Fuck Biden, rot in hell
US signs off on more bombs and warplanes for Israel: Report
The US in recent days authorised the transfer of billions of dollars worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel even as it publicly expresses concerns about an anticipated military offensive in Rafah.
The Washington Post, citing unnamed officials, reports the new arms packages include more than 1,800 MK84 2,000-pound (900kg) bombs and 500 MK82 500-pound (225kg) bombs.
The United States has rushed air defences and munitions to Israel, but some groups have criticized the Biden administration’s steadfast support of Israel, which they say provides it with a sense of impunity.
‘Outrageous and unacceptable’: US protesters denounce arming Israel
Pro-Palestinian protesters in San Francisco blocked roads after a US warship in port was suspected of being used to carry weapons to Israel. Demonstrators said they’re concerned the vessel, USNS Harvey Milk, may deliver supplies to Israel’s military as it continues its deadly attack on Gaza.
“It is outrageous and unacceptable that our government continues to fund and supply the Israeli military as it carries out genocide against the people of Gaza,” said Lara Kiswani of the Arab Resource and Organizing Center.
‘I didn’t stay silent’: Ex-State Dept official explains resignation over Gaza
Annelle Sheline, a US State Department officer on human rights, says she quit her job to protest American government support for Israel as it continues to bomb and starve the people of Gaza.
“The US has lost all credibility when it comes to advocating for human rights,” she told Al Jazeera. “There are many people in the State Department who are doing very important work on this, but until President Biden is willing to take a stance here their work is not really going to make a difference.
“It’s very important for the United States to uphold the values that it claims to believe in. American moral leadership around the world depends on America standing up for these values.”
Asked about the personal cost of her decision, Sheline said with her young daughter at home she had no choice but to resign.
“If in the future she were to ask me about what I did as this was happening, I want her to know that I didn’t stay silent. I couldn’t continue to watch what was happening and just keep going to work every day.”
It's gotten so bad, Iran can take the moral high ground...
Reaction to killing of unarmed Palestinians contradicts rights claims: Iran
The Iranian foreign ministry says what has been unfolding in Gaza over the past six months is the ultimate test for governments and international organisations about their true commitment to international human rights.
Nasser Kanaani, spokesperson for the foreign ministry, said in a post on X the Israeli killing of two unarmed Palestinians along the Gaza coastline and then burying them with bulldozers, which was exposed by Al Jazeera, is only the latest incident.
Reactions to the killings by countries and officials who claim to be staunch supporters of human rights “clearly show how honest they are in their slogans and claims on human rights”, Kanaani said.
Family mourns man who drowned retrieving aid in Gaza
Yusuf Ghaben, a father of nine from Beit Lahia, drowned when he swam out to get humanitarian relief airdropped into the sea off Gaza’s northwestern coast. He was one of at least 12 people to die in the water on Tuesday.
“He insisted on going because he had absolutely nothing left,” Yusuf’s widow Khitab told Al Jazeera. “My husband died because he was trying hard to bring some food to his family.”
More and more countries are joining the air drop band wagon. All aid is severely needed, yet why can't these countries band together to sanction Israel, at least stop weapon shipments and apply pressure on the US to do the same. Inefficient, expensive, risk, can just as easily fall in the sea, in Israel or behind military lines. But everyone wants that photo op now, pretend we care.
UN rapporteur welcomes Ireland joining South Africa in ICJ case
The UN special rapporteur on occupied Palestinian territories praised Ireland’s decision to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “Ireland has historically been a strong principled voice on the question of Palestine [while other EU countries have lost their compass],” Francesca Albanese wrote in a post on X.
“May it continue to lead in the pursuit of justice.”
Ireland made its strongest move yet to display its concerns about Israel’s war on Gaza in joining the ICJ case, saying the situation “could not be more stark”.
