Israel
Settlements authorised as Kerry tries to restart Israeli-Palestinian talks
By Jean Shaoul, 28 May 2013
Benyamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government has begun the legal process to retrospectively authorise four outposts as settlements in the Occupied West Bank.
Nationwide protests against austerity in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 16 May 2013
The budget aims to cut the deficit that reached US$11 billion in 2012.
Stephen Hawking and the academic boycott of Israel
By Chris Marsden, 15 May 2013
In a letter explaining his decision to pull out of Israel’s Presidential conference, noted theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking explained that Israeli government policy “is likely to lead to disaster.”
Washington’s threat to invade Syria
By Bill Van Auken, 26 April 2013
US allegations of chemical weapons use by government forces have brought Washington to the brink of war with Syria.
Israel renews military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 20 April 2013
The Israeli government’s aim appears to be, in the first instance, to pressure the Obama administration into setting a deadline for a US-led attack on Iran.
Israel bombs Gaza, shoots down West Bank youth
By Bill Van Auken, 5 April 2013
Israel placed its military on “high alert” Thursday as anger erupted following the deaths of a prominent Palestinian prisoner and two young protesters in the occupied West Bank.
Obama talks “peace” in Israel while preparing war
By Bill Van Auken, 22 March 2013
In a speech delivered in Jerusalem Thursday, Obama identified US interests unconditionally with Israel, while reiterating war threats against both Syria and Iran.
Australian government’s cover-up of “Prisoner X’s” death in Israel
By Mike Head, 18 March 2013
The government is continuing to lie in the most bald-faced manner about the entire affair.
Conflict erupts on West Bank over death of Palestinian in detention
By Chris Marsden, 1 March 2013
More than 150 people have been injured in clashes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank between the Israeli army and Palestinians protesting the death of Arafat Jaradad in Israeli custody.
Australian government complicit in “Prisoner X’s” death in Israel
By Mike Head, 16 February 2013
The Labor government knowingly allowed one of its citizens to “disappear” into Israeli detention and die in solitary confinement.
Israel’s bombing of Syria escalates threat of wider war
By Bill Van Auken, 1 February 2013
The bombing of a Syrian military site by Israeli warplanes has ratcheted up the danger that the Western-backed civil war in Syria will spill over into a broader regional conflagration.
Israel’s elections augur deepening political instability
By Jean Shaoul, 24 January 2013
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing electoral alliance, Likud-Beiteinu, and his religious coalition partners won a much-reduced majority in Tuesday’s elections, resulting in a hung parliament.
Israel: High voter turnout results in setback for Netanyahu
By Jean Shaoul, 23 January 2013
Netanyahu has sought to capitalise on the rise of new right-wing secular parties to push through an austerity budget for 2013.
Israeli election campaign reflects rightward shift
By Jean Shaoul, 9 January 2013
The Israeli parliamentary election campaign is marked by an ever more rightward turn by all the main political parties.
Israel considering attack on Syria
By Jean Shaoul, 18 December 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has twice asked Jordan for its support to bomb Syria’s alleged chemical weapons facilities.
Israel to expand settlements after UN vote on Palestine
By Bill Van Auken, 1 December 2012
In a provocative response to the UN’s recognition of Palestine as a nonmember state, the Netanyahu government is pushing ahead with 3,000 new housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Israeli forces break Gaza ceasefire as Netanyahu outlines his political calculations
By Jean Shaoul and Chris Marsden, 24 November 2012
The ceasefire that brought to an end Israel’s eight-day blitzkrieg against Gaza is already under strain, after Israeli forces killed a Palestinian man on the border.
Bombardment of Gaza portends further criminal wars in Middle East
By Chris Marsden, 23 November 2012
For eight days, the Israel Defense Forces rained down devastation on Gaza that has left it in ruins. More than 150 Palestinian lives were lost, including 40 children.
US and Egypt announce ceasefire in Israeli assault on Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 22 November 2012
After supporting a ceaseless bombardment for the last eight days of densely populated Gaza neighborhoods, the US was concerned that the conflict could threaten its broader agenda in the Middle East.
Israel continues blitz against Gaza amid truce talks
By Bill Van Auken, 21 November 2012
Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza Tuesday, inflicting mounting civilian casualties amid predictions that an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire would soon take effect.
