The Arab League is considering bringing the debate over the continued expansion of the illegal Israeli settlements to the UN, and may even call for the UN recognition of Palestine as a state.
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Lawrence of Arabia
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Lawrence of Arabia
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thabet
Obviously this demand from the OIC does not apply to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran, etc.
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thabet
US ‘military chief seeks Turkish support over Iran’:
Turkey voted against the US-backed sanctions against Iran in June, insisting that its neighbor’s nuclear program is peaceful, despite fears that Tehran might be seeking to develop nuclear arms. Turkey has, however, stated that it will abide by the sanctions.
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Lawrence of Arabia
Amid UN concerns about its legality, the United States is moving forward with the trial of Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen who was a minor when he was taken prisoner. Khadr is believed to be the first child soldier to be prosecuted for war crimes since WW2, and his prosecution would be a violation of the codes of the ICC. The judge in the case has also ruled that the confession of the young man, which the defense claims was coerced under torture, will be allowed. This is the first military tribunal under the Obama administration.
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Lawrence of Arabia
KSA and Syria talk about stability and peace in Lebanon ahead of the likely indictment of Hezbillah officials in connection with the assassination of Rafik Hariri.
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thabet
I’m not clear how a man who once declared that Afghanistan was deserving of ‘rape’ by the USSR can complain about this, other than the fact that it is sheer political tribalism, but here’s Alexander Cockburn on the Iraq sanctions of the 1990s:
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thabet
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thabet
UN report concludes that the UK is complicit in the mistreatment and possible torture of its own citizens:
In a report published today that will make difficult reading for ministers who repeatedly denied the UK’s involvement in torture, UN officials have indicated that there is clear evidence of the UK’s role in the secret detention overseas of several British Muslims.
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Idris
If it’s true, it is not fair. Something has to be done to stop it being happening again. Objection from the United Nation will bring a quick stop to that to repeat itself.
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thabet
The UN has said that criticism of Israeli racism toward Palestinians has been dropped from Durban II, a global conference on racism. The US, Canada, Australia and a number of EU countries have said they will boycott if the event turns into an ‘anti-Israel forum’.
It goes without saying that Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is a serious problem, as are its own internal issues with respect to its Arab population. We know about Western contribution and support to this violence against Palestinians, specifically American support which can only be characterised as fanatical.
But why do people who defend or do nothing about this or implement policies like this expect their complaints of ‘Israeli racism’ to be viewed as credible and serious? Why do the same people never mention that an entire language and culture are banned by some Muslim countries? Or that, amidst the imperial adventurism of ignorant oafs, ancient communities are being wiped out?
Remember, it is not only Western countries who practice hypocrisy. It is not only Western countries which have foreign and national policy objectives which they dress in noble claims about human rights or freedom. It is not only Western countries that hold ‘power’ and an ability to dominate ‘others’: ask a Shia in Saudi Arabia; or an Arab in Iran; or a Kurd in Turkey; or a Christian in Pakistan; or an Indian in Malaysia.
Also dropped from the Durban II text are references to ‘defamation of religion’. This is an impossible test to apply and can be nothing other than bid to curtail criticism of said Muslim governments.
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abunoor
Bolivia Cuts Israel Ties over Gaza
Evo Morales joins Hugo Chavez in strong protests over Gaza Massacre.
Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia, says he is breaking off ties with Israel in protest against its war in Gaza, which has left more than 1,000 Palestinians dead.
Morales said on Wednesday that he would seek to get top Israeli officials, including Ehud Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, charged with “genocide” in the International Criminal Court.
The Bolivian president also dismissed the United Nations and its “Insecurity Council” for its “lukewarm” response to the crisis and said the general assembly should hold an emergency session to condemn the invasion.
“Considering these grave attacks against … humanity, Bolivia will stop having diplomatic relations with Israel,” Morales told diplomats in the Bolivian capital, La Paz.
He also said that Shimon Peres, the Israeli president, should be stripped of his Nobel Peace Prize for failing to stop the invasion.
thabet is discussing. 
Idris is discussing. 
His brother Patrick Cockburn is the better writer anyway.