indymedia.org.il - Prisons

Duplicitous Congressional Posturing on Libya

Sat, 18 Jun 2011 08:18:27 +0000

Duplicitous Congressional Posturing on Libya - by Stephen Lendman

In Washington, hypocrisy and duplicity substitute for resolute action to obey international and constitutional law. In fact, they're mere artifacts long ago discarded to advance America's imperium.

All Washington's wars are illegal. International law permits them only in self-defense. Constitutional law only lets Congress, not the president, declare or wage them overtly, covertly or any other way for any reason unless America was attacked.

Moreover, the principle of non-intervention (a cornerstone of international law pertaining to national sovereignty) prohibits meddling in the internal affairs of other countries as stipulated in the UN Charter's Article 2 (7), stating:

"Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorize the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require the Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII," pertaining to threats to peace, its breaches, or acts of aggression.

These issues don't apply to America's wars against Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Libya, Yemen, and numerous proxy ones. Congress can easily stop them with a simple up or down vote to end funding, as well as another with teeth, holding the president accountable unless hostilities are immediately halted.

Moreover, so-called "humanitarian intervention" is modern-day colonialism dressed up in rhetorical mumbo jumbo to justify aggression. As a result, when America intervenes, it's for policy goals, not human rights, civil liberties, democratic values, or humanitarian priorities, presidents and lawmakers don't give a damn about and never did, abroad or at home.

Nonetheless, on June 15, Obama claimed legitimacy for America's war on Libya, telling Congress:

"The President is of the view that the current US military operations in Libya are consistent with the War Powers Resolution and do not under that law require further congressional authorization, because US military operations are distinct from the kind of 'hostilities' contemplated by the Resolution's 60 day termination provision."

Calling America's role "constrained," he added other duplicitously reasons for another illegal war against a nonbelligerent country.

Moreover, claiming War Powers Resolution authority is a red herring. It applies only to legal wars in self-defense as defined under international and constitutional laws. No exceptions apply. Presidents can't subvert them. Congress can hold them accountable by cutting off funding and impeachment for usurping illegal executive supremacy.

In fact, failure to do so violates the Constitution's Article VI, Clause 3 Oath of Office provision. The first Congress instituted a binding pledge, stating:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States."

In April 1861, Lincoln expanded it to include all federal civilian employees. In 1884, the modern version was enacted, stating:

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God."

Virtually all congressional members violate constitutional law, governing contrary to this oath, rendering it null and void, thus making them complicit in presidential crimes, their rhetorical posturing notwithstanding.

For example, on June 13, House members, in an amendment to a military appropriations bill, voted to prohibit funding operations for Libya without congressional authorization. It was political posturing as Senate follow-through is unlikely, giving representatives for it a safe vote.

In an earlier June 3 one, House members said Obama "failed to provide Congress with a compelling rationale based upon United States national security interests for current United States military activities regarding Libya." However, the measure lacked teeth, merely stating that:

"Congress has (but won't enforce) the constitutional prerogative to withhold funding for any unauthorized use of the United States Armed Forces, including for unauthorized activities regarding Libya."

Moreover, in a separate vote, members defeated a Homeland Security Appropriations bill amendment to prohibit funding it.

On June 15, 10 congressional members (3 Democrats, 7 Republicans) sued Obama in the US District of Columbia District Court for unilaterally waging war on Libya.

Calling for "Injunctive and Declaratory Relief," the complaint said in part:

This measure challenges "Defendant Barack Obama, President of the United States, (for) go(ing) to war in Libya and other countries without the declaration of war from Congress required by Article I, Section, 8, Clause 11 of the US Constitution."

It further challenges his violation of the War Powers Resolution, requiring congressional authorization, as well as "commit(ting) the United States to a war under the authority of (NATO) in violation of the express condition of the North Atlantic Treaty ratified by Congress."

In fact, rhetorical posturing, toothless congressional measures and ineffective lawsuits aside, most members of Congress support wars by passing defense authorization bills and supplemental appropriations with comfortable margins.

