Daily Archives: December 23, 2019

2019-12-23: News Headlines

WSWS (2019-12-23). Israel's political impasse ahead of third election in a year. wsws.org Netanyahu and his right-wing and ultra-orthodox partners need to secure 61 seats in the Knesset to form a right-wing government that could give him immunity from prosecution.

WSWS (2019-12-23). Indian state intensifies repression of mass protests against anti-Muslim citizenship law. wsws.org At least 25 people have been killed during the protests, which have touched all parts of the country, against the Hindu supremacist BJP government.

David Rosen (2019-12-23). Exonerate the Innocent; Incarcerate the Guilty. counterpunch.org The U.S. "justice" system, first and foremost, protects police and prosecutors. The Supreme Court has held that while cops have only limited immunity from lawsuits, prosecutors enjoy what's known as absolute immunity for their conduct under most circumstances. Only in the most extreme cases of abuse — including killings and with bodycam videos as evidence — do police get arrested and prosecuted. Still less are prosecutors prosecuted for questionable, if not illegal, practices. More

UUSF Sunday Forum (2019-12-23). No Way To Treat A Child: Mistreatment and Persecution of Palestinian Children. indybay.org Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco | 1187 Franklin St. @ Geary | San Francisco…

Brenda Norrell (2019-12-23). Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide. indybay.org Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West's Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.

WSWS (2019-12-23). This week in history: December 23-29. wsws.org 25 years ago: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resignsOn December 23, 1994, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned rather than see his government fall to a no-confidence resolution introduced by several opposition parties. Berlusconi's three-party coalition of his personal political party Forza Italia, the right-wing separatist Northern League, and the neofascist National Alliance, lost its majority in the lower house when Northern League leader Umberto Bossi announced he would introduce his own no-confidence resolution.

yenisafak (2019-12-23). SPECIAL REPORT: Iran's leader ordered crackdown on unrest: 'Do whatever it takes to end it'. yenisafak.com After days of protests across Iran last month, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared impatient. Gathering his top security and government officials together, he issued an order: Do whatever it takes to stop them.That order, confirmed by three sources close to the supreme leader's inner circle and a fourth official, set in motion the bloodiest crackdown on protesters since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.About 1,500 people were killed during less than two weeks of unrest that started on Nov. 15. The toll, provided to Reuters by three Iranian interior ministry officials, included at least 17 teenagers and a…

RT (2019-12-23). 'When will this nonsense stop?' Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger speaks out following alleged racist abuse at Tottenham. rt.com Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has issued a statement decrying the rise of racism in the English game after he was allegedly the target of monkey chants during his side's win at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. | London's Metropolitan Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the matter after Rudiger appeared to confront sections of the Tottenham support and suggest that he had been the victim of racist abuse, imitating a monkey gesture. | Writing on social media after the game, Rudiger outlined that there is no place for this type of behavior in the sport and said that it is imp…

Joe Rodriguez (2019-12-22). Quad-Cities community members condemn hate after anti-immigrant event. liberationnews.org Outraged protesters displayed signs condemning racism and the capitalist system which allows bigotry to flourish.

Staff (2019-12-22). On Hanukkah, Let's Rededicate Our Commitment to Environmental Justice. truthout.org "And when the Maccabees overcame them and emerged victorious, they searched and found only one cruse of oil sufficient to light the menorah for only one day. But a miracle occurred and they lit the menorah from it for eight days." —Talmud, Tractate Shabbat | The central story commemorated on Hanukkah comes from books 1 and 2 Maccabees, which tells of a small group of Jews in the land of Israel that fought to liberate their community from the increasingly oppressive reign of the Seleucid empire. U…

Steven Sahiounie (2019-12-22). Israel Attempts to Silence the Archbishop of Jerusalem Before Christmas? globalresearch.ca Archbishop Atallah Hanna, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was allegedly the victim of an Israeli assassination attempt on December 17, just days before Christmas, when an Israeli gas canister was fired into his church in Jerusalem. He …

Ali Salam (2019-12-22). Malaysia welcomes ICC announcement on Israeli war crimes. imemc.org The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mahathir, is the latest world leader to welcome the International Criminal Court's (ICC) announcement that they are opening an investigation into Israeli crimes against the Palestinians in the occupied territories. Mahathir said Israel should face justice over the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people, as …

Stephen Karganovic (2019-12-22). Balkan 'Genocides' Are Not to be Questioned. globalresearch.ca Genocide accusations are, it would seem, the latest fashion spreading out of the Balkans. On December 5, a former minister in the "government" of NATO occupied and administered Kosovo, Ivan Todosijeviƒá, who happens to be an otherwise occupation friendly and …

John Feffer (2019-12-22). The Real Shadow Policy of Trump Admin Is Racist Extremism. zcomm.org While Trump's shadowy conduct toward Ukraine is without a doubt illegal, this shadow policy of white nationalism is even worse. It's not just a crime — it's a crime against humanity…

