廣播要求巴勒斯坦人「撤離」巴勒斯坦領土，待阿拉伯聯軍「消滅」以色列後，巴勒斯坦人即可返回。由於聯軍來勢洶洶，以色列只得死地求生。第一次以阿戰爭期間，阿拉伯人係「自願離開」巴勒斯坦。此為阿拉伯國家發動「侵略」戰爭自食惡果。阿拉伯人所謂的以色列種族淨化巴勒斯坦、巴勒斯坦難民問題、七十五萬巴勒斯坦人在一九四八年遭以色列軍隊驅逐的浩劫，皆為阿拉伯人捏造。儘管以色列的建國神話荒誕不經，至今仍有人深信不疑。

以色列與英國帝國主義及美國帝國主義的關係盤根錯節，以巴衝突的原由並非始於一九四八年。［註一］錫安主義(Zionism)者早在十九世紀末葉即視巴勒斯坦為禁臠。［註二］巴勒斯坦在第一次世界大戰結束前為鄂圖曼帝國(the Ottoman Empire)領土。錫安主義領袖欲於巴勒斯坦立國，故於十九世紀末葉頻頻對鄂圖曼帝國獻殷勤，卻始終未獲回應。錫安主義者深知英國自十九世紀末期即覬覦美索不達米亞(Mesopotamia)（，亦為鄂圖曼帝國領土，即今日的伊拉克及科威特）的石油，遂於一九零二年向大英帝國輸誠。魏茨曼(Chaim Weizmann)，即日後的以色列第一任總統，於第一次世界大戰期間說服英國首相勞德喬治(David Lloyd George)助其建國，並承諾錫安主義者願為英國帝國主義之僕使，英帝若有驅遣，即當奉命。

猶太事務局(the Jewish Agency)，即以色列立國之前的錫安主義政府組織，在一九二零年初期已決意攆走阿拉伯人和併吞巴勒斯坦。猶太事務局初期以購地方式建立殖民地，但購地太過曠日煩費、緩不濟急。猶太事務局遂於一九三零年起與英國情治單位合作，刺殺巴勒斯坦的政治及軍事領袖。英國在一九三七年已立意將巴勒斯坦分設兩國，領土雖尚未劃定，然而協助猶太事務局驅逐日後猶太國家境內的巴勒斯坦人已成定局。同年邱吉爾(Winston Churchill)將巴勒斯坦人比喻為「馬槽裏的狗」(a dog in a manger)。他言道，狗不是馬槽的主人，高等人種滅絕美洲印地安人、澳洲原住民、巴勒斯坦人，並取而代之，方為歸正反本。由於猶太事務局與英帝狼狽為奸，從一九三六年至一九三九年間，意圖武裝抵抗帝國主義及殖民主義的巴勒斯坦領導人已全數遭英帝和猶太事務局殺害。

錫安主義者為了遂行種族淨化，自一九四零年起即對巴勒斯坦人口、村莊、領土逐一建檔。檔案內容從巴勒斯坦人的性别、年齡、政治傾向（包含對帝國主義與殖民主義的態度）、宗教信仰、職業、專長、教育程度、啫好、收入、成年者名下的不動產（包含土地及耕地種殖的農作物、物種、樹種及其各別數目、土壤的土質）、動產（包含車輛數目及其種類），至巴勒斯坦所有村鎮聯外道路、同一村鎮居民交情及與鄰村、鄰鎮居民交情等等一應俱全。檔案並囊括巴勒斯坦地形、空中攝影。由於巴勒斯坦人民純篤好客，受雇於猶太事務局的間諜唾手可得人口資料。

一九四六年間猶太事務局建檔工作已幾近完成。由於猶太事務局在一九四零年之前已肅清了巴勒斯坦政治及軍事領袖，亦不必再仰英帝鼻息。英屬巴勒斯坦託管地(British Mandate of Palestine)的英國政府頤指氣使，遂成錫安主義者建國阻礙。為了驅逐英帝勢力，錫安主義領袖貝根(Menachem Begin)，即日後的以色列第六任總理，於一九四六年七月二十二日派人炸毀位於耶路撒冷的大衛王旅館(the King David Hotel)，該旅館亦為英屬巴勒斯坦託管地政府總部。此一恐怖攻擊造成九十一人死亡，四十六人受傷。英帝遭錫安主義反噬，始驚覺巴勒斯坦日後情勢必然失控。

一九四六年八月猶太事務局已對巴勒斯坦人民瞭如指掌。猶太事務局並依照自一九四零年起搜羅之情資繪製日後的以色列領土地圖。該地圖於一九四六年年底繪成。地圖中以色列領土不包括約旦河西岸及加薩走廊，但包含了近八成的巴勒斯坦。該地圖與一九四八年至一九六七年間以色列的領土幾近一致，即近似地圖中左下方。一言蔽之，不論聯合國於一九四七年建議分割巴勒斯坦的比例為何，猶太事務局已決心吞併近八成的巴勒斯坦領土，未達目的，絕不罷手。

（圖片來源：Palestine Think Tank）

猶太事務局另依村鎮詳列處決清單、滅村名單、執行日期及完成該任務的戰役單位。處決清單為以色列軍隊包圍巴勒斯坦各村鎮後，將村民全數集中，一一槍決列名其中的巴勒斯坦人，即反對帝國主義者，隨後再縱火焚燒各村鎮，並驅除巴勒斯坦平民。凡拒絕以色列軍隊強制遷徙命令的巴勒斯坦人，不論男女老幼，格殺勿論。部分巴勒斯坦村鎮無個別處決清單，只因全村不問老幼皆遭誅戮。

滅村名單即計劃燒燬或炸毀巴勒斯坦村鎮之名單。錫安主義者對反對殖民政策的村莊痛下殺手，其後再驅除巴勒斯坦平民，如其不從，即加害之。因絕大多數巴勒斯坦人皆反對錫安主義者的殖民政策，故而巴勒斯坦絕大多數村莊皆在滅村名單之內。錫安主義者另研擬巴勒斯坦領土的地雷敷設路線，以殺害去而復返的巴勒斯坦難民。

英國於一九四七年二月將巴勒斯坦問題交由聯合國決議，此時錫安主義者已投效美國。同年十一月，因美國在聯合國的強力運作，聯合國大會通過提議，將百分之五十六的巴勒斯坦領土劃歸猶太人，擁有百分之九十四點二的巴勒斯坦土地的巴勒斯坦人僅取得百分之四十四的巴勒斯坦領土，見地圖右上方。

猶太事務局料定巴勒斯坦人會斷然拒絕此一提案。一旦英國於一九四八年五月十四日徹離巴勒斯坦，以色列即可宣布獨立，並靜待阿拉伯聯軍阻止以色列驅逐巴勒斯坦人。一旦阿拉伯聯軍進入巴勒斯坦領土，以色列即可假阿拉伯聯軍意圖消滅以色列為名，執行種族淨化政策，驅逐巴勒斯坦人。