The Law in These Parts: Israeli military justice in the Occupied Territories
By Kevin Kearney, 21 November 2012
Ra’anan Alexandrowicz’s documentary is a penetrating look at the Israeli military legal system in the Occupied Territories on the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip over the last 45 years.
Stop the massacre in Gaza!
By Bill Van Auken, 20 November 2012
The Israeli leadership, the Obama administration and the corporate media all invoke the “right of self-defense” to justify the onslaught against Gaza that has already killed and maimed hundreds of Palestinian civilians.
Death toll mounts from Israeli air strikes in Gaza
By Patrick Martin, 19 November 2012
Israeli warplanes and gunboats intensified their attacks on Palestinian homes and institutions throughout the Gaza Strip over the weekend, bringing the death toll to more than 75.
Israel calls up 75,000 troops as bombing continues in Gaza
By Bill Van Auken, 17 November 2012
The Israeli military boasted of carrying out more than 500 air strikes against densely populated Gaza since launching its offensive on Wednesday.
Israel masses troops on Gaza border as bombardment intensifies
By Bill Van Auken, 16 November 2012
Israeli warplanes carried out hundreds of air strikes against the densely populated Gaza Strip Thursday as Israel mobilized troops on the Palestinian territory’s border.
Israel launches offensive against Gaza
By Bill Van Auken, 15 November 2012
In its most intense attack on Gaza since the Operation Cast Lead invasion of 2008-2009, Israel carried out a bombardment of the Palestinian territory, beginning with the assassination of a top Hamas leader.
Israel launches missile strike against Syria
By Niall Green, 12 November 2012
With the US elections out of the way, Washington and its allies have stepped up their campaign for regime-change against Syria.
Likud/Israel Beiteinu bloc prepares ground for war and savage austerity measures
By Jean Shaoul, 1 November 2012
The Likud party has overwhelmingly backed a planned bloc with the ultra-nationalist Israel Beiteinu in the January 22 election.
US, Israel plan joint strikes on Iran
By Jean Shaoul, 10 October 2012
The US and Israel are planning joint strikes against Iran, according to reports in the Israeli media and Foreign Policy magazine.
Netanyahu’s war ultimatum at the UN
By Barry Grey, 1 October 2012
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s belligerent and provocative speech last Thursday before the United Nations General Assembly underscored that plans for an unprovoked military attack on Iran are far advanced.
Israeli prime minister lays out path to war with Iran
By Joseph Kishore, 28 September 2012
In a speech before the UN, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded a “red line” for Iran’s nuclear program that would lead to military action in the spring or summer of next year.
Israeli leader presses Obama to set trigger for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 18 September 2012
Netanyahu’s remarks were designed to create the false impression that the country is on the brink of building a nuclear weapon.
Protests against Palestinian Authority austerity measures
By Jean Shaoul, 14 September 2012
The Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian trade unions and Israel are united in opposing a growing tide of protests in the West Bank.
Jewish youth charged with assault on Israeli Arabs
By Jean Shaoul, 3 September 2012
An attack by a gang of Jewish youths on several Palestinian Israelis that left one 17-year-old Palestinian close to death has shocked Israel.
Israeli court rules army not responsible for Rachel Corrie’s death
By Jean Shaoul, 30 August 2012
Haifa’s district court has dismissed a civilian suit brought by the parents of Rachel Corrie against the Israeli security forces for the death of their daughter in March 2003.
Israeli threats heighten danger of Middle East war
By Peter Symonds, 17 August 2012
Regardless of its immediate purpose, Israeli warmongering can only heighten tensions throughout the region and add to the dangers of war.
Memo exposes Israeli war plan against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 16 August 2012
A leaked memo providing a detailed blueprint for an unprovoked Israeli war against Iran coincides with multiple Israeli media reports indicating that such an attack may be imminent.
Israeli cabinet reveals draconian austerity budget
By Jean Shaoul, 3 August 2012
Israel’s cabinet has approved austerity measures aimed at increasing taxes by NIS13 billion ($3.25 billion) and slashing state expenditure by NIS12 billion ($3 billion).
Book on Mossad confirms Israel assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists
By Jean Shaoul, 30 July 2012
Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israel’s Secret Wars states unequivocally that Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, assassinated five of Iran’s top scientists in that country’s nuclear programme.
Netanyahu government in crisis over drafting orthodox Jews
By Jean Shaoul, 25 July 2012
Shaul Mofaz has pulled his Kadima party out of Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s coalition government over the Likud leader’s refusal to force Israel’s orthodox Jews to carry out military or some other form of national service.
