Gabriel Helou

Ereikat revealed that Obama considers Palestine’s application for “ non-Member Observer State” status at the UN as “crossing all American red lines”. Well, Obama can keep his red lines to himself. It’s exactly the United States and Israel which need bold red lines. Palestine ’s application was legal, while Israel - supported by the US - systematically violates international law, without any accountability .

“ Israel’s policies in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have come under unusually hard-hitting attack by the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer, for their challenge to international law. In an article in the latest edition of the International Review of the Red Cross, Maurer explains this move away from the ICRC’s normal behind-the-scenes diplomacy by the fact that “the ICRC has been unable to engage in any meaningful dialogue with the Israeli government” on such key issues as the annexation of East Jerusalem, the routing of the barrier separating the West Bank and Israel, and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The organisation believes all of these are violations of  international humanitarian law, IHL .”

“The former South African president had been ill for some time and was admitted to hospital earlier this year with a recurring lung infection. President Jacob Zuma made the announcement, saying: "He is now at peace ".”

“This material below was distributed by   John Whitbeck , distinguished American lawyer and author, living in Paris,and doing his best to keep a group concerned with world affairs informed about latest developments, especially inthe   Middle East . I also add a slightly edited text of a message sent by Robert Stiver from Hawaii, who has exhibited consistent empathy for the suffering of the Palestinian. My press release below, although far less emotional than the cri de coeur   that Robert Stiver wrote, issues from the same place of urgent concern for the brave and resolute people of Gaza. I hope that Robert is wrong however when he ends with self-tormenting words of despair: “What to do, in the name of common justice?  I know not; it seems useless, all useless.” Such feelings of futility are quite understandable, but let us do all within our power to make sure that this unfolding catastrophe ENDS before its full tragic character is totally real...