“It is regrettable that the Swedish foreign ministry does not intervene when it comes to a blood libel against Jews, [This] reminds one of Sweden’s conduct during World War II, when it also did not intervene.” – Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman.
“No one can ask the Swedish government to violate its own constitution. Freedom of speech is an inalienable part of Swedish society”
Swedish PM Fredrik Reinfeldt.
Continue reading ‘On air: Should Sweden apologise to Israel ?’
A group of Israeli soldiers say widespread abuses were carried out on civilians during their action in Gaza.
The soldiers are part of an organisation called “Breaking the Silence”.
Amnesty International has accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes during the 22-day conflict.
Continue reading ‘On Air: Is it possible to have a moral army?’
Cast your mind back six months….to late December. That’s when Israeli fighter jets and attack helicopters began their fierce air assault on the Gaza Strip. Israel’s stated aim was to stop Hamas rocket attacks into southern Israel, and to – as it said – ‘change realities on the ground.’ The war lasted three weeks, and led to the deaths of more than a thousand Palestinians and 13 Israelis.
But what’s happened in the months since the conflict ended? How has it affected the people of Gaza? How much reconstruction has taken place? And has Israel achieved its war aims?
Continue reading ‘Return to Gaza’
President Obama is very clear :
“The United States does not accept the legitimacy of continued Israeli settlements. This construction violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace. It is time for these settlements to stop. “
Benjamin Netanyahu is equally clear : (according to a spokesman) ” I have no intention to construct new settlements, but it makes no sense to ask us not to answer to the needs of natural growth and to stop all construction, there is no way that we are going to tell people not to have children or to force young people to move away from their families”.
Many world leaders are arriving for the actual G20 summit in London… But with France threatening to walk out unless tough financial regulation is agreed by everyone, do you agree with Sarkozy?
Is this the end for Anglo-Saxon capitalism? Have a read of Paul Mason’s blog here.
We’re going to be joined for the whole programme by Walid Shoebat – who describes himself as a former terrorist. He says, “Islam has one goal and it is to overthrow all western cultures”……”Islam sees Sharia law as the only acceptable law”. Continue reading ‘On air: Your Questions to a “former terrorist”’
We’ve discussed before the fact that no-one really knows what Israel and Hamas are hoping to achieve. So how and when will it stop ?
In this article, Sever Plocker argues that Israel doesn’t want to win , while this article in Time magazine suggests Israel actually can’t win.
Does Israel want to topple Hamas, or merely stop the rockets ? This article tries to define “victory” .
Does Hamas want peace ? Does it want the destruction of Israel ? To mobilise public opinion in the Arab world ?
Both Israel and Hamas have ignored a UN security council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. America abstained from the UN vote and there’s been more heavy fighting today in defiance of it. As I write there’s supposed to be a three hour humanitarian ceasefire. Continue reading ‘On air: How is Gaza dividing world opinion?’
This is part one, here’s part two, part three and part four.
“Why Do They Hate the West So Much ? We Will Ask ” is the title of this commentary by the Independent’s Robert Fisk.
He argues that journalists and diplomats have “bought the lie” that the Israelis take great care to avoid civilian casualties.
He”s referring of course to the attack on the UN school which not only killed 42 people, but even persuaded Barack Obama to break his silence.
Continue reading ‘On Air: facts or propaganda ?’
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