The self-immolation of Moshe Silman
By Chris Marsden, 19 July 2012
The self-immolation of Moshe Silman raises fundamental questions of political perspective before workers and youth in Israel and throughout the Middle East.
Israeli man immolates himself over social crisis
By Patrick Martin, 18 July 2012
Moshe Silman, 57, was comatose and in critical condition at a hospital in Tel Hashomer after setting himself on fire at a protest over homelessness and destitution.
Israeli police arrest social protest movement leader and break up demonstrations
By Jean Shaoul, 27 June 2012
Israeli riot police have detained dozens of activists demanding social justice, after violently breaking up demonstrations.
Israel’s ruling Likud party incites racist attacks on migrants
By Jean Shaoul, 28 May 2012
Racist attacks injured dozens of asylum seekers, following a rally where leading members of the ruling Likud party made inflammatory remarks against African migrants.
Palestinian hunger strike ended after Egypt’s intervention
By Jean Shaoul, 23 May 2012
Palestinian prisoners have accepted a deal brokered by Egypt to end their hunger strike in protest against Israel’s use of detention without charge or trial and the inhuman conditions they face in jail.
US intensifies confrontation with Iran
By Peter Symonds, 14 May 2012
If the Baghdad talks next week collapse, the danger of military conflict initiated by Israel or the US will rise dramatically.
Israel’s national unity government prepares ground for war
By Jean Shaoul, 10 May 2012
Less than two days after calling an early general election for September 4th, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu announced that he had instead brought the opposition Kadima party into his coalition.
Netanyahu predicted to call early Israeli election
By Jean Shaoul, 7 May 2012
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu is expected to announce a snap election for September.
Berlin: Israelis and Iranians protest danger of war in the Middle East
By our correspondents, 7 May 2012
Several hundred Israelis, Iranians and German citizens demonstrated in Berlin on Saturday against US and Israeli preparations for war against Iran.
Israel repeats military threat against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 19 April 2012
Defence Minister Ehud Barak made clear that an Israeli attack on Iran was possible, even as international talks proceeded.
Israel blocks pro-Palestinian “flytilla”
By Jean Shaoul, 17 April 2012
Israel mounted a massive international effort at the weekend to prevent pro-Palestinian activists from entering Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion international airport, en route for Bethlehem in the West Bank, to join the “Welcome to Palestine 2012” campaign.
Stop the warmongers! Defend Günter Grass!
By Wolfgang Weber, 11 April 2012
The campaign of defamation against one of the world’s best known writers, a recipient of the Nobel Prize for literature and many other awards, makes clear that the German ruling class and its counterparts in Washington and Tel Aviv are intent on intimidating and silencing anyone who dares criticise the preparations for war against Iran.
US, Israel issue ultimatums to Iran
By Peter Symonds, 10 April 2012
The provocative demands prior to international talks set to begin Friday are intended to make any deal to end the US confrontation with Iran highly unlikely.
Israel: Documents show Defence Ministry planned West Bank land grabs
By Jean Shaoul, 10 April 2012
Recently released documents show that Israel’s Civil Administration, part of the Defence Ministry, has long earmarked up to 10 percent of the West Bank for new settlements or the expansion of existing ones.
Israelis protest war with Iran
By our correspondent, 28 March 2012
Saturday saw the first public demonstration in Israel opposing war against Iran.
US war game foreshadows Israeli attack on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 21 March 2012
The Pentagon exercise concluded that a strike on Iran would lead to a wider regional war involving the US.
Israel threatens Iran, continues air strikes against Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 19 March 2012
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has insisted that Israel would act to defend itself against Iran even if Washington objected.
Israel expands deadly air strikes on Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 13 March 2012
Israel on Monday carried out air strikes on Gaza for the fourth successive day, killing at least 22 Palestinians
Israel steps up repression in occupied Palestinian territories
By Jean Shaoul, 28 February 2012
On Friday, Israeli forces fired on Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Ramallah in the West Bank, killing one young man and injuring four more.
US, Israel invoke terror to ratchet up war threats against Iran
By Bill Van Auken, 17 February 2012
Both Washington and Israel have seized upon a string of abortive bomb plots in India, Georgia and Thailand to escalate threats against Iran.
Israel threatens war against Iran within months
By Peter Symonds, 4 February 2012
While the Obama administration has cautioned against Israeli military action, there is no indication that Washington has vetoed such an attack.