In addition, since WW II, they never challenged presidential war making authority without congressional approval, as well as for failing to follow international and constitutional law. Nor have they demanded domestic accountability for fundamental democratic rights they, in fact, also spurn with impunity.

Instead they support imperial wars and corporate privilege for their own self-interest. As a result, they benefit greatly at the public's expense, especially during hard times when federal aid more than ever is needed, not austerity cuts leaving millions on their own sink or swim.

A Final Comment

America's media wholeheartedly support US imperial wars, no matter how lawless, mindless, destructive and counterproductive. In fact, they revel in them, cheerleading daily slaughter, mostly affecting noncombatant men, women and children, defenseless against American-led terror bombing.

In Libya, for example, non-military targets are struck, including ports, schools, hospitals, houses, civilian infrastructure, a university, a Brega peace conference killing 16 imams and wounding dozens, Gaddafi's personal compound to kill him, instead murdering his son and three grandchildren, as well as daily attacks killing and injuring hundreds of Libyans.

Nonetheless, a June 16 New York Times editorial wants more, headlined "Libya and the War Powers Act," saying:

"It would be hugely costly - for this country's credibility, for the future of NATO and for the people of Libya - if Congress were to force (Obama) to abandon military operations over Libya."

The Pentagon planned, leads, and directs the war for an estimated $1.1 billion through September, yet The Times calls America's involvement "limited," adding:

"We support the Libya campaign....(W)e have no doubt that if NATO had not intervened, thousands more Libyan civilians would have been slaughtered."

In fact, clear evidence shows America and other Western powers recruited, funded, armed, and support Libyan mercenaries to help oust Gaddafi's regime. Moreover, no humanitarian crisis existed until NATO intervened.

Nonetheless, The Times said, ending America's involvement would cause NATO's campaign to "unravel." As a result, "relations with Europe and the unity of the military alliance (would be enormously harmed), likely felt all the way to Afghanistan," another illegal war The Times supports, urging Obama to fight on, adding:

"Congress....needs to authorize continued American support for NATO's air campaign over Libya," no matter the body count it causes. America's entire corporate media establishment agrees.

Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at [email protected].

Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.

http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.

פסטיבל פאנק נגד פאשיזם

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:24:42 +0000

הרוגטקה, סלון מזל והפאנק רוק גאות להציג:

“מיניפסט פאנק נגד פאשיזם “

10-11.2.10

יום חמישי 10.2

On Human Rights Day

Sun, 12 Dec 2010 15:19:56 +0000

A year ago, Abdullah Abu Rahmah, of Bil'in's Popular Committee Against the Wall and Settlements was arrested by Israeli soldiers who raided his home in the middle of the night. A year later he is still in prison. From there he sends the following message.

* Meanwhile, protests continue in Bil'in, the past one in honor of International Human Rights Day and Abu Rahmah. Watch a video of the protest by David Reeb and check out a new comic about Abu Rahmah's story "No Army, No Prison, No Wall Can Stop Us" by Ethan Heitner.

** Plus a huge bit of good news for Bil'in, Adeeb Abu Rahma, another local activist was released last weekend, after a year and a half in prison.

תקופת כליאה ראשונה לסרבן עומר שושן

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 14:01:23 +0000

תקופת כליאה ראשונה לסרבן עומר שושן

- אנא הפיצו בתפוצה רחבה -

שלום,

Conscientious Objector Omer Shoshan Imprisoned

Sun, 03 Oct 2010 13:58:15 +0000

Conscientious Objector Omer Shoshan Imprisoned

- Please distribute widely -

Dear Friends,

CO Omer Shoshan, 19, from the town of Yehud, near Tel Aviv, was sentenced to 20 days of imprisonment. Omer Shoshan enlisted in the Israeli military eight months ago. It was already as a soldier that he decided to refuse to continue his military service.