I welcome #Ireland's decision to join #SouthAfrica's proceedings before the ICJ. Ireland has historically been a strong principled voice on the question of Palestine (while other #EU countries have lost their compass). May it continue to lead in the pursuit of justice. https://t.co/btldfQuuLV
— Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt (@FranceskAlbs) March 29, 2024
‘Ecocide’: Nearly half of Gaza trees razed by Israeli attacks: Report
An analysis of satellite imagery shows the vast destruction of tree cover and farmland in the Gaza Strip.
The Guardian newspaper cited independent satellite analysis by London-based research group Forensic Architecture. By the end of February, Israeli military operations destroyed more than 65sq km (25sq miles) of forest.
Almost one-third of more than 7,500 greenhouses in the enclave were also wiped out. The news report pointed out how this raised accusations of “ecocide” and a possible war crime, and how the Israeli military still claims to follow international law despite the evidence.
Satellite analysis of Gaza "shows farms devastated and nearly half of the territory’s trees razed. Alongside mounting air and water pollution, experts says Israel’s onslaught on Gaza’s ecosystems has made the area unlivable," which is Netanyahu's aim. https://t.co/bbD4gSc5LC
— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) March 29, 2024
Israeli ‘buffer zone’ will occupy 16% of Gaza’s territory: Report
After the Israeli military is done creating its so-called buffer zone near with the Gaza Strip, it will occupy about 16 percent of the tiny territory’s overall area, according to a report by Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
For months, the Israeli military has been using explosives and military vehicles to destroy Palestinian homes and anything else standing in the way of the zone. Satellite imagery analysed by Haaretz shows the work is ongoing without much global attention, and will further shrink the besieged enclave.
The newspaper also reported the Israeli military continues to build an east-west corridor across the Gaza Strip that seeks to exert full control over Palestinians trying to return to the northern parts of the enclave, and provide a foothold to launch attacks on Palestinian fighters.
Under the radar, the IDF is creating a border buffer zone that occupies 16 percent of the Strip's territory, and an east-west control corridor to monitor Palestinians moving north. This is what it looks / @YardenMichaeli & @avischarf https://t.co/VySpAk7M5w pic.twitter.com/59V1PnQ5Sx
— Haaretz.com (@haaretzcom) March 29, 2024
300,000 dollars dropped in the ocean. I hope people didn't swim after it :/
US military says aid airdrop over northern Gaza fell into the sea
The US military confirmed it completed a new airdrop of humanitarian aid over northern Gaza but 26 bundles landed in the sea.
The US Central Command said in a post on X it used two C-17 military cargo aircraft, along with “US army soldiers specialised in aerial delivery of US humanitarian assistance supplies” to drop 46,000 meal equivalents into the area, where famine is spreading.
“US Central Command does not assess civilian harm or damage to infrastructure at this time but continues to monitor the situation.”
This comes shortly after at least a dozen Palestinians drowned after airdrops landed into the sea and they had to swim to get the contents in desperation to feed their families.
March 29 USCENTCOM Conducts Humanitarian Airdrops into Gaza
TAMPA, Fla. - U.S. Central Command conducted an air drop of humanitarian assistance into Northern Gaza on March 29, 2024, at 12:17 p.m. (Gaza time) to provide essential relief to civilians affected by the ongoing… pic.twitter.com/G0Bo6aIsFi
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) March 29, 2024
Netanyahu ‘proving international inability’ to stop Gaza war
The Palestinian Foreign Ministry says Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to reject all decisions, demands and orders given to Tel Aviv through international bodies, especially after ignoring the UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
“He continues to place obstacles to prove the inability of the international community and its inability to enforce international law and the agreements regulating the conditions of civilians,” it said in a statement published on X.
Netanyahu is “fabricating misleading narratives” to thwart each international verdict that calls on Israel to protect civilians and abide by human rights laws, it added.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates // International compliments to Israel and its rejection of international precautionary resolutions and measures have exceeded all reasonable, humanitarian, legal, and ethical boundaries.#Gaza_under_attack#CeasefireNow#Palestine… pic.twitter.com/VjFDmo6dg0
— State of Palestine - MFA 🇵🇸🇵🇸 (@pmofa) March 29, 2024
Hamas and PIJ say talks can only succeed with ceasefire, Israeli withdrawal
Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) say mediated negotiations with Israel in Qatar can only succeed if the conditions previously demanded by the Palestinian groups are met.
Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh and PIJ leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah met in Tehran on Thursday after holding meetings with top Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Hamas said in a statement that both emphasised stopping Israeli aggression “in a comprehensive way”; a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza; return of displaced Palestinians to their homes; and increased aid to Gaza as conditions for success in talks that would include an exchange of prisoners and captives.
Israel has previously described the demands as “delusional”.
The two Palestinian leaders also said they consider continuing US military and political support for Israel as “crimes constituting participating” in the war.
‘No more bombs to Israel,’ says US Senator Bernie Sanders
Earlier, we cited the Washington Post reporting that the US in recent days authorised the transfer of $2.5 billion worth of bombs and fighter jets to Israel.
US Senator Bernie Sanders slammed the move calling it “obscene”.
“The US cannot beg Netanyahu to stop bombing civilians one day and the next send him thousands more 2,000-pound [907kg] bombs that can level entire city blocks,” he said in a post on X.
“We must end our complicity: No more bombs to Israel.”
The U.S. cannot beg Netanyahu to stop bombing civilians one day and the next send him thousands more 2,000 lb. bombs that can level entire city blocks.
This is obscene.
We must end our complicity: No more bombs to Israel.https://t.co/BqV0NkMtKa
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) March 29, 2024
Thousands march in London to demand Gaza ceasefire
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters are rallying in London in the latest demonstration in the British capital demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and more aid for the besieged territory. The event, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, began at Russell Square in the city centre before attendees marched to Trafalgar Square for a mid-afternoon rally.
A smaller number of demonstrators also turned out for a counterprotest in support of Israel, with lines of police separating the two gatherings.
Hundreds rally in San Francisco against US warship heading to Gaza
What’s in the US’s latest arms package to Israel?
Despite expressing concern about civilian casualties in Gaza, the US White House has greenlighted more major shipments of arms and military equipment to Israel in recent days. The packages include:
The 2,000-pound bombs, which can inflict damage to people up to 1,000 feet (300 metres) away, have been “linked to previous mass-casualty events throughout Israel’s military campaign in Gaza”, reports the Washington Post.
Israelis in Tel Aviv protest against Netanyahu
People are protesting against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and calling for the release of captives taken on October 7. The rally is taking place in “Hostages Square” in Tel Aviv.
‘Netanyahu is working against a deal’: Families of Israeli captives
In a news conference, families of captives being held in Gaza say the Israeli prime minister’s “behaviour regarding the hostages is a crime”, according to a report by Channel 13.
“We have no choice but to say: ‘We understand that you’re the one who’s blocking the deal’. We’ll do whatever it takes to try and end your term as prime minister. This is a new phase in our battle to bring our kids home,” they said.
Breaking: Families of hostages against PM Netanyahu: “Netanyahu is working against a deal. His behaviour regarding the hostages is a crime. We have no choice, but to say: ‘we understand that you’re the one who’s blocking the deal’. We’ll do whatever it takes to try and end your…
— Neria Kraus (@NeriaKraus) March 30, 2024
Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested in Pakistan
More than 50 men were arrested after a crowd chanting anti-Israel slogans protested and set fire to a restaurant belonging to American fast food chain KFC.
The incident took place in the northeastern town of Mirpur, in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir. Videos circulating on social media show men chanting anti-Israel slogans, carrying a banner inscribed with “Free Palestine”.
Nearly 400 protesters gathered at the height of the demonstration and clashes broke out with the police, Mirpur police chief Kamran Mughal told AFP news agency. Nine police officers were injured by stones thrown by the demonstrators and more than 50 men were arrested, said Mughal.
