Please share this story. Critical research. Corporate profits in exchange for our health. We should all be angry and loud https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/sep/19/revealed-far-higher-pesticide-residues-allowed-on-food-since-brexit @AseemMalhotra Revealed: Far higher pesticide residues allowed on food since Brexit Exclusive: Unlike the EU, Great Britain has slashed protections for scores of food types Damian Carrington Maximum residue levels have been weakened for 49 different pesticides, 15 of which are on a list of ‘highly hazardous pesticides’ compiled by Pesticides Action Network UK. The amount of pesticide residue allowed on scores of food types in England, Wales and Scotland has soared since Brexit, analysis reveals, with some now thousands of times higher. Changes to regulations in Great Britain mean more than 100 items are now allowed to carry more pesticides when sold to the public, ranging from potatoes to onions, grapes to avocados, and coffee to rice. For tea, the maximum residue level (MRL) was increased by 4,000 times for both the insecticide chlorantraniliprole and the fungicide boscalid. For the controversial weedkiller glyphosate, classed as a “probable human carcinogen” by the World Health Organization (WHO), the MRL for beans was raised by 7.5 times. The purpose of the pesticide MRL regime is to protect public health, wildlife and the natural environment. Campaigners said the list of pesticides included reproductive toxins and carcinogens and that the weaker MRLs reduced protections for consumers in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has retained the EU MRLs. The changes took place between 2022 and 2024 under the previous Conservative government and replaced stronger EU MRLs. In contrast to Great Britain, the EU has not weakened the MRLs for the pesticides and in some cases is making them even stricter. The campaigners called on the Labour government to reverse the changes. MRLs have been weakened for 49 different pesticides, 15 of which are on a list of “highly hazardous pesticides” compiled by Pesticides Action Network UK (Pan UK), based on data from national and international authorities. The analysis of MRLs was conducted by Pan UK using data from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which regulates pesticides in the UK, and the details were shared with the Guardian. In one example, MRLs for avocados and pomegranates for the insecticide bifenthrin, a hormone disruptor, were raised 50 times. The pesticide is banned in both the UK and EU but not in many importing countries. “Safety limits have been undermined for a worrying list of pesticides,” said Nick Mole from Pan UK. “At a time when cancers and other chronic diseases are on the rise, we should be doing everything we can to reduce our chemical exposure. In reality, we have no idea what this ongoing exposure to tens – or even hundreds – of different chemicals is doing to our health over the long term.” Scientists concluded in 2022 that global chemical pollution had passed the safe limit for humanity. A spokesperson for the HSE said: “We make independent decisions based on careful scientific assessment of the risks, with the aim of achieving a high level of protection for people and the environment. The decision to change any MRL must be supported by a risk assessment to ensure internationally recognised safety requirements are met.” He said British MRLs were set below the level considered to be safe for people eating the food. The new, weaker MRLs adopted by Great Britain come from the Codex Alimentarius, a set of international food standards produced by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization and the WHO. The Codex has been criticised by campaigners for “a history of setting weaker safety standards than European counterparts due to the influence of US and corporate lobbying”. Strikingly, the UK chose to adopt the Codex MRLs only where they offered lower protection to consumers. Where the Codex standard was stricter, the HSE decided to retain the weaker British MRL. In the cases of residues of chlorantraniliprole and boscalid in teas, the EU also adopted the higher Codex MRL. The planet's most important stories. Get all the week's environment news - the good, the bad and the essential Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. “This really does beggar belief,” said Mole. “The new government urgently needs to flip this topsy-turvy approach on its head.” The HSE said a British MRL could be higher because a pesticide was applied in greater quantities in Britain than in the scenario considered for the Codex standard. The Guardian revealed in January that the UK had dropped a swathe of EU-derived environmental protections, despite Michael Gove, Boris Johnson and other architects of Brexit having promised that they would be strengthened after the UK left the bloc. In particular, the EU has banned 30 harmful pesticides since Brexit – the UK has not banned any of these. Fifteen of the pesticides for which MRLs have been increased are banned in both the UK and EU, including two neonicotinoids, notorious for their harm to pollinating insects. Pan UK said this gave a competitive advantage to growers in countries where these pesticides remain legal, such as the US, Canada and Australia in the case of the neonicotinoids. One neonicotinoid, thiamethoxam, had its MRL for oats increased 25 times from the previous EU standard, while for clothianidin, the MRL for wheat has gone up 7.5 times. In contrast, the EU is to reduce its MRLs for these insecticides by up to 80% in 2026. “We are essentially exporting our pesticide footprint abroad,” said Mole. “For the sake of the global biodiversity crisis, the new government urgently needs to undo this mess. We should be adopting a precautionary approach, which prioritises health and environment over economic concerns.” A Defra spokesperson said: “Decisions on MRLs are only taken after rigorous risk assessments to make sure levels are safe for the public. This government will change existing policies to ban the use of bee-killing pesticides and will set out plans to minimise the risks and impacts of pesticides through an increased uptake of integrated pest management.” This article was amended on 27 September 2024 to clarify that in the cases of residues of chlorantraniliprole and boscalid in teas, the EU also adopted the higher Codex MRL.