愛爾蘭學者查爾德斯(Erskine Childers)與巴勒斯坦學者卡力廸(Walid Khalidi)於一九六零年清查一九四八年巴勒斯坦境內廣播錄音後證實，阿拉伯國家與阿拉伯高階委員會(the Arab Higher Committee)在一九四八年年初因擔憂以色列建國後頃刻即至的巴勒斯坦難民潮，遂廣播要求巴勒斯坦平民堅守家園。錄音顯示，「阿拉伯國家廣播要求巴勒斯坦人儘速撤離巴勒斯坦領土，待阿拉伯聯軍消滅以色列後，巴勒斯坦平民即可返回巴勒斯坦領土」一說全為以色列杜撰。巴勒斯坦平民在一九四八年間，因遭以色列種族淨化政策迫害，流亡鄰國。巴勒斯坦難民並未「自願離開」巴勒斯坦領土。

一九四八年五月十四日，以色列宣布獨立。翌日，以色列軍隊步步行兇，所經之處，街號巷哭。巴勒斯坦人因覆巢破卵、驚怖異常。以色列軍隊於一九四八年殲滅了五百三十一個巴勒斯坦村莊，十一個市鎮，驅逐了七十五萬巴勒斯坦平民。以色列復依計行事，侵吞了近八成的巴勒斯坦領土。巴勒斯坦部份遺孤老弱，經此遽變，心力交瘁，未抵鄰國，已然死於外鄉。巴勒斯坦難民在滅村後，去而復返者，因地雷爆炸，血肉橫飛，故而阿拉伯人視五月十五日為巴勒斯坦人的浩劫日。

一九六七年六月以色列發動六日戰爭吞併了僅存二成的巴勒斯坦領土，即約旦河西岸、耶路撒冷東城、加薩。以色列並占領埃及的西奈(Sinai)半島及敍利亞的戈蘭高地(the Golan Heights)，見地圖右下方。以色列國防部長戴安(Moshe Dayan)表示，占領區的巴勒斯坦人會活得「如同狗一般」(live like dogs)。不堪凌辱者，大可「自願」離開。

其後以色列的政策，諸如強奪巴勒斯坦人的耕地、水源、大肆擴張殖民地、坦克車巡邏占領區、設置路障及軍事檢查站，樹立種族隔離牆、放任擁槍自重的猶太殖民者攻擊巴勒斯坦婦女、中小學生、滋擾或殺害巴勒斯坦人，補貼高污染產業於占領區設廠並將工業廢水流放至巴勒斯坦人耕地，以及蓄意將數十萬殖民者未經處理的家庭汙水排入巴勒斯坦耕地，乃至定計滅絕加薩一百五十萬人，皆與一九四八年的種族淨化政策如出一轍。

以色列近年來對一九四八年時未滅絕巴勒斯坦人一事惱恨不已。約旦河西岸的巴勒斯坦草根(grassroots)團體自二零零五年起已不再奢望賣國求榮的巴勒斯坦解放組織(the Palestine Liberation Organisation)能改弦更張，亦不寄望與以色列強弱懸殊的哈瑪斯(Hamas)能以武裝抗暴爭取巴勒斯坦建國。巴勒斯坦人民改以和平抗爭爭取民族自決，並以影像記錄以色列政府開槍鎮壓和平抗爭的暴行。（參考巴勒斯坦納美人勇拒殖民者。）

以色列一向誹謗反抗軍事占領者與反抗殖民統治者為恐怖份子。以色列士兵屢屢視和平示威者為活動標靶，並發射橡膠子彈以及高速射擊催淚瓦斯罐攻擊和平抗爭者。［註三］真實影像中，手無寸鐵的巴勒斯坦和平抗爭者週復一週鼓勇直行。儘管和平抗爭者遭以色列士兵殺害時有所聞，然而抗爭者絕不對以色列士兵以血洗血，亦不予以色列壓迫者清理「恐怖份子」的口實。五年以來，巴勒斯坦「甘地」前仆後繼，和平抗爭益發彰顯以色列軍事占領的暴厲。

除了每週的和平抗爭外，巴勒斯坦草根團體亦於二零零五年號召全球民間自發抵制、制裁以色列以及自以色列撤資的運動(Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement)。此一運動呼籲全球民間停止對以色列的軍事占領與種族隔離政策保持「中立」，並以和平方式與巴勒斯坦人的和平抗爭相應。

二零零九年五月，即加薩屠殺後的四個月，以色列國會議員提案立法禁止阿拉伯裔的以色列公民悼念浩劫日，違法者處三年有期徒刑。錫安主義者謊稱巴勒斯坦的浩劫為子虛烏有。既無浩劫，何來難民。既無巴勒斯坦難民問題，以色列大可一再漠視一九四八年聯合國大會一九四號決議案明文的難民返鄉權利。該法案雖因輿論壓力，刪除了判刑條文，「猶太國家」的阿拉伯裔以色列公民已人心惶惶。

巴勒斯坦人遭遇的帝國主義及殖民主義壓迫並非始於一九四八年，亦非終於一九四八年。錫安主義即是種族主義，故而以色列的種族淨化政策始終如蛆附骨。甘地(Mahatma Gandhi)曾道，屠殺無辜為非同小可之事，記得無辜被戮者是我們的責任。美國史學家辛 (Howard Zinn)亦言道，沒有任何一面旗幟大到足以掩蓋戕害不辜的可恥。僅以此文傷悼巴勒斯坦人自一九四八年起經歷的無窮浩劫，並追悼歷年為巴勒斯坦和平運動捐軀的無名英雄。

註一：欲瞭解以色列種族淨化政策者，請參考Norman Finkelstein， Ilan Pappé著作。欲瞭解以巴衝突者，請參考Noam Chomsky，Marc H. Ellis，Norman Finkelstein, Robert Fisk，Amira Hass，Ilan Pappé，Sara Roy，Edward Said，Avi Shlaim著作。

註二：錫安主義常遭人誤譯為猶太復國主義。以色列建國之前的錫安主義領導人皆是無神論者。以色列立國後的歷任錫安主義政府亦為無神論者。無神論者既不信耶和華，所謂依舊約聖經「復國」云云，全係以宗教之名掩飾殖民主義、帝國主義、極端的種族主義。

註三：和平運動者瑞秋．柯利(Rachel Corrie)（台灣將瑞秋譯為若雪）參與由巴勒斯坦人民領導國際人士的國際團結運動(the International Solidity Movement)時，遭以色列士兵駕駛的堆土機輾斃。由於二零零三年柯利和平抗爭遇害時僅有多名目擊證人，而無影像記錄，以色列至今仍宣稱柯利的死亡為意外事件。

一九四八年以後的以巴衝突文章請見

￭帝國恐怖主義斷送巴勒斯坦和平
￭制裁以色列的種族隔離政策

US Democracy Promotion Policy In Colombia

2010-05-11T20:10:00.010+01:00

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates reaffirmed US support for Colombia, America’s closest ally in Latin America, during his visit to the country in mid April. The US has poured billions of dollars into Colombia and equipped Colombia’s military and paramilitary forces for decades. According to Father Javier Giraldo, a long-time human rights activist in Colombia, “between 1988 and 1995, more than 60,000 Colombians lost their lives to the internal conflict in Colombia - most of them at the hands of the state, either in the form of the official Colombian military or the paramilitary forces supported by the state”, and its magnitude far surpassed crimes committed by the Argentine Junta between 1976 and 1983 and by General Augusto Pinochet between 1973 and 1990.

