1 july 2015
US President Barack Obama on Monday signed legislation targeting anti-Israel boycotts worldwide. The Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which was passed through the Senate last Wednesday, includes roughly 150 trade objectives to raise specific US priorities in its negotiations.
One of these objectives is to push back against efforts within the EU to sponsor the growing Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
A group of congressmen and the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) worked on the wording of the legislation.
The new US-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act is specifically targeted "to discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel by states, non-member states of the United Nations, international organisations, or affiliated agencies of international organisations that are politically motivated and are intended to penalise or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli- controlled territories."
In a statement, AIPAC commented that: "The Congress's decision and the adoption of this language in the law would curb the actions of foreign governments to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel."
Peter Roskam (Republican representative for Illinois), Juan Vargas (Democrat representative for California), and senators Ben Cardin (Democrat representative for Maryland) and Rob Portman (Republican representative for Ohio) all supported the law in Congress.
Paul Ryan (Republican representative for Wisconsin) said when introducing the provision as an amendment to TPA that: "the goal was to enshrine a principal negotiating objective that reinforces our opposition to official actions that boycott, penalise, or otherwise limit commercial relations with the State of Israel."
President Obama signed the law despite warnings from officials in his administration that it could harm commercial dealings with members of the European Union who prohibit trading with Israeli companies that operate in the occupied territories.
One of these objectives is to push back against efforts within the EU to sponsor the growing Boycott Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel.
A group of congressmen and the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) worked on the wording of the legislation.
The new US-Israel Trade and Commercial Enhancement Act is specifically targeted "to discourage politically motivated actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel by states, non-member states of the United Nations, international organisations, or affiliated agencies of international organisations that are politically motivated and are intended to penalise or otherwise limit commercial relations specifically with Israel or persons doing business in Israel or in Israeli- controlled territories."
In a statement, AIPAC commented that: "The Congress's decision and the adoption of this language in the law would curb the actions of foreign governments to boycott, divest from or sanction Israel."
Peter Roskam (Republican representative for Illinois), Juan Vargas (Democrat representative for California), and senators Ben Cardin (Democrat representative for Maryland) and Rob Portman (Republican representative for Ohio) all supported the law in Congress.
Paul Ryan (Republican representative for Wisconsin) said when introducing the provision as an amendment to TPA that: "the goal was to enshrine a principal negotiating objective that reinforces our opposition to official actions that boycott, penalise, or otherwise limit commercial relations with the State of Israel."
President Obama signed the law despite warnings from officials in his administration that it could harm commercial dealings with members of the European Union who prohibit trading with Israeli companies that operate in the occupied territories.
26 june 2015
To reporters outside the ICC, Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki confirmed that he had submitted 3 dosiers to the ICCS
The White House said on Thursday that the Palestinians' efforts to prosecute Israel for war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague are "counterproductive", and stressed Washington's strong opposition. "The United States has made it clear that we oppose actions against Israel at the ICC as counterproductive," National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey said.
The Palestinian Authority submitted its first evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes to the ICC on Thursday in an attempt to speed up a court inquiry into abuses committed during last year's Gaza conflict.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki spoke to reporters outside the ICC after meeting Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. He confirmed that he had submitted dossiers on the Gaza conflict, Israeli settlements on occupied land where Palestinians seek a state and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
"Palestine is a test for the credibility of international mechanisms, a test that the world cannot afford to fail," insisted Maliki. "Palestine has decided to seek justice, not vengeance."
The White House said on Thursday that the Palestinians' efforts to prosecute Israel for war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague are "counterproductive", and stressed Washington's strong opposition. "The United States has made it clear that we oppose actions against Israel at the ICC as counterproductive," National Security Council spokesman Alistair Baskey said.
The Palestinian Authority submitted its first evidence of alleged Israeli war crimes to the ICC on Thursday in an attempt to speed up a court inquiry into abuses committed during last year's Gaza conflict.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki spoke to reporters outside the ICC after meeting Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. He confirmed that he had submitted dossiers on the Gaza conflict, Israeli settlements on occupied land where Palestinians seek a state and the treatment of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
"Palestine is a test for the credibility of international mechanisms, a test that the world cannot afford to fail," insisted Maliki. "Palestine has decided to seek justice, not vengeance."