In his statement of refusal Omer wrote:I refuse to be part of the Israel Defence Forces, an army that occupies and oppresses a Palestinian population on a daily basis, which undermines the chances to achieve peace, and thus also Israel's security, and which corrupts the moral and democratic character of the state.

For more than 40 years the IDF has been daily oppressing the Palestinians in the occupied territories and denying them their most basic rights to live normally. This includes hampering their freedom of movement, undermining their economy, hurting their bodies, illegally arresting them and committing many other severe crimes that usually fail to make it to the mainstream media. The very fact that any simple soldier serving beyond the Green Line has power over the lives of local residents and can force them to do as he pleases is illegal and undemocratic, and obtains the exact opposite of what it is supposed to - it produces more terrorists, increases hatred towards us and undermines any realistic chances for peace. So what purpose does this oppression really serve? Only one - perpetuating the Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal in their own right and which are the obstacle to reaching a compromise between the two peoples.

Even before enlisting I had my doubts about whether or not to join the army, whether to support the army that represents my country or to refuse. I eventually decided to enlist, because I felt that I could refuse from within, to do things otherwise, to effect change. Today I understand that the army's actions in the occupied territories themselves, its very presence there, are what constitutes the occupation, and no action I could make, not even if I offer a more positive treatment to Palestinian civilians, could make any difference.

I believe that in a country that claims to be a democracy, it is good and even necessary for each of us to voice criticism and indignation when the country is wrong. The IDF is an organisation that fights for interests that I don't believe in, performs anti-democratic and immoral actions and seriously undermines the chances to achieve piece. I am no longer willing to be part of it.Omer Shoshan left his post on 6 Sep., and on 14 Sep. has returned to his military unit to be sent to prison. He was sentenced to 20 days in prison, but at first was held in confinement to base instead. On 19 Sep. he was transferred to a military police detention facility in Jerusalem, where his prison sentence officially went into force (so the term of confinement to base was actually added on top of his prison sentence).

Omer is due to be released on 6 October, and is likely to be imprisoned again afterward. As Omer is held in a small detention centre, rather than in a military prison, we do not have his prison address, however, letters of support and encouragement can still be sent to him via e-mail to: [email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected] (hitting "reply all" to this message will send the message to the same address), and they will be printed out and delivered during visits.

Recommended Action

First of all, please circulate this message and the information contained in it as widely as possible, not only through e-mail, but also on websites, social networks, conventional media, by word of mouth, etc.

Other recommendations for action:

1. Sending Letters of Support

Please send Omer Shoshan letters of support to [email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected].

2. Letters to Authorities

It is recommended to send letters of protest on the objectors' behalf, preferably by fax, to:

[email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected][email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]

Mr. Ehud Barak,Minister of Defence,Ministry of Defence,Hakirya,Tel-Aviv 64743,Israel.E-mail: or Tel.: ++972-3-6975540 or ++972-3-6975423Fax: ++972-3-6976711

Another useful address for sending copies would be the Military Attorney General (note updated fax number):

Avichai Mandelblit,Chief Military AttorneyMilitary postal code 9605, IDFIsraelFax: ++972-3-569-45-26

It would be especially useful to send your appeals to the Commander of the Induction Base in Tel-HaShomer. It is this officer that ultimately decides whether an objector is to be exempted from military service or sent to another round in prison, and it is the same officer who is ultimately in charge of the military Conscience Committee:

Gadi Agmon,Commander of Induction Base,Meitav, Tel-HaShomerMilitary Postal Code 02718, IDFIsrael.Fax: ++972-3-737-60-52

For those of you who live outside Israel, it would be very effective to send protests to your local Israeli embassy. You can find the address of your local embassy on the web.