RT (2019-12-22). Israel allows Christians from Gaza to visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas. rt.com Christians from the Gaza Strip will be able to visit the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas, after the Israeli authorities reversed their decision not to issue them relevant permits. In mid-December, Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians announced that Gazan Christians would be barred from traveling to Israel and the occupied West Bank during the holidays in accordance with "security orders." The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Hamas group, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. The move caused an outcry from Christians both in Gaza and Israel. On Sunday, the liaison office a…

RT (2019-12-22). Syrian air defense intercepts missiles coming from the direction of 'occupied territories' – State TV. rt.com Syrian air defenses have intercepted missiles over the capital city of Damascus, according to state media. | An initial report from SANA stated that the missiles came from the "direction of the occupied territories" and Israeli media assumed that meant their country. | #Syrian media claimed air defense systems were activated, trying to repel a missile attack which they claim came from #Israel. t.co/CbTddKZHTY[…

Joe Piette (2019-12-21). Protest in Philadelphia against corporate sexual abuse, racism. workers.org Philadelphia Rylinda Rhodes was loud and clear, speaking here at a Dec. 18 rally outside Comcast world corporate headquarters: "I am a survivor of workplace sexual harassment at Comcast. . . . You do not have the right to touch me. I have a right to be protected in my . . . | Continue reading Protest in Philadelphia against corporate sexual abuse, racism at Workers.org

Fight Back (2019-12-21). PFLP marks founding in huge Gaza march. fightbacknews.org The 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was observed with a December 7 march by tens of thousands of members and supporters in Gaza City. The PFLP is playing a leading role in the struggle to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Over the past week Israeli authorities have arrested 50 Palestinians in the West Bank and accused them of being members of the PFLP.

IMEMC News & Agencies (2019-12-21). Army Forces West Bank Farmers Off Their Land. imemc.org Israeli soldiers, today, forced a number of farmers to leave their land, in the southern West Bank village of Kisan, and threatened to arrest them if they did not, according to Kisan deputy head of village council, Ahmad Ghazal. Ghazal told WAFA that soldiers raided the village and prevented the …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-21). ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran "Proof" thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

IMEMC News & Agencies (2019-12-21). Al-Qanu: Gaza Border Rallies Will Not Stop. imemc.org Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanu has affirmed that the March of Return and Breaking the Siege will continue and will be held using new tools as part of the ongoing Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation. "The battle with the occupation is open and the March of Return is one of …

Jessica Corbett (2019-12-21). 'A win for the planet!': Dutch supreme court issues landmark ruling mandating climate action. nationofchange.org The nonprofit that brought the case called it "a groundbreaking decision that confirms that individual governments must do their fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

IMEMC News & Agencies (2019-12-21). ICC Responds to Mounting Calls for Action, Opens Official Investigation into War Crimes in Palestine. imemc.org "End impunity!" 29 November protest calls for action by ICC. Photo:…

IMEMC News & Agencies (2019-12-21). Palestinian Officials Respond to ICC Decision: "A Positive and Encouraging Step" imemc.org Saeb Erekat, head of the National Committee responsible for following up on the International Criminal Court (ICC), today, confirmed that "the decision announced by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to request an opinion by the Pre-Trial Chamber regarding the scope of the Court's territorial …

V. Arun Kumar (2019-12-21). India's freedom struggle 2.0, this time it's against fascists. peoplesdispatch.org On December 19, as part of an all India strike against discriminatory citizenship law (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), thousands protested in New Delhi's Red Fort and Mandi House. Peoples movements and left parties have called these measures as fascist. The Delhi police imposed prohibitory orders and suspended internet in various parts of Delhi on Thursday. Hundreds of protesters, both at Red Fort and Mandi House were detained by the police. Despite the police crackdown, people continued their resistance against CAA and NRC. | Protest marches were also organised across India, and according to report…

IMEMC News (2019-12-20). Netanyahu Claims International Court Has 'No Jurisdiction' to Investigate Israel for War Crimes. imemc.org Following the announcement on Friday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague would be investigating the Israeli military for war crimes against the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a statement claiming the ICC had 'no jurisdiction' to charge Israel. According to Netanyahu, because Israel never signed …

IMEMC News (2019-12-20). Illegal Israeli Colonists Burn Two Palestinian Cars, Write Racist Graffiti, Near Nablus. imemc.org A group of fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on private Palestinian lands burnt, on Friday at dawn, two Palestinian cars and wrote racist graffiti, in Far'ata village, west of Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel's illegal colonialist …

PCHR (2019-12-20). PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (12 — 18 December 2019). imemc.org Summary This week, PCHR documented 149 violations of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. As part of the Israeli violations of the right to life and bodily integrity: In terms of excessive use …

Ryan Cristián (2019-12-20). Israel Bombs Gaza, 2020 NDAA's Israel Focus, Iran Excuse Now In Afghanistan & West Bank Take Over. thelastamericanvagabond.com Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/19/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …

Middle East Eye (2019-12-20). International Criminal Court to Launch Full Investigation Into Israeli War Crimes. theantimedia.com "In brief, I am satisfied that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip."