21 june 2015
The largely unknown leader of the ISIL terrorist group, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, confirmed in the photo with Senator John McCain
An American political commentator believes that the United States and Israel are undoubtedly the world’s “two leading terrorist organizations.”
“There really can be no serious doubt that the United States and Israel are the two leading terrorist organizations in the world which is the reason why the Department of State has to made incoherent claims such as that Iran is classified as a terrorist organization,” said American philosopher James Fetzer.
He made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV on Saturday when asked to comment on an annual report by the US State Department that has accused Iran of supporting international terrorist groups, including those militant groups fighting against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
The report, however, makes almost no mention of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, which are widely believed to be the main supporters of terrorists in the Middle East. The US itself stands accused of financing and arming militants in the region.
Fetzer said “the United States created the ISIS (ISIL), the United States is sponsoring the ISIS, the United States has opposed the United Nations’ declaration that ISIS is a terrorist organization.”
He also stated that “[Senator] John McCain [Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services] flew to Syria and was photographed with the leader of ISIS who is recognized as a Mossad agent.”
“The latest reports in fact have two high ranking advisers of ISIS, also Mossad agents being captured by American Special Forces in Iraq, which must have been inadvertence of the United States is supporting ISIS, which is widely known in Washington and it’s John McCain’s army,” he added.
“The United States is a great sponsor of terrorism as is Israel, which occurs repeatedly around the world. We should be supporting Syria and Iran and not attacking them or seeking to undermine them,” Fetzer noted.
Comment: Al Baghdadi , is in fact the french Citizen with the real Name Simon Elliot, mother and father French ( Mediterranean Jews ).
An American political commentator believes that the United States and Israel are undoubtedly the world’s “two leading terrorist organizations.”
“There really can be no serious doubt that the United States and Israel are the two leading terrorist organizations in the world which is the reason why the Department of State has to made incoherent claims such as that Iran is classified as a terrorist organization,” said American philosopher James Fetzer.
He made the remarks in a phone interview with Press TV on Saturday when asked to comment on an annual report by the US State Department that has accused Iran of supporting international terrorist groups, including those militant groups fighting against ISIL terrorists in Iraq and Syria.
The report, however, makes almost no mention of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey, which are widely believed to be the main supporters of terrorists in the Middle East. The US itself stands accused of financing and arming militants in the region.
Fetzer said “the United States created the ISIS (ISIL), the United States is sponsoring the ISIS, the United States has opposed the United Nations’ declaration that ISIS is a terrorist organization.”
He also stated that “[Senator] John McCain [Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services] flew to Syria and was photographed with the leader of ISIS who is recognized as a Mossad agent.”
“The latest reports in fact have two high ranking advisers of ISIS, also Mossad agents being captured by American Special Forces in Iraq, which must have been inadvertence of the United States is supporting ISIS, which is widely known in Washington and it’s John McCain’s army,” he added.
“The United States is a great sponsor of terrorism as is Israel, which occurs repeatedly around the world. We should be supporting Syria and Iran and not attacking them or seeking to undermine them,” Fetzer noted.
Comment: Al Baghdadi , is in fact the french Citizen with the real Name Simon Elliot, mother and father French ( Mediterranean Jews ).
17 june 2015
Finance Minister in letter to US ambassador Shapiro distances himself from Kulanu party member Oren's comments on Obama; Kahlon says Obama stands by Israel and that Israelis are grateful to President.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon sent a letter on Wednesday to US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, in which he distanced himself from what former Israeli ambassador to Washington, MK Michael Oren (Kulanu) wrote in the Wall Street Journal, namely, that the President of the United States Barack Obama has abandoned Israel.
Kahlon pointed out in his letter to Shapiro that "Oren's book was written before he joined the Kulanu party and reflects only Oren's personal position."
Kahlon also wrote that "during Obama's tenure, the security cooperation between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels, and Israeli citizens will always be grateful for that. I have always publicly expressed my deep appreciation of President Barack Obama for his efforts to stand by Israel and protect its interests.
"Once I became aware of Michael Oren's article I summoned him and he made it clear to me that what was written reflects his personal views." Kahlon asked the ambassador to convey his message to President Obama.
After the publication of the remarks against Obama, Shapiro attacked Oren. Shapiro said in an interview with Army Radio, "Oren is a friend of mine but obviously I do not agree with what he wrote. He is currently in a different position, he is a politician and writer who wants to sell books. Sometimes an ambassador has a limited view of private conversations between leaders, and his description does not reflect the truth. His version is imaginary."
