Monday 18 June 2012

IDF deploys tanks near Egypt border, in violation of peace treaty

IDF deploys tanks near Egypt border, in violation of peace treaty

 

In an unusual move, the Israel Defense Forces deployed two tanks to a site near the Egyptian border on Monday morning, following a cross-border attack in which one Israeli was killed.
Deployment of tanks to the area is prohibited according to Israel's peace agreements with Egypt. According to the Camp David Accords, the area is to remain demilitarized, with Israel prohibited from deploying tanks, artillery or anti-tank missiles.
The tanks were deployed after assailants launched an attack along the border. Following the incident, the tanks were withdrawn from the area.
The IDF emphasized that it had no plans to deploy additional tanks to the area, noting that the tanks were sent as a result of the unusual incident. (1)

Very concerning. Hopefully the treaty holds and this just a footnote in the annuls of history books.

Note:

Monday 11 June 2012

House Republicans Censor Photo, call it child porn

House Republicans Censor Photo, call it child porn


At a House hearing last week, witnesses were intending to focus on coal mining. Instead, a photo of a five year old child is getting all the attention.

Testifying in front of the House Natural Resources Commitee on the impact of coal mining, activist Maria Gunnoe intended to show a picture of a five year old child bathing in polluted water from mountaintop mining. But House Republicans censored the image, calling it child pornography.

The photo was taken by photojournalist Katie Falkenberg, who wrote this caption about the image:

Erica and Rully must bathe their daughter, age 5, in contaminated water that is the color of tea. Their water has been tested and contains high levels of arsenic…. The coal company that mines the land around their home has never admitted to causing this problem, but they do supply the family with bottled water for drinking and cooking. Contaminated and colored water has occurred in other coalfield communities as well where mountaintop mining is practiced.

Members of the committee were not able to see the informative image, because Republican committee staff barred Gunnoe from displaying the picture during her testimony.

Gunnoe complied with the request, but after the hearing was escorted into an empty room by Capitol Police and was questioned for 45 minutes about the photo at the request of an unnamed GOP senior committee staffer to Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO). Gunnoe is a renowned activist against mountaintop coal mining, who has testified before the committee three other times.(1)

 Craven and venal. Typical US Republican deceit for corrupt reasons.

Note:
(1) http://thinkprogress.org/climate/2012/06/06/495861/house-republicans-censor-photo-showing-impacts-of-mountain-top-removal-calling-it-child-porn/

Friday 1 June 2012

IDF soldier, Palestinian militant killed in Gaza Fight

An Israel Defense Forces soldier and a Palestinian militant were killed in an exchange of fire on the Israel-Gaza border on Friday morning.
The exchange of fire ensued after a militant breached the border fence into Israel in the southern part of the Gaza Strip.
At approximately 5.30 A.M., the IDF spotted an armed person breaching the border, and sent soldiers from the Golani Brigade to the site. The soldiers opened fire toward the militant.
In a statement, the IDF said that "the killing of the terrorist prevented a terrorist attack in Israeli territory". The IDF also said the deceased soldier's family has been notified.
"The IDF will act against any entitity that operates against the State of Israel," the statement read. "The army views Hamas as responsible for all that occurs in the Gaza Strip."
Later on Friday, there were Palestinian reports of Israel Air Force activity and explosions in the Gaza Strip. The IDF later confirmed that the IAF had struck open fields in the Gaza Strip.(1)

My heart goes out to the families.

This sort of nonsense will continue, esp. since Israel hasn't ended the illegal blockade it was meant to end in 2008.

Note:
(1) http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/idf-soldier-palestinian-militant-killed-in-exchange-of-fire-on-gaza-border-1.433844