Hundreds of Moroccans march in Rabat in support of Palestine
Thousands of Palestinians march in Israel to mark Land Day
Palestinians have marched across Israel to mark the 48th anniversary of Land Day under the slogan “Stop the war on Gaza”, according to the Wafa news agency, putting the total number of demonstrators at about 10,000.
At the cemetery in Sakhnin, some placed wreaths on the tombs of Palestinians killed during violent demonstrations against the Israel’s confiscation of Palestinian land in 1976.
Demonstrators also marched to a memorial in the town of Kafr Kanna, commemorating all Palestinians killed in the village since 1936.
Saeed Hussein, the head of the local council in the town of Deir Hanna, said Land Day was not about a distant past but a daily struggle. “The machine of oppression is still trying to erase our national identity and steal our lands,” he said.
Land Day: What happened in Palestine in 1976?
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/30/land-day-what-happened-in-palestine-in-1976
Every year on March 30, Palestinians observe Land Day, or Yom al-Ard, recalling the events of March 30, 1976. On that date, six unarmed Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured by Israeli forces during protests against Israel’s illegal confiscation of Palestinian land.
The incident took place as a general strike, and marches were organised in various Arab towns in Israel in response to the Israeli move.
Easter miracle
Palestinian boy gets rescued from rubble in Gaza City
Thousands of Palestinians have been left buried under rubble in Israel’s attacks. Rescuers have been resorting to digging with bare hands.
Most are not that lucky
Tens of people trapped under rubble as Gaza City, Khan Younis sees intense Israeli air raids
In the past couple of hours, we have seen intense air strikes in the city of Khan Younis and in the vicinity of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where the Israeli military is still operating aggressively and setting buildings on fire.
The Civil Defence were unable to travel through al-Wehda road in Gaza City to reach the area medical compound, where they say tens of people are trapped under the rubble.
In the Shujayea neighbourhood, where a car was targeted, Civil Defence personnel managed to retrieve seven bodies.
Over the past hour in Khan Younis, a seven-storey residential building was targeted and destroyed. We were told that there were people sheltering inside, but it is very difficult for emergency teams to reach the scene given the presence of quadcopters and drones hitting every moving object.
Overnight attacks hit central Gaza
Massive overnight attacks took place again in central and northern Gaza, resulting in further displacement and civilian casualties.
In central Gaza, residential buildings were targeted and destroyed in both the Nuseirat and Maghazi refugee camps.
There were also attacks in Deir el-Balah, an area where people initially were told was safe to go. Civil defence crew and paramedics are struggling to recover the wounded due to a lack of equipment. They often use their bare hands and rely on volunteers from the area.
A massive wave of aerial attacks also hit the northern part of Gaza in the early hours of last night. This came after an earlier attack on a law enforcement force stationed on Salah al-Din, very close to Shujayea neighbourhood.
The force was responsible for securing the delivery of humanitarian aid in the area. The Israeli military attack seemed to be a deliberate effort to create civil collapse and a state of chaos when humanitarian aid is delivered to the north of Gaza.
A view of damaged building belonging to the Musa family at Maghazi refugee camp after Israeli attack in Deir al-Balah on Friday
Daily life in camp for displaced Palestinians in Rafah
‘Targeting of peacekeepers unacceptable’: UN
The United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) says “the targeting of peacekeepers is unacceptable” after four observers on a foot patrol along the Blue Line demarcating the border between Israel and Lebanon were wounded when a shell exploded near their location.
UNTSO did not identify the source of the shelling but Lebanon’s official National News Agency (NNA) blamed Israel.
The UN peacekeeping mission said the injured personnel were taken to a hospital for treatment and an investigation was launched into the origin of the explosion. NNA said the peacekeepers, travelling with a Lebanese translator, were from Norway, Chile and Australia.
“All actors have a responsibility under international humanitarian law to avoid targeting non-combatants, including peacekeepers, journalists, medical personnel, and civilians,” UNTSO said.