In an op-ed piece Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal, entitled “How Obama Abandoned Israel,” Oren wrote that both Netanyahu and Obama made mistakes that weakened their country's relationship but that only US President Barack Obama had done so "deliberately"
According to Oren, Obama had abandoned one of the key principles of the American-Israeli relationship, that there be no surprises regarding policy changes. Oren cited Obama's Cairo speech in 2009 as an example of this, as Obama did not give Netanyahu a copy of the speech beforehand, to allow him to make comments. Among other examples, Oren also says Obama surprised Israel when he entered secret talks with Iran without briefing Netanyahu.
Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon sent a letter on Wednesday to US ambassador to Israel, Dan Shapiro, in which he distanced himself from what former Israeli ambassador to Washington, MK Michael Oren (Kulanu) wrote in the Wall Street Journal, namely, that the President of the United States Barack Obama has abandoned Israel.
Kahlon pointed out in his letter to Shapiro that "Oren's book was written before he joined the Kulanu party and reflects only Oren's personal position."
Kahlon also wrote that "during Obama's tenure, the security cooperation between the two countries has reached unprecedented levels, and Israeli citizens will always be grateful for that. I have always publicly expressed my deep appreciation of President Barack Obama for his efforts to stand by Israel and protect its interests.
"Once I became aware of Michael Oren's article I summoned him and he made it clear to me that what was written reflects his personal views." Kahlon asked the ambassador to convey his message to President Obama.
After the publication of the remarks against Obama, Shapiro attacked Oren. Shapiro said in an interview with Army Radio, "Oren is a friend of mine but obviously I do not agree with what he wrote. He is currently in a different position, he is a politician and writer who wants to sell books. Sometimes an ambassador has a limited view of private conversations between leaders, and his description does not reflect the truth. His version is imaginary."
In an op-ed piece Tuesday in The Wall Street Journal, entitled “How Obama Abandoned Israel,” Oren wrote that both Netanyahu and Obama made mistakes that weakened their country's relationship but that only US President Barack Obama had done so "deliberately"
According to Oren, Obama had abandoned one of the key principles of the American-Israeli relationship, that there be no surprises regarding policy changes. Oren cited Obama's Cairo speech in 2009 as an example of this, as Obama did not give Netanyahu a copy of the speech beforehand, to allow him to make comments. Among other examples, Oren also says Obama surprised Israel when he entered secret talks with Iran without briefing Netanyahu.
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Jeff Rathke (youtube 22.10)
The United States has supported Israel in rejecting a United Nations human rights investigation into the Gaza war, which has been described by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as "hostile to Israel and a waste of time". State Department spokesman, Jeff Rathke, told reporters in Washington on Monday that although the report has not been released yet, but the United States has strongly opposed the creation of the Gaza commission of inquiry. "There is unfortunately a long history of anti-Israeli bias in UN resolutions |
and mechanisms, including at the Human Rights Council, which persists in an unbalanced focus on Israel by singling it out with a permanent agenda item, for example. So we've opposed the commission of inquiry reports – the creation of the commission of the inquiry," Rathke said.
He pointed out that his department has not reviewed the report produced by Israel on the Gaza war.
Answering a question on whether he believes there should be an inquiry if the UN report was unfair or biased, Rathke insisted on rejecting the formation of a UN commission of inquiry to begin with.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the UN commission's report, which is due to be released later this month, saying that reading the report would be a "waste of time".
Recently, Israel prevented a visit by the UN human rights rapporteur, Makarim Wibisono, an Israeli foreign ministry official revealed.
"Israel cooperates with all the international commissions and all rapporteurs, except when the mandate handed to them is anti-Israeli and Israel has no chance to make itself heard," Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said.
He pointed out that his department has not reviewed the report produced by Israel on the Gaza war.
Answering a question on whether he believes there should be an inquiry if the UN report was unfair or biased, Rathke insisted on rejecting the formation of a UN commission of inquiry to begin with.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the UN commission's report, which is due to be released later this month, saying that reading the report would be a "waste of time".
Recently, Israel prevented a visit by the UN human rights rapporteur, Makarim Wibisono, an Israeli foreign ministry official revealed.
