Palestine
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Palestinian citizens of Israel and the politics of fragmentation
Little attention has been given to the position – the plight – of Palestinian citizens of Israel. This was always generally true. Since the 7th October, however, their position, always precarious and constrained, has worsened considerably. The Palestinian citizens of Israel, as those in the OPT, are also the victims of an Apartheid regime. In an Continue reading
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Israel and the West: A joint enterprise in genocide/ethnic cleansing
Do they, Biden and Sunak, turn away their faces, avert their eyes, block-up their ears, against the images and sounds of Gaza so desperately pleading for their attention? Paying the cries no heed, committed only to perverse, bloodless political calculation, the USA, the UK, the West in general, now are Israel’s collaborators in an Continue reading
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Is it genocide that we see?
Israel’s justification for its murderous onslaught on Gaza is that Hamas must be destroyed since it represents an existential threat to Israel; this, from its perspective, bloodily demonstrated in the events of the 7th October. The current and continuing Israeli attacks on Gaza are justified in those terms: Israel’s objective is to seek out Hamas, Continue reading
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Israel: Protesting and oppressing at the same time
Whilst Israel’s democracy warriors continue their mass protests against the Netanyahu coalition’s current and projected changes to the powers of the Supreme Court, the Israeli state’s murderous campaign against Palestinians in the OPT, East Jerusalem and Gaza not only continues, but is escalating before our eyes. This appears not to be a source of major Continue reading
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Freeing Palestine. Current strategies necessary. But sufficient?
Part one, in summary, looks at the nature of some of the threats that Israel-critical/Pro-Palestinian advocates confront. It then asks whether there is a need for more joined-up, durable approaches in responding to key threats, ones that so negatively affect the Palestinian cause. (3 minute read) Part two looks at some examples of the threats Continue reading
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Seismic shift: Authoritative Israeli human rights organisation brands Israel an Apartheid State
It’s as good as official: Israeli human rights group – B’tselem – defines Israel an Apartheid State. Other organisations have made that evidence-based judgment, not least the UN and Al-Haq, but the B’tselem report has special significance – it represents a radical break in its previous position and implcitly calls to account those that have Continue reading
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2019 Eurovision Song Contest – Songwashing occupation, discrimination, apartheid
Tel Aviv is to host the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest What’s Tel Aviv like? This from Business Insider: ‘From the Mediterranean shores of Tel Aviv, Israel’s fraught geopolitical position is almost non-existent. Tourists and locals alike sip Goldstar, Israel’s ubiquitous dark lager, as the waves roll in and out. Children laugh and splash in the Continue reading
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Palestine/Israel: Reflections on a visit
Extract: War on Want Briefing to MPs Israel’s use of military force against Palestinian civilians is a prominent feature of its occupation regime. This militarised repression of the Palestinian people extends beyond the scenes of checkpoints and bombings we have unfortunately become accustomed to; Israel’s military and security services maintain an intense regime of surveillance, Continue reading
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Palestine/Israel: What oppression looks like
I have just returned from a trip to Palestine/Israel. My purpose: to understand more; to interview/have conversations with people; to report back to those who might already be interested and, fond hope, to encourage more widespread interest – and action. The bulk of my time was spent in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), taking the Continue reading
About Me
This is Bernard Spiegal’s blog.
I write mainly about Palestine/Israel and related issues; sometimes other stuff too
Bernard Spiegal 