Cuba As The Medical Superpower

2010-05-11T20:06:00.005+01:00

Noam Chomsky praised Cuba for its “dramatic” internationalism. He rarely goes into detail about how dramatic Cuban medical internationalism is. There is an excellent article which sheds light on Cuba’s plan to completely “reconstruct the Haitian health care system - and to do so in a sustainable manner”. I cannot fully express my admiration for Cuban medical internationalism.

Caroline Lucas Edges Out Labour‎

2010-05-09T21:31:00.005+01:00

Very glad to know that Green party leader Caroline Lucas “saw off Labour by 1,300 votes” and won a historic first Westminster seat for the Green Party. This is a small step forward for Greens.

War Is Peace

2010-05-09T21:28:00.004+01:00

Obama figured out that America could invade any country without declaring war. The Obama administration is developing a nonnuclear weapon named “Prompt Global Strike”. This new weapon system will allow Washington to strike anywhere with hypersonic guided missiles in one hour.

America's War On Children

2010-05-09T20:48:00.006+01:00

To date the Pentagon continues to deny evidence linking the use of depleted uranium weapons to various forms of cancer, birth defects in the children in the Iraqi town of Fallujah. Dr Samira al-Ani, a paediatric specialist, told the BBC that “she saw two or three new cases [of birth defects] every day”. BBC correspondent John Simpson revealed that “While we were at the clinic, people kept arriving with children who were suffering major problems - a little girl with only one arm, several children who were paralysed, and another girl with a spinal condition so bad I asked my cameraman not to film her”.

The Politics Of Humanitarian Aid

2010-04-25T22:51:00.004+01:00

Linda Polman raised a very important question. Does humanitarian aid prolong wars? Polman further asked why private aid organisations are treated differently “if there is understandable public suspicion of private contractors, like … Halliburton, who profit from war?” Worth reading. (Thanks John.)

Cuba, The Land Of Humanity

2010-04-25T22:20:00.009+01:00

Corporate media continued to lavish praise on US “aid” to Haiti when in fact the US exported death and destruction to the country. An excellent article on Cuba’s medical aid to Haiti explained Cuba’s role in improving Haiti’s public health system and Cuba as a medical power. Those who firmly believe that the West is the force for good may be surprised to know that Cuban Medical bridges outperformed Médecins Sans Frontières. (Thanks John.)

Inside The Revolution: A Journey Into The Heart Of Venezuela

2010-04-25T22:10:00.006+01:00

Pablo Navarrete, the director of Inside the Revolution: A Journey into the Heart of Venezuela, came to Sheffield today to share his insights into the Bolivarian Revolution. The documentary was brillion. Navarrete wrote a short article explaining why “Venezuela deserves a fair hearing”.

制裁以色列的種族隔離政策

2010-04-18T22:33:00.025+01:00

原文刊登於苦勞網04/16/2010

國家並非道德行動者，但人民可用道德標準逼當權者就範。喬姆斯基(Noam Chomsky)

以色列與南非皆於一九四八年立國。南非的種族隔離政權依賴雷根(Reagan)政府及柴契爾(Thatcher)政府的「建設性交往」(constructive engagement)維繫其對有色人種的經濟略奪。以色列則仰仗美帝霸權和「援外」政策維持其極端的種族主義政策、軍事占領及殖民統治。南非律師達加得 (John Dugard)亦為聯合國人權理事會(the United Nations Human Rights Council)巴勒斯坦人權報告人(Rapporteur)指出，以色列種族隔離政策的酷虐，較南非猶有過之。

依照一九七三年聯合國大會(United Nations General Assembly)通過的查禁並懲戒種族隔離罪行國際公約(the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid)的定義，種族隔離係指一個民族完全宰制、壓迫其他民族的不人道行為。一言蔽之，南非種族隔離係指白人以法律剝奪黑人的生命、人身自由、政治、經濟權利，並依人種劃分居住區域。

以色列的種族隔離制度雖與南非不盡相同，然而以色列亦依種族區分國民權利與義務。以色列國民(citizens of Israel)並非在法律之前，一律平等。以色列的一國兩制主要適用於猶太人與阿拉伯裔的以色列國民。簡單的說，以色列政府不承認以色列國民 (citizens of Israel)為以色列人(Israelis)。若全體國民皆為以色列人，即表示國內各民族一律平等。為了使猶太人壟斷政經地位，體現以色列為猶太國家的真意。以色列國民的「國籍」分為猶太(Jewish)、阿拉伯(Arab)、其他族裔（如英格蘭）。以色列(Israel)僅為國名，而非國籍。此與一般不以種族區分權利與義務的國家相異，例如美國國民即是美國人，加拿大國民即是加拿大人。

以色列的返鄉法(Law of Return)適用於猶太人，全世界的猶太人皆可取得以色列國籍，並定居以色列。猶太裔的以色列國民身份證上的出生日期依猶太曆法而非西曆標示。國籍為猶太，而非以色列籍(Israeli)。持以色列護照及身份證的阿拉伯裔以色列國民國籍為阿拉伯，而非以色列籍。

以色列於一九四八年立國之時，發動種族淨化戰爭侵占近八成的巴勒斯坦領土，並驅逐七十五萬巴勒斯坦人。以色列至今仍對聯合國大會責成以色列承認巴勒斯坦難民及其後裔返回家園定居 (the right of return)的一九四號決議案置之不理。換言之，以色列法律鼓勵猶太人鳩佔鵲巢。以色列屢次要求巴勒斯坦解放組織(the Palestine Liberation Organisation)承認以色列為「猶太國家」，其用意即在於畢種族淨化於一役。若巴解非法政府承認以色列為「猶太國家」，以色列即可驅逐境內一百五十多萬的阿拉伯裔以色列國民，並可永遠拒絕現今四百五十萬巴勒斯坦難民及其後裔返回以色列定居的權利。

由於以色列以猶太國家自居，故而於立國初始，即鼓勵猶太人赴以色列定居。自一九九零年初期，以色列更不遺餘力鼓吹散居俄羅斯及東歐的猶太人申請入籍，自九零年至今已有一百多萬人移民以色列。

所謂的東歐及俄羅斯猶太人，絕大多數皆不諳希伯來文，亦無文件證明其猶太譜系。以色列政府慷慨補貼「猶太人」移居約旦河西岸的猶太人殖民地，以永據巴勒斯坦領土。以色列並且明言，猶太人屯墾區（settlements）即殖民地，因人口「自然成長」(natural growth)，以色列不得不於約旦西河岸持續擴張。人口成長原屬自然現象，既為「自然」增加，因此屯墾區並不妨礙以巴和談。