"Israel cooperates with all the international commissions and all rapporteurs, except when the mandate handed to them is anti-Israeli and Israel has no chance to make itself heard," Israel's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said.
16 june 2015
Both American administration official and Israeli officials say Israeli PM has not been invited to Washington at this time, refuting a Yedioth report.
The White House denied a report on Tuesday that US President Barack Obama had invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet in Washington next month.
Citing unnamed US State Department sources, Ynet's sister-publication Yedioth Ahronoth said the two leaders could meet in the White House on July 15 or 16, after the June 30 deadline for an Iranian nuclear deal over which they have frequently clashed.
Since Netanyahu's election to a fourth term on March 17, US and Israeli officials have said they expected he would meet Obama again. But no date has been set, and a White House official denied Netanyahu had received any US invitation.
"No invitation has been extended, though certainly we'd expect that there will be occasion for the two leaders to meet in Washington at some point going forward," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in response to Yedioth's report.
A spokesman for Netanyahu's office had no immediate official comment on the report. Israeli officials speaking on condition of anonymity, however, told reporters that no such invitation had been received.
Netanyahu has criticized the emerging nuclear deal, which Israel fears will allow Iran the means of making a bomb, while also granting it sanctions relief that could help bankroll its militant allies in the region.
Iran says its nuclear projects are peaceful.
The White House denied a report on Tuesday that US President Barack Obama had invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to meet in Washington next month.
Citing unnamed US State Department sources, Ynet's sister-publication Yedioth Ahronoth said the two leaders could meet in the White House on July 15 or 16, after the June 30 deadline for an Iranian nuclear deal over which they have frequently clashed.
Since Netanyahu's election to a fourth term on March 17, US and Israeli officials have said they expected he would meet Obama again. But no date has been set, and a White House official denied Netanyahu had received any US invitation.
"No invitation has been extended, though certainly we'd expect that there will be occasion for the two leaders to meet in Washington at some point going forward," the official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in response to Yedioth's report.
A spokesman for Netanyahu's office had no immediate official comment on the report. Israeli officials speaking on condition of anonymity, however, told reporters that no such invitation had been received.
Netanyahu has criticized the emerging nuclear deal, which Israel fears will allow Iran the means of making a bomb, while also granting it sanctions relief that could help bankroll its militant allies in the region.
Iran says its nuclear projects are peaceful.
Despite Obama previously saying he wouldn't invite the PM before Iran agreement is signed, Netanyahu was invited; Netanyahu expected to demand a compensation package for increasing threats facing Israel.
US President Barack Obama invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington next month, Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday morning.
State Department sources said that the probable date for the visit is either July 15 or 16.
President Obama previously announced that a personal meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, after the latter's re-election as Israeli prime minister, would take place only after a final agreement between Iran and the six world powers was signed.
Israeli officials therefore believe the Americans are convinced that they will succeed in signing an agreement with Iran in the coming weeks, despite the delays and difficulties that are leaked daily from the negotiation rooms.
Nonetheless, if Netanyahu's visit does indeed occur, it will take place before Congress approves the agreement between Iran and the great powers. Obama must be interested in the visit itself, in its success and especially the joint statements before the cameras at its conclusion.
A negative attitude by Netanyahu regarding the agreement could make it difficult for Obama to have the agreement with Iran passed in Congress.
From Israel's point of view, Netanyahu's visit is also an opportunity to try to rebuild, to a large extent, the troublesome relations between the two men, which has caused direct and indirect damage, including damage to Israel's deterrence caused by creating the impression that Jerusalem is no longer coordinated with Washington on central policy issues.
The visit is also an opportunity to coordinate with the Americans upcoming political developments in the region, so Israel is not surprised again by policy initiatives and attacks in international forums.
Also, Netanyahu is expected to demand a compensation package for increasing threats facing Israel. Among others, Netanyahu will seek to expand Israel's qualitative military advantage on other countries in the region.
US President Barack Obama invited Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington next month, Ynet's sister publication Yedioth Ahronoth reported Tuesday morning.
State Department sources said that the probable date for the visit is either July 15 or 16.
President Obama previously announced that a personal meeting with Netanyahu at the White House, after the latter's re-election as Israeli prime minister, would take place only after a final agreement between Iran and the six world powers was signed.
Israeli officials therefore believe the Americans are convinced that they will succeed in signing an agreement with Iran in the coming weeks, despite the delays and difficulties that are leaked daily from the negotiation rooms.
