(2020-09-25). Egyptian navy arrests 3 Palestinian fishermen. yenisafak.com The Egyptian navy on Friday arrested three Palestinian fishermen after they allegedly crossed into the Egyptian territorial waters, a local union said.According to Nizar Ayyash, head of Gaza's fishermen union, the Egyptian navy followed the fishermen's boat and opened fire on them after crossing into the Egyptian waters and arrested them.Ayyash added that the three fishermen are from the same family and live in Deir al-Balah, a city in central Gaza.He, however, said no information is available about their situation under custody.The authorities in Gaza and Egypt are yet to comment on the incident.According to the…
(2020-09-25). The Larger Problem, or the Birth of Racism out of the Spirit of Musical Chairs. counterpunch.org 
A lot of attention has been focused recently on eradicating racism from American culture. That's a laudable goal but a much larger task than I think anyone has yet acknowledged. The problem is not simply that racism is very deep in American culture. The problem is that it emanates from something that is even deeper
(2020-09-25). Susan Abulhawa: 'Palestine is the test'. workers.org 
The following is a lightly edited transcript of a Sept. 19 talk by Palestinian novelist and Workers World Party member Susan Abulhawa during a "Free Palestine! No Normalization with Colonization or Occupation!' webinar sponsored by WWP. We've known for years that the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other . . . |
(2020-09-25). Redefining Anti-Semitism on Facebook. counterpunch.org 
The objective is to force Facebook to alter its hate speech definition so that its own "detection algorithm" will characterize any criticism of Israel as hate speech and automatically remove the pertinent content from the platform. Given that Facebook has 2.7 billion users and is the world's largest and arguably most influential media platform, it comes as
(2020-09-25). Chicago counter-protest disrupts pro-police rally. liberationnews.org 
Throughout the pro-police rally, counterprotesters chanted slogans such as "Black lives matter" and "16 shots and a coverup," referring to the killing of the teenager Laquan McDonald by former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke.
(2020-09-25). Palestinians Are Not Numbers: On the Future of the Palestinian Discourse. counterpunch.org 
Palestine can never be truly understood through numbers, because numbers are dehumanizing, impersonal, and, when necessary, can also be contrived to mean something else entirely. Numbers are not meant to tell the story of the human condition, nor should they ever serve as a substitute for emotions. Indeed, the stories of life, death — and
(2020-09-25). Surviving a pandemic under siege. workers.org 
During a Sept. 18 "Free Palestine" webinar, Palestinian writers and activists Susan Abulhawa and Khaled Barakat were asked to comment on the spread of COVID-19 in occupied Palestine, and what it means to have access to healthcare under foreign occupation. The following is an edited version of their replies. Susan . . . |
(2020-09-25). Twin Cities march for Breonna Taylor shuts down major freeway. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – 1000 people rallied and marched to protest the announcement that no one would be charged for the murder of Breonna Taylor. Organized by Black Lives Matter Minnesota, Twin Cities Coalition for Justice 4 Jamar, Black Lives Matter Twin Cities Metro and others, the group rallied at the state capitol on September 23, and then marched about four miles, including taking over Interstate 94. Three protesters were arrested but released the later that night.
(2020-09-25). YouTube, Zoom and Facebook censor Leila Khaled for Israel. zcomm.org "They are bothered by the ways in which we are focusing on questions of Black liberation, Palestinian liberation and prison abolition, and the connections between these movements"
(2020-09-25). California Schools Launch Anti-Racism Plan, Flouting Trump's Threats. zcomm.org The California Department of Education is developing the nation's first statewide ethnic studies curriculum model…
(2020-09-25). Sunday 9/27: It's On: The Struggle for the Future. indybay.org Dolores Park | 18th & Church Street | San Francisco…
(2020-09-25). Commentator Explains Why the Left 'Is Biggest Threat to America, Western Civilization'. sputniknews.com In the upcoming US presidential election, where incumbent President Donald Trump is set to face Democratic rival candidate Joe Biden, the United States is dealing with an ongoing global coronavirus pandemic and nation-wide mass protests against racism and police brutality.