“We repeat our call for all actors to cease the current heavy exchanges of fire before more people are unnecessarily hurt.”
UN peacekeepers drive in Marjayoun, near the border with Israel, in southern Lebanon
‘Verified information’ needed for careful probe on Lebanon explosion: UNIFIL
Andrea Tenenti, a spokesperson for the UN peacekeeping force, has told Al Jazeera that the organisation is carefully investigating the explosion that injured four of its personnel this morning in southern Lebanon.
He warned that escalating cross-border attacks risked triggering “a much wider conflict”.
“We need to be very careful to get all the information, verified information from our own sources, in order to finalise an investigation report and present it to the UN Security Council,” Tenenti said.
“We have 10,500 peacekeepers working 24/7 along the Blue Line to monitor and try to de-escalate the situation,” he said, calling on all parties to bring “exchanges of fire” to a halt and move towards a “diplomatic solution”.
UN peacekeepers hold their flag, as they observe Israeli excavators at work, near the southern Lebanese-Israeli border village of Mays al-Jabal, Lebanon
Israeli strikes reported in southern Lebanon
The Lebanese news agency NNA reports a series of Israeli attacks across southern Lebanon after an explosion earlier injured three UNIFIL observers and a Lebanese translator on a patrol mission.
UK lawmakers tell Cameron to restore UNRWA funding ‘without delay’
More than 50 MPs and peers called on UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron to restore funding to the UN’s agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA immediately, citing “severe implications” for besieged Palestinians.
The UK, one of the organisation’s largest donors, joined the US and other Israeli allies in cutting funding to the UN agency that gets aid to famine-stricken Palestinians after an Israeli claim that about a dozen UNRWA staff members participated in the October 7 attacks.
The MPs, represented in a letter penned by Scottish National Party Foreign Affairs spokesperson Brendan O’Hara, said they understood the need to thoroughly investigate the claims.
“But the decision to hastily suspend funding on January 27, without receiving any substantive evidence from Israel that justifies such a strong accountability measure, has done monumental reputation damage to UNRWA and risks derailing the critical, life-saving work of the only agency that has the experience and infrastructure to receive and distribute aid on the massive scale urgently needed right now in Gaza.”
British Parliamentarians have highlighted the inconsistencies in @FCDOGovUK Ministers' positions and called on Foreign Secretary @David_Cameron to reinstate funding to @UNRWA without delay. Letter has been signed by 50 MPs and Peers from across the breadth of both houses: pic.twitter.com/OLzrSL5eDZ
— Gary Spedding (@GarySpedding) March 30, 2024
WHO forced to delay another mission to al-Shifa amid Israeli attacks
The World Health Organization and its partners have been forced to “postpone a highly-complex joint mission due to delays” after having three previous missions to the besieged al-Shifa Hospital denied by the Israeli military.
“Repeated denials have not only impeded us from reaching patients but also disrupted other crucial life-saving operations by diverting limited resources,” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a post on X.
“We urge Israel to facilitate a safe humanitarian corridor and a better deconfliction system for WHO and partners to support patient transfers.”
“International humanitarian law is clear: health must not be militarised or attacked. Ceasefire!”
Update on Al-Shifa hospital in #Gaza: @WHO and partners had to postpone a highly-complex joint mission due to delays. Three prior missions were denied. The hospital remains under siege since 18 March.
100 patients and 50 health workers are reportedly still inside the…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) March 30, 2024
Israel says UN agencies ‘must admit failures’ on Gaza aid block
The Israeli government continues to insist it is the UN and its aid agencies that are holding up aid from reaching famine-stricken Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the defence ministry organisation in charge of organising aid, claimed 400 trucks’ worth of humanitarian relief is waiting to be picked up and distributed from the Gazan side of an Israeli-controlled land crossing.
It said the UN and its agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA “lack the logistic capacity for performing their jobs”.
