Iran – Features

UN retreats after Israel hits out at Gaza report

Secretary General rejects further investigation into ‘reckless’ military offensive

By Donald Macintyre in Jerusalem

The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon bowed to pressure from Israel yesterday by trying to limit the impact of a comprehensive critique accusing its military of “recklessness or negligence” in this year’s Gaza offensive.

The official UN report – which Mr Ban himself commissioned – criticised the Israel Defence Forces for breaching the inviolability of UN premises, causing deaths, injuries and damage in seven incidents involving UN installations, and on occasions issuing untrue statements about what had happened.

Read More »Un retreats after Isarael hits out at Gaza report

3 anti siege activities during Ramadan Read More »3 anti siege activities during ramadan

War without Context: Fatah, Hamas and Flawed Language
-By Ramzy Baroud

From a distance, the struggle between Hamas and Fatah appears commonplace, a typical third world country’s political scuffle over interpretation of democracy that went out of control, or simply a ‘power struggle’ between two political rivals vying for international aid and recognition. In fact, the conflict may appear as if it popped out of nowhere and will continue as long as the seemingly power-hungry Palestinians carry on with their self-defeating fight.

Read More »War without context fatah hamas and flawed language

 By Raphael Ahren 

(source: Haaretz)

South Africans who served in the IDF said this week they would continue visiting their home country despite attempts to prosecute them there for serving in a foreign army – which South African law prohibits. Many see the effort, spurred by war crimes allegations emanating from Operation Cast Lead and initiated in the main by pro-Palestinian NGOs, as mere "saber-rattling." At the same time, soldiers and activists said those concerned should be careful not publicize evidence of serving in Gaza and to stay informed about new developments.

"Of course I’ll be going back for visits," a 23-year-old IDF combat soldier from Johannesburg told Anglo File last week. "If something big would happen and I’d be in danger, I’m sure my friends and my parents would’ve told me."  Advertisement

A former soldier now living in Johannesburg added: "I am not scared about being prosecuted." Fearing repercussions, many former and current South African soldiers declined to be quoted in this article, even if promised anonymity.

Read More »Israeli soldiers from south Africa feel heat of prosecution drive in old country