Tag: Israel

Notes on far-right parties and politics in Europe

Last week, Finland became the latest country to join NATO. However, Finland also became the latest country in Europe where far-right party surged in elections. Finns Party (Perussuomalaiset) nearly won the elections and received 20% of the votes. Support of far-right and right-wing populist parties has remained strong in Europe and far-right parties have become part of mainstream politics, so it is possible that Finns Party will be part of the new Finnish government – the former version of the Finns Party was part of Finnish coalition government during years 2015-2017. (1, 2, 3).

Here is a list of support of some far-right parties in European countries. Most of the parties in the list are considered to be far-right parties, for example Belgian party Flemish Interest (Vlaams Belang) or Spanish party Vox. Some parties are considered to be hardline right-wing populist and/or nationalist parties bordering on far-right, for example Polish party Law and Justice and Hungarian party Fidesz – these two ruling parties have caused conflict with the European Union because of their breaches of the rule of law in their countries and they have also been trying to unite the hardline nationalist and far-right parties in Europe (7).

Austria Freedom Party of Austria FPÖ 28%
Belgium Flemish Interest / Vlaams Belang 24%
Bulgaria Revival 14%
Croatia Homeland Movement DPMŠ 9%
Cyprus National Popular Front ELAM 7%
Czech Republic Freedom and Direct Democracy SPD 9%
Denmark Denmark Democrats DD 9% Danish People’s Party DF 4%
Estonia Conservative People’s Party of Estonia EKRE 17%
Finland Finns Party PS 20%
France* National Rally RN 20% Reconquest REC 5%
Germany Alternative for Germany AfD 15%
Greece* National Party – Greeks EKE 3.9%
Hungary Fidesz 50% Our Home Movement MH 10%
Italy Brothers of Italy Fdl 29% Lega 9%
Netherlands Party for Freedom PVV 9 % Forum for Democracy FvD 5%
Poland Law and Justice/United Right ZP 36% Confederation Freedom and Independence 9% Kukiz’15 2%
Portugal Enough / Chega 13%
Romania Alliance for the Unity of Romanians AUR 18%
Slovakia Republic REP 9% People’s Party – Our Slovakia L´SNS 2%
Slovenia Slovenian National Party SNS 2%
Spain Vox 15%
Sweden Sweden Democrats SD 18%

(Polling information was taken from Politico’s Poll of Polls or PolitPro* website, some information about the political parties is also from Europe Elects website, 4, 5, 6)

The situation in Europe, and in the West in general, is similar to the 1930’s. The far right has been getting stronger. Last December, after the arrests of the members of the Reichsbürger movement in Germany, UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned that the “biggest threat of terrorism” is posed by far-right and white supremacist groups in the West (8). However, there seem to be two far-right trends that are sometimes intertwined. First of all, support for the older ethno-nationalist, racist and antisemitic far right seems to have increased. Some far-right parties, for example German party Alternative for Germany (AfD), have veered further to the right (9). There are also new openly fascist parties with connections to neo-Nazis, for example Blue-and-Black Movement (Sinimusta Liike) in Finland and National Party – Greeks (EKE) in Greece (10, 11).

The second trend is the Jewish and pro-Israel far right. This trend seems to be particularly strong within the American-Israeli alliance. I will write more about the developments in the American-Israeli alliance separately, but USA and Israel have also been operating actively with the far right in Europe. Professor Cas Mudde wrote in 2021 that there are “at least four major strands of far-right international networks” in which the American conservative movement, including the Republican Party, participates. The first far-right strand is the global Christian right. The second strand is the “national conservativism” movement that was developed by Israeli think-tanker Yoram Hazony. The third strand is the long-standing connection between some Republicans and European far-right parties – this connection is built on “a shared ideological core of nativism, authoritarianism and populism.” The fourth strand is the conservative far-right network in the Spanish-speaking world that has been built by Spanish far-right party Vox. (12) Some American far-right projects in Europe haven’t gone according to plan. Steve Bannon, ex-adviser of former president Trump, tried to bring the European far-right parties to his anti-EU organization The Movement, but he failed. Bannon also failed to establish “academy for the Judeo-Christian West” that was supposed to train right-wing “gladiators” in Italy. (13, 14)

Jewish far right found common ground with the wider Western far right when the Islamophobic counterjihad movement became stronger over 20 years ago. Many key persons in the counterjihad movement have been Jewish, for example American far-right writers Pamela Geller and David Horowitz as well as neoconservative Daniel Pipes and Austrian-Israeli Dr. Manfred Gerstenfeld. Egyptian-born Jewish writer Gisèle Littman alias Bat Ye’or started to use the term “Eurabia” and created Islamophobic conspiracy theory that inspired numerous members of the counterjihad movement and other far right, including Anders Breivik who killed over 70 people in Norway in 2011. Some prominent members of the counterjihad movement have also been ardent friends of Israel, for example American far-right blogger Kenneth Sikorski who wrote his blog Tundra Tabloids in Finland and Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders whose Party for Freedom PVV has had quite strong support in the Netherlands. (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)

Some Jewish politicians have joined European far-right parties. When The Times of Israel interviewed some of them in 2017, two of their unifying traits were their anti-Muslim attitude and support for Israel. French far-right party National Rally has attracted some politicians who have Jewish roots, for example Louis Aliot and David Rachline, who are currently vice presidents of the party, and Michel Tooris who was interviewed by The Times of Israel. (20, 21) In December 2021, French Jewish far-right media personality and presidential candidate Eric Zemmour decided to establish his own far-right party Reconquest. Reuters reported that the name of the party “evokes the historic period known as the Reconquista, when Christian forces drove Muslim rulers from the Iberian peninsula.” (22) Incidentally, Santiago Abascal, leader of the Spanish far-right party Vox, has used the term “Reconquista” in his political campaigns (23). During the French presidential elections last year, 53% of the voters based in Israel, who were eligible to vote in those elections and voted, voted for Zemmour (24, 25). André Ventura, who is dubbed the “Zemmour” of the Portuguese politics, is the leader of the new far-right party Chega that has gained popularity quite quickly. Ventura announced a little while ago that Chega will organize “far-right world summit” in Portugal next month. (26, 27, 28)