(2020-09-25). Czechs plan to buy air defence from Israel's Rafael. yenisafak.com The Czech Defence Ministry will start talks with the Israeli government to buy a short and medium range air defence system made by Israeli state-owned supplier Rafael, the ministry said on Friday.The government has been raising defence spending to modernise its armed forces, but has admitted it would fall short of its pledge, as a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to spend 2% of gross domestic product on defence by 2024.The ministry said it expected a government-to-government contract to be signed in early 2021 and supplies from 2023 and had picked Rafael's SPYDER Short Range Air Defence/Medium Ra…
(2020-09-24). "Two Systems of Justice": Jacob Blake's Father on Son's Case, Breonna Taylor & Black Lives Matter. democracynow.org 
As outrage mounts over the grand jury ruling in the police killing of Breonna Taylor, we look at the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin, where an investigation is in its final stages. The case sparked renewed national protests in August after viral video showed Kenosha police shooting the Black father in the back seven times, paralyzing him. We speak with Blake's father, Jacob Blake Sr. He says police shootings and killings of Black people reveal there are "two systems of justice" in the United States, and asks, "Why are our children scared to death of people that are supposed to protect and serve them…
(2020-09-24). Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks. middleeasteye.net 
Arab and European states call on Israel and Palestine to restart talks | Foreign ministers from France, Egypt, Germany and Jordan called for the resumption of talks on the basis of the two-state solution | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 20: 53 | The top diplomats from Egypt, France, and Jordan met in Amman, while Germany's Heiko Maas joined virtually (AFP) | Foreign ministers from four Arab and Europea…
(2020-09-24). Failing Palestinian Self-determination. globalresearch.ca The UN is marking its 75th birthday with a virtual opening of the 75th session of the General Assembly. While UN agencies have carried out successful humanitarian assistance and research programmes, peacekeeping missions and efforts to protect the rights of …
(2020-09-24). Venezuelan President Maduro proposes new UN fund to support countries facing discrimination. news.un.org Venezuela has proposed creation of a "revolving public purchasing fund" within the United Nations system to guarantee access to food and health products, financed with public resources, to facilitate countries suffering "discrimination and economic blockade" acquire necessary goods and services.
(2020-09-24). PDF of September 24 issue. workers.org 
Download the 12-page PDF. Whistleblower: ICE abuses detainees ALSO: Migrant caravan for residency; Defend BLM activist lawyers; Trump, Biden, and U.S. decline; 'Free Palestine' webinar; U.S. Cold War vs TikTok; Is Marxism still relevant? WORKERS ORGANIZE: Illinois; North Carolina. WORLD: Editorial: Ginsburg & SCOTUS. WORLD: Belarus; Bolivia. TEAR DOWN THE . . . |
(2020-09-24). Minneapolis calls for an end to aid to Israel, remembers Sabra and Shatila. fightbacknews.org Minneapolis, MN – On September 17, over 30 activists in Minneapolis bannered across Interstate 94 during rush hour to remember the Sabra and Shatila massacre and highlight the destructive role the U.S. plays in Lebanon. They waved Palestinian flags and dropped banners across eight lanes of traffic demanding an end to aid in Israel, demanding an end to apartheid, and expressing solidarity against state violence. The response from people passing by was overwhelmingly positive with a constant stream of honks from cars. | From September 16 to 18, 1982, pro-Israel militiamen murdered more than 1000 Palestinian and Leb…
(2020-09-24). Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'next day or two', US official says. middleeasteye.net 
Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'next day or two', US official says | UN ambassador Kelly Craft declined to name names, but recent moves indicate Sudan or Oman may be next on list of countries to move forward with normalisation deal | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 16: 34 | Foreign Ministers of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain met with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Net…
(2020-09-24). Arab states are forging ties with Israel to please US, Ted Cruz says. middleeasteye.net 
Arab states are forging ties with Israel to please US, Ted Cruz says | US senator rejects criticism of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, says Riyadh played 'major role' in brokering Arab peace with Israel | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 18: 34 | Cruz says Donald Trump's 'clarity' in favouring Israel pushed Arab countries to embrace normalisation (AFP/File photo) | Ambassadors of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in…