IMEMC News (2019-12-20). Israeli Air Force Fires Several Missiles Into Gaza. imemc.org The Israeli air force fired, on Friday at dawn, several missiles into a few areas in the besieged Gaza Strip, causing damage. The army claimed it was retaliating to one shell reportedly fired from the coastal region. Media sources in Gaza said the army fired at least two missiles into …

Tom Anderson (2019-12-20). BDS movement defiant after Tories announce anti-boycott measures and threaten international solidarity. thecanary.co Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigners have responded defiantly to Tory plans to pass an anti-BDS law. | The law is a threat to any international solidarity campaign which seeks to boycott companies or products because of the state policies of another country. As such, it presents a threat to international solidarity efforts as a whole. | Boycotting Israeli apartheid: | BDS is an international movement calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. It also calls for grassroots groups to initiate boycott campaigns against companies complicit in Israel…

Saed Bannoura (2019-12-20). Illegal Israeli Colonists Attack Shepherd, Unleash Their Dogs Toward Him Near Bethlehem. imemc.org Many fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on Palestinian lands, attacked a Shepherd from Kisan village, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and unleashed their dogs at him, causing various injuries. Ahmad Ghazal, the deputy mayor of Kisan Village Council, said the colonists came from the illegal Ibei Hanahal …

Paul Street (2019-12-20). More Fascist Nonsense from a Disgraced President. counterpunch.org In the demented mind of the disgraced fascist oligarch Donald "Perfect Call" Trump, "the Radical Left Democrats have been trying to impeach me from Day 1." This is nonsense on at least three levels. First, the reigning forces in the dismal, demobilizing, neoliberal and dollar-drenched Democratic Party are anything but radical or Left. They are More

splcenter (2019-12-20). Investigation: Washington State Rep. Matt Shea Poses Threat of 'Political Violence' Against U.S. splcenter.org Washington state Rep. Matt Shea has been vocal about his support for antigovernment and anti-public lands activists in the West, and a new report alleges those activities pose a threat of "political violence" against the U.S. government.

news.un (2019-12-20). Top Criminal Court to conduct official probe into alleged war crimes in Palestine. news.un.org Following a "thorough, independent and objective assessment", the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday that she plans to open a formal investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine, but asked the Court for a further ruling over territorial jurisdiction.

Jessica Corbett, staff writer (2019-12-20). 'A Win for the Planet!': Dutch Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling Mandating Climate Action. commondreams.org Advocates for climate action celebrated Friday after the Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld a landmark ruling that found the Dutch government is obligated under international human rights law to more ambitiously reduce greenhouse gas emissions that drive global heating. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

Andrea Germanos, staff writer (2019-12-20). ICC to Probe Alleged War Crimes in Palestine. commondreams.org The court's chief prosecutor says "there are no substantial reasons to believe that an investigation would not serve the interests of justice." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…

ACLU (2019-12-20). Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year. aclu.org It isn't news that the Trump administration has kept ACLU attorneys working at breakneck speed for the past three years. In 2019 alone, we saw historic moments and victories—from defeating the citizenship question on the 2020 census and bringing the first trans civil rights case to the Supreme Court, to blocking a wave of abortion bans and many of the administration's attempts to dismantle the asylum system. To name a few. | Here are some of our attorneys' takes on 2019 and the year ahead—what's changed for the better and for the worse, and how the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will a…

Eds. (2019-12-20). Expert Q&A: Trump's executive order on campus antisemitism. mronline.org Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to use a definition of antisemitism that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism when investigating civil rights complaints alleging antisemitism on campus. | Source

Miko Peled (2019-12-19). From the Old City to Tel Rumeida Hill: Israel's Takeover of Hebron Forges Ahead. mintpressnews.com It often seems that Israel's actions in the West Bank are spurred by little more than a desire to compensate for lost opportunities and settle old scores, and Hebron is no exception writes Miko Peled.

Ramzy Baroud (2019-12-19). From a Blessing to a Curse: How UN Resolution 2334 Accelerated Israel's West Bank Colonization. mintpressnews.com UN Resolution 2334, although externally supportive of Palestinian rights, turned out to be one of the most costly decisions ever made by the international institution.

Saree Makdisi (2019-12-19). The Push to Quash Criticism of Israel Is a Push to Quash Free Speech. thenation.com The Push to Quash Criticism of Israel Is a Push to Quash Free Speech…

splcenter (2019-12-19). Weekend Read: Top 10 Ways You Helped Us Make a Difference in 2019. splcenter.org Our work in 2019 year was challenging — and highly successful — in many ways.