The New York Times and the drive to war against Iran
By Barry Grey, 31 January 2012
The New York Times on Sunday published a lengthy article in its weekly magazine that sympathetically and clinically lays out the arguments of Israeli policy makers in favor of a military attack on Iran sometime this year.
Israel prepares for war against Iran
By Peter Symonds, 27 January 2012
The Israeli political and military establishment is preparing to attack Iran, and pushing the US to advance its own plans for war.
Israel and foreign aid
By Danny Richardson, 11 January 2012
The WSWS replies to a criticism of “Israeli government mounts major attack on democratic rights.”
Israeli government mounts major attack on democratic rights
By Danny Richardson, 3 January 2012
Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition has initiated legislation aimed at stifling criticism of the ruling elite, curbing freedom of speech, and limiting the powers of the judiciary.
Rising tensions as actions of ultra-Orthodox Jews spark Israeli protests
By Robert Stevens, 31 December 2011
Tensions provoked by the actions of extremist ultra-Orthodox Haredim groups have erupted in the town of Beit Shemesh, about 18 miles west of Jerusalem.
Israel imposes heavy sentence on whistle-blower Anat Kam to protect the guilty
By Danny Richardson, 17 November 2011
An Israeli court has sentenced Anat Kam, a 24-year-old former conscript, to four-and-a-half years for leaking documents implicating Israel’s top military commanders in war crimes.
Israeli leaders press for attack on Iran
By Peter Symonds, 7 November 2011
While the Israeli political establishment remains intent on maintaining its military advantage, the current push for air strikes against Iran is driven by the political crisis within the region and Israel itself.
Joint US-Israeli campaign against Palestinian UN bid
By Julie Hyland, 5 November 2011
The vote by Unesco to admit Palestine as a member has met with an aggressive reaction from Israel and the United States
Fresh protests in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 31 October 2011
More than 40,000 people took part in a mass rally in central Tel Aviv’s Rabin Square on Saturday night to demand social justice.
Captured soldier Gilad Shalit freed in Israeli-Palestinian prisoner exchange
By Alex Lantier, 19 October 2011
Yesterday Hamas released captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit to the Egyptian government in exchange for the release of 1,027 Palestinians detained by Israel.
Israeli cabinet approves whitewash report on social crisis
By Jean Shaoul, 13 October 2011
Israel PM Netanyahu has secured cabinet approval for the recommendations of the Trajtenberg “dialogue committee” report, which comes in response to Israel’s mass social protests over the summer.
US Congress blocks Palestinian aid after UN statehood bid
By Jean Shaoul, 5 October 2011
In a provocative move, the US Congress has blocked nearly $200 million of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian people, intended for food aid, health care and development initiatives.
Israel announces new settlements in East Jerusalem
By Jean Shaoul, 1 October 2011
Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu’s right wing coalition government has approved the construction of 1,100 new homes in Gilo, an outer suburb of East Jerusalem, on what was Palestinian land.
Growing tensions between Turkey and Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 12 September 2011
Relations between Turkey and Israel have deteriorated sharply, despite US attempts to broker negotiations between the two countries.
Israel makes military preparations for UN vote on Palestinian state
By Danny Richardson, 8 September 2011
The Israel Defence Forces is training settler "security squads" in the West Bank ahead of an expected yes vote for Palestinian statehood in the United Nations General Assembly.
What way forward for mass social struggles in Israel?
By Bill Van Auken, 7 September 2011
Last Saturday’s demonstration presents a stark contrast between the mobilization of nearly half a million Israelis in protest against social inequality, and the lack of any political program to realize this movement’s aims.
Israel’s largest ever protests oppose inequality
By Jean Shaoul, 5 September 2011
Organizers of the 430,000-strong demonstration in Israel on Saturday have announced that they consider it the “climax” of the protests against economic distress and inequality.
UN issues apologia for Israeli massacre on Gaza aid ship
By Robert Stevens, 3 September 2011
The United Nations report on the Israeli assault on the Mavi Marmara humanitarian ship in May 2010 is a whitewash of the killing of nine aid volunteers.
Israel launches bloody reprisals in Egypt and Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 22 August 2011
Israel’s aggressive response to a series of suicide and roadside bomb attacks near the Red Sea resort of Eilat on Thursday has exacerbated tensions with both the Palestinians and its neighbour, Egypt.