Israel and particularly Benjamin Netanyahu and his party Likud have been developing cooperation with European far-right parties a long time. Likud has invited several European far-right leaders to Israel. One reason for this has been their common opposition of Islamism. Israel has also looked for allies against any criticism against Israel in the European Union. Last month, Israeli foreign minister Cohen asked his Italian counterpart “to work to prevent European involvement in Israel’s domestic matters and in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict” after the foreign policy chief of the European Union had criticized Israel’s actions. (29, 30) New Israeli far-right coalition government has also sought advice from the Polish government regarding their judicial overhaul (31). Italian far-right government and Israel agreed to deepen their strategic and other cooperation, last month (32). There have also been strong supporters of Israel in the Spanish far-right party Vox. The strategist of Vox, Rafael Bardají, who has also been called “Darth Vader” of the party, has been one of the leading neoconservatives in Spain and long-time supporter of Israel. Last November, Bardají criticized President Biden and American “wokeism” and he believed that Netanyahu would be better and stronger Western leader. (33, 34, 35, 36)

References:

1) “Finland’s centre-right party claims win amid tight election” Euronews 3.4.2023

https://www.euronews.com/2023/04/02/finlands-national-coalition-party-set-to-win-election-public-broadcaster-says

2) “What the recent wins for far-right parties in Europe could mean for the region” NPR 1.10.2022

https://www.npr.org/2022/10/01/1126419403/what-the-recent-wins-for-far-right-parties-in-europe-could-mean-for-the-region

3) The first Finns Party in the Finnish coalition government 2015-2017 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipilä_Cabinet

4) Politico’s Poll of Polls: https://www.politico.eu/europe-poll-of-polls/

5) PolitPro: https://politpro.eu/en

6) Europe Elects: https://europeelects.eu/european-union/

7) “The game is not over: Fidesz, Law and Justice, and far-right cooperation in the EU” European Council on Foreign Relations 27.5.2022

https://ecfr.eu/article/the-game-is-not-over-fidesz-law-and-justice-and-far-right-cooperation-in-the-eu/

8) “UN chief says ‘biggest terror threat’ is white supremacy in West” Middle East Eye 20.12.2022

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-chief-says-white-supremacy-west-biggest-terror-threat


9) “Far-right AfD chief Jörg Meuthen quits party” EURACTIV 28.1.2022

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/far-right-afd-chief-jorg-meuthen-quits-party-amid-ideological-differences/

10) “Openly fascist and racist party has set its sights on parliamentary elections” Helsinki Times 15.12.2022

https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/domestic/22679-openly-fascist-and-racist-party-has-set-its-sights-on-parliamentary-elections.html

11) “Greek neo-Nazis seek ‘loopholes’ to run in elections” EURACTIV 6.4.2023

https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/news/greek-neo-nazis-seek-loopholes-to-run-in-elections/

12) “Surprised to see US Republicans cozying up to the European far right? Don’t be” The Guardian 15.10.2021

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/oct/15/us-republicans-european-far-right

13) “Steve Bannon’s effort to export his fiery popularism to Europe is failing” Reuters 2.9.2020

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-bannon-europe-idUSKBN25T1NZ

14) “Steve Bannon’s right-wing ‘gladiator school’ booted from Italian monastery” Business Insider 8.9.2021

https://www.businessinsider.com/steve-bannon-right-wing-gladiator-school-booted-from-italian-monastery-2021-9?r=US&IR=T

15) Counterjihad in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-jihad

16) Counterjihad in Powerbase: https://powerbase.info/index.php/Counterjihad_movement

17) “The myth of Eurabia: how a far-right conspiracy theory went mainstream” The Guardian 16.8.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/aug/16/the-myth-of-eurabia-how-a-far-right-conspiracy-theory-went-mainstream

18) “Controversy at London seminar on antisemitism” Islamophobia Watch 6.12.2012

https://www.islamophobiawatch.co.uk/controversy-at-london-seminar-on-antisemitism/

19) “Europe’s Most Provocative Far-right Politician Is Looking to Israel for Answers” Haaretz 11.12.2020

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-12-11/ty-article/.premium/europes-most-provocative-far-right-politician-is-looking-to-israel-for-answers/0000017f-db13-df0f-a17f-df536e920000

20) “Why these 5 European Jews are promoting far-right parties” The Times of Israel 31.3.2017

https://www.timesofisrael.com/why-these-5-european-jews-are-promoting-far-right-parties/

21) National Rally in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Rally

22) “Far-right French presidential hopeful promises ‘reconquest’ at rally” Reuters 6.12.2021

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/far-right-french-presidential-hopeful-promises-reconquest-rally-2021-12-05/

23) “El “patinazo” histórico de Vox: Abascal presume de liderar la Reconquista con un casco de otra época” El Español 7.3.2019

https://www.elespanol.com/cultura/20190307/patinazo-historico-vox-abascal-presume-liderar-reconquista/381462690_0.html

24) “L’abstention et Eric Zemmour, gagnants du premier tour parmi les Français d’Israël” The Times of Israel 13.4.2022

https://fr.timesofisrael.com/labstention-et-eric-zemmour-gagnants-du-premier-tour-parmi-les-francais-disrael/

25) “Over half of French voters in Israel pick far-right Zemmour for president” The New Arab 12.4.2022

https://www.newarab.com/news/over-half-french-voters-israel-pick-far-right-zemmour

26) “Portugal’s abrasive far-right leader tipped for surprise poll gain” Yahoo! News 28.1.2022

https://www.yahoo.com/now/portugals-abrasive-far-leader-tipped-070605617.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmZpLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADh7CZBWwvRE7hsvEEmfv_bLreCvId8ncuTI9vk1MxjcOsI9sFqAv5rf29LF1bvWc6QcX30R8kYmE6tR5syZ5qcRMPLdzDMnf-Mt12AB8b8mt8djdwW3S0ujNmw6tRkFWi33z49EtkBZV1cVp7Fn8kxim7v_x2hGPieHyCxPuQWN

27) “Portugal : les raisons de la percée d’André Ventura, le Zemmour portugais” L’Express 1.2.2022

https://www.lexpress.fr/monde/europe/portugal-les-raisons-de-la-percee-d-andre-ventura-le-zemmour-portugais_2167203.html