Gazans flee (again) as Israel, Hezbollah conflict heats up – Day 323 [email protected] August 26, 2024 ben gvir, child malnutrition, evacuation gaza, Hezbollah, polio vaccine, torture, west bank deaths Palestinians flee Israeli bombing in Gaza (Photo credit: Amnesty International) (photo) Compilation of news reports – IAK staff Chaotic scenes as central Gaza residents evacuate after Israeli orders Al Jazeera reports: Palestinians have shared videos on Instagram documenting the displacement of residents from Deir el-Balah after Israeli evacuation orders. The videos show residents carrying their belongings with some even transporting mattresses on their backs as they navigate crowded roads. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military issued a new evacuation order in an area of eastern Deir el-Balah amid an expanding ground offensive. The latest attacks between Israel and Hezbollah Al Jazeera reports: Hezbollah and Israeli forces have exchanged attacks across the Lebanon-Israel border in a marked escalation of the tit-for-tat engagement they have been undertaking since October 7. Israeli jets attacked southern Lebanon in the early hours of Sunday morning, saying it was a preemptive strike against Hezbollah rocket launchers that were preparing to attack Israel…… Global fears of an all-out regional conflict multiplied after the assassination last month of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and of Shukr in Beirut, both blamed on Israel. Here’s everything you need to know about what happened on Sunday morning… (Read the full article here.) RECOMMENDED READING: Netanyahu says attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon ‘not the end of the story and Five key takeaways from Nasrallah’s speech after Hezbollah-Israel attacks Report: US aided Israel with intelligence in attack on Hezbollah Middle East Monitor reports: The US provided intelligence assistance to Israel for its “pre-emptive strike” against Hezbollah, the Israeli state-run broadcasting authority reported on Sunday, citing an American official. The official, who was not named, said that Washington “provided intelligence assistance to Israel in the (Sunday) pre-emptive strike against Hezbollah in Lebanon,” without providing further details. As of yet, there has been no official response from Israel regarding the American official’s statement. However, the White House previously stated that President Joe Biden “is closely monitoring events in Israel and Lebanon.” Israel claimed to have launched preemptive strikes on southern Lebanon after detecting plans of an attack targeting Israeli soil. Hezbollah said it fired at least 340 rockets into Israel. Israel claimed to have launched preemptive strikes on southern Lebanon after detecting plans of an attack targeting Israeli soil. Hezbollah said it fired at least 340 rockets into Israel. (photo) WHO says nearly 15,000 Gaza children are acutely malnourished The New Arab reports: Nearly 15,000 children in Gaza have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition since early this year, according to the United Nations. The UN humanitarian office OCHA has said that 239,580 children were checked since mid-January, leading to 14,750 diagnoses of malnutrition affecting children aged between six months to just under five years, including 3,288 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Kamal Adwan Hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya said that a quarter of these cases “were classified as malnutrition with complications”. “The influx of cases with complications means that this is the stage – God forbid – that comes before death.” Kamal Adwan Hospital is located in northern Gaza and has a malnutrition treatment center supported by WHO. Palestinians in Jabalia Refugee Camp wait in line to receive food distributed by charitable organizations in Jabalia, Gaza on August 1, 2024. [Mahmoud İssa – Anadolu Agency] Palestinians in Jabalia Refugee Camp wait in line to receive food distributed by charitable organizations in Jabalia, Gaza on August 1, 2024. [Mahmoud İssa – Anadolu Agency] (photo) First shipment of polio vaccine arrives in Gaza as disease resurfaces after 25 years The National reports: Unicef says aim is for 640,000 children to be vaccinated in the Palestinian enclave amid a high risk of the disease spreading Gaza has received the first batch of polio vaccines needed for a mass immunisation drive among children, following its first confirmed case in a quarter of a century. About 1.3 million doses were delivered to the Palestinian enclave by UN children’s fund Unicef through the Karam Abu Salem border crossing after the disease left a 10-month-old child paralysed, the Health Ministry said on Sunday evening. There are two other suspected cases. Polio was