The UN and Israel’s allies have criticised Israel for allowing limited aid into the enclave, especially its northern region, where a humanitarian crisis is getting quickly deteriorating into famine.
Again, the content of 400 trucks worth is waiting to be picked up and distributed from the Gazan side of KS post Israeli inspection. @UNRWA and @UN aid agencies lack the logistic capacity for performing their jobs. They must enhance its logistic capacity and admit its failures. pic.twitter.com/1vbVO4Z807
— COGAT (@cogatonline) March 30, 2024
Israel refuses to evacuate medical staff, patients stuck inside al-Shifa Hospital
Gaza’s health ministry says almost two weeks into the Israeli military’s siege on the al-Shifa Hospital, there are still 107 patients and 60 medical staff remaining inside.
The Palestinians inside, which include 30 paralysed patients, are sheltering at the Human Resources Development Building without water, electricity or medicine, it said in a statement.
“The occupation has prevented all attempts to evacuate these patients through international institution,” it said, warning the lives of the patients are in grave danger and saving them requires “urgent action”.
Palestinian shot after 30 settlers attack town in occupied East Jerusalem
A 23-year-old Palestinian was wounded by gunfire after Israeli settlers attacked the town of Makhmas, northeast of occupied East Jerusalem, the Wafa news agency reports.
It cited unnamed witnesses as saying at least 30 Israelis from illegal settlements stormed the town during the time of iftar, smashing windows of several vehicles and firing live ammunition at civilians.
Three others sustained injuries, as well, and the young man with the gunshot wound was transferred to hospital for medical treatment, it said.
I feel like a broken record at this point. Still no end in sight, groundhog day continues. With another 2.5 billion in bombs and jets send by the US this could go on all year :(
Israeli attack on Palestinian aid seekers at Kuwait Roundabout kills 17
Our sources report that the death toll from the shooting at the Kuwait Roundabout has risen to 17. Some 30 people were also wounded. Palestinians seeking aid have been gathering at that intersection for weeks and have come under Israeli attacks since January.
Earlier, the Palestine Red Crescent said five Palestinians were killed by gunfire during an aid delivery at the same roundabout on Friday, when thousands of people gathered there for the arrival of trucks carrying flour and other supplies.
Witnesses said Gaza Palestinians overseeing the aid delivery shot in the air but Israeli troops in the area also opened fire and some moving trucks hit people trying to get the food.
Witnesses recounted “harrowing scenes” with medical teams and civilians struggling to transport casualties to medical facilities, with some wounded people lying on the ground after the attack.
The Israeli military has killed dozens of desperate aid-seeking Palestinians in multiple large-scale attacks on food and supplies trucks.
Wafa also reports several other attacks:
Israeli forces bomb Deir el-Balah, Khan Younis
Our colleagues at Al Jazeera Arabic are reporting that Israeli forces have launched air raids and artillery attacks on Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and Khan Younis in the south.
They also said heavy gunfire had been heard from the vicinity of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir el-Balah but Gaza’s media office said there has not been an Israeli raid on the medical facility.
And the mess keeps getting bigger, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq now all involved. Next to the US led coalition against the Houthis, United States and the United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, and New Zealand.
Iraqi group claims drone attack on Israel
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions opposed to the US and Israel, has announced a drone attack inside northern Israel.
The group said it attacked “a vital target in Eilabun in the occupied Galilee with drones” and said the assault was in “in support of our people in Gaza, and in response to the massacres committed by the usurping entity against Palestinian civilians, including children, women and the elderly”.
Jordanian security forcibly disperse anti-Israel rally in Amman
Jordanian security forces rushed at protesters with batons and shields as they moved towards the Israeli Embassy in Amman for a seventh night in a row.
Protesters have expressed solidarity with Palestinians in their marches and called for an end to Jordan’s massively unpopular peace treaty with Israel as the war on Gaza continues to claim civilian lives.