Nonetheless, if Netanyahu's visit does indeed occur, it will take place before Congress approves the agreement between Iran and the great powers. Obama must be interested in the visit itself, in its success and especially the joint statements before the cameras at its conclusion.
A negative attitude by Netanyahu regarding the agreement could make it difficult for Obama to have the agreement with Iran passed in Congress.
From Israel's point of view, Netanyahu's visit is also an opportunity to try to rebuild, to a large extent, the troublesome relations between the two men, which has caused direct and indirect damage, including damage to Israel's deterrence caused by creating the impression that Jerusalem is no longer coordinated with Washington on central policy issues.
The visit is also an opportunity to coordinate with the Americans upcoming political developments in the region, so Israel is not surprised again by policy initiatives and attacks in international forums.
Also, Netanyahu is expected to demand a compensation package for increasing threats facing Israel. Among others, Netanyahu will seek to expand Israel's qualitative military advantage on other countries in the region.
13 june 2015
Amendments to Obama's sweeping trade package would fight BDS, but Democrats opposed to other sections are holding things up.
The United States House of Representatives on Friday approved a measure to allow a "fast track" process for a free trade agreement between the US and Europe, which includes a section obligating EU countries to refrain from any kind of boycotts on Israeli goods.
The measure requires the government to fight governments, international organizations, companies, and individuals working to boycott Israel.
The amendment to the bill also states that boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel by governments, governmental bodies, and international organizations are contrary to the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which regulates trade agreements and lowering of tariffs.
The bill further supports an American probe into companies pushing for or surrendering to the boycott and instructs the president to report to Congress on boycott activities after 180 days since the bill's implementation, as well as describe what steps the US government is taking to encourage foreign countries and international organization to stop boycotting.
Additionally, the president will need to explain what steps the government is taking to prevent probes and filing of lawsuits by governments or international bodies against Israel.
Republican Representative Peter Roskam was the first to push the anti-boycott measures, which have been endorsed by former Israeli ambassador MK Michael Oren of Kulanu.
However, the bill cannot be signed by President Barack Obama yet. Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill, a worker's aid program – thus also torpedoing the president's path to the larger trade package.
Despite the failure of the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill, Congress went on to narrowly approve the president's request to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which would clear the way for signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a major deal with around a dozen nations, whose unreleased details have been partially leaked.
The TAA and TPA bills are conditioned on each other, meaning both must be passed. The political divisions over the TPP caused Democrats to kill the TAA, rendering the TPA toothless. Congress must now work towards an agreement before the president can sign the package into law.
Currently there are no European countries boycotting Israel, with the exception labeling of goods made in settlements, and Europe is concerned that a boycott of Israel could damage their free trade agreement with the US.
For the same reason, the French government responded decisively – if somewhat belatedly – to the statements by Orange CEO Stephane Richard, who announced a plan to cut ties with Israel before apologizing and making a trip to Israel to visit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Obama is pushing for free trade agreements with Europe and East Asia, and the fast track he seeks requires the approval of a two-thirds majority in Congress. Republicans are with Obama on this issue, and it is his own party who is raising opposition out of a concern for unions.
In order to obtain the go-ahead from Congress for the fast track plan, the president received advance instructions from Congress, including the amendments dealing with the economic boycott against Israel and fighting boycotts.
Obama arrived at Capitol Hill to convince his party's members to stand behind the bill. While his pleas were not heeded this time, an agreement could be reached next week.
US House of Reps: Europe Can't Boycott Israel
The United States House of Representatives has fast-tracked a bill regarding a free trade agreement between the US and Europe which would include a section barring EU countries from any form of commercial boycott against Israel and Israeli goods.
According to the PNN, Israel’s Ynetnews indicated that two versions of the law had been presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate, clarifying that both versions included the section obligating EU countries to refrain from the boycott of Israeli products.
This section states that any affiliation and cooperation with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement on the part of EU countries is in violation of the “principle of non-discrimination’ statute in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
According to Ynetnews, the second law did not pass at this stage due to disputes with respect to compensation for businesses in Europe. There was also severe opposition from Obama’s own Democrats, but it is expected that an agreement will be reached between the House of Representatives and the Senate during the coming days.