28) “Portugal party Chega sets far-right world summit with Brazil’s Bolsonaro, Italy’s Salvini” Yahoo! News 7.4.2023

https://sports.yahoo.com/portugal-party-chega-sets-far-194017141.html

29) “Netanyahu’s flirtation with the far right” Le Monde Diplomatique 12.10.2018

https://mondediplo.com/outsidein/netanyahu-s-flirtation-with-the-far-right

30) “FM Cohen accuses EU foreign policy chief of equating Israeli terror victims with terrorists” The Times of Israel 14.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/fm-cohen-accuses-eu-foreign-policy-chief-of-equating-israeli-terror-victims-with-terrorists/

31) “Polish deputy FM: Israel consulted with us on overhauling judiciary” The Times of Israel 27.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/polish-deputy-fm-israel-consulted-with-us-on-overhauling-judiciary/

32) “Foreign policy and defence: Italy and Israel deepen strategic ties” Decode 39 13.3.2023

https://decode39.com/6126/foreign-policy-defence-italy-israel-strategic-ties/

33) “Bannon sets his eyes on Spain” European Council on Foreign Relations 24.10.2018

https://ecfr.eu/article/commentary_bannon_sets_his_eyes_on_spain/

34) Information about Rafael Bardají: https://octavianreport.com/contributor/rafael-bardaji/

35) “El ‘Darth Vader’ de Vox se queda sin sitio en el nuevo equipo de Abascal” El Plural 23.2.2020

https://www.elplural.com/politica/espana/darth-vader-vox-queda-sitio-equipo-abascal_233825102

36) “Israel: The Last Option for the West” Middle East Forum 3.11.2022

https://www.meforum.org/63771/israel-the-last-option-for-the-west

Israel on a collision course

The events in Israel have taken an extraordinary turn after Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition government rose to power at the end of last year. Hundreds of thousands Israelis have protested during 11 Saturdays against Netanyahu’s government’s political decisions and plan to complete judicial overhaul. The government’s plan “will allow the Knesset to override court decisions with the barest majority, preemptively shield laws from judicial oversight altogether, and put the selection of all judges in the hands of coalition politicians”. According to opponents, the plan will “drastically weaken Israel’s democratic character, remove a key element of its checks and balances and leave minorities unprotected”. Violence against the protesters seems to escalate. (1) Some opponents have also said that Netanyahu’s far-right government is planning a “coup” and Israel is in danger of becoming a “dictatorship” or “fascist theocracy” (2, 3, 4, 5, 6). President of Israel Isaac Herzog warned last week that civil war in Israel is “within touching distance” (7).

More moderate and liberal members of Jewish diaspora have been worried about Netanyahu’s government. Large amount of liberal American Jewish leaders and Jewish organizations have opposed the judicial overhaul and other actions of the government. British Labour MP Margaret Hodge wrote, “Netanyahu has brought Israel to a dangerous moment. We, the Jewish diaspora, cannot just stand by.” (8, 9, 10) Over 100 former Israeli diplomats have expressed their concern that Netanyahu’s government will harm foreign ties (11). The USA and UAE have put their planned meetings with Netanyahu on hold (12). President Biden told Netanyahu yesterday that he backs compromise regarding the judicial overhaul. Netanyahu has claimed to Biden and some European leaders that Israel will remain a democracy. (13, 14, 15) At the same time a rift has emerged between Netanyahu’s government and some Western states. According to recent media reports, a senior Israeli government official claimed without any evidence that the mass protests against the government’s judicial overhaul have been partially funded by the Biden administration (16). Netanyahu has also asked all cabinet ministers to avoid traveling to USA and to avoid meeting US government officials, until Biden invites him to the USA (17). Israel has also signaled that European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is not welcome to Israel after he has criticized Israel’s actions (18). Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen has claimed that the EU is interfering in Israeli domestic affairs, for example after the EU parliament organized a debate titled “Deterioration of democracy in Israel and consequences on the occupied territories.” (19)

References:

1) “As violence against protesters escalates, opposition blames Netanyahu’s ‘incitement’” The Times of Israel 18.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-violence-against-protesters-escalates-opposition-blames-netanyahus-incitement/

2) “Israel: Netanyahu moves a step closer with ‘judicial coup’ bill in parliament” Middle East Eye 14.3.2023

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-netanyahu-moves-step-closer-judicial-coup-bill-parliament

3) “Hundreds of elite IDF reservists stop showing up for duty over judicial overhaul” The Times of Israel 19.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/hundreds-of-elite-idf-reservists-stop-showing-up-for-duty-over-judicial-overhaul/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&utm_medium=desktop_site&utm_campaign=coalition-to-push-ahead-with-judicial-overhaul-bills-to-assist-netanyahu-and-deri

4) “Here comes the new regime in Israel: Benjamin Netanyahu’s ‘democratic dictatorship’” The Times of Israel 12.1.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/here-comes-the-new-regime-in-israel-benjamin-netanyahus-democratic-dictatorship/

5) “Israel’s former spy chief warns that country could turn into a ‘dictatorship'” Middle East Eye 17.3.2023

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-judicial-reform-spy-chief-shin-bet-dictatorship

6) “Tel Aviv mayor warns Israel heading toward a fascist theocracy” The Times of Israel 2.12.2022

https://www.timesofisrael.com/tel-aviv-mayor-warns-israel-heading-toward-a-fascist-theocracy/

7) “Israeli president warns of civil war as Netanyahu rejects judicial compromise” The Guardian 16.3.2023

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/15/israeli-president-civil-war-is-within-touching-distance

8) “169 liberal US Jewish leaders sign letter expressing concern over Israeli government” The Times of Israel 1.2.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/169-liberal-us-jewish-leaders-sign-letter-expressing-concern-over-israeli-government/

9) “In highly unusual move, major US Jewish group decries proposed judicial overhaul” The Times of Israel 21.2.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-break-from-policy-major-us-jewish-group-decries-proposed-judicial-overhaul/?utm_source=article_hpsidebar&utm_medium=desktop_site&utm_campaign=yesh-atid-mulling-plan-for-all-opposition-mks-to-resign-to-protest-judicial-overhaul