eradicated from Palestine 25 years ago but returned amid a complete breakdown of sanitary infrastructure in Gaza. Its spread was exacerbated by overcrowding in Al Mawasi’s “humanitarian zone” where the population density is at least 30,000 people a square kilometre, with most living in tents…. The arrival of the vaccines – a rare piece of positive news in Gaza, where more than 40,400 people have been killed – comes as patients flee Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital in Deir Al Balah, putting even more strain on what remains of Gaza’s healthcare system. The area surrounding the hospital has been declared a military zone, the Health Ministry announced on Sunday night, “causing panic” and prompting many to flee the hospital, currently home to 100 patients, including seven in intensive care. The medical centre currently remains open to patients, the ministry added, calling for the site to be protected. Deir Al Balah is in central Gaza, currently the focus of intense Israeli air strikes and shelling along with the southern city of Khan Younis. A worker unloads a shipment of polio vaccines provided with support from UNICEF to the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom, at a depot belonging to Gaza’s health ministry on August 25, 2024 [EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images] A worker unloads a shipment of polio vaccines provided with support from UNICEF to the Gaza Strip through the Karm Abu Salem crossing, also known as Kerem Shalom, at a depot belonging to Gaza’s health ministry on August 25, 2024 [EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images] (photo) Israel’s military tortured Palestinian healthcare workers, HRW says Middle East Eye reports: In its latest report, Human Rights Watch (HRW) says that Israel has arbitrarily detained Palestinian healthcare workers since the war on Gaza began on 7 October, deported them to detention facilities in Israel, and allegedly tortured and ill-treated them. “The detention of healthcare workers in the context of the Israeli military’s repeated attacks on hospitals in Gaza has contributed to the catastrophic degradation of the besieged territory’s healthcare system,” the report reads. Released doctors, nurses and paramedics told the organisation of their mistreatment, which included “humiliation, beatings, forced stress positions, prolonged cuffing and blindfolding, and denial of medical care”. “They also reported torture, including rape and sexual abuse by Israeli forces, denial of medical care, and poor detention conditions for the general detainee population.” Balkees Jarrah, acting Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said that “the torture and other ill-treatment of doctors, nurses, and paramedics should be thoroughly investigated and appropriately punished, including by the International Criminal Court (ICC)”. Palestinian youth succumbs to injuries sustained from Israeli gunfire near Jenin WAFA reports: JENIN, Sunday, August 25, 2024 (WAFA) – A young Palestinian man, identified as Ahmad Mohammad Khalil Al-Anteer, 18, succumbed this morning to injuries sustained from Israeli occupation forces’ gunfire near the Jalameh military checkpoint, north of Jenin. Local sources reported that Israeli forces had opened fire earlier today on three young men who were in a vehicle near the checkpoint. The sources added that the Israeli forces prevented ambulances from reaching the scene and detained the three individuals from the vehicle. Later, Palestinian security sources confirmed that one of the three young men had died from his injuries, while the condition of the other two remains unclear. With this latest murder in Jenin, the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli occupation forces in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, since October 7 has risen to 644, including 147 children. Shot Palestinian Youth, Used by Israel as Human Shield, Dies of Injuries in Israeli Custody Palestine Chronicle reports: Zahir Tahseen Raddad, 19, from the town of Saida, north of Tulkarm, died on Sunday morning, the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) and the Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs said in a joint statement. Raddad had sustained serious injuries on July 23, following a siege by Israeli forces on the house in the Azbat al-Jarad neighborhood east of Tulkarm. An Israeli drone reportedly targeted the house, and Raddad was arrested along with three other young men, one of whom had moderate injuries. The prisoner organizations confirmed Raddad’s death at the Israeli Meir Hospital. Raddad was shot by Israeli forces and used as a human shield after he was placed on the front of an Israeli military vehicle, as documented in video footage of the military operation in Tulkarm, the organizations said. The statement further said that Raddad had been held in hospital under critical and unstable health conditions, reliant on artificial respiration after undergoing several surgeries. Despite his grave condition, the Israeli authorities continued his detention until his death, which amounts to medical neglect. RECOMMENDED READING: Israel is torturing, abducting, and using children as human shields in Gaza – analysis Israeli forces kill Two in occupied West Bank IMEMC reports: On Sunday evening, the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed the death of two Palestinians who were shot after Israeli soldiers opened fire at their car near the northern entrance of Salfit, in the central West Bank, and prevented Palestinian medics from approaching them. The two were