Eric Alterman (2019-12-19). Trump's Executive Order on Anti-Semitism Isn't About Protecting Jews. thenation.com Trump's Executive Order on Anti-Semitism Isn't About Protecting Jews…

Martha Grevatt (2019-12-19). After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity. workers.org Elections held Dec. 12 in England, Scotland, Wales and the occupied north of Ireland were a boost to Trump protégé and Conservative party leader Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Voters elected 365 Conservative Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, giving Conservatives — the Tories — the majority needed to . . . | Continue reading After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity at Workers.org

Martha Grevatt (2019-12-19). On the picket line. workers.org New Illinois labor law seeks to counter Janus decision The Dec. 2 Labor Tribune reported that a bill to uphold rights of public sector unions, which are threatened by the Supreme Court's 2018 Janus decision, was passed by the Illinois Legislature on Nov. 13. Ill. Gov. Pritzker promises to sign . . . | Continue reading On the picket line at Workers.org

Kathy Durkin (2019-12-19). Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement. workers.org Photo credit: BDS Movement President Donald Trump's executive order issued Dec.11 would deny federal funds from schools that allow "anti-Semitism" on their campuses, including some anti-Israel activities. It is intended to squelch defense of — or even discussion about — Palestinian rights, and is the result of intense reactionary efforts . . . | Continue reading Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement at Workers.org

ACLU (2019-12-19). 10 LGBTQ Moments that Defined 2019. aclu.org 1. Aimee Stephens goes to the Supreme Court: | In October, the Supreme Court heard its first trans civil rights case ever. The case was brought by our client Aimee Stephens, who was fired from her job at a funeral home solely for being transgender. That's sex discrimination and it violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. , | We have yet to see whether the Supreme Court will uphold the civil rights of trans people. But no matter what, history has already been made. , | "I'll never forget the feeling of coming out of the Supreme Court and seeing a crowd of trans people and allies chanting to…

Staff (2019-12-18). Impeachment Day? House Votes on Charging Trump with Abuse of Power & Obstruction of Justice. democracynow.org As thousands of protesters rally to impeach President Trump in cities across the country ahead of a vote today on impeachment by the full Democrat-controlled House, we hold a roundtable discussion with Rep. Al Green of Texas, who became the first member of Congress to call for impeachment from the floor of the House of Representatives in 2017; Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent and Supreme Court reporter for Slate, host of the "Amicus" podcast; and Mark Green, co-author of "Fake President: Decoding Trump's Gaslighting, Corruption, and General Bullsh*t."

2019-12-23: Social Media Postees

Please be social by posting these 'POSTEES' on social media!

Israel's political impasse ahead of third election in a year
wsws.org | 2019-12-23
Netanyahu and his right-wing and ultra-orthodox partners need to secure 61 seats in the Knesset to form a right-wing government that could give him immunity from prosecution.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/23/isra…

Exonerate the Innocent; Incarcerate the Guilty
David Rosen | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-23
The U.S. "justice" system, first and foremost, protects police and prosecutors. The Supreme Court has held that while cops have only limited immunity from lawsuits, prosecutors enjoy what's known as absolute immunity for their conduct under most circumstances. Only in the most extreme cases of abuse — including killings and with bodycam videos as evidence — do police get arrested and prosecuted. Still less are prosecutors prosecuted for questionable, if not illegal, practices.
counterpunch.org/2019/12/23/exonerate-the-innocent-incarcerate-the-guilty/

Indian state intensifies repression of mass protests against anti-Muslim citizenship law
wsws.org | 2019-12-23
At least 25 people have been killed during the protests, which have touched all parts of the country, against the Hindu supremacist BJP government.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/23/acaa…

No Way To Treat A Child: Mistreatment and Persecution of Palestinian Children
UUSF Sunday Forum | indybay.org | 2019-12-23
Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco | 1187 Franklin St. @ Geary | San Francisco…
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829047.php

Buffy Sainte Marie Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide
Brenda Norrell | indybay.org | 2019-12-23
Buffy Sainte Marie described the genocide, slavery, murder and rape of Indigenous Peoples, that the kings and queens, military, churches and banks are responsible for, speaking with AIM West's Tony Gonzales, during the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz.
indybay.org/newsitems/2019/12/20/18829040.php

This week in history: December 23-29
wsws.org | 2019-12-23
25 years ago: Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resignsOn December 23, 1994, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi resigned rather than see his government fall to a no-confidence resolution introduced by several opposition parties. Berlusconi's three-party coalition of his personal political party Forza Italia, the right-wing separatist Northern League, and the neofascist National Alliance, lost its majority in the lower house when Northern League leader Umberto Bossi announced he would introduce his own no-confidence resolution.
www.wsws.org/en/articles/2019/12/23/twih…

SPECIAL REPORT: Iran's leader ordered crackdown on unrest: 'Do whatever it takes to end it'
yenisafak.com | 2019-12-23
After days of protests across Iran last month, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared impatient. Gathering his top security and government officials together, he issued an order: Do whatever it takes to stop them.That order, confirmed by three sources close to the supreme leader's inner circle and a fourth official, set in motion the bloodiest crackdown on protesters since the Islamic Revolution in 1979.About 1,500 people were killed during less than two weeks of unrest that started on Nov. 15. The toll, provided to Reuters by three Iranian interior ministry officials, included at least 17 teenagers and a…
yenisafak.com/en/world/special-report-irans-leader-ordered-crackdown-on-unrest-do-whatever-it-takes-to-end-it-3508055