10) “Netanyahu has brought Israel to a dangerous moment. We, the Jewish diaspora, cannot just stand by” The Guardian 3.3.2023

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/03/benjamin-netanyahu-israel-jewish-diaspora-palestinians

11) “Over 100 ex-Israel diplomats fear Netanyahu gov’t will harm foreign ties” Middle East Monitor 30.12.2022

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20221230-over-100-ex-israel-diplomats-fear-netanyahu-govt-will-harm-foreign-ties/

12) “Invites for Netanyahu to visit US, UAE on hold as discomfort with government grows” The Times of Israel 16.2.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/invites-for-netanyahu-to-visit-us-uae-on-hold-as-discomfort-with-government-grows/

13) “Israel: Biden tells Netanyahu he backs compromise on judicial overhaul” Middle East Eye 19.3.2023

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-biden-netanyahu-compromise-judicial-overhaul

14) “Macron warns Netanyahu over judicial overhaul, settlements” The Times of Israel 3.2.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/macron-warns-netanyahu-over-planned-overhaul-of-israeli-judicial-system/

15) “On Berlin visit, Netanyahu denies he’s working to curtail independence of judiciary” The Times of Israel 16.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-berlin-netanyahu-tells-scholz-israel-is-and-will-remain-a-liberal-democracy/

16) “Source close to Netanyahu accuses US of funding rallies against judicial overhaul” The Times of Israel 12.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/source-close-to-netanyahu-accuses-us-of-funding-rallies-against-judicial-overhaul/

17) “Netanyahu said to bar ministers from meeting US officials until Biden invites him” The Times of Israel 15.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-said-to-bar-ministers-from-meeting-us-officials-until-biden-invites-him/

18) “Israel signals EU foreign policy chief unwelcome in Israel” The Times of Israel 16.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-signals-eu-foreign-policy-chief-unwelcome-in-israel/

19) “EU foreign policy head defends parliamentary debate on Israel as tough love” The Times of Israel 15.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/eu-foreign-policy-head-defends-parliamentary-debate-on-israel-as-tough-love/

Significant deal between Iran and Saudi Arabia

China has helped Iran and Saudi Arabia resume diplomatic ties after seven years. Andrew Parasiliti wrote about the significance of this deal on Al-Monitor (1):

“It’s hard to overstate the impact of resumed diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia — and that it was China that made it happen.

China has until now had a business- and energy-first approach to the Middle East, preferring to abstain from the diplomatic and security charge held, mostly unchallenged, by the United States.

Not anymore.

A Saudi-Iran rapprochement is one for the diplomatic A team. It’s a major step to de-escalate the most critical fault line between the Gulf’s largest and most powerful countries.”

Marwan Bishara wrote about the deal on Al Jazeera (2):

“…I believe it is in everybody’s best interest if the protagonists try a hands-off approach to regional affairs, especially as their regional overreach allowed foreign powers to exploit and aggravate their conflict.

Indeed, Riyadh and Tehran must now take a common, firm stand on foreign interference, especially Western support for Israel’s colonialism and apartheid – predictably the only country to openly oppose the new Gulf détente, which it is, no doubt, determined to sabotage.

They must also reject all attempts by global powers to intervene directly or through proxies in the Middle East. That includes China.

Beijing, which mediated between Riyadh and Tehran and hosted the final celebratory handshake, has emerged as the biggest winner of the new deal. It will gain greater credibility and prestige as a responsible global player, having helped resolve a complicated conflict in a tough region considered part of the US area of influence.”

Here are some other positive reactions to this deal (3):

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric:

“Good neighbourly relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia are essential for the stability of the Gulf region.

The Secretary-General reiterates his readiness to use his good offices to further advance regional dialogue to ensure durable peace and security in the Gulf region.”

Badr Albusaidi, Foreign Minister of Oman:

“This is a win-win for everyone and will benefit regional and global security. We hope, in the longer term, there’s also potential for increasing economic benefits for all.”

Anwar Gargash, Diplomatic Adviser to United Arab Emirates President:

“We welcome the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to resume diplomatic relations, and we hail the Chinese role in this regard.

The UAE believes in the importance of positive communication and dialogue among the countries of the region towards consolidating the concepts of good neighbourliness and starting from a common ground to build a more stable future for all.”

In the USA, the reactions have been mixed (3, 4, 5):

White House National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby:

“Generally speaking, we welcome any efforts to help end the war in Yemen and de-escalate tensions in the Middle East region. De-escalation and diplomacy together with deterrence are key pillars of the policy President Biden outlined during his visit to the region last year.

The Saudis did keep us informed about these talks that they were having, just as we keep them informed on our engagements, but we weren’t directly involved.”

Former national security adviser John Bolton:

“We’re sitting still, and the Chinese, the Russians, Iran, North Korea, and several others, are moving to shore up their relations and threaten us in a lot of different places.”

“It’s an indication that the Saudis and others are trying to hedge their bets with China and Russia, because they don’t think the United States has the resolve and the fortitude necessary to do what they need to do to protect the world against Iran and its intentions.“

Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Political Scientist at Rice University’s Baker Institute in the United States:

“Further regional instability is not in Saudi or Iranian interest at the moment.”

“And for the Chinese to have addressed this at a time when the US stance toward Iran is becoming more hawkish sends a powerful signal in itself.”

Ahmed Aboudouh, a nonresident fellow with the Middle East Programs at the Atlantic Council:

“For Saudi Arabia and Iran, China’s ostensible commitment to the ‘non-interference’ principle and its ‘non-alignment’ regional policy attached great credibility to its position as a broker. To be clear, both countries seem united in their grievances towards the Biden administration, albeit at different levels. Nonetheless, despite Iraq’s hosting the talks for the most part, China’s desire to take the lead has met Riyadh and Tehran’s willingness to hand it a diplomatic win – a stark indication of China’s growing influence over the two biggest powers in the Gulf.

It remains to be seen whether the Chinese mediation will hold in the future and, indeed, cover other regional conflicts. Nevertheless, China has just left the United States with a bleeding nose in the Gulf.”