kidnapped by a paramilitary Israeli colonizer and managed to escape before the soldiers killed them when they accidentally entered Ariel illegal colony. The Health Ministry said the soldiers killed Odai Nizar Nimir Abu Na’sa (Troush), 27, and Mos’ab Hassan Ali Moqasqas, 17, before taking their corpses to an unknown location. The Israeli army claimed the two Palestinians drove a car into oncoming traffic, hitting vehicles while trying to ram into a military post. Israeli National News claimed that the vehicle driven by the two Palestinians collided with other cars “and attempted to ram soldiers operating in the area, lightly wounding one,” before the soldiers “eliminated the two.” It added that one soldier was mildly injured before he was taken to a medical center to receive medical treatment. Ben-Gvir’s call to build synagogue at Al-Aqsa ‘to drag region into religious war’: Palestine Andalou Agency reports: Palestine denounced a call by Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Monday to build a synagogue inside Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem as an attempt to drag the region into a “religious war.” “The Palestinian people will not accept any harm to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which is a red line that cannot be crossed under any circumstances,” Palestinian Authority spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeineh said in a statement. “These calls to alter the status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque are attempts to drag the region into a religious war that will burn all,” he added. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry warned of grave consequences from Ben-Gvir’s call to build a synagogue at the flashpoint site. “This is an explicit and public call to demolish Al-Aqsa and build the alleged temple in its place,” a ministry statement said. Ben-Gvir claimed Monday that Jews have the right to pray at Al-Aqsa Mosque, saying that he would build a synagogue at the flashpoint site. It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque. Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (2nd L) forces his way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under police protection in East Jerusalem on 18 July 2024 [Stringer/Anadolu Agency] Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir (2nd L) forces his way into the flashpoint Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under police protection in East Jerusalem on 18 July 2024 [Stringer/Anadolu Agency] (photo) Israel’s new police chief, a Ben-Gvir appointee, ‘brings a Zionist and Jewish agenda’ Ha’aretz reports: The government approved the appointment of Danny Levy as the new Israel Police Commissioner on Sunday at the request of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Levy “brings a Zionist and Jewish agenda and will lead the police according to the policy I have laid out for him,” Ben-Gvir said, following his approval. At the appointment ceremony for Levy in Jerusalem, the incoming police commissioner stated, “We will strengthen governance and fight anyone who tries to undermine authority.” He added that “governance and sovereignty are the cornerstones of a well-functioning society.” Ben-Gvir echoed this, saying, “We are the lord of this lands – it’s time for us to take control.” The incoming police commissioner, closely linked with the far-right national security minister, saw rising crime and murder during his brief stint as Coastal District commander and led a harsh crackdown on anti-government and anti-war protesters. A RECENT HA’ARETZ EDITORIAL ADDS: “Itamar Ben-Gvir supports Jewish terrorists. As national security minister, he uses the power, authority and resources that are at his disposal to protect them. “Make no mistake: The Jewish terrorists are the military wing of the organization to which Ben-Gvir belongs and whose interests he represents as a cabinet minister. Ben-Gvir serves in the government, but he remains loyal to a bigger idea. And in a choice between his loyalty to the state and his loyalty to a Kahanist Greater Land of Israel, he will choose the latter.” US to keep two aircraft carrier strike groups in Middle East: Pentagon Al Jazeera reports: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has ordered the presence of two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East, the Pentagon says as it strengthens the US military presence amid soaring regional tensions. The announcement, made in a summary of a call between Austin and his Israeli counterpart, represents a shift. The Pentagon had initially deployed the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group into the region with a plan to replace the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group. MORE NEWS: IMEMC Daily Reports. Common Dreams: Rashida Tlaib Says She Is ‘Ashamed of Our Country Looking Away’ as Gaza Faces Polio Crisis Palestine Chronicle: Subsidizing Racism – end tax breaks for “charities” pushing genocide, to save kids Middle East Eye: Gaza family accuses Israel of killing Palestinian with Down syndrome during incursion STATISTICS OCTOBER 7 – AUGUST 25: Palestinian death toll from October 7, 2023 – August 25, 2024: at least 41,079* (40,435 in Gaza* – 11,445 women (30%), 16,251 children as of July 22. [The Ministry’s figures have been contested by the Israeli authorities, although they have been accepted as accurate by Israeli intelligence services, the UN, and WHO. These data are supported by independent analyses, comparing changes in the number of deaths of UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) staff with