'When will this nonsense stop?' Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger speaks out following alleged racist abuse at Tottenham
rt.com | 2019-12-23
Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has issued a statement decrying the rise of racism in the English game after he was allegedly the target of monkey chants during his side's win at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. | London's Metropolitan Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the matter after Rudiger appeared to confront sections of the Tottenham support and suggest that he had been the victim of racist abuse, imitating a monkey gesture. | Writing on social media after the game, Rudiger outlined that there is no place for this type of behavior in the sport and said that it is imp…
rt.com/sport/476650-chelsea-antonio-rudiger-racism-spurs/

Israel Attempts to Silence the Archbishop of Jerusalem Before Christmas?
Steven Sahiounie | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-22
Archbishop Atallah Hanna, of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, was allegedly the victim of an Israeli assassination attempt on December 17, just days before Christmas, when an Israeli gas canister was fired into his church in Jerusalem. He …
globalresearch.ca/israel-attempts-silence-archbishop-jerusalem-before-christmas/5698385

On Hanukkah, Let's Rededicate Our Commitment to Environmental Justice
Staff | truthout.org | 2019-12-22
"And when the Maccabees overcame them and emerged victorious, they searched and found only one cruse of oil sufficient to light the menorah for only one day. But a miracle occurred and they lit the menorah from it for eight days." –Talmud, Tractate Shabbat | The central story commemorated on Hanukkah comes from books 1 and 2 Maccabees, which tells of a small group of Jews in the land of Israel that fought to liberate their community from the increasingly oppressive reign of the Seleucid empire. U…
truthout.org/articles/on-hanukkah-lets-rededicate-our-commitment-to-environmental-justice/

Malaysia welcomes ICC announcement on Israeli war crimes
Ali Salam | imemc.org | 2019-12-22
The Malaysian Prime Minister, Mohammad Mahathir, is the latest world leader to welcome the International Criminal Court's (ICC) announcement that they are opening an investigation into Israeli crimes against the Palestinians in the occupied territories. Mahathir said Israel should face justice over the atrocities committed against the Palestinian people, as …
imemc.org/article/malaysia-welcomes-icc-announcement-on-israeli-war-crimes/

Quad-Cities community members condemn hate after anti-immigrant event
Joe Rodriguez | liberationnews.org | 2019-12-22
Outraged protesters displayed signs condemning racism and the capitalist system which allows bigotry to flourish.
liberationnews.org/quad-cities-community-members-condemn-hate-after-anti-immigrant-event/

Balkan 'Genocides' Are Not to be Questioned
Stephen Karganovic | globalresearch.ca | 2019-12-22
Genocide accusations are, it would seem, the latest fashion spreading out of the Balkans. On December 5, a former minister in the "government" of NATO occupied and administered Kosovo, Ivan Todosijeviƒá, who happens to be an otherwise occupation friendly and …
globalresearch.ca/balkan-genocides-not-questioned/5698393

The Real Shadow Policy of Trump Admin Is Racist Extremism
John Feffer | zcomm.org | 2019-12-22
While Trump's shadowy conduct toward Ukraine is without a doubt illegal, this shadow policy of white nationalism is even worse. It's not just a crime — it's a crime against humanity…
zcomm.org/znetarticle/the-real-shadow-policy-of-trump-admin-is-racist-extremism/

Syrian air defense intercepts missiles coming from the direction of 'occupied territories' – State TV
rt.com | 2019-12-22
Syrian air defenses have intercepted missiles over the capital city of Damascus, according to state media. | An initial report from SANA stated that the missiles came from the "direction of the occupied territories" and Israeli media assumed that meant their country. | #Syrian media claimed air defense systems were activated, trying to repel a missile attack which they claim came from #Israel. t.co/CbTddKZHTY%5B
rt.com/news/476623-syria-defense-missiles-israel/

Israel allows Christians from Gaza to visit Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas
rt.com | 2019-12-22
Christians from the Gaza Strip will be able to visit the holy cities of Bethlehem and Jerusalem at Christmas, after the Israeli authorities reversed their decision not to issue them relevant permits. In mid-December, Israel's military liaison to the Palestinians announced that Gazan Christians would be barred from traveling to Israel and the occupied West Bank during the holidays in accordance with "security orders." The Gaza Strip is controlled by the Hamas group, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. The move caused an outcry from Christians both in Gaza and Israel. On Sunday, the liaison office a…
rt.com/newsline/476622-israel-allows-christians-gaza-christmas/