In Israel, the blame game started quickly. A senior official who was part of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s entourage during his visit to Italy blamed the weakness of previous Israeli government and Biden administration for the situation. He said, “There was a feeling of American and Israeli weakness, so Saudi Arabia turned to other channels.” The official falsely claimed that the talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran began during previous Israeli government led by Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, even though the talks actually started already during Netanyahu’s previous government. Bennett and Lapid blamed Netanyahu for the deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran. They argued that it was “the result of diplomatic neglect, general weakness and internal conflict in the country since the current government was established on December 29”. (6)

References:

1) “China leaps into Saudi-Iran diplomacy as nuclear talks move” Al-Monitor 10.3.2023

https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/03/china-leaps-saudi-iran-diplomacy-nuclear-talks-move

2) “The Saudi-Iran détente and its regional implications” Al Jazeera 12.3.2023

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2023/3/12/the-saudi-iran-detente-and-its-regional

3) “Reaction to Iran and Saudi Arabia resuming ties – Quotes” Middle East Monitor 10.3.2023

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230310-reaction-to-iran-and-saudi-arabia-resuming-ties-quotes/

4) “Bolton warns US against ‘sitting still’ as China and Russia grow closer” The Hill 12.3.2023

https://thehill.com/policy/international/3895810-bolton-warns-us-against-sitting-still-as-china-and-russia-grow-closer/

5) “Experts react: Iran and Saudi Arabia just agreed to restore relations, with help from China. Here’s what that means for the Middle East and the world” Atlantic Council 10.3.2023

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/experts-react/experts-react-iran-and-saudi-arabia-just-agreed-to-restore-relations-with-help-from-china-heres-what-that-means-for-the-middle-east-and-the-world/?mkt_tok=NjU5LVdaWC0wNzUAAAGKa76tmpn6g7mcQ4U3Fbq6DzuwB19gwPTALG-1bnEnafrjecLJfdR3M-fR-pxCg0uCgH2EAPq8GJOP206NEl05KaF4QqpaZd6rLPA_aNEBUdo#Panikoff

6) “Top official blames weakness of Biden, Bennett-Lapid government for Saudi-Iran deal” The Times of Israel 10.3.2023

https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-israeli-official-blames-weakness-of-biden-bennett-lapid-for-saudi-iran-deal/

Israeli industry of spyware, hacking, disinformation and political meddling

During recent years investigative journalists and cybersecurity researchers have revealed several Israeli companies that have produced and sold spyware or conducted hacking, disinformation or other kind of political operations. Owners and employees of those Israeli companies have been usually former Israeli intelligence officers. Here are some of those companies and their activities.

The most recent revelations are regarding “Team Jorge”, a unit lead by former Israeli special forces operative Tal Hanan alias “Jorge”. The team seems to have been operating under the radar in elections in various countries over two decades. Here is more information about “Team Jorge”:

https://forbiddenstories.org/story-killers/team-jorge-disinformation/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/15/revealed-disinformation-team-jorge-claim-meddling-elections-tal-hanan

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/israel-operatives-manipulating-elections-investigation

https://www.timesofisrael.com/expose-unmasks-israel-led-disinformation-team-that-meddled-in-dozens-of-elections/

Israeli company NSO Group and its spyware Pegasus made headlines when it was revealed that the spyware was used not only to spy on journalists and political activists but also political leaders such as French president Emmanuel Macron. According to media reports, even FBI purchased this spyware and considered using it. Here is more information about Pegasus:

https://forbiddenstories.org/case/the-pegasus-project/

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/8/what-you-need-to-know-about-israeli-spyware-pegasus

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2021/07/world-leaders-potential-targets-of-nso-group-pegasus-spyware/

https://www.pcmag.com/news/fbi-almost-deployed-pegasus-spyware-in-investigations

Another US agency, Drug Enforcement Administration DEA has been using another Israeli spyware called Graphite, made by Israeli company Paragon. Here is more information about Graphite:

https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-724399

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-led-spyware-industry-further-exposed-becoming-unruly

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/us-governments-purchase-use-of-israeli-spyware-to-be-investi

Cybersecurity researchers at the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab revealed that spyware made by Israeli company Candiru has been used to spy on journalists, political activists and dissidents. Here is more information about Candiru:

https://citizenlab.ca/2021/07/hooking-candiru-another-mercenary-spyware-vendor-comes-into-focus/

https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/7/15/citizen-lab-spyware-by-israels-candiru-used-to-target-activists

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/chrome-zero-day-used-to-infect-journalists-with-candiru-spyware/

https://www.pcmag.com/news/google-chrome-zero-day-exploit-delivered-spyware-to-journalists

Former Israeli military intelligence general Tal Dilian and his companies WiSpear/Passitora, Cytrox and Intellexa have caused controversy in Cyprus and Greece because of their questionable activities. In 2019, Dilian was connected to “spy van scandal” in Cyprus. Intellexa’s spyware Predator is connected to scandal dubbed as “Greek Watergate” – Predator has been used to spy on prominent politicians, businesspeople and journalists. Here is more information about Tal Dilian’s activities and Predator:

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/11/01/meps-in-cyprus-on-predator-spying-mission/

https://cyprus-mail.com/2022/08/11/government-response-to-spy-van-affair-is-unsatisfactory/

https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/news/local/how-the-spyware-scandal-in-greece-is-related-to-cyprus/

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/predator-another-israeli-spyware-used-to-hack-greek-official

https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/greece-in-a-pickle-over-predator-use-seeks-us-judicial-coope

Greater Israel and Yinon Plan

Now that it seems clear that the right-wing Israelis want more land for Israel with the help of right-wing Americans and other allies, we should pay attention to the idea of Greater Israel. I will enclose some links where you can find more information and writings about the idea of Greater Israel. It’s been said that the article written by Israeli official and journalist Oded Yinon in 1982 has influenced the American-Israeli right-wing politics for decades, it is often called the Yinon Plan.