those reported by the Ministry, which found claims of data fabrication implausible.] This is expected to be a significant undercount since thousands of those killed have yet to be identified – and at least 644 in the West Bank (~147 children). This does not include an estimated 10,000 more still buried under rubble (4,900 women and children). Euro-Med Monitor reports 46,848 Palestinian deaths. Lancet: “Applying a conservative estimate of four indirect deaths per one direct death9 to the 37,396 deaths reported, it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186 000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza. Ralph Nader earlier estimated 200,000 Palestinians may have been killed in Gaza. At least 45 Palestinians have died in Israeli prisons (27 from Gaza, 23 from West Bank). At least 41 Palestinians have died due to malnutrition**. About 1.9 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are currently displaced. Almost 500,000 Gazans are currently experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Palestinian injuries from October 7 – August 25: at least 98,954 (including at least 93,534 in Gaza and 5,420 in the West Bank, including 830 children). [It remains unknown how man Americans are among the casualties in Gaza.] Reported Israeli death toll from October 7, 2023 – August 25, 2024: ~1,452 (~1,139 on October 7, 2023, of which ~32 were Americans, and ~36 were children); 288*** military forces since the ground invasion began in Gaza; 25 military and civilians in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel) and~10,000 injured. NOTE: It is unknown at this time how many of the deaths and injuries of Israelis on October 7 were caused by Israeli soldiers. *Previously, IAK did not include 471 Gazans killed in the Al Ahli hospital blast since the source of the projectile was being disputed. However, given that much evidence points to Israel as the culprit, Israel had previously bombed the hospital and has attacked many others, Israel is prohibiting outside experts from investigating the scene, and since the UN and other agencies are including the deaths from the attack in their cumulative totals, if Americans knew is now also doing so. **Euro-Med Monitor reports that Gaza’s elderly are dying at an alarmingly high rate. The majority die at home and are buried either close to their residences or in makeshift graves dispersed across the Strip. There are currently more than 140 such cemeteries. Additionally, according to Euromed, thousands have died from starvation, malnourishment, and inadequate medical care; these are considered indirect victims as they were not registered in hospitals. ***Approximately ten of the deaths listed above were Israeli soldiers killed by Hezbollah in fighting at the Israel-Lebanon border. The figure does not include the reportedly 53 Israeli soldiers – nearly 16% of the total Israeli military deaths – killed due to friendly fire in Gaza and other military-related accidents. † For most of the conflict, women and children accounted for about 70% of deaths in Gaza, with children making up a little over 40% of those killed, according to official statistics. Find previous daily casualty figures and daily news updates here. Hover over each bar for exact numbers. Source: IsraelPalestineTimeline.org Human rights reports on Israel-Palestine (regularly updated) Israeli media’s coverage of the rape of Palestinian detainees shows support for sexual violence in service of genocide Inside Israel’s torture, rape, and dehumanization centers I’m a pediatrician. The scars I saw on Gaza’s children will take generations to heal. What Harris’s Jewish outreach director said at a private DNC afterparty ‘Strong record of supporting the U.S.-Israel relationship’: a look at Tim Walz’s votes on Palestine as a member of Congress Nearly Two-Thirds of All Campaign Funds for Cori Bush Challenger Came From AIPAC Israeli army probe covered up “friendly fire” killings on October 7 Are US officials’ investments of public funds in Israeli bonds ethical? How much is too much? Honoring the memory of a Gazan Olympic hero: Majed Abu Maraheel An American was just shot in the West Bank. The American press can’t be bothered. Understanding what motivates ultra-orthodox Jewish attacks on West Bank Palestinians Palestinians’ harrowing stories of rape by Israeli soldiers (including female soldiers) A Palestinian journalist visited Ismail Haniyeh’s home in Gaza to report on his death. Israel assassinated him too. I reported a piece for the New York Times on antisemitism. I found a major error, but the Times didn’t care. How Israel plans to whitewash its war crimes in Gaza Why the West Bank is on the verge of economic collapse Netanyahu’s plan to involve US in regional war on its behalf Western media continue to withhold the truth about Israel and Gaza – 4 stories “Well What SHOULD Israel Have Done After October 7?” Welcome to Hell More dead children. More BBC ‘news’ channelling Israeli propaganda as its own U.S. media downplays and ignores ICJ ruling declaring Israeli occupation illegal Israeli soldiers tell story of savage cruelty in Gaza – one given blessing by the West Searching for Gaza’s missing children What Would You Do With An Extra $320 Million? https://israelpalestinenews.org/gazans-flee-again-israel-hezbollah-conflict-heats-up-day-323/