Here is a generic sample letter, which you can use in sending appeals to authorities on the prisoners' behalf. Feel free to modify this letter or write your own:

Dear Sir/Madam,It has come to my attention that Omer Shoshan (Military ID 5767594), a conscientious objector to military service, has been imprisoned for his refusal to become part of the Israeli army, and is held in a military police detention facility in Jerusalem.The imprisonment of conscientious objectors such as Omer Shoshan is a violation of international law, of basic human rights and of plain morals.I therefore call for the immediate and unconditional release from prison of Omer Shoshan, without threat of further imprisonment in the future, and urge you and the system you are heading to respect the dignity and person of conscientious objectors, indeed of all persons, in the future.Sincerely,

3. Letters to media in Israel and in other countries

Writing op-ed pieces and letters to editors of media in Israel and other countries could also be quite useful in indirectly but powerfully pressuring the military authorities to let go of the objectors and in bringing their plight and their cause to public attention.

Here are some contact details for the main media outlets in Israel:

[email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]

Ma'ariv:2 Karlibach st.Tel-Aviv 67132IsraelFax: +972-3-561-06-14e-mail:

Yedioth Aharonoth:2 Moses st.Tel-AvivIsraelFax: +972-3-608-25-46

Ha'aretz (Hebrew):21 Schocken st.Tel-Aviv, 61001IsraelFax: +972-3-681-00-12

[email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]

Ha'aretz (English edition):21 Schocken st.Tel-Aviv, 61001IsraelFax: +972-3-512-11-56e-mail:

[email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]

Israel Hayom:2 Hashlosha st.The B1 BuildingTel-AvivIsraele-mail:

[email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected][email protected]" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]

Jerusalem Post:P.O. Box 81Jerusalem 91000IsraelFax: +972-2-538-95-27e-mail: or

Radio (fax numbers):Kol-Israel +972-2-531-33-15 and +972-3-694-47-09Galei Zahal +972-3-512-67-20

Television (fax numbers):Channel 1 +972-2-530-15-36Channel 2 +972-2-533-98-09Channel 10 +972-3-733-16-66

We will continue updating on further developments.

Thank you for your attention and action,

Sergeiy Sandler – New Profile.

Three 14-year-olds Arrested Near the Wall in Bil'in Village

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:39:28 +0000

http://www.bilin-ffj.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=303&Itemid=1
At 12pm on Monday August 2nd, three children who had been walking near the
wall in Bil'in village where arrested by Israeli soldiers. The three
14-year-old friends Moatasem Ali Mansor, Majde Burnat, and Mohamad Abu
Rahmah often take walks near the wall. Today they were detained by soldiers
behind the wall for three hours. While behind the wall their families tried
to negotiate for their release to no avail. They were then arrested and
taken away in an army ambulance. This happened three hours ago, and no ones

Support Release of 17 Year Old Ahmad Burnat

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:52:29 +0000

July 19th Bil'in village in the West Bank was invaded yet again by Israeli military, this time seeking to arrest 17 year old Ahmad Burnat, now another one of hundreds of retribution arrests in attempt to slow or stop resistance to settlement land grab under the pretext of the 'security barrier'. After spending days in jail, most likely experiencing endless investigations under severe conditions, Ahmad has a chance of release... please help!

Night Raid Arrest of Youth in Bil'in

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 01:51:06 +0000

http://www.bilin-ffj.org/?option=com_content&task=view&id=299&Itemid=1
Tonight, Bil'in was subjected to yet another Israeli Occupation Forces
terror raid at 1.30 am when an unusually heavy number of IOF soldiers
entered the outskirts of the village to arrest a local youth; 17 year old
Ahmad Abed Al-Fatah Burnat - which unfortunately was effected. At least
twelve jeeps were spotted most of which hovered as backup at the nearby
Apartheid-Annexation Wall which coupled with a heavy IOF presence at last
Friday's peaceful
demonstration - peaceful that is, until the protesters were viciously

Mordechai Vanunu Prisoner of conscience Israel

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:59:51 +0000

גליון מס' 20 ליום הבינלאומי להזדהות עם קורבנות עינויים

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 12:14:34 +0000

יום של הזדהות ומאבק לעולם ראוי