Author: mark

Service Australia’s use of technology at odds with joint statement Australia made with White House and others arguing for controls on commercial spywareJosh Taylor and Stephanie Convery Thu 6 Apr 2023 01.00 AEST (The Guardian) The Albanese government is facing pressure to ban Services Australia from using Israeli spyware that cracks the passcodes on people’s phones as… Continue reading Labor under pressure to ban use of Israeli spyware in investigations of alleged welfare fraud

In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, 60 organisations say the IHRA definition has been used to wrongly label criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic. By Al Jazeera Staff ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/4/rights-groups-urge-un-not-to-adopt-ihra-anti-semitism-definition ) Published On 4 Apr 2023 Dozens of rights groups have urged United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres not to adopt the controversial International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance… Continue reading Rights groups urge UN not to adopt IHRA anti-Semitism definition

Israeli forces stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem’s Old City, firing stun grenades and attacking Palestinian worshippers. Published On 5 Apr 20235 Apr 2023 (Al Jazeera) ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/5/red-line-world-reaction-to-israeli-attack-on-al-aqsa-mosque ) The UN, Turkey, US, Canada and several other countries and bodies have expressed shock and concern about Israeli forces storming the Al-Aqsa Mosque overnight, firing stun grenades… Continue reading ‘Red line’: World reaction to Israeli attack on Al-Aqsa Mosque

By Dalia Hatuqa Published On 5 Apr 20235 Apr 2023 (AlJazeera) ( https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/4/5/israeli-police-attack-palestinians-in-al-aqsa-mosque-again-live ) Israeli police have raided the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound using stun grenades and firing rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian worshippers. ·        Not a “surprise” that violence has broken out: Al Jazeera correspondent Speaking about the lead-up to the violence at the Al-Aqsa mosque… Continue reading Live: Israeli police attack Palestinians in Al-Aqsa Mosque again

Tim Dodd (The Australian, 4/4/2023) The Australian National University has rejected a call from some federal parliamentarians to adopt the definition of anti-Semitism advocated by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, saying its current policies and procedures are enough to deal with discrimination. “ANU is confident its existing policies and procedures are well equipped to help… Continue reading ANU rejects call for change to anti-Semitism policy

IDF spokesperson says forces ‘came under fire and shot back,’ while raiding Nablus to arrest Palestinians reportedly involved in last week’s shooting in Hawara, injuring two Israeli soldiersHaaretz | Jack Khoury Two Palestinians were killed on Monday morning during violent clashes with the Israel Defense Forces in the West Bank city of Nablus, the Palestinian… Continue reading Palestinians: Two Killed in West Bank Clashes With Israeli Army

As Ben-Gvir’s provocative National Guard is greenlighted, Israel is considering a key role for the army in the event of unrest and riots in mixed Arab-Jewish cities. Officials warn that defining Israeli Arab citizens as a ‘potential fifth column’ could have disastrous consequencesHaaretz | Amos Harel Plans to set up an Israeli national guard, which… Continue reading From Ben-Gvir’s Paramilitaries to IDF ‘Policing’ | Israel’s Alarming Security Plans Could Inflame Relations With Its Arab Citizens

The protest movement will either transform into a call for genuine democracy – for Palestinians and Israelis alike – or it will remain locked in the current impasseThe Guardian | Joshua Leifer There is a certain afterglow to mass protest. It’s a feeling strongest when the slogans have just ceased to echo in the streets,… Continue reading Israel hasn’t been a democracy for a long time. Now, Israelis need to face this fact

As one door slid open for Northern Ireland 25 years ago, another was sliding shut for Israel and Palestine – and disaster followed The Guardian | Jonathan Freedland Even before the freshly acquitted Gwyneth Paltrow gave us what we are obliged to call the Slalom Witch Trial, she had already made an enduring gift to… Continue reading Netanyahu is leading a coup against his own country. But the threat is not only to Israel

Israel is facing more turmoil as a result of the government’s plans to form a militia headed by a far-right minister. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the Jewish Power party, that a “national guard” would be formed under the command of his national ­security ministry. Mr Netanyahu made the pledge in… Continue reading Fury at Bibi’s ‘Private Militia’The Australian / The Times | Anshel Pfeffer