End Israel’s system of economic apartheid in Palestine Chris HabibyAugust 8, 2024 File Photo: A Palestinian woman walks past a Western Union office in Gaza City in 2011. (Photo: Mahmoud Nassar / APA Images) File Photo: A Palestinian woman walks past a Western Union office in Gaza City in 2011. (Photo: Mahmoud Nassar / APA Images) When the International Court of Justice ruled on July 19 that Israel’s policies and practices in the Occupied Palestinian Territories were unlawful, “tantamount to the crime of apartheid” according to the president of the Court, it was a vindication for Palestinians, their allies, and human rights organizations who have been saying the same for decades. For 75 years, Israel’s theft of Palestinian land, its illegal settlement enterprise, and the systemic discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel have all contributed to the more extensive apartheid system. Still, they do not constitute Israel’s entire plan to ethnically cleanse the land and deny any form of Palestinian liberation. Too often, the intentional system that economically fragments and dispossesses Palestinians is overlooked. There is one clear way to describe this system of financial exclusion and institutional sabotage – financial apartheid This system imposes economic restrictions on Palestinians, marginalizing them and stripping away their economic agency while inhibiting their ability to receive aid, participate in the global economy, and access financial services. It manifests through the manufactured necessity of aid, legal frameworks that criminalize direct and mutual aid, and obstructive, discriminatory policies from private and governmental entities. When placed in this context, there is one clear way to describe this system of financial exclusion and institutional sabotage – financial apartheid It is nearly impossible for development and rehabilitation to occur against the backdrop of sustained, engineered political and economic destabilization; a fact which precedes October 7 but has stood out in stark relief since. By refusing to provide Palestinians the support required from occupying powers under international humanitarian law and actively obstructing any means to support themselves, the Israeli state has de facto required international actors to fulfill the needs of Palestinians living under occupation. The current crisis in Gaza is not the source of this engineered reliance, and any claim that it is belies Israel’s 17 year Israeli siege and blockade of Gaza (itself a form of economic warfare against Palestinians) which devastated the Strip’s economy. Rather, it has exacerbated this manufactured necessity and underscored how it contributes to the economic marginalization of Palestinians. Advertisement Watch In Bad Faith, a new satirical video from Mondoweiss and Mohammed El-Kurd. This financial apartheid has forced Palestinians, especially those in Gaza, to leverage mutual aid networks to obtain the necessities for survival. For Americans (including those with family members in Palestine), supporting Palestinians either directly or through these networks carries significant risk. In a report published this past February, Palestine Legal and the Center for Constitutional Rights demonstrated that since the 1960’s, the US Government “has used anti-terrorism law to target the Palestinian movement and supporters and to stigmatize Palestinians as terrorists.” This dangerous and dehumanizing framework used against Palestinians endangers all non-governmental aid efforts. Among the highest profile examples of this risk is the case of the Holy Land Five, who were prosecuted under the “material support” law for donating to Palestinian charities that the US government itself supported. On top of the potential legal liability, providing aid directly or through mutual aid networks also carries the risk of bank account closures and bans on using money transfer services. Sanctions regimes targeting terrorist financing have incentivized financial institutions and service providers to refuse relationships and dealings with individuals and organizations associated with Palestine. The threat of severe financial penalties has produced an ecosystem where Palestinians and their supporters are excluded under the cloak of prudent risk management. As a result of their exclusion from traditional banking systems, Palestinians and those who seek to support them are forced to utilize third-party financial services. Yet even with those servicers, systematic practices hinder or outright prevent access. For example, PayPal refuses to provide its services to Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories (though it does provide services to non-Palestinians living on illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank), citing high-security risks, a gross misrepresentation considering Visa, Mastercard, and Apple still provide financial services on the ground. In another example of online financial services being used to obstruct access, Venmo (which is owned by PayPal) closed the accounts of individuals and blocked funds of individuals who donated to Gaza to provide humanitarian support. These economic roadblocks are not limited to digital-only platforms. Cash transfer services, like Western Union and Moneygram, also participate in the discrimination against Palestinians by blocking transfers and requesting invasive documentation of both senders and recipients. Palestinians and those seeking financial support must provide birth or marriage licenses, property titles, loan and mortgage statements, business registration information, and tax identification. These unique document requirements are only placed on transfers to Palestinians. Additionally, cash transfers to Palestinians have a significantly lower limit on how much can be sent, and those transfers are restricted to be between