1) Oded Yinon: “Strategy for Israel in the Nineteen Eighties” translated by Israel Shahak (1982)

https://www.slideshare.net/erikayred/the-zionistplanforthemiddleeast

2) “Greater Israel”: The Zionist Plan for the Middle East” GlobalResearch 28.12.2019

https://www.globalresearch.ca/greater-israel-the-zionist-plan-for-the-middle-east/5324815

3) Black, Ian: “The quest for a greater Israel” The Guardian 25.8.2009

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/aug/25/quest-for-greater-israel

4) Chomsky, Noam: “The one state/two state debate is irrelevant as Israel and the US consolidate Greater Israel” Mondoweiss 24.10.2013

https://chomsky.info/20131024/

5) Becker, Ted – Polkinghorn, Brian: A New Pathway to World Peace: From American Empire to First Global Nation (2017)

https://books.google.tn/books/about/A_New_Pathway_to_World_Peace.html?id=f_hTDwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false

6) Kurtzer, Daniel C.: “Choices Facing the United States: Greater Israel or Global Israel?” Israel Studies Vol. 23 No. 3 Fall 2018 pp. 246-252

https://muse.jhu.edu/article/699560

7) Zimmerman, Simone: “American Jews Are Funding the Far-right Dream of Greater Israel. We Have to End This – Now” Haaretz 21.10.2018

https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-u-s-jews-are-funding-the-far-right-dream-of-greater-israel-we-must-end-this-now-1.6575110

8) Erekat, Saeb: “It’s Time To Admit That The US Is Signing The Checks For Greater Israel” Forward 1.7.2019

https://forward.com/opinion/426846/its-time-to-admit-that-the-us-is-signing-the-checks-for-greater-israel/

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation rejects Trump’s Middle East plan

Organisation of Islamic Cooperation OIC has rejected President Trump’s Middle East plan. The OIC said in a statement that it “calls on all member states not to engage with this plan or to cooperate with the US administration in implementing it in any form.”

Read the full story on Al Jazeera:

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/oic-hold-emergency-meeting-trump-middle-east-plan-200203064919675.html

Trump’s “deal of the century”

On Tuesday, President Trump unveiled his Middle East plan, also dubbed as “deal of the century”, with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu (1). As expected, this blatantly biased plan didn’t get many glowing reviews. Here are some examples of the reactions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu 28.1.2020 (2):

“It’s a great plan for Israel.  It’s a great plan for peace.  Frankly, Mr. President, given all that you have already done for Israel, I’m not surprised.  You have been the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House.”

“Your historic decisions to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital; to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights; to reaffirm Israel’s legal claims in Judea and Samaria; to stand up to Iran; to pull out of that dangerous Iran deal; to confront — “confront” is not the word — to eliminate Qasem Soleimani — to support and encourage unbelievable cooperation between Israel and the United States in the military and strategic and intelligence fields — all this bear testament to the friendship and depth of your leadership and commitment to Israel.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson 29.1.2020 (3):

“No peace plan is perfect but this has the merit of a two state solution. It is a two state solution. It would ensure that Jerusalem is both the capital of Israel and of the Palestinian people.”

EU High representative Josep Borrell 28.1.2020 (4):

“The European Union will study and assess the proposals put forward. This will be done on the basis of the EU’s established position and its firm and united commitment to a negotiated and viable two-state solution that takes into account the legitimate aspirations of both the Palestinians and the Israelis, respecting all relevant UN resolutions and internationally agreed parameters.“

UN Secretary-General, note to correspondents 28.1.2020 (5):

“The Secretary-General has seen the announcement of the United States plan for the Middle East. The position of the United Nations on the two-State solution has been defined, throughout the years, by relevant Security Council and General Assembly resolutions by which the Secretariat is bound.
 
The United Nations remains committed to supporting Palestinians and Israelis to resolve the conflict on the basis of United Nations resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements and realizing the vision of two States – Israel and Palestine – living side by side in peace and security within recognized borders, on the basis of the pre-1967 lines.”

UN Special Rapporteur Michael Lynk 31.1.2020 (6):

“The Trump plan on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a lopsided proposal entirely in favour of one side to the conflict.”

“What the Trump plan offers is a one and a half state solution. This Potemkin state – lacking most of the commonly understood attributes of sovereignty beyond the right to fly its flag and issue stamps – would become an entirely new entity in the annals of modern political science.”

“This is not a recipe for a just and durable peace but rather endorses the creation of a 21st century Bantustan in the Middle East. The Palestinian statelet envisioned by the American plan would be scattered archipelagos of non-contiguous territory completely surrounded by Israel, with no external borders, no control over its airspace, no right to a military to defend its security, no geographic basis for a viable economy, no freedom of movement and with no ability to complain to international judicial forums against Israel or the United States.”

Turkey’s National Security Council (MGK) 30.1.2020 (7):

“The U.S.’ so-called peace plan aims to legitimize occupation, destruction and oppression of Palestine.”

“The only solution is the establishment of an independent Palestine on the basis of the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.”

The Arab League, part of statement 1.2.2020 (8):

“(The Arab League) rejects the US-Israeli ‘deal of the century’ considering that it does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people.”

The Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit 1.2.2020 (9):

“The plan leads to a status that amounts to a one-state situation that comprises two classes of citizens, that is apartheid, in which the Palestinians will be second-class citizens, deprived of the basic rights of citizenship.”

“(The U.S. proposal) does not bring about stability or build peace, but sows the seeds for another 100 years of conflict and suffering.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, regarding cutting all ties with USA and Israel 1.2.2020 (10):

“We’ve informed the Israeli side … that there will be no relations at all with them and the United States including security ties.”

“I will never accept this solution. I will not have it recorded in my history that I have sold Jerusalem.”

References:

1) “This is what Donald Trump’s Middle East plan looks like” Al Jazeera 28.1.2020

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/donald-trump-middle-east-plan-200128192550276.html

2) “Remarks by President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu of the State of Israel in Joint Statements” White House 28.1.2020

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-prime-minister-netanyahu-state-israel-joint-statements/

3) “Boris Johnson praises Donald Trump’s plan for peace in the Middle East as he hits out at Jeremy Corbyn for being ‘characteristically negative’ about the blueprint” Daily Mail 29.1.2020

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7942665/Boris-Johnson-praises-Donald-Trumps-plan-peace-Middle-East.html

4) “EU responds to Trump’s Middle East peace plan” Euractiv.com 29.1.2020

https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-responds-to-trumps-middle-east-peace-plan/

5) “Note to correspondents: In respond to questions on the Middle East” United Nations Secretary-General 28.1.2020

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/note-correspondents/2020-01-28/note-correspondents-response-questions-the-middle-east