以色列殖民地皆有完整的基礎設施（含學校、醫院）及猶太人專用公路連接。種族隔離牆再將盤亙錯綜的殖民地及猶太人專用公路圍成銅牆鐵壁。興建猶太人殖民地、基礎設施、種族隔離牆的土地皆由強占巴勒斯坦人賴以為生的耕地與截斷水源而得。以色列以軍隊壓境、橫徵暴斂，較諸南非，更為酷虐。

較諸猶太人的特權，巴勒斯坦人不但無法進入種族隔離牆內的猶太人殖民地及專用公路，亦無法於種族隔離牆外的占領區享有遷徙自由(Freedom of movement）。以色列假國家安全之名，以路障、軍事檢查站封鎖約旦河西岸占領區的巴勒斯坦村鎮連外道路。巴勒斯坦人每日離村、就學、工作皆得耗時於軍事檢查站前等待。（參考迷你記錄片《伯利恆軍事檢查站，清晨四點》(Bethlehem Checkpoint, 4am)）。此外以色列另行設置無數「飛行檢查站」(flying checkpoints)。即數輛軍車及一幫以色列士兵於種族隔離牆以外的占領區佈署臨時檢查站。「飛行檢查站」的行蹤飄忽不定，用以阻斷交通並破壞巴勒斯坦人生計。以色列公民的車牌為黃色。黃色車牌於以色列國境及巴勒斯坦領土，即種族隔離牆內、外，皆可通行無阻。巴勒斯坦人的車牌為綠色。以色列士兵可輕易攔檢巴勒斯坦車輛。以色列另於諸多巴勒斯坦村鎮唯一連外道路設置無人看管的水泥塊或廢土路障封鎖道路。巴勒斯坦人若擅自移除路障，則以危害國家安全罪起訴。並根據以色列軍事審判機關起訴書判刑。目前巴勒斯坦人從坐上救護車到抵達醫院的時間，平均為二個半小時至三小時。許多巴勒斯坦人在抵達醫院前，已然不治。

《巴勒斯坦的群島天堂》(Palestine’s Island Paradise)一圖描繪以色列蓄意扼殺巴勒斯坦人的生活條件。該觀光地圖中有數條藍色虛線模擬的渡船路線。由於巴勒斯坦的領土支離破碎，離村或離鎮猶如陸地行舟。地圖中不同顏色的區域係依奧斯陸協議(the Oslo Accords) 劃歸巴勒斯坦人自治區、以巴共管區、以色列管理區。此一區分全為巴勒斯坦解放組織掩人耳目的賣國行徑。由於巴解默認以色列踐踏國際法的事實，即國際法禁止戰爭奪取領土原則，巴解復同意種族隔離政權掌控巴勒斯坦村鎮連外道路。巴勒斯坦人既進退無門，何來「自治」可言。經年累月，巴勒斯坦民生更形凋敝。巴勒斯坦人不堪以色列壓迫，對士兵投擲石塊者，刑期為二十年。

（資料來源：Strange Maps blog）

以色列極端的種族主義嚴重抵觸民主價值，然而以色列政府仍自稱該國為中東唯一的民主國家。以色列近年來益加自我陶醉，現下已自稱為「猶太民主國家」(a Jewish and democratic state)。其自相矛盾的程度唯中國資本黨的「中國特色社會主義」差堪比擬。

美國對以色列軍事占領一擲千金，六十年如一日。歐巴馬在競選期間，即聲明支持以色列定都耶路撒冷。以色列首都雖為耶路撒冷，但因耶路撒冷東城為巴勒斯坦領土，目前世界各國包含美國皆將使館設於台拉維夫(Tel Aviv)，以避免爭議。小布希(George W. Bush)任內從未支持以色列吞併耶路撒冷。歐巴馬以和平之名，行侵略之實，更勝小布希。儘管美帝為虎傅翼，然而民間可以自發串連制裁以色列、揭露參與以色列種族隔離政策的跨國企業及其共犯結構，以削弱以色列經濟。

全球抵制與制裁(the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions)以色列的行動已得英國總工會(Trades Union Congress, TUC)支持。該工會有七百萬會員。凝聚全球草根(grassroots)力量，扳倒種族隔離政權，並非痴人說夢。全球民間自發抵制南非種族隔離政權的力量，在一九九零年初期，重創南非經濟，並迫使南非就範。甘地(Mahatma Gandhi)曾言道，人民可成為改變世界的力量(be the change you want to see in the world)。以色列的種族隔離罪行，不會永遠逍遙法外。民間聚沙成塔、眾志成城，種族隔離政策的瓦解，為勢所必然。鄙人呼籲台灣民間加入拒赴以色列旅遊、全面抵制以色列商品的行動。Products of Israel 產品條碼以729開頭。

關於以巴衝突的脈絡，請見帝國恐怖主義斷送巴勒斯坦和平一文。

Nice Guys Finish Last

2010-04-13T20:08:00.006+01:00

Comrade Jörg shared his article entitled “The effects of economic liberalisation on Uganda” with me. He explained the interplay of moral restructuring and neoliberal policies in his piece. In my view, his findings are applicable to other neoliberal states in the developing world. I am not going to tell you what his findings are. You have to read through his piece yourself. (Thanks Jörg.)

Police Brutality In Britain

2010-04-13T19:53:00.012+01:00

British police are weak to the strong and strong to the weak. There are some 50 war criminals who have been currently residing in Britain. Among them are the chief of Congolese police, Afghan warlords, and a member of the Janjaweed. Yet the Met police and the Crown Prosecution Service did not prosecute them. This was because resources were allocated to “counterterrorism” and “security measures” against internal threats. Consider two examples. Jake Smith was viciously assaulted by the police as he non-violently protested against Israeli war crimes in Gaza in 2009. He was accused of disorderly conduct and was denied access to a full video of his “crime”. Ian Tomlinson, who walked past the police at the G20 protest, was struck on the leg from behind and was pushed to the ground by the police. His head hit pavement and he died of internal bleeding. No prosecutions were brought against the police officials who respectively committed manslaughter or perjury.