individuals related by only one degree. It is important to note that the systems imposing engineered economic instability on Palestinians are not exclusive to those living in Gaza. Tax revenues belonging to the Palestinian people by way of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank are regularly withheld by the Israeli government and often used as bargaining chips to extract concessions from both the PA and the broader Israeli government. This tax revenue is also subject to frequent deductions by Israel. Between April and July of this year, the ultra-nationalist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich refused to release the tax revenues, only conceding after the Israeli cabinet approved five illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank. During this period, only 50-60% of public sector employees received their pay. The impact of political gamesmanship played with West Bank tax revenue on the Palestinian economy is further compounded by, until now, threats by that same minister to completely cut off Palestinian financial institutions from the global banking system, a move which UN experts caution could “paralyze the Palestinian economy”. Ultimately, the confluence of sustained economic destabilization and legal frameworks that criminalize direct and mutual aid has created an ecosystem that actively inhibits the growth of a robust Palestinian economy. Through this financial apartheid, Palestinians are isolated economically and prevented from taking any substantive steps toward improving their financial situation. The system of economic exclusion that the Palestinian populations in Gaza and in the West Bank are subjected to must be dismantled. It is time for the Palestinian economy to be reimagined and redeveloped. Before you leave– Mondoweiss is reader-funded and independent. We never hide our articles, podcasts, or videos behind a paywall because we believe everyone should have access to high-quality journalism about Palestine. We need you! We know you value our reporting and analysis of the events and politics surrounding Palestine’s struggle for liberation. Please donate today to sustain our work. https://mondoweiss.net/2024/08/end-israels-system-of-economic-apartheid-in-palestine/

Six Signs That America Has Been Taken Over By Psychopaths One of my Substack subscribers wrote the book "Psychopath Proof; Identifying Psychopathic Communication." I read the book from cover to cover, and I had no idea how many psychopaths I have and continue to endure throughout my life. The author, The Rogue Hypnotist, exposes the unsettling reality of how charming and manipulative individuals often rise to power, masquerading as moral leaders while inflicting harm on the empathetic masses. The book highlights the need for vigilance in recognizing the signs of psychopathic behavior, emphasizing that these individuals are not merely misguided but irredeemable agents of chaos. By understanding their tactics and motivations, readers are empowered to protect themselves and society from the destructive influence of these predators, who thrive on manipulation and the suffering of others. I recommend you read this book as well. We're living in a snake pit, and it will help you better navigate this mad world. In the grand theater of politics, it seems we've cast a troupe of characters who could give Shakespeare's Iago (known for his cunning and deceitful nature) a run for his money. Our government, it appears, is a veritable breeding ground for psychopaths—those charming, smooth-talking individuals who can hypnotize a room with their words, much like a cobra does with its prey. They come across as the most moral people you know, often playing the victim card with Oscar-worthy performances. We are seeing this play out currently with the political hyena known as Kamala Harris and the psychopath of the century who is leading us into WWIII, Bibi Netanyahu. These political thespians have mastered the art of deception, a skill honed through years of pretending to be the saviors of society. They are the ultimate opportunists, creating chaos only to swoop in with solutions that never seem to solve anything. Their modus operandi is to flatter, charm, lie, and then lie again until your guard is down, and then, like a snake, they strike. Their food is fear. In the world of governance, these psychopaths thrive. They are drawn to positions of power where they can manipulate systems and individuals to their advantage. Policies that lead to societal upheaval are their bread and butter, and they revel in the constant change that leaves the rest of us spinning. Their charm is superficial, their understanding shallow, but they have an uncanny ability to appear respectable to the uninitiated. The key to identifying these political psychopaths is to focus on their actions rather than their words. Transparency and accountability are the kryptonite to their supervillain-like tendencies. By recognizing the signs of psychopathic behavior—superficial charm, manipulative tactics, and a penchant for chaos—we can work towards a more stable and empathetic future. We have failed miserably at this, and because of that, we are witnessing a global psychopathic takeover. Six factors often act as a prelude to a full psychopathic takeover: Any forces in society that attack freedom of speech, freedom of inquiry, freedom of criticism, etc. Common sense disappears on a wide scale. Social order itself collapses. Justice vanishes. Cultural primitivism exists, is imported, or resurfaced. Psychologically limited, demented, and weak leadership occurs. Share