6) “Israel / OPT: UN expert alarmed by ‘lopsided’ Trump plan, says will entrench occupation” United Nations OHCHR 31.1.2020

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=25513&LangID=E

7) “Trump’s Mideast plan aims to legitimize destruction of Palestine: Turkey’s National Security Council” Daily Sabah 30.1.2020

https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2020/01/30/trumps-mideast-plan-aims-to-legitimize-destruction-of-palestine-turkeys-national-security-council

8) “Arab League rejects Trump’s Middle East plan” Al Jazeera 1.2.2020

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/02/arab-league-holds-emergency-meeting-trump-plan-200201105251740.html

9) “Trump’s Mideast plan amounts to ‘apartheid’, Arab League says” Daily Sabah 1.2.2020

https://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2020/02/01/arab-league-rejects-trumps-mideast-plan

10) “Palestine cuts all ties with Israel and US” Daily Sabah 1.2.2020

https://www.dailysabah.com/mideast/2020/02/01/palestinian-president-threatens-to-cut-all-ties-with-israel-and-us

How right-wing populists and extremists use Christianity

Mark Galli, editor-in-chief of American religious magazine Christianity Today, wrote last week that President Trump is “morally lost” and should be removed from the office (1). Trump lashed out at the magazine in his tweets (2):

“A far left magazine, or very ‘progressive,’ as some would call it, which has been doing poorly and hasn’t been involved with the Billy Graham family for many years, Christianity Today, knows nothing about reading a perfect transcript of a routine phone call and would rather have a Radical Left nonbeliever, who wants to take your religion & your guns, than Donald Trump as your President.”

During recent years right-wing populists and extremists have used Christianity to promote their own ideology and to justify their actions. For example, Hungarian far-right leader Viktor Orbán has used Christianity to strengthen his authoritarian control. Some years ago, Orbán wanted to build “an illiberal, a non-liberal state”, but recently he has called his country “a Christian democracy” (3, 4). Dutch far-right politician and infamous Islamophobe Geert Wilders has wanted to enshrine “the dominance of the Judeo-Christian tradition” in the Dutch constitution (5). Far-right groups and parties in many countries have organized anti-immigration and anti-Muslim demonstrations and political stunts on the pretext of defending Christianity or Judeo-Christian values. For example, German far-right anti-immigration and anti-Muslim movement PEGIDA has had religion-themed demonstrations in front of Frauenkirche in Dresden, British far-right group Britain First has organized “Christian Patrols”, French far-right party National Rally (former National Front) has organized commemoration march for their Catholic saint Joan of Arc, Italian far-right party Northern League had a political rally where their leader Matteo Salvini swore to “put the gospel into action” and Spanish far-right party Vox vowed to start a new “reconquista” (reference to the era when Christians defeated the Moors and “reconquered” Southern Spain). (6, 7, 8) In USA, among the myriad of right-wing populist and extremist groups there are also extreme anti-abortion, anti-government and even anti-taxation militias who find excuse for their violent actions from the Bible (9).

Steve Bannon, former chief strategist of President Trump, tried to get European far-right leaders to join his organization The Movement, but that operation hasn’t been as successful as he expected. However, Bannon also has another elaborate plan: he wants to educate next generation of far-right leaders, or “culture warriors”, at an “academy for the Judeo-Christian West” in Italy. The academy would be run by a right-wing Catholic think thank Dignitatis Humanae Institute which was founded by Bannon’s close associate Benjamin Harnwell. The academy would become a “school for gladiators” and it would offer instruction in theology, philosophy, history and politics but it also would “institutionalize the thoughts and political insights of Steve Bannon.” However, the project has run into difficulties with Italian government. (11, 12, 14) American Cardinal Raymond Burke, who was named honorary president of the Dignitatis Humanae Institute, resigned. In his resignation letter Cardinal Burke wrote (13):

“In recent times it (i.e. the institute) has become more and more identified with the political program of Mr Bannon. While I have urged the institute to return to its original purpose of promoting the respect of human dignity it has not done so… I have therefore, effective immediately, terminated any relationship with the Dignitatis Humanae Institute.”

Bannon has also tried to build opposition against Pope Francis. Bannon advised Italian far-right leader Matteo Salvini to attack the pope over the issue of migration and refugees. Pope Francis has made the plight of refugees important part of his papacy and he has asked for compassion towards migrants. Bannon sees Pope Francis as “enemy.” (14)

Also other people close to Trump have used Christianity in their endeavors. When Secretary of State Mike Pompeo gave his speech in Cairo, Egypt, in January, he said (15):

“In my office, I keep a Bible open on my desk to remind me of God and His Word, and The Truth.

And it’s the truth, lower-case “t,” that I’m here to talk about today. It is a truth that isn’t often spoken in this part of the world, but because I’m a military man by training, I’ll be very blunt and direct today: America is a force for good in the Middle East.”

Pompeo also believes that it is possible that President Trump could be a new “Queen Esther” who will save Jews from “the Iranian menace.” Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu thinks that evangelical Christians, such as Vice President Pence and Secretary of State Pompeo, are actually more reliable allies of Israel than liberal American Jews. (16) Trump’s lawyer Jay Sekulow and his family run many non-profit organizations, for example Christian Advocates Serving Evangelism (CASE). It has turned out that the Sekulow family has used tens of millions of dollars of the money that was donated to their organizations for their own vast salaries as well as unusual loans and property deals. (17, 18) Sekulow is the leader of Trump’s personal legal team and his son Jordan is also member of the team (19, 20).