ICC To Investigate Israeli Government War Crimes & UN Again Contradicts US Claims Of Iran "Proof"
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-21
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/20/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/icc-to-investigate-israeli-government-war-crimes-un-again-contradicts-us-claims-of-iran-proof/

Al-Qanu: Gaza Border Rallies Will Not Stop
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-21
Hamas spokesman Abdul-Latif al-Qanu has affirmed that the March of Return and Breaking the Siege will continue and will be held using new tools as part of the ongoing Palestinian struggle against the Israeli occupation. "The battle with the occupation is open and the March of Return is one of …
imemc.org/article/hamas-gaza-border-rallies-will-not-stop/

Army Forces West Bank Farmers Off Their Land
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-21
Israeli soldiers, today, forced a number of farmers to leave their land, in the southern West Bank village of Kisan, and threatened to arrest them if they did not, according to Kisan deputy head of village council, Ahmad Ghazal. Ghazal told WAFA that soldiers raided the village and prevented the …
imemc.org/article/army-forces-west-bank-farmers-off-their-land/

PFLP marks founding in huge Gaza march
Fight Back | fightbacknews.org | 2019-12-21
The 52nd anniversary of the founding of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was observed with a December 7 march by tens of thousands of members and supporters in Gaza City. The PFLP is playing a leading role in the struggle to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine. Over the past week Israeli authorities have arrested 50 Palestinians in the West Bank and accused them of being members of the PFLP.
www.fightbacknews.org/2019/12/21/pflp-ma…

Protest in Philadelphia against corporate sexual abuse, racism
Joe Piette | workers.org | 2019-12-21
Philadelphia Rylinda Rhodes was loud and clear, speaking here at a Dec. 18 rally outside Comcast world corporate headquarters: "I am a survivor of workplace sexual harassment at Comcast. . . . You do not have the right to touch me. I have a right to be protected in my . . . | Continue reading Protest in Philadelphia against corporate sexual abuse, racism at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/12/45033/

'A win for the planet!': Dutch supreme court issues landmark ruling mandating climate action
Jessica Corbett | nationofchange.org | 2019-12-21
The nonprofit that brought the case called it "a groundbreaking decision that confirms that individual governments must do their fair share to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
nationofchange.org/2019/12/21/a-win-for-the-planet-dutch-supreme-court-issues-landmark-ruling-mandating-climate-action/

Palestinian Officials Respond to ICC Decision: "A Positive and Encouraging Step"
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-21
Saeb Erekat, head of the National Committee responsible for following up on the International Criminal Court (ICC), today, confirmed that "the decision announced by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to request an opinion by the Pre-Trial Chamber regarding the scope of the Court's territorial …
imemc.org/article/erekat-responds-to-icc-decision-a-positive-and-encouraging-step/

ICC Responds to Mounting Calls for Action, Opens Official Investigation into War Crimes in Palestine
IMEMC News & Agencies | imemc.org | 2019-12-21
"End impunity!" 29 November protest calls for action by ICC. Photo:…
imemc.org/article/icc-responds-to-mounting-calls-for-action-opens-official-investigation-into-war-crimes-in-palestine/

India's freedom struggle 2.0, this time it's against fascists
V. Arun Kumar | peoplesdispatch.org | 2019-12-21
On December 19, as part of an all India strike against discriminatory citizenship law (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), thousands protested in New Delhi's Red Fort and Mandi House. Peoples movements and left parties have called these measures as fascist. The Delhi police imposed prohibitory orders and suspended internet in various parts of Delhi on Thursday. Hundreds of protesters, both at Red Fort and Mandi House were detained by the police. Despite the police crackdown, people continued their resistance against CAA and NRC. | Protest marches were also organised across India, and according to report…
peoplesdispatch.org/2019/12/21/indias-freedom-struggle-2-0-this-time-its-against-fascists/

Israeli Air Force Fires Several Missiles Into Gaza
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-20
The Israeli air force fired, on Friday at dawn, several missiles into a few areas in the besieged Gaza Strip, causing damage. The army claimed it was retaliating to one shell reportedly fired from the coastal region. Media sources in Gaza said the army fired at least two missiles into …
imemc.org/article/israeli-air-force-fires-several-missiles-into-gaza/

Expert Q&A: Trump's executive order on campus antisemitism
Eds. | mronline.org | 2019-12-20
Last week, President Donald Trump issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to use a definition of antisemitism that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitism when investigating civil rights complaints alleging antisemitism on campus. | Source…
mronline.org/2019/12/20/expert-qa-trumps-executive-order-on-campus-antisemitism/

BDS movement defiant after Tories announce anti-boycott measures and threaten international solidarity
Tom Anderson | thecanary.co | 2019-12-20
Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigners have responded defiantly to Tory plans to pass an anti-BDS law. | The law is a threat to any international solidarity campaign which seeks to boycott companies or products because of the state policies of another country. As such, it presents a threat to international solidarity efforts as a whole. | Boycotting Israeli apartheid: | BDS is an international movement calling for a boycott of Israeli goods. It also calls for grassroots groups to initiate boycott campaigns against companies complicit in Israel…
thecanary.co/opinion/2019/12/20/bds-movement-defiant-after-tories-announce-anti-boycott-measures-and-threaten-international-solidarity/