These leaders often exhibit a "savior complex," positioning themselves as the only ones capable of solving the very problems they create. Their behavior is marked by a lack of genuine emotional depth, as they are often described as "dead on the inside," experiencing only a range of anger. This emotional void allows them to exploit others without remorse. In their quest for power, they are adept at creating environments of constant change, which they thrive in while demoralizing the masses — think Covid. They use flattery, superficial understanding, and a knack for making others feel special (think on the campaign trail), only to betray their constituents later. Their tactics are as old as time, yet they continue to be effective in a world that values style over substance. To avoid electing these psychopathic leaders, voters must focus on actions rather than words—watch their actions like hawks—ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. Recognizing the signs of psychopathic behavior can help society work towards a more empathetic and stable future. Ultimately, it's our job to identify and remove these individuals from positions of power, as they are irredeemable and thrive on the destruction they cause. Psychopaths in power are often highly mobile and nomadic, moving from one position to another to evade consequences for their actions. They may establish charities or engage in philanthropic activities as a cover for their true intentions, using these fronts to gain access to resources and manipulate others. This behavior indicates their parasitic nature, as they seek to exploit the goodwill of others while offering little in return. The impact of psychopathic behavior extends beyond individual interactions; it can shape entire organizations and societies. When psychopaths infiltrate systems of power, they often initiate a process of systemic collapse. Performance declines, scandals emerge, and the organization's overall morale suffers. This deterioration is usually masked by the psychopath's ability to present themselves as dynamic problem solvers, further complicating efforts to address the underlying issues. We see this with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who states that the country remains on "high alert" following violent protests while advocating for implementing biometrics as a "response. Share The allure of the psychopath lies in their ability to promise a better future. How many times have we seen this during an election cycle? They are experts at making others feel optimistic, even when their actions suggest otherwise. This skill can lead to a cycle of dependency, where victims become increasingly reliant on the promises of the psychopath despite a lack of tangible results. The book Psychopath Proof doesn't have an answer on how to wrangle a psychopath. Still, it highlights that understanding the nature of psychopathy is crucial for identifying and mitigating its impact on society. By recognizing the signs of psychopathic behavior, individuals can better protect themselves and their communities from the destructive influence of these individuals. Only through awareness and action can society hope to confront and dismantle the systems that allow psychopathy to thrive. Share Tip Jar! 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Dozens of UN experts call for targeted sanctions and arms embargo on Israel The UN building in Geneva (AFP) Officials urged UN member states to 'immediately review all diplomatic, political and economic ties with Israel' A group of 38 independent UN human rights experts, appointed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva as part of its special procedures, have called on UN member states to impose an arms embargo and targeted sanctions on Israel. In a joint statement on Tuesday, the experts urged UN member states to "immediately review all diplomatic, political, and economic ties with Israel, inclusive of business and finance, pension funds, academia and charities." They called on member states to implement an immediate and complete embargo on the sale of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel. The UN experts added that states must impose targeted sanctions on Israel and investigate dual citizens involved in crimes while serving in the Israeli military, or involved in settler violence in the occupied West Bank. The call comes as the UK indicated it is looking into restricting some, but not all, arms sales to Israel, althought it has offered no timetable on the decision. Stay informed with MEE's newsletters Sign up to get the latest alerts, insights and analysis, starting with Turkey Unpacked Reports have claimed that the Labour government is reviewing evidence to identify which UK-made weapons may have been used in suspected war crimes in Gaza. The UN experts' statement is in response to the International Court of Justice's (ICJ) recent landmark advisory opinion that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory is unlawful and should be brought to an end "as rapidly as possible". Judges at ICJ ruled that member states have a duty to "take steps to prevent trade or investment relations that assist in the maintenance of the illegal situation created by Israel". The UN experts said: “The advisory opinion reaffirms peremptory norms prohibiting annexation, settlements, racial segregation and apartheid, and should be seen as declaratory in nature and binding on Israel and all states supporting the occupation." https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-experts-call-targeted-sanctions-and-arms-embargo-israel