帝國恐怖主義斷送巴勒斯坦和平

2010-04-12T22:44:00.020+01:00

原文刊登於苦勞網04/12/2010

諂諛取容(servility to power)為知識份子的傳統之一。喬姆斯基(Noam Chomsky)

台灣政治學界及商業媒體常將中東問題簡化為「蠻橫」的阿拉伯國家屢次挑釁「忍辱求全」的以色列。此一論述和以色列的真實面貌大相逕庭。聯合國於一九四七年建議將百分之五十六的巴勒斯坦劃歸猶太人，百分之四十四的巴勒斯坦領土劃歸阿拉伯人。以色列學者帕斐(Ilan Pappe)於《種族淨化巴勒斯坦》(the Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine)一書指出，錫安主義者(Zionists)為兼併領土，於一九四八年立國之時，屠殺以色列境內的巴勒斯坦人。此難即阿拉伯語之浩劫 (Nakba)。以色列經此一役強奪接近八成的巴勒斯坦領土。倖存的七十五萬巴勒斯坦人遂成難民，流離轉徙於中東各國。聯合國大會，簡稱聯大於同年之一九四號決議案要求以色列承認巴勒斯坦難民及其後裔返回家園定居 (the right of return)的權利。此外，以色列應對不願返回現今以色列（即一九四八年之前地理上的巴勒斯坦）的巴勒斯坦人負擔賠償責任。以色列對聯合國決議案全然置若罔聞。

從種族淨化到種族隔離

以色列為斷絕巴勒斯坦人建國之念，於一九六七年六日戰爭兼併殘存二成的巴勒斯坦領土，即約旦河西岸、耶路撒冷東城、加薩。同年聯合國安理會五個常任理事國含中華民國暨十個非常任理事國以十五票一致贊成通過二四二號決議。安理會重申聯合國憲章禁止戰爭奪取領土原則、爭端和平解決原則，責成以色列承認巴勒斯坦民族自決權利。提案同時要求以色列歸還於六日戰爭劫掠所獲地區含敍利亞的戈蘭高地(the Golan Heights)，並徹離非法占據的巴勒斯坦領土。

以色列不但違返聯合國決議案，更於占領區廣設猶太人殖民地。一九八二年以色列入侵黎巴嫩後放任以色列傭兵，即黎巴嫩長槍黨(Christian Phalange) ，包圍以色列軍方管轄之巴勒斯坦難民營，並射殺三千多名手無寸鐵的巴勒斯坦平民，此即薩布拉夏提拉大屠殺(the Sabra and Shatila Massacre)。巴勒斯坦人椎心蝕骨。嗣後始以自殺炸彈報復。

一九九三年以巴雙方簽定奧斯陸協議(the Oslo Accords)後，以色列為永駐占領區，遂以一百三十五個殖民地及近七百個軍事檢查站棋布於約旦河西岸。一百三十五個殖民地皆為無償豪奪巴勒斯坦人房舍田地而來。七百個軍事檢查站再將巴勒斯坦村鎮所有聯外道路層層封鎖。巴勒斯坦人每日離村、就學、工作、訪友耗費四至八小時在檢查站前大排長龍，靜待以色列士兵搜身或羞辱已是司空見慣。分娩者因赴醫受阻，不得不於路旁生產。產婦因分娩異常、難產、產後出血、感染、衰竭或死亡者時有所聞。夜晚至清晨軍事檢查站全面封鎖，欲就醫而無門。

自公元二零零二年六月迄今，以色列在約旦河西岸占領區境內建構綿延七百二十一公里長的（八公尺）高牆。即阿拉伯人所謂的種族隔離牆 (Apartheid Wall)。該建築的長度為以色列和約旦河西岸邊界長度的二倍。種族隔離牆連接星羅於約旦河西岸的一百三十五個以色列殖民地。該建築與殖民地不但鯨吞約旦河西岸近五成的土地，更將約旦河西岸村鎮支離成上百個互不接壤的「群島」，以色列殖民者，可於高牆內的猶太人專用公路直達地中海的台拉維夫(Tel Aviv)沿途未遇一阿拉伯人。種族隔離牆行經之處如同摧枯拉朽。巴勒斯坦人田地房舍皆遭以色列無償強占，無一倖免。

流氓國家視國際法如無物

二零零四年七月國際法院(the International Court of Justice)，亦為全球位階最高的國際法裁決機構，就以色列於約旦河西岸肆意擴張殖民地及興建種族隔離牆作成諮詢意見。國際法院以十四票贊成、一票反對（美國）重申禁止戰爭奪取領土原則，並裁定以色列必須返還於六日戰爭侵掠而得的約旦河西岸、耶路撒冷東城及加薩。以色列在約旦河西岸全數殖民地、已完成及持續擴張中的種族隔離牆、猶太人專用公路，皆違反國際法。國際法院明言，以色列必須拆毀種族隔離牆，全數放棄非法殖民地，並為非法擴展版圖，夷平巴勒斯坦房舍、豪奪田地、水源，負擔賠償責任。各國不得以殖民地、猶太人專用道路、種族隔離牆是既成事實為託詞，與以色列朋比。儘管國際法院判決事實俱在，以色列迄今仍訛稱美國出資，使柏林圍牆相形見絀之種族隔離鐵幕的合法性無庸置疑。

清廉素著的哈瑪斯（Hamas）是巴勒斯坦人於二零零六年一月經民主程序選出的政府。哈瑪斯在一百三十二席的立法會選舉囊括七十六席，巴勒斯坦解放組織(the Palestine Liberation Organisation)僅得四十三席。哈瑪斯並取代巴解成為第一大黨。美國和以色列不甘傀儡政權巴解失勢。為阻止哈瑪斯執政，美以兩國串通沙烏地阿拉伯、埃及、約旦，大舉逮捕、暗殺哈瑪斯成員。巴解組織與哈瑪斯內鬨後，哈瑪斯棄約旦河西岸，南遷加薩，即美國和以色列政府所謂的哈瑪斯「政變」。

以色列自二零零五年後雖未屯兵加薩，仍舊掌控加薩邊境、領海、領空、水電基礎設施。為威逼巴勒斯坦人對哈瑪斯反戈相向及迫使哈瑪斯彈盡糧絕，以色列自二零零六年一月起對加薩境內一百五十萬人集體斷水、斷電。加薩鄰海，然而以色列不容巴勒斯坦人捕魚為生。食物短缺造成加薩百分之九十的兒童營養不良或貧血。加薩醫院因缺電致使醫療設備如嬰兒保溫箱、洗腎儀器和加護病房停擺。衛生設備如化糞池亦無法運作。以色列對讉責該國殘民以逞的國際特赦組織、紅十字會皆於加薩邊境以閉門羹待之。

儘管以色列咄咄逼人，合法政府哈瑪斯仍願以六日戰爭前的疆界為基礎，於尚未被以色列併吞的巴勒斯坦立國，即僅存二成的巴勒斯坦。由於甚得人心的哈瑪斯為建國善意盡出。以色列已無飾詞拒絕和談。以色列即於二零零八年十一月進入加薩，尋釁殺害六名哈瑪斯成員。哈瑪斯因以色列惡意違反停火協議，亦中止停火協議。以色列遂於二零零八年十二月二十七日，假托哈瑪斯違反停火協議，發動加薩屠殺。

說明：綠色部份為巴勒斯坦領土，白色部份為以色列領土或非法占領的巴勒斯坦領土。圖片為種族隔離牆尚未立起之前繪製。種族隔離牆持續擴張之中。圖片最右方約旦河西岸綠色區塊再縮減五成及殘存的加薩走廊即為巴勒斯坦實際領土。圖片來源：巴勒斯坦團結運動（Palestine Solidarity Campaign）。（點選圖片看大圖）