قوى الأمن الأردني تفرق مظاهرة حاشدة بالعاصمة الأردنية عمان والتي انطلقت لليوم السابع على التوالي دعما لغزة وتنديدا بالعدواني الإسرائيلي#حرب_غزة #فيديو pic.twitter.com/PBO521JtDz
— الجزيرة فلسطين (@AJA_Palestine) March 30, 2024
Clashes in Tel Aviv as Israeli protesters threaten to ‘burn country down’
Demonstrators in Tel Aviv are saying they are increasingly angry at the government’s inability to bring back the remaining Israeli captives.
Now, there was a rally held by the family members of those being held in Gaza and they say they are tired of holding peaceful rallies. They are calling on all Israelis to take to the streets and “burn the country down”.
Previously, they were calling for Benjamin Netanyahu to resign and for elections to be held immediately. And now they are saying he needs to be overthrown and until that happens, these protests in massive size and scale will continue.
Tonight, we saw a lot of violence between protesters and Israeli police as they attempted to clear roads. Here in Tel Aviv, protesters tried to block a major highway known as Ayalon, something that was a reoccurring theme during last year’s antigovernment demonstrations over judicial changes and police have come out in force in order to try and prevent that.
Pro-Palestinian protestors chain themselves to US navy ship in San Francisco
Pro-Palestinian protestors chained themselves to the gangway of a United States Navy ship that they claimed was headed to Gaza to provide support for Israel.
Dozens of demonstrators gathered at Pier 32 in San Francisco to protest a ceremony for the USNS Harvey Milk ship and its namesake that was attended by US House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and San Francisco Mayor London Breed.
A US Navy spokesperson said that speculation the ship was headed for the Middle East was incorrect and the vessel was actually scheduled to depart for Norfolk, Virginia. Local media reported that authorities used bolt cutters to remove some demonstrators who had chained themselves to the ship’s gangway.
Ten women and four men were arrested for trespassing, with five also charged with resisting arrest, according to San Francisco police said.
Protesters block the entrance of US warship heading to Gaza
I can’t imagine how brave these people are ♥️ pic.twitter.com/OiTK4LntZK
— Abier (@abierkhatib) March 30, 2024
US ‘undermining integrity of UN procedures system’: Special rapporteur
Earlier this week, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller dismissed a damning report by the UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territory, Francesca Albanese, that found Israel is committing “acts of genocide” in the Gaza Strip.
Miller said Albanese has had a “history of anti-Semitic comments” and that the “allegations of genocide are unfounded”.
Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, now says it is “deeply concerning” that rather than engaging with the conclusions of the report, the US government “has moved to slander and smear” Albanese – who has also received threats.
“Whereas many of us are attacked for doing the work we were mandated to do by the [UN Human Rights Council], it is particularly alarming when a member state of the Council does so. It undermines the integrity of the special procedures system,” Alsalem wrote in a post on X.
Deeply concerning that rather than engaging with the grave conclusions of @FranceskAlbs report on the anatomy of #genocide, the US Government has moved to slander and smear her.
Whereas many of us are attacked for doing the work we were mandated to do by the #HRC, it is… https://t.co/HeIqQQAB7a
— Reem Alsalem UNSR Violence Against Women and Girls (@UNSRVAW) March 30, 2024
US lawmaker says Gaza should be treated ‘like Nagasaki and Hiroshima’
A US lawmaker has been captured on video invoking the atomic bombings of Japan’s Nagasaki and Hiroshima as an example for how to bring a “quick” end to the war in Gaza.
In a video posted on X, Tim Walberg, a Republican who represents Michigan in the House of Representatives, can be heard telling a town hall that the conflict should be treated like the Japanese cities were during World War II.
“We shouldn’t be spending a dime on humanitarian aid. It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick,” Walberg said.
Wow. Michigan Republican Representative Tim Walberg, on Gaza:
“We shouldn’t be spending a dime on humanitarian aid. It should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Get it over quick.”https://t.co/Qt4xzwmV2B
— Prem Thakker (@prem_thakker) March 30, 2024