Israel Bombs Gaza, 2020 NDAA's Israel Focus, Iran Excuse Now In Afghanistan & West Bank Take Over
Ryan Cristián | thelastamericanvagabond.com | 2019-12-20
Welcome to The Daily Wrap Up, a concise show dedicated to bringing you the most relevant independent news, as we see it, from the last 24 hours (12/19/19). As always, take the information discussed in the video below and research it for yourself, and come to your own conclusions. Anyone telling you what the truth …
thelastamericanvagabond.com/daily-wrap-up/israel-bombs-gaza-2020-ndaas-israel-focus-iran-excuse-now-in-afghanistan-west-bank-take-over/

PCHR Weekly Report On Israeli Human Rights Violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (12 — 18 December 2019)
PCHR | imemc.org | 2019-12-20
Summary This week, PCHR documented 149 violations of the international human rights law and international humanitarian law (IHL) by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) and settlers in the occupied Palestinian territory. As part of the Israeli violations of the right to life and bodily integrity: In terms of excessive use …
imemc.org/article/pchr-weekly-report-on-israeli-human-rights-violations-in-the-occupied-palestinian-territory-12-18-december-2019/

Illegal Israeli Colonists Burn Two Palestinian Cars, Write Racist Graffiti, Near Nablus
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-20
A group of fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on private Palestinian lands burnt, on Friday at dawn, two Palestinian cars and wrote racist graffiti, in Far'ata village, west of Nablus, in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Ghassan Daghlas, a Palestinian Authority official who monitors Israel's illegal colonialist …
imemc.org/article/illegal-israeli-colonists-burn-two-palestinian-cars-write-racist-graffiti-near-nablus/

International Criminal Court to Launch Full Investigation Into Israeli War Crimes
Middle East Eye | theantimedia.com | 2019-12-20
"In brief, I am satisfied that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip."

International Criminal Court to Launch Full Investigation Into Israeli War Crimes

Netanyahu Claims International Court Has 'No Jurisdiction' to Investigate Israel for War Crimes
IMEMC News | imemc.org | 2019-12-20
Following the announcement on Friday that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague would be investigating the Israeli military for war crimes against the Palestinians, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu issued a statement claiming the ICC had 'no jurisdiction' to charge Israel. According to Netanyahu, because Israel never signed …
imemc.org/article/netanyahu-claims-international-court-has-no-jurisdiction-to-investigate-israel-for-war-crimes/

Illegal Israeli Colonists Attack Shepherd, Unleash Their Dogs Toward Him Near Bethlehem
Saed Bannoura | imemc.org | 2019-12-20
Many fanatic Israeli colonists, illegally squatting on Palestinian lands, attacked a Shepherd from Kisan village, east of the West Bank city of Bethlehem, and unleashed their dogs at him, causing various injuries. Ahmad Ghazal, the deputy mayor of Kisan Village Council, said the colonists came from the illegal Ibei Hanahal …
imemc.org/article/illegal-israeli-colonists-attack-shepherd-unleash-their-dogs-toward-him-near-bethlehem/

More Fascist Nonsense from a Disgraced President
Paul Street | counterpunch.org | 2019-12-20
In the demented mind of the disgraced fascist oligarch Donald "Perfect Call" Trump, "the Radical Left Democrats have been trying to impeach me from Day 1." This is nonsense on at least three levels. First, the reigning forces in the dismal, demobilizing, neoliberal and dollar-drenched Democratic Party are anything but radical or Left. They are…
counterpunch.org/2019/12/20/more-fascist-nonsense-from-a-disgraced-president/

Four Lawyers. Four Projects. One Non-Stop Year
aclu.org | 2019-12-20
It isn't news that the Trump administration has kept ACLU attorneys working at breakneck speed for the past three years. In 2019 alone, we saw historic moments and victories–from defeating the citizenship question on the 2020 census and bringing the first trans civil rights case to the Supreme Court, to blocking a wave of abortion bans and many of the administration's attempts to dismantle the asylum system. To name a few. | Here are some of our attorneys' takes on 2019 and the year ahead–what's changed for the better and for the worse, and how the outcome of the 2020 presidential election will a…
aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/four-lawyers-four-projects-one-non-stop-year

Investigation: Washington State Rep. Matt Shea Poses Threat of 'Political Violence' Against U.S
splcenter.org | 2019-12-20
Washington state Rep. Matt Shea has been vocal about his support for antigovernment and anti-public lands activists in the West, and a new report alleges those activities pose a threat of "political violence" against the U.S. government.
splcenter.org/hatewatch/2019/12/20/investigation-washington-state-rep-matt-shea-poses-threat-political-violence-against-us