從加薩屠殺到種族滅絕

自二零零八年十二月二十七日起，為使加薩人民膽戰心搖，以色列非法使用美國出售的化學武器白磷彈。白磷彈火苗高達攝氏八百一十六度。火焰無法以滅火器或水撲滅。毒煙灼燒呼吸道及肺部。一旦火苗著身，猶如鈍刀慢剮，先燃膚、再熔血肉、後蝕骨、慘絕人寰。以色列在加薩屠殺二十二天期間，夜以繼日以白磷彈攻擊醫院並對平民趕盡殺絕。

美國除白磷彈外，另售予以色列高密度不活性金屬炸藥(dense inert metal explosives)。該武器導致傷者下肢截肢。然而截肢狀況與尋常刀切斧砍或砲彈碎片造成的截肢全然不同。此一化學武器爆裂力道將人體下肢肌肉片片自骨骼扯裂再截肢。倖存者體內留存大量無法清除的化學殘餘物，另外引發肌肉組織病變或肌肉癌。

加薩面積為三百六十平方公里，約為台北市與新竹市面積總和。以色列以三千架次的F16戰機，無日無夜空襲加薩，約每小時，五點六八架次，哈瑪斯的簡陋武器全無還擊之力。據以色列士兵形容，入侵加薩如同「孩童持放大鏡燒螞蟻」，大可肆虐無忌。屠殺期間，加薩五成以上的醫院遭以色列摧毀，殘存的醫院傷者如潮。由於以色列自二零零六年一月哈瑪斯勝選後，即對加薩平民全面斷水斷電，空襲更使巴勒斯坦兒童、婦女、平民飢寒與傷病交迫。一百五十萬人因加薩四面圍困、進退無路，又因時時顫慄飛彈或白磷彈從天而降、滅門絕戶，無不心膽俱裂。

一月十八日屠殺告終，以色列戰機悉數分毫無損。巴勒斯坦平民，死傷相藉。一千四百名巴勒斯坦死難者中，近一千二百人為平民，平民之中，三百四十人為兒童，一百一十人為婦女。傷者六千人，其中一千六百人為孩童。

屠殺過後，以色列持續封鎖加薩邊境、領海、領空。各國人道救援物資及醫藥皆未能進入加薩，遑論重建工程的原物料。加薩電力系統幾近全毀。半數以上醫院及醫療儀器亦毀壞至不堪使用。巴勒斯坦平民急需手術救治者，只得申請許可證，赴以色列就醫。以色列情治單位屢屢以離境就醫機會利誘加薩人為以色列臥底。拒絕同謀者，只能留在加薩坐以待斃。生死攸關，決意損人利己，也是人之常情。然而近於全數的加薩人毅然選擇與同胞和衷共濟，雖死無悔。

聯合國人權理事會責成南非國際法權威戈德史東(Richard Goldstone)調查以色列入侵加薩的戰爭罪及違反人道罪。猶太裔的戈德史東雖讉責哈瑪斯發射火箭為戰爭罪，然而他亦坦言以色列自二零零六年一月起封鎖加薩迄今，即屬國際法的戰爭行為。他明言，哈瑪斯從未藏身醫院、學校或聯合國難民收容所，亦從未使用救護車運送軍火，更遑論以巴勒斯坦平民為掩護或人肉盾牌。他言道：以色列蓄意攻擊十五所醫院，四十間診所，二十九輛救護車、二百八十所學校包含幼稚園、一萬一千間民宅、七百家私人企業含三百二十四間工廠，主要為食品廠和加薩所有的水泥廠、燒燬聯合國近東巴勒斯坦難民救濟和工程處糧倉、毀耕地、耕作機具、電力系統、水利設施、民宅儲水設備、污水處理系統，戕害醫護人員、記者、並以平民做人肉盾牌，屢次加害舉白旗的平民，屠殺一百多萬隻雞，三萬六千頭山羊及綿羊，實屬戰爭罪。戈德史東報告 (the Goldstone Report)重申以色列窮凶極虐、荼酷備加，絕非自衛權利。他的結論與國際特赦組織及人權觀察(Human Rights Watch)分別發佈的諸多獨立調查報告一致。以色列對戰爭罪指控一概亂扣反猶太人(anti-Semitism) 的帽子。

流氓國家以色列視人命如糞土及蔑視國際法的罪惡已非戰爭罪能概括。加薩因以色列的封鎖，民生凋敝。屠殺之後，雪上再加霜。加薩因污水處理系統遭破壞，地下水受嚴重污染，不堪飲用。飲水猶如慢性自殺。罹患肝腎疾病者日增。國際特赦組織指出，每人每天用水量至少為一百公升。以色列掌控巴勒斯坦領土的水源，並不容約旦河西岸的巴勒斯坦人鑿井或接雨水使用。由於虐政日益，不出十年，西岸所有的巴勒斯坦村鎮將無滴水可用。以色列現下雖按兵不舉，如此處心積慮的污染水源和截斷水源之舉實與種族滅絕無異。

歐巴馬政府與以色列為趕盡殺絕，於加薩和埃及邊界立起長達十一公里的種族滅絕牆。該建築物為美軍設計、監造、施工。種族滅絕牆深入地下二十五至四十公尺，相當於地下八樓至十三樓，強化鋼材砲彈不侵，另附數以千計的防爆監視器，以阻絕巴勒斯坦人自加薩和埃及邊界地下坑道運送食品及醫療物資。該牆可引海水灌入加薩，破壞、截斷現存地下坑道，並鹽化加薩土壤。建築物已幾近完工。慢性種族滅絕，已在眉睫。

以色列自立國迄今從未公告官方領土。為擴張版圖、煎膏炊骨，無所不用其極。美國每年以「援外」之名，助其為虐，六十年來已投入超過一千億美金鞏固軍事占領。巴勒斯坦人民，雖處境日益困厄，人性尊嚴，不因逆境而減。相較之下，台灣政治學界和商業媒體若非睜眼說瞎話，設法替帝國主義開脫，則是裝聾作啞、不動聲色的將霸權種種滅絕人性的罪行自國際政治抽離。知識分子刻意混淆視聽、唯恐天下不亂，以及對言論自我審查的甘之如飴絕非台灣安全依賴美國可以解釋。若無反常人格，恐怕無法為之。金恩(Martin Luther King, Jr.)博士曾言道：「和平並非只是沒有戰爭，和平係指正義的到臨 (the presence of justice)」。巴勒斯坦人民渴望和平如同大旱望雲霓。反觀台灣所謂的知識份子，真心追求和平嗎？

後記：這篇文章為合併舊作：巴勒斯坦人權日暮途遠 (未經中時刪減之全文)及美帝以色列朋比斷送巴勒斯坦和平（苦勞公共論壇），重新改寫。全文以編年方式書寫，刪除以巴衝突以外的中東問題，並加註三個小標題，用以突顯以色列從種族淨化到種族滅絕罪行的脈絡。

鄙人呼籲台灣民間加入全球抵制與制裁(the Global Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions)以色列的行動。拒赴以色列旅遊。全面抵制以色列商品， Made in Israel 產品條碼以729開頭。

Gender Segregation In Israel

2010-04-08T23:28:00.011+01:00

How secular is Israel? Men sit in the front. Women who refuse to move to seats in the rear usually get beaten up. (Photo: Ata Awisat)

The Standard Operating Procedure

2010-04-06T22:24:00.034+01:00

WikiLeaks, a grassroots whistleblower, released a classified US military video recording the indiscriminate killing of 12 Iraqi civilians in the name of counterinsurgency. The Pentagon confirmed the authenticity of the video and denied any wrongdoing because ordering the killing of civilians is the Standard Operating Procedure. Watch the full video and transcript below. Deeply disturbing.