(2020-09-24). Feet First? Trump Says He Won't Leave White House When He Loses Election. thealtworld.com 
'We're going to have to see what happens,' says US president, again raising concerns over integrity of mail-in-ballots despite no evidence of fraud | "Get rid of the ballots and you'll have a very peaceful — there won't be a transfer, frankly. There will be a continuation. The ballots are out of control. You know it. And you know who knows it better than anybody else? The Democrats know it better than anybody else.": | WASHINGTON (Times of Israel) — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday again declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses the Nov. 3 presidential election. | "
(2020-09-24). Socialist Revolutionary Workers Party (South Africa): Release U.S. political prisoners jailed for fighting in the anti-racist struggle! liberationnews.org 
Political repression in the USA continues against those leading the massive anti-racist protest movement, as seen in the recent arrests of four leaders of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) and the ongoing criminalization of the protest movement as a whole.
(2020-09-24). Zoom criticised for cancelling webinar with Palestinian activist Leila Khaled. middleeasteye.net 
Zoom criticised for cancelling webinar with Palestinian activist Leila Khaled | The event was also later blocked by YouTube and Facebook for featuring the activist and former hijacker | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 15: 02 | The online event was cancelled by Zoom, and later blocked by Facebook and YouTube (Screengrab/ AFP) | Zoom, a video conferencing platform, is facing a barrage of criticism online after cancellin…
(2020-09-24). 'We are cheerleaders' for pro-US camp in Middle East, says UAE's Al-Otaiba. middleeasteye.net 
'We are cheerleaders' for pro-US camp in Middle East, says UAE's Al-Otaiba | Abu Dhabi's ambassador to Washington says normalisation deal with Israel will give 'moral boost' to religious minorities in region | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 23: 00 | Flags of US, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on ramparts of Jerusalem's Old City on 15 September (AFP/File photo) | The Emiratis are "cheerleaders" for the US role in the…
(2020-09-24). Fatah and Hamas agree to first Palestinian elections in nearly 15 years. middleeasteye.net 
Fatah and Hamas agree to first Palestinian elections in nearly 15 years | Deal between the rival Palestinian factions follows normalisation agreements between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 12: 01 | Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, centre, recites a prayer as he arrives for a meeting in Ramallah on 3 September with representatives of Palestinian factions (AFP) | The Pa…
(2020-09-24). 'Vote him out', 'Honor her wish': Protesters chant as Donald Trump pays respect to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. rt.com 
US President Donald Trump was loudly booed as he paid his respects to late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, as calls intensify for him to hold off on nominating a replacement until after the November election. | The president and his wife, Melania, silently paid their respects to Ginsburg on Thursday morning at the Supreme Court, where the recently-deceased judge is lying in state as part of a three-day event to honor her life. | As Trump and the First Lady appeared, a crowd that had gathered across the street began booing the pair and chanting "vote him out." They also chanted "honor her wish" [mdas…
(2020-09-24). Netanyahu brings dirty laundry to Washington for US staff to wash: Report. middleeasteye.net 
Netanyahu brings dirty laundry to Washington for US staff to wash: Report | For the first time, US officials have commented on the Israeli prime minister's behaviour, which has been reported on for years | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 11: 16 | One US official said that after multiple trips to Washington it became clear that the bringing of the dirty laundry was intentional (AFP) | Officials in the Un…
(2020-09-24). Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'day or two', US official says. middleeasteye.net Another Arab state to announce ties with Israel in 'day or two', US official says | UN Ambassador Kelly Craft declines to identify, but recent moves indicate Sudan or Oman may be next on list of countries to move forward with normalisation deal | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 16: 34 | Foreign ministers of United Arab Emirates and Bahrain met with US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last…
(2020-09-24). 'Edge of the abyss': Israel tightens coronavirus lockdown as infections climb. middleeasteye.net 