Top Criminal Court to conduct official probe into alleged war crimes in Palestine
news.un.org | 2019-12-20
Following a "thorough, independent and objective assessment", the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced on Friday that she plans to open a formal investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine, but asked the Court for a further ruling over territorial jurisdiction.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1054121

'A Win for the Planet!': Dutch Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling Mandating Climate Action
Jessica Corbett, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-20
Advocates for climate action celebrated Friday after the Supreme Court of the Netherlands upheld a landmark ruling that found the Dutch government is obligated under international human rights law to more ambitiously reduce greenhouse gas emissions that drive global heating. | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/win-planet-dutch-supreme-court-issues-landmark-ruling-mandating-climate-action?cd-origin=rss

ICC to Probe Alleged War Crimes in Palestine
Andrea Germanos, staff writer | commondreams.org | 2019-12-20
The court's chief prosecutor says "there are no substantial reasons to believe that an investigation would not serve the interests of justice." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files…
commondreams.org/news/2019/12/20/icc-probe-alleged-war-crimes-palestine?cd-origin=rss

Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement
Kathy Durkin | workers.org | 2019-12-19
Photo credit: BDS Movement President Donald Trump's executive order issued Dec.11 would deny federal funds from schools that allow "anti-Semitism" on their campuses, including some anti-Israel activities. It is intended to squelch defense of — or even discussion about — Palestinian rights, and is the result of intense reactionary efforts . . . | Continue reading Trump's order on 'anti-Semitism' aimed at pro-Palestinian movement at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/12/44972/

From a Blessing to a Curse: How UN Resolution 2334 Accelerated Israel's West Bank Colonization
Ramzy Baroud | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-19
UN Resolution 2334, although externally supportive of Palestinian rights, turned out to be one of the most costly decisions ever made by the international institution.
mintpressnews.com/un-resolution-2334-israel-settlements-international-law/263603/

From the Old City to Tel Rumeida Hill: Israel's Takeover of Hebron Forges Ahead
Miko Peled | mintpressnews.com | 2019-12-19
It often seems that Israel's actions in the West Bank are spurred by little more than a desire to compensate for lost opportunities and settle old scores, and Hebron is no exception writes Miko Peled.
mintpressnews.com/old-city-tel-rumeida-israel-settlers-takeover-hebron/263624/

The Push to Quash Criticism of Israel Is a Push to Quash Free Speech
Saree Makdisi | thenation.com | 2019-12-19
The Push to Quash Criticism of Israel Is a Push to Quash Free Speech…
thenation.com/article/executive-order-free-speech/

On the picket line
Martha Grevatt | workers.org | 2019-12-19
New Illinois labor law seeks to counter Janus decision The Dec. 2 Labor Tribune reported that a bill to uphold rights of public sector unions, which are threatened by the Supreme Court's 2018 Janus decision, was passed by the Illinois Legislature on Nov. 13. Ill. Gov. Pritzker promises to sign . . . | Continue reading On the picket line at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/12/44984/

Weekend Read: Top 10 Ways You Helped Us Make a Difference in 2019
splcenter.org | 2019-12-19
Our work in 2019 year was challenging — and highly successful — in many ways.
splcenter.org/news/2019/12/21/weekend-read-top-10-ways-you-helped-us-make-difference-2019

Trump's Executive Order on Anti-Semitism Isn't About Protecting Jews
Eric Alterman | thenation.com | 2019-12-19
Trump's Executive Order on Anti-Semitism Isn't About Protecting Jews…
thenation.com/article/executive-order-anti-semitism/

After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity
Martha Grevatt | workers.org | 2019-12-19
Elections held Dec. 12 in England, Scotland, Wales and the occupied north of Ireland were a boost to Trump protégé and Conservative party leader Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Voters elected 365 Conservative Members of Parliament to the House of Commons, giving Conservatives — the Tories — the majority needed to . . . | Continue reading After British right-wing win, workers need anti-racist unity at Workers.org…
workers.org/2019/12/44966/

10 LGBTQ Moments that Defined 2019
aclu.org | 2019-12-19
1. Aimee Stephens goes to the Supreme Court: | In October, the Supreme Court heard its first trans civil rights case ever. The case was brought by our client Aimee Stephens, who was fired from her job at a funeral home solely for being transgender. That's sex discrimination and it violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. , | We have yet to see whether the Supreme Court will uphold the civil rights of trans people. But no matter what, history has already been made. , | "I'll never forget the feeling of coming out of the Supreme Court and seeing a crowd of trans people and allies chanting to…
aclu.org/news/lgbt-rights/10-lgbtq-moments-that-defined-2019

Only 'concrete action' will stop fraying of Israel-Palestine peace prospects
news.un.org | 2019-12-18
Obstacles to any lasting deal between Israel and Palestine continue to mount, the UN's Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process told Security Council members on Wednesday, and only "concrete action" towards a two-State solution will change that dynamic.
news.un.org/feed/view/en/story/2019/12/1053841