Imagine If Ahmadinejad Did This

2010-03-29T00:48:00.009+01:00

Joe Lieberman and John McCain recently introduced a bill entitled “Enemy Belligerent, Interrogation, Detention, and Prosecution Act of 2010”. According to McCain, “the legislation would authorise detention of enemy belligerents [including US citizens arrested abroad and arrested on US soil] without criminal charges” and tortured-extracted confessions.

Manufacturing Perceptions

2010-03-28T02:35:00.010+01:00

A leaked CIA document explained how to engineer German and French support for the NATO-led occupation in Afghanistan and “Why Counting on Apathy Might Not Be Enough”. Highly confidential!

Thus Spoke The International Community

2010-03-22T23:48:00.007Z

Do you know what it actually meant when Hillary Clinton used the phrase “the international community”? Here is an example. Iran’s nuclear programme is unacceptable. “Unacceptable to the United States. Unacceptable to Israel. And unacceptable to the region and the international community”.

Obama's Bloody War in Juarez

2010-03-22T23:39:00.007Z

Felipe Calderón’s war on drugs has been widely condemned by human rights activists. The Wall Street Journal observed that “the drug-warrior industry, which includes both the private-sector and a massive government bureaucracy devoted to [law] “enforcement,” has an enormous economic incentive to keep the war raging”. This comment merely scratched the surface of the problem. Mike Whitney’s article entitled Obama’s Bloody War in Juarez explains the underlying rationale of drug wars in greater detail.

A Peaceful Intifada

2010-03-08T22:39:00.009Z

Amira Hass observed that Hamas not only “claimed the word “resistance” – muqawama”, but also asserted that armed resistance bore fruit, when in reality its armed struggle gave Israel the pretext to justify repression and occupation. Former PA minister Ziad AbuZayyada shared a similar view. He believed that “[i]n their asymmetric battle with the occupation … peaceful resistance [which is not for those who fear to die] … is the only way to tilt the balance of power in their favor, by neutralising the arms of the occupation and its military and technological capacities, while at the same time gaining the respect, sympathy and support of the world for their battle against racial discrimination, the subjugation of peoples and the denial of their freedoms”.

Imagine If Any Western Country Achieved This

2010-03-07T00:10:00.020Z

According to Helen Yaffe, “by November 2008, Cuba had nearly 30,000 doctors and other health professionals working in 75 countries, providing healthcare and training locals.” Before the earthquake struck, hundreds of Cuban doctors were already present in Haiti. Have you noticed the deafening silence from the Western media on the issue of Cuba’s medical brigade in Haiti? This is why the West is seen as the force for good.

Ecology and Socialism in Cuba

2010-03-07T00:10:00.019Z

Helen Yaffe indicated that according to 2006 Living Planet report by the World Wide Fund for Nature, “Cuba is the only country in the world … achieved sustainable development … Critics who point to the absence of multi-party elections ... in Cuba fail to appreciate how the island’s alternative grassroots system of participative democracy ensures that the state is representative of its population and acts in their collective interests”. She also praised the ALBA model in her article, although ALBA has not achieved much to replace the crooked neoliberal system. (Thanks John.)

Steadfast Before The Zionist Entity

2010-02-20T15:17:00.009Z

Israel renewed threats to invade Lebanon and was bent on terrorising Lebanon’s civilian populations. On 16 February, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah delivered a speech in which he said “We [the Hezbollah] do not want war - not that we are afraid or coward or weak ... Here I am telling the Israelis today: If you hit Dahiyeh [southern Beirut and a Hezbollah stronghold], we will hit Tel Aviv. If you strike martyr Rafic Hariri’s International Airport in Beirut, we’ll strike your Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv ... If you attack our refineries, we’ll attack your refineries ... If you strike our power stations we will strike your power stations”. Nasrallah’s full speech in English could be found on youtube. Definitely worth watching; the rest of the links are to the right.

A Cozy Relationship

2010-02-20T15:12:00.013Z

Kadima leader Tzipi Livni revealed that Brown’s Labour government ensured “this subject [no arrest warrant for war crimes in Gaza] will be taken care of and fixed”. Moreover, Britain prevented any serious investigation into the use of British passports by Mossad’s death squad to assassinate a Hamas leader in Dubai. Consider that these passports “are not forged or fake … If you can fake a hologram or biometric stamp, what does this mean?”

The IMF Witch

2010-02-20T15:03:00.015Z

The IMF granted Haiti a $114 million loan and said to Haiti: “Take it, pretty girl, it will make you feel better.” (Cartoon: Josetxo Ezcurra)

What Alexis De Tocqueville Would Say

2010-02-20T13:58:00.009Z

American spy agencies can suspend the US constitution and kill suspected American terrorists abroad without due process of law. American corporations are allowed to spend whatever it takes to get their candidates elected.

巴勒斯坦納美人勇拒殖民者

2010-02-14T22:20:00.055Z

勇氣是臨事不撓(grace under pressure)。海明威 (Ernest Hemingway)

巴勒斯坦青年、婦女、兒童於二月十二日以電影《阿凡達》（Avatar）納美人（Navi）的裝扮，手持巴勒斯坦國旗，在約旦河西岸的村莊Bi’lin進行和平抗議。《阿凡達》描述納美人家園遭地球人強占殖民。巴勒斯坦人對此情節感同身受。巴勒斯坦兒童因目睹及經歷以色列殘暴，十分早熟，參與和平抗爭亦不落人後。

在巴勒斯坦境內所有的和平示威及抗議皆因以色列士兵暴力攻擊人群告終。以色列士兵屢屢視和平示威者為活動標靶，射擊催淚瓦斯罐和橡膠子彈。示威者中必然有人受傷，受傷情況輕重不一。催淚瓦斯可能引發哮喘。高速擊發的催淚瓦斯罐極具殺傷力。至今從未有示威者遭催淚瓦斯罐擊中，而能毫髮無損。影片中有數名示威者將以色列發射的催淚瓦斯罐擲向以色列士兵。美國公民Tristan Anderson於二零零九年三月十三日參與在約旦河西岸村莊Nilin的和平示威。Tristan遭高速擊發的催淚瓦斯罐擊中頭部，顱骨嚴重碎裂，導致右額葉受損。嗣後昏迷迄今。橡膠子彈即金屬子彈表面覆蓋橡膠。子彈命中胸腹，必然致命。絕非以色列宣稱「橡膠子彈並非真子彈，驅散示威者，不會致命」。巴勒斯坦青年Bassem Abu Rahme 於二零零九年四月十七日在Bi’lin和平示威，遭以色列士兵一槍命中胸膛，傷口距離肺臟僅十公分，得年三十歲。在Bi’lin的和平抗爭，經年累月，前仆後繼。正是民不畏死，奈何以死懼之。