From the moment that an agreement is reached, a unified document will be presented to the American President, Barack Obama, for a review of the trade agreement as soon as possible. He will then sign the document and it will be put to the vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
The United States House of Representatives on Friday approved a measure to allow a "fast track" process for a free trade agreement between the US and Europe, which includes a section obligating EU countries to refrain from any kind of boycotts on Israeli goods.
The measure requires the government to fight governments, international organizations, companies, and individuals working to boycott Israel.
The amendment to the bill also states that boycotts, divestment, and sanctions against Israel by governments, governmental bodies, and international organizations are contrary to the principle of non-discrimination enshrined in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which regulates trade agreements and lowering of tariffs.
The bill further supports an American probe into companies pushing for or surrendering to the boycott and instructs the president to report to Congress on boycott activities after 180 days since the bill's implementation, as well as describe what steps the US government is taking to encourage foreign countries and international organization to stop boycotting.
Additionally, the president will need to explain what steps the government is taking to prevent probes and filing of lawsuits by governments or international bodies against Israel.
Republican Representative Peter Roskam was the first to push the anti-boycott measures, which have been endorsed by former Israeli ambassador MK Michael Oren of Kulanu.
However, the bill cannot be signed by President Barack Obama yet. Democrats overwhelmingly voted against the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) bill, a worker's aid program – thus also torpedoing the president's path to the larger trade package.
Despite the failure of the Trade Adjustment Assistance bill, Congress went on to narrowly approve the president's request to pass Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which would clear the way for signing the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a major deal with around a dozen nations, whose unreleased details have been partially leaked.
The TAA and TPA bills are conditioned on each other, meaning both must be passed. The political divisions over the TPP caused Democrats to kill the TAA, rendering the TPA toothless. Congress must now work towards an agreement before the president can sign the package into law.
Currently there are no European countries boycotting Israel, with the exception labeling of goods made in settlements, and Europe is concerned that a boycott of Israel could damage their free trade agreement with the US.
For the same reason, the French government responded decisively – if somewhat belatedly – to the statements by Orange CEO Stephane Richard, who announced a plan to cut ties with Israel before apologizing and making a trip to Israel to visit Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
President Obama is pushing for free trade agreements with Europe and East Asia, and the fast track he seeks requires the approval of a two-thirds majority in Congress. Republicans are with Obama on this issue, and it is his own party who is raising opposition out of a concern for unions.
In order to obtain the go-ahead from Congress for the fast track plan, the president received advance instructions from Congress, including the amendments dealing with the economic boycott against Israel and fighting boycotts.
Obama arrived at Capitol Hill to convince his party's members to stand behind the bill. While his pleas were not heeded this time, an agreement could be reached next week.
US House of Reps: Europe Can't Boycott Israel
The United States House of Representatives has fast-tracked a bill regarding a free trade agreement between the US and Europe which would include a section barring EU countries from any form of commercial boycott against Israel and Israeli goods.
According to the PNN, Israel’s Ynetnews indicated that two versions of the law had been presented to the House of Representatives and the Senate, clarifying that both versions included the section obligating EU countries to refrain from the boycott of Israeli products.
This section states that any affiliation and cooperation with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement on the part of EU countries is in violation of the “principle of non-discrimination’ statute in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
According to Ynetnews, the second law did not pass at this stage due to disputes with respect to compensation for businesses in Europe. There was also severe opposition from Obama’s own Democrats, but it is expected that an agreement will be reached between the House of Representatives and the Senate during the coming days.
From the moment that an agreement is reached, a unified document will be presented to the American President, Barack Obama, for a review of the trade agreement as soon as possible. He will then sign the document and it will be put to the vote in the House of Representatives and the Senate.
9 june 2015
US Supreme Court
American Supreme Court yesterday struck down part of a federal statute that allowed Americans born in Jerusalem to record their place of birth as "Israel" on their passport, American media reported.
This discussion is considered a resounding victory for US President Barack Obama, who the court said is the only authority able to recognise who controls Jerusalem.
"The president has the exclusive power to grant formal recognition to a foreign sovereign," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. "Congress cannot command the president to contradict an earlier recognition determination in the issuance of passports."
He continued: "As a result, the petitioner, Menachem Zivotofsky, an American citizen who was born in Jerusalem in 2002, will only have the city [Jerusalem] of his birth listed on his passport."