'Edge of the abyss': Israel tightens coronavirus lockdown as infections climb | Move comes after number of daily new cases has reached nearly 7,000 among a population of just nine million | Thu, 09/24/2020 – 08: 04 | Netanyahu has rejected allegations from protesters that a tougher lockdown was essentially aimed at quashing demonstrations against him (Reuters) | Prime Minister Benjamin Net…
(2020-09-24). Groups from across the world ask UN General Assembly to act against Israeli apartheid. peoplesdispatch.org More than 450 civil society and human rights groups from across the globe released a letter addressed to the ongoing 75th session of the UNGA asking it to revive its anti-apartheid bodies and take action to end Israeli occupation of Palestine…
(2020-09-24). Thousands Call on Facebook to Stop Censoring Palestine. commondreams.org ______________________________…
(2020-09-24). Advocates Demand Facebook #StopCensoringPalestine After Platform Blocks Livestream Featuring Palestinian Rights Defenders. commondreams.org "When it comes to speech advocating for Palestinians. Facebook swiftly censors and removes content, often with no explanation." | www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files… …
(2020-09-24). Trump Refuses To Commit To Peaceful Power Transfer If He Loses. telesurenglish.net U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday refused to commit to a peaceful transfer of power should he lose this year's presidential race, while suggesting that the election will be challenged in the Supreme Court. | RELATED: | "We're going to have to see what happens," Trump said during a press briefing at the White House when asked if he would make sure there is "a peaceful transferal of power" after the election in Nov…
(2020-09-24). RBG and America's Priestly Class. counterpunch.org "It would be naive to depend on the Supreme Court to defend the rights of poor people, women, people of color, dissenters of all kinds. Those rights only come alive when citizens organize, protest, demonstrate, strike, boycott, rebel, and violate the law in order to uphold justice." — Howard Zinn The history of most ancient
(2020-09-24). Riot Police Are Not Excessively Violent, Colombia's Govt. Says. telesurenglish.net Colombia's Defense Minister Carlos Trujillo Wednesday rejected the ruling of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) which concluded that the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (ESMAD) has systematically carried out violent and arbitrary actions against citizens. | RELATED: | On Sept. 22, the CSJ ordered Trujillo to apologize for the excesses his security forces committed in the demonstrations that thousands of citizens staged in Nov. 2019. | Neverthele…
(2020-09-24). 3 ways a 6-3 Supreme Court would be different. zcomm.org Perhaps the most important ramification of a 6-3 conservative court is that it will return many policies to local control.
(2020-09-24). Wednesday 9/23: Recording: Supreme Court Lying in Repose Ceremony for Justice Ginsburg (watch anytime). indybay.org Online recording…
(2020-09-24). The Chickens Have Come Home to Roost. strategic-culture.org As ye sow, so shall ye reap, is another, Biblical way of expressing the common American adage from the title. The recent passing of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg seems to have provoked The normal procedure, following long-standing pra…
(2020-09-24). Crowd Boos, Chants "Vote Him Out" After Trump Appears at Ginsburg Memorial. truthout.org President Trump was booed by a crowd gathered at the Supreme Court building on Thursday while paying respects to late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. | Ginsburg's body is Trump arrived at the Supreme Court building on Thursday and appear…
(2020-09-24). Supreme Court Orders Capture of Ecuador's Ex-President Correa. telesurenglish.net Ecuador's National Court of Justice (CNJ) Wednesday ordered the capture of former President Rafael Correa, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for his alleged participation in a bribery case. | RELATED: | This arrest warrant also affects former Vice President Jorge Glas and other former senior officials such as Alexis Mera, Maria de Los Angeles Duarte, and Viviana Bonilla. | After ratifying that the legal process…
(2020-09-24). US to announce more Iran sanctions on Thursday, top envoy says. yenisafak.com The United States will slap new sanctions on a number of Iranian officials and entities including a judge who sentenced Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari to death, U.S. Special Representative for Iran and Venezuela Elliott Abrams told a hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday.Navid Afkari was executed earlier this month after being convicted of stabbing a security guard to death during anti-government protests in 2018, Iranian state media reported, in a case that has sparked international outcry. Iran's Supreme Court rejected a review of the case in late August.