美國公民Tristan Anderson受傷畫面，該影片反映巴勒斯坦人民面對年復一年以色列國家恐怖主義的真實處境。

Palestinian Na'vis Against Israeli Apartheid

2010-02-14T22:20:00.044Z

Peaceful protests in Bil’in have become a symbol of Palestinian resistance in the Occupied West Bank. Israeli soldiers fired rubber-coated bullets and teargas canisters as the Palestinians inspired by Avatar protested against Israeli Apartheid barrier. (Photos: Reuters and AP)

A Game For The Filthy Rich

2010-02-14T22:19:00.023Z

One of the stated aims of the Olympic Games is to promote “a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity”. In reality, the Olympics is more associated with massive business deals than with sportsmanship and is rightly dubbed “a corporate circus” or “a corporate franchise”. The Olympic Games allow host cities to subsidise the corporate sector, undermine civil liberties, and transfer enormous costs to the public while further dispossessing the poor. They were some peaceful anti-Olympics protests going on and were met by the rioting police.

Wall Of Shame

2010-02-04T01:09:00.010Z

To further strangulate Gaza, Hosni Mubarak’s regime began to construct a steel wall along Egypt’s border with Gaza. This bomb proof wall was designed by American army engineers to flood, collapse, and stop tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. “When it is finished the wall will be 10-11km … long and will extend 18 [-25] metres below the surface”. Egyptian people made a poster condemning Mubarak’s complicity in this plot. It read: “The highly esteemed one (al-‘ali) [Gamel Abdel Nasser] built the High Dam (al-sadd al-‘ali); the low-down one (al-wati) built the Low Wall (al-sadd al-wati).” (Poster: anonymous Egyptians)

Democracy Is In Dissent

2010-02-03T01:29:00.008Z

Howard Zinn stated in A people’s history of the United States that “If democracy were to be given any meaning, if it were to go beyond the limits of capitalism and nationalism, this would not come, if history were any guide, from the top. It would come through citizen’s movements, educating, organising, agitating, striking, boycotting, demonstrating, threatening those in power with disruption of the stability they needed”. He practiced what he preached. Daniel Ellsberg wrote an article to pay tribute to Howard Zinn. It was deeply touching.

Mourning Dissident Historian Howard Zinn

2010-01-28T23:39:00.014Z

I wish a teacher like Howard Zinn, who never looked to elites for validation, had been around to change my consciousness when I did my degrees in Taiwan. (Photo: howardzinn.org)

Approved Islamic Fundamentalism

2010-01-22T19:24:00.011Z

America, a self-styled defender of human rights, never takes issue with the House of Saud’s obsession with the flagellation of children, women and the elderly. “Floggings in Saudi Arabia typically take place Thursday nights outside of prisons or marketplaces. The accused is shackled … A police officer administers the lashes with a bamboo whip about 7 feet long. Under his arm, the officer will typically hold a copy of the Koran in order to regulate the power with which he can whip the accused”.

Gazans Raise Funds For Haitians

2010-01-22T19:12:00.008Z

The Palestinians who loved life and peace headed for the International Red Cross to make donations to the Haiti relief effort. The Palestinians supported “the victims of Haiti” and “feel for them the most because we were exposed to our own earthquake during Israel’s war on Gaza”.

War and Peace

Review: On the Israel-Palestine Conflict

"Palestinian Prisoners Homecoming"

The Most Beautiful Graffiti in Cairo

A Tribute to Ahmad Ash-Shahat

How Israeli Military Courts Convict Palestinian Boys

The Saudi Definition of Terrorism

Remove Bras for Security Check in Israel

A tribute to Ibrahim Qashoush

“The story of the flotilla is not over”

Remembering Hemingway

The Use and Abuse of Chomsky

We Shall Overcome

Arundhati Roy on Resistance

"Why was Salah muzzled for preaching peace in London"

Call for the Release of Ai Weiwei

BBC Documentary, Ai Weiwei - Without Fear or Favour

Chomsky on Operation Geronimo

Superman to Renounce U.S. Citizenship

Chavez on Gaddafi

Hillary Clinton on US Mainstream Media

Anthony Giddens on Gaddafi

Anthony Giddens Extols Gaddafi

Unfinished Revolution

Anarchist Quotes

Democracy Promotion: the Case of France

Democracy Promotion: the Case of Britain

Interview with Hossam el-Hamalawy

Fear Has No Dominion Over Egyptians

Egypt’s Revolution

The US and the World

Rousseff's Victory

The Conception Of Fair Pay

The Liberal Media And Haiti

Viva Cuba

A Formula For Mutual Cooperation

Cast The First Stone

遺忘的廣島與伊拉克無聲的哀號

War Is Peace

Chinglish

維基解密 照見國家恐怖主義

Cancer Rate In Fallujah Worse Than Hiroshima

The Images The US Didn't Want Seen

What Makes Mainstream Media Mainstream

Under The Watchful Eye

Campaign Against BP

BP And White House Continued To Cover Up Oil Spill

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

Chinese Philosophy: The Way Of Perfect Harmony

The US Is A Terrorist State

The Only Shame Is To Have None

Agent Orange Blights Only Vietnam Veterans

Servility To Power

Saudi Mohammedan

De-Develop The Less Developed Countries

Thus Spoke White House Mouthpiece

In Solidarity With Chinese Workers

Oil Spill Apocalypse

Once A Crook Always A Crook

The Only Shame Is To Have None

The Images BP Didn't Want Seen

Corporate Poodle

Cuba And The Green Nobel

定罪以色列流氓 緝盜有贓

以色列海盜 大事化小 小事化了

Israel's State Terrorism

Shame on Taiwan

一九四八 巴勒斯坦種族淨化

US Democracy Promotion Policy In Colombia

Cuba As The Medical Superpower

Caroline Lucas Edges Out Labour‎

War Is Peace

America's War On Children

The Politics Of Humanitarian Aid

Cuba, The Land Of Humanity

Inside The Revolution: A Journey Into The Heart Of Venezuela

制裁以色列的種族隔離政策

Nice Guys Finish Last

Police Brutality In Britain

帝國恐怖主義 斷送巴勒斯坦和平

維基解密照見國家恐怖主義

定罪以色列流氓緝盜有贓

以色列海盜大事化小小事化了

一九四八巴勒斯坦種族淨化

帝國恐怖主義斷送巴勒斯坦和平