PLO official Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that this decision is in keeping with the UN Security Council's decisions regarding Palestine, as well as the UN General Assembly's recognition of Palestine as a non-member state in 2012.
"This also proves that Israel is an occupation state that occupies East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," he said.
When American President Harry Truman formally recognised Israel as a country in 1948, he did not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem.
The situation was not changed after the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip and other Arab areas in 1967.
American Supreme Court yesterday struck down part of a federal statute that allowed Americans born in Jerusalem to record their place of birth as "Israel" on their passport, American media reported.
This discussion is considered a resounding victory for US President Barack Obama, who the court said is the only authority able to recognise who controls Jerusalem.
"The president has the exclusive power to grant formal recognition to a foreign sovereign," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote. "Congress cannot command the president to contradict an earlier recognition determination in the issuance of passports."
He continued: "As a result, the petitioner, Menachem Zivotofsky, an American citizen who was born in Jerusalem in 2002, will only have the city [Jerusalem] of his birth listed on his passport."
PLO official Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that this decision is in keeping with the UN Security Council's decisions regarding Palestine, as well as the UN General Assembly's recognition of Palestine as a non-member state in 2012.
"This also proves that Israel is an occupation state that occupies East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip," he said.
When American President Harry Truman formally recognised Israel as a country in 1948, he did not recognise Israeli sovereignty over the holy city of Jerusalem.
The situation was not changed after the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem, West Bank, Gaza Strip and other Arab areas in 1967.
8 june 2015
The American president rather than Congress has authority to decide policy on matters of sovereignty such as the US stance on the status of Jerusalem, the Supreme Court ruled Monday.
The top court was called to rule on the matter after lawmakers passed a law allowing the passports of Jerusalem-born US citizens to record their birthplace as "Jerusalem, Israel".
Ma'an reports that, in 2002, despite opposition from then president George W. Bush, Congress passed a law obliging the US government to accept this designation upon request.
But, after lengthy deliberations, the court decided that this law "infringes on the executive's consistent decision to withhold recognition with respect to Jerusalem."
Israel regards Jerusalem -- which it has fully controlled since the 1967 Six Day War -- as its historic and undivided capital, while Palestinians view East Jerusalem as occupied territory and the capital of a future state. Washington and the broader international community have never recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and its final status is one of the thorniest issues in the Middle East peace process.
In a decision that had been keenly anticipated since a hearing on the issue in November last year, the court upheld the White House's right to ignore Congress' attempt to force the issue.
"The provision forces the president, through the secretary of state, to identify, upon request, citizens born in Jerusalem as being born in Israel when, as a matter of United States policy, neither Israel nor any other country is acknowledged as having sovereignty over Jerusalem," the court said in a ruling presented by Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Six of the nine Supreme Court judges, including the three Jewish members of the bench, backed the ruling, but Chief Justice John Roberts objected.
"Today's decision is a first: never before has this court accepted a president's direct defiance of an act of Congress in the field of foreign affairs," he argued.
Bush signed Congress' 2002 bill into law, but accompanied his assent with a note objecting to the clause authorizing Jerusalem-born US citizens to request "Israel" be written in their passports.
Reacting to the decision Monday, spokesman for the Palestinian presidency Nabil Abu Rudeina said the ruling was "in harmony with international legitimacy."
Abu Rudeina told WAFA news that the decision comes in accordance with the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions especially the latest resolution to recognize Palestine as an observer state. He added that the decision sent a clear message that Israel occupies East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
The top court was called to rule on the matter after lawmakers passed a law allowing the passports of Jerusalem-born US citizens to record their birthplace as "Jerusalem, Israel".
Ma'an reports that, in 2002, despite opposition from then president George W. Bush, Congress passed a law obliging the US government to accept this designation upon request.
But, after lengthy deliberations, the court decided that this law "infringes on the executive's consistent decision to withhold recognition with respect to Jerusalem."
Israel regards Jerusalem -- which it has fully controlled since the 1967 Six Day War -- as its historic and undivided capital, while Palestinians view East Jerusalem as occupied territory and the capital of a future state. Washington and the broader international community have never recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital and its final status is one of the thorniest issues in the Middle East peace process.
In a decision that had been keenly anticipated since a hearing on the issue in November last year, the court upheld the White House's right to ignore Congress' attempt to force the issue.