(2020-09-24). 2020 US ELECTION: What you need to know right now. yenisafak.com Court battles over how votes are tallied have now spread to almost every competitive state, as the effect of the pandemic has led the two sides to clash over seemingly mundane issues such as witness signatures, postmarks, and the use of drop boxes for ballots.- With speculation swirling over his pick for the Supreme Court, President Donald Trump heads to Florida on Thursday, hoping to shore up support in that hotly contested state. On Wednesday, the president, who has repeatedly attempted to cast doubt on the legitimacy of the election, declined to commit to a peaceful transfer of power if he loses.- Retired Gene…
(2020-09-24). The Media Is Missing the Republicans' Supreme Court Power Grab—Again. thenation.com The Media Is Missing the Republicans' Supreme Court Power Grab—Again…
(2020-09-24). New Middle East Peace Plan Would Use Jobs to "Turn Palestinians Away from Violence" mintpressnews.com The Middle East Partnership for Peace Act relies heavily on the premise that the primary reasons that Israel and the Palestinians have not achieved peace are merely economic.
(2020-09-24). Jacksonville demands People's Budget, stands in solidarity with the Tally 19. fightbacknews.org Jacksonville, FL — On September 19, over 120 people showed up outside city hall in downtown Jacksonville demanding a people's budget and community control of the police. This action was in response to the call by the National Alliance Against Racist and Pollical Repression (NAARPR) national call to action. The Jacksonville Community Action Committee is an affiliate of NAARPR. | Speakers from Jacksonville Community Action Committee, University of North Florida SDS, Take 'Em Down Jax, Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, ACLU, Mount Sinai Baptist Church and other organizations participated. The demands have b…
(2020-09-24). At UN Assembly, King Hamad affirms Bahrain's commitment for a just peace in Middle East. news.un.org Bahrain's establishment of relations with Israel is a "civilized message", affirming the country's commitment for a just and comprehensive peace for all peoples in the region, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa told world leaders, gathered virtually at the United Nations General Assembly.
(2020-09-24). When will DeSantis listen to his own voters on ex-felons' voting rights? aclu.org On Sept. 11, Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Republican leaders won their legal battle to disenfranchise hundreds of thousands of people with prior felony convictions. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit embraced Republican politicians' specious arguments that ex-felons should be required to pay all fines and fees before voting., , This decision dealt a blow to Floridians who care about racial justice and basic principles of democracy. The ruling also spited an unlikely and less discussed constituency: Republican voters., , This story starts in 2018, when DeSantis and Republican politicians camp…
(2020-09-24). Rejecting Normalization with Israel—MES EP.73. thealtworld.com The recent bilateral agreements simply formalized the normalization of Israel's already thawing relations with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. But the agreements do not address the decades-long conflict between Israel and the Arab population because of the Palestinian cause, who view the pacts as a stab in the back of their fellow Palestinians and a betrayal of their cause for a Palestinian state. To discuss this issue with us from London is Jawad Fairouz Former Bahraini MP. | It is not a secret that US President Donald Trump is obsessed with either voiding or emulating the legacy of his predecessor, Barack…
(2020-09-24). Anti-racist organizers in Denver released after a week in jail. peoplesdispatch.org A week after their arrest, the anti-racist organizers from the Party for Socialism and Liberation in Denver were finally given a bond hearing and released from jail…