Protest marches, tent city protests continue in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 15 August 2011
At least 75,000 Israelis took to the streets Saturday in 15 cities nationwide to protest high living costs and the domination of the Israeli economy by a handful of billionaires.
Israel’s foreign policy linked to its growing social inequality
By Jean Shaoul, 13 August 2011
One of the key factors underlying social inequality in Israel is the economic cost of suppressing the population in neighbouring Middle Eastern countries, in alliance with US imperialism.
Protests over social conditions continue in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 10 August 2011
Benyamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, faces his biggest political crisis since taking power more than two years ago, as protests continue following last Saturday’s demonstrations.
The Israeli protests and the reemergence of the working class
By Alex Lantier, 9 August 2011
Saturday’s mass demonstration in the streets of Tel Aviv powerfully illustrates the reemergence of the international working class as the most important force in world politics.
Largest-ever social protests in Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 8 August 2011
Over a quarter million people took to the to the streets Saturday in the largest social protest in Israel’s history, against spiralling living costs and soaring rents that are making it impossible for working people to make ends meet.
Israeli protest movement sparks mass strikes
By Jean Shaoul, 3 August 2011
Over 100,000 Israeli municipal workers took strike action on Monday in a show of solidarity with the nationwide tent city protests against the exorbitant cost of housing.
Jewish, Arab workers and youth protest against social conditions in Israel
By Patrick O’Connor, 1 August 2011
An estimated 150,000 mostly young people in Israel, both Jewish and Arab, protested Saturday over spiralling living costs and the economic and social policies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Israeli protests and the unity of Arab and Jewish workers
By Patrick O’Connor, 30 July 2011
The growing protest movement of Israeli workers and youth against worsening economic hardship is a development of enormous political significance for the working class throughout the Middle East and internationally.
Mass protests sweep Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 29 July 2011
Thousands are taking to the streets of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem to protest the high cost of housing.
Israel prepares brutal response to Gaza flotilla ship
By Robert Stevens, 7 July 2011
Israeli government officials have said plans are in place to prevent by force a French ship carrying humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip.
Israel threatens violence against Gaza aid convoy
By Robert Stevens, 29 June 2011
Israel has threatened violent repression against the Freedom Flotilla II aid convoy, due to sail this week on route to Gaza.
Israeli troops murder Palestinian and Syrian protesters
By Chris Marsden, 6 June 2011
Israeli troops killed 13 protesters after opening fire on a peaceful and unarmed demonstration at the ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights.
Further Israeli provocations on Jerusalem Day
By Jean Shaoul and Chris Marsden, 2 June 2011
Yesterday’s Jerusalem Day was an extraordinary political provocation, even by the normal standards of the event.
Obama affirms “ironclad” support for Israel
By Bill Van Auken, 23 May 2011
Wrapping up a week largely devoted to US policy towards the Middle East, Obama spoke before the right-wing Zionist lobby, AIPAC, recommitting Washington to the unconditional defense of Israel.
Netanyahu snubs Obama over 1967 border remark
By Bill Van Auken, 21 May 2011
Following a 90-minute White House meeting Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu categorically repudiated the call made by President Barack Obama for Israeli-Palestinian talks based loosely on pre-1967 borders.
Israel’s border massacre and human rights hypocrisy
By Bill Van Auken, 17 May 2011
The Obama administration’s reaction to Israel’s massacre of unarmed Palestinian protesters on its borders underscores the hypocrisy of those ascribing “humanitarian” motives to Washington’s predatory policy in the region.
Israeli troops kill unarmed Palestinian protesters on borders
By Patrick O’Connor, 16 May 2011
Israeli soldiers yesterday killed at least 15 Palestinians and wounded many more as they suppressed protests held at border posts facing Syria, Lebanon and Gaza to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Zionist state.
UN Gaza report co-authors reject Goldstone’s capitulation to Israel
By Jean Shaoul, 28 April 2011
The co-authors of the United Nations Gaza report, known as the Goldstone Report, have issued a statement vigorously defending their findings.
Israel steps up aggression against Gaza
By Jean Shaoul, 13 April 2011
For more than a week, Israel mounted frequent aerial attacks on Gaza’s defenceless population, killing at least 25 and wounding dozens more.
UN investigator repudiates Gaza war findings under US and Israeli pressure
By Jean Shaoul, 6 April 2011
The op-ed piece in Friday’s Washington Post by Judge Richard Goldstone presents an unedifying spectacle.
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