"The provision forces the president, through the secretary of state, to identify, upon request, citizens born in Jerusalem as being born in Israel when, as a matter of United States policy, neither Israel nor any other country is acknowledged as having sovereignty over Jerusalem," the court said in a ruling presented by Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Six of the nine Supreme Court judges, including the three Jewish members of the bench, backed the ruling, but Chief Justice John Roberts objected.
"Today's decision is a first: never before has this court accepted a president's direct defiance of an act of Congress in the field of foreign affairs," he argued.
Bush signed Congress' 2002 bill into law, but accompanied his assent with a note objecting to the clause authorizing Jerusalem-born US citizens to request "Israel" be written in their passports.
Reacting to the decision Monday, spokesman for the Palestinian presidency Nabil Abu Rudeina said the ruling was "in harmony with international legitimacy."
Abu Rudeina told WAFA news that the decision comes in accordance with the UN Security Council and General Assembly resolutions especially the latest resolution to recognize Palestine as an observer state. He added that the decision sent a clear message that Israel occupies East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.
The US yesterday announced its support for the Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, stressing its "right to defend itself", Palestinian news agency SAFA reported. White House Spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters that the Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip is a kind of self-defence. "The White House continues to support Israel's right to defend itself," he said.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
Earnest, who is accompanying President Barack Obama at a G7 summit in Germany, added: "Clearly the US stands with the people of Israel as they defend their people and their nation against these kinds of attacks."
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip over the last five days. They say the strikes came in response to three rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
6 june 2015
Dan Shapiro says America will stand against any decisions or proposals to delegitimise Israel
The US ambassador to Israel said America will continue to oppose any anti-Israel decisions or proposals in international forums. "The United States of America will oppose any decisions or proposals that will boycott or delegitimise the State of Israel," US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro told Israeli radio on Thursday.
He added that it will be hard to continue fighting the boycott movement at a time when there are no negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
"Negotiations have been the most effective tool. However, the world does not believe that there will be negotiations any time soon," he said.
Shapiro pointed out that the US has yet to decide how to deal the French initiative at the UN Security Council calling for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
"The decision depends on the draft text," he said. "But we will not recognise a Palestinian state that does not exist." Earlier this week however, US President Barack Obama raised the possibility of allowing UN vote on Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian officials say France is in the process of formulating a draft UN Security Council resolution that sets an 18-month deadline for talks to create a Palestinian state.
The draft will include proposals for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of the two states, and a just and rational solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees.
The roots of the Palestine-Israel conflict date back to 1917, when the British government, through the now-infamous Balfour Declaration, called for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.
In 1948, after the expiry of Great Britain's UN mandate in Palestine, a new state, Israel, was declared inside historical Palestine. Israel went on to occupy East Jerusalem and the West Bank during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It later annexed the holy city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed Jewish state – a move never recognised by the international community.
Palestinians are still demanding their own independent state.
The US ambassador to Israel said America will continue to oppose any anti-Israel decisions or proposals in international forums. "The United States of America will oppose any decisions or proposals that will boycott or delegitimise the State of Israel," US Ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro told Israeli radio on Thursday.
He added that it will be hard to continue fighting the boycott movement at a time when there are no negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.
"Negotiations have been the most effective tool. However, the world does not believe that there will be negotiations any time soon," he said.
Shapiro pointed out that the US has yet to decide how to deal the French initiative at the UN Security Council calling for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations.
"The decision depends on the draft text," he said. "But we will not recognise a Palestinian state that does not exist." Earlier this week however, US President Barack Obama raised the possibility of allowing UN vote on Palestinian statehood.
Palestinian officials say France is in the process of formulating a draft UN Security Council resolution that sets an 18-month deadline for talks to create a Palestinian state.
The draft will include proposals for the establishment of a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders with land swaps, Jerusalem as the shared capital of the two states, and a just and rational solution to the issue of Palestinian refugees.
The roots of the Palestine-Israel conflict date back to 1917, when the British government, through the now-infamous Balfour Declaration, called for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.
In 1948, after the expiry of Great Britain's UN mandate in Palestine, a new state, Israel, was declared inside historical Palestine. Israel went on to occupy East Jerusalem and the West Bank during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It later annexed the holy city in 1980, claiming it as the capital of the self-proclaimed Jewish state – a move never recognised by the international community.
Palestinians are still demanding their own independent state.