Even though right-wing populists and extremists use Christianity in their political activities and propaganda, polls suggest that their supporters are actually disproportionately irreligious. Church attendance seems to be one of the strongest statistical predictors for voting against the populist far right. (6) Many Christian religious leaders have condemned the use of Christianity in the far-right propaganda and hate mongering (6, 7). There is also a lot of interfaith dialogue and cooperation organized by United Nations and many other international and national organizations, for example Parliament of the World’s Religions, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID) and National Forum for Cooperation of Religions in Finland (CORE Forum). (21, 22, 23, 24)

References:

1) “Calling Trump ‘Morally Lost’, ‘Christianity Today’ Editor Calls For His Removal” NPR 20.12.2019

https://www.npr.org/2019/12/20/790130632/christianity-today-editor-discusses-calling-for-trumps-impeachment

2) “Trump attacks Christianity Today over bruising editorial” The Hill 20.12.2019

https://thehill.com/homenews/news/475445-trump-attacks-christianity-today-over-bruising-editorial

3) “Full text of Viktor Orbán’s speech at Băile Tuşnad (Tusnádfürdő) of 26 July 2014” The Budapest Beacon 29.7.2014

https://budapestbeacon.com/full-text-of-viktor-orbans-speech-at-baile-tusnad-tusnadfurdo-of-26-july-2014/

4) “Orbán deploys Christianity with a twist to tighten grip in Hungary” The Guardian 14.7.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jul/14/viktor-orban-budapest-hungary-christianity-with-a-twist

5) “Can Geert Wilders be more than the Netherlands’ agitator-in-chief?” The Guardian 8.3.2017

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/08/can-geert-wilders-be-more-than-netherlands-far-right-agitator-in-chief

6) “Defenders of faith: why right-wing populists are embracing religion” New Statesman 30.5.2018

https://www.newstatesman.com/2018/05/defenders-faith-0

7) “Britain First’s Bury Park ‘Christian Patrol’ In Luton Condemned As ‘Intimidating’ And ‘Inflaming Tensions'” Huffington Post 26.1.2016

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2016/01/25/britain-first-luton-march-condemned_n_9067474.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmZpLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACaShTChTCMlkKHnZiAKzhGrd8Fe4J5w-Bityv62sHev310E29_OQSu4g97GYsaXZ28eRIvPcEgX1myuTIYbveyxDkIvy9NAyx49wAhwKGLNct3-UcrqS3ygBB8p1eu4PtEUTbQWmV2Wf9Olh2p4igWIEwooO7ZI8O3Z28v7q9bh&guccounter=2

8) “The rise of Spanish far-right party Vox shines light into the dark corners of the country’s politics” The National 5.1.2019

https://www.thenational.ae/opinion/comment/the-rise-of-the-spanish-far-right-party-vox-shines-a-light-into-the-dark-corners-of-the-country-s-politics-1.809539

9) “Holy Hate: The Far Right’s Radicalization of Religion” Southern Poverty Law Center 10.2.2018

https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2018/holy-hate-far-right’s-radicalization-religion

10) “Steve Bannon’s stuttering European adventure” Politico 19.4.2019

https://www.politico.eu/article/steve-bannon-european-parliament-the-movement-stuttering-european-adventure/

11) “Italy disrupts Steve Bannon’s plan for a right-wing academy in a monastery” The Washington Post 31.5.2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/italy-disrupts-steve-bannons-plan-for-a-right-wing-academy-in-an-italian-monastery/2019/05/31/0f804838-83d1-11e9-b585-e36b16a531aa_story.html

12) “Culture ministry failed to vet right-wing religious group close to Steve Bannon” The Art Newspaper 27.11.2019

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/culture-ministry-failed-to-vet-right-wing-group

13) “Cardinal Burke resigns from Dignitatis Humanae Institute” Independent Catholic News 27.6.2019

https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/37362

14) “Steve Bannon ‘told Italy’s populist leader: Pope Francis is the enemy'” The Guardian 13.4.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/apr/13/steve-bannon-matteo-salvini-pope-francis-is-the-enemy

15) “A Force for Good: America Reinvigorated in the Middle East” U.S. Virtual Embassy Iran 10.1.2019

https://ir.usembassy.gov/a-force-for-good-america-reinvigorated-in-the-middle-east/

16) “The Rapture and the Real World: Mike Pompeo Blends Beliefs and Policy” The New York Times 30.3.2019

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/30/us/politics/pompeo-christian-policy.html?auth=login-email&login=email

17) “Trump lawyer’s firm steered millions in donations to family members, files show” The Guardian 27.6.2017

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/jun/27/trump-lawyer-jay-sekulow-donations

18) “Who Is Jay Sekulow? Trump Attorney Funnels Millions to His Family Through Nonprofits” Right Wing Watch 7.3.2019

https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/who-is-jay-sekulow-trump-attorney-funnels-millions-to-his-family-through-non-profits/

19) “Trump’s personal attorneys remain largely on the sidelines as the president contends with the impeachment inquiry” The Washington Post 3.12.2019

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trumps-personal-attorneys-remain-largely-on-the-sidelines-as-the-president-contends-with-impeachment-inquiry/2019/12/03/1076807c-150d-11ea-8406-df3c54b3253e_story.html

20) “Jordan Sekulow: President’s legal team working on two theories to bolster defense against impeachment” Fox News 21.12.2019

https://www.foxnews.com/media/jordan-sekulow-impeachment-legal-defense-president-trump-nancy-pelosi

21) World Interfaith Harmony Week United Nations

https://www.un.org/en/events/interfaithharmonyweek/index.shtml

22) Parliament of the World’s Religions

https://parliamentofreligions.org

23) KAICIID

https://www.kaiciid.org

24) CORE Forum

https://uskot.fi/en/home-2/

ICC to investigate alleged Israeli and Palestinian war crimes

The International Criminal Court ICC announced that there is enough evidence to investigate alleged Israeli and Palestinian war crimes that may have been committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

Read the full story on The Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2019/dec/20/icc-to-investigate-alleged-israeli-and-palestinian-war-crimes

According to Melanie Phillips, Islamophobia is a bogus label

British newspaper The Jewish Chronicle has published a highly controversial article written by right-wing journalist Melanie Phillips. According to Phillips, “The taunt of Islamophobia is used to silence any criticism of the Islamic world, including Islamic extremism.” (1) The Board of Deputies of British Jews said that the publication of the article was an error (2):

“Anti-Muslim prejudice is very real and it is on the rise. Our community must stand as allies to all facing racism.”

References:

1) “Don’t fall for bogus claims of ‘Islamophobia'” The Jewish Chronicle 16.12.2019

https://www.thejc.com/comment/columnists/don-t-fall-for-bogus-claims-of-islamophobia-1.494367

2) “‘Islamophobia a bogus label’: Jewish Chronicle under fire over article” The Guardian 17.12.2019

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/dec/17/islamophobia-a-bogus-label-jewish-chronicle-under-fire-over-story