Antiwar.com has joined 19 other news outlets, seven press freedom organizations, and 113 journalists in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling for the US to end weapons transfers to Israel to stop supporting the slaughter of Palestinians in Gaza.
The letter was initiated by the Courage Foundation, Defending Rights & Dissent, and Roots Action and focuses on the Israeli targeting of journalists in Gaza.
“Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 160 Palestinian journalists. This is the largest recorded number of journalists killed in any war. While Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of the densely populated Gaza means no civilians are safe, Israel has also been repeatedly documented deliberately targeting journalists,” the letter reads.
The letter notes that the mass killing in Gaza would not be possible without US weapons and support. “Israel’s military actions are not possible without US weapons, US military aid, and US diplomatic support. By providing the weapons being used to deliberately kill journalists, you are complicit in one of the gravest affronts to press freedom today,” it says.
Besides targeting Journalists with bombs, the Israeli government has also cracked down on the press, including by shutting down Al Jazeera in Israel. “Israel has gone to great lengths to suppress media coverage of its war in Gaza, imposing military censorship on both its own journalists and international reporters operating in the country; and, with Egypt’s help, blocking all foreign journalists from Gaza. Israel shut down Al Jazeera, raided its office, seized its equipment, and blocked its broadcasts and website within Israel,” the letter reads.
The letter points to US foreign assistance laws that prohibit military aid to countries credibly accused of human rights violations. ” Israel’s well-documented pattern of extrajudicial executions of journalists is a gross violation of human rights,” it says.
The letter concludes by urging an immediate halt to US military support for Israel. “The US is providing the weapons Israel continually uses to target Palestinian journalists in Gaza. This is a violation of International law and US domestic law. We urge you to immediately cease the transfer of all weapons to Israel,” it reads.
Blinken and other US officials claim they’re concerned about the massive civilian death toll in Gaza but continue to arm Israel. Earlier this week, Blinken’s State Department approved a series of arms deals for Israel worth over $20 billion, which came hours after Israeli strikes in Gaza killed newborn twins.
Thank you.
Blessed are the peace makers! They, literally, Make My Day!
Waste of everyone's time… Absolutely no one in the government – either US or Israel or most other Western governments – gives a rat's ass.
I can guarantee you that every MSM outlet in the US, UK and EU did not sign that letter. They all need to go the Hague just like Nazi newspaper editor Julius Streicher, Radio Division head Hans Fritzsche, and Press Chief Otto Dietrich at the Nuremberg Trials.
I fully agree. This sordid history and the role of the MSM has once again been very instructive on explaining how it was possible that at the time the highly cultured German population descended willingly and enthusiastically into infernal depths of depravity of Nazism. The Germans by the way are at forefront of repeating that experience projecting their hate on a different Untermensch this time. It is beyond despicable to a point where words just fail.
Being on the right side of history, stating in clear and concise words, facts and reporting on it, is not a waste of time.
Silence is.
This is an act of bravery, because they are all targets for telling truths.
Biden and Blinken have a mental fixation regarding shipping killing weapons to Israel. They act as if they were automats in the hands of someone else. Their minds are closed to any rational or moral argument.
I'm pretty sure Blinken looked at the letter, and then looked at the latest deposit to his bank account from Lockheed and Raytheon and Boeing and decided as long as it was Palestinians and not Americans being killed he'd rather have the cash. Blinken's hands look clean, but there's blood all over them and he will not escape justice. Sooner or later, he might have an accident.
He wouldn't care about Americans either. At least not for any reason that has to do with compassion.
youtube removed judging freedom. Now judgenap.com is down.
We are lucky antiwar still lives.
I was wondering why I couldn't find any episodes for yesterday and today. Thank you for letting us know about this.
My First Strike on Free Speech!
Why My Content Was Removed from YouTube: A First Strike on Free Speech
On June 13, 2024, I published an interview featuring myself and journalist Pepe Escobar, where we engaged in a deep and critical discussion on global geopolitics. Our conversation was candid, tackling complex and often controversial topics that challenge the mainstream narratives. Unfortunately, this content was recently removed from YouTube, and I received a “first strike” on my channel—a decision that raises serious concerns about the limits of free speech on major digital platforms.
In the interview, Pepe Escobar and I explored a wide range of issues, from international relations to the role of the U.S. in various global conflicts. Our discussion was rooted in historical context, rigorous analysis, and a shared commitment to uncovering the truth behind the headlines. Both Pepe and I have built our careers on questioning authority and offering perspectives that are frequently marginalized by the mainstream media.
YouTube’s Strike System
YouTube’s strike system is designed to enforce its Community Guidelines, which outline what is deemed acceptable content on the platform. Myself and our team work hard to bring you the best content allowed within these guidelines. A first strike typically indicates that the content in question was found to violate these guidelines. Although YouTube did not provide a detailed explanation, their reasoning often includes concerns about misinformation, hate speech, or the promotion of violence. A first strike comes with serious consequences, including temporary restrictions on content uploads and live streaming, which significantly hampers a creator’s ability to engage with their audience.
The removal of my interview with Pepe Escobar was more than just a personal setback; it was a troubling sign of the growing constraints on open discourse. Despite the lack of clarity from YouTube regarding the specific violation, it’s evident that the subject matter of our conversation was deemed too controversial or sensitive for the platform.
This incident is part of a broader and more concerning trend of increased scrutiny and censorship, particularly toward content that challenges the status quo. While platforms like YouTube are essential for the dissemination of information, their policies can sometimes stifle the diversity of voices and perspectives that are crucial for a healthy public discourse. When content is removed, and strikes are issued without clear justification, it can create a chilling effect, discouraging creators from addressing important, albeit contentious, issues.
Moving Forward
While combating misinformation and harmful content is important, we must also protect free speech and ensure that critical conversations are not unjustly suppressed. As we face this challenge, I remain resolute in my commitment to providing thought-provoking and insightful content, even if it means exploring alternative platforms or methods of distribution.
Though YouTube may have removed the conversation between Pepe Escobar and me, the issues we discussed are far from silenced. I urge my audience to stay engaged, seek out a variety of information sources, and continue to question the narratives that shape our world.
Judging Freedom will return to YouTube on Wednesday, 21-August, 2024. In addition to YouTube, Judging Freedom is now available on Rumble. You can access and follow the channel here: https://rumble.com/c/JudgingFreedom
https://judgenap.com/my-first-strike-on-free-speech/
Stop wasting your time. Blinken has to be a member of the Israeli lobby? I suspect he may be a loyal advisor to Netanyahu too. He most certainly doesn't have America's interests at heart. That's if he even has a heart with his support of the genocide in Gaza by Israel. Israel has a right to defend itself. Right???
File under: It could never happen here.
Anyone have any info on the mysterious disappearing of Andrew Napolitano's You Tube channel?:
Judge Napolitano
@Judgenap
EXCLUSIVE! – What the heck is going on? Judge issues a statement on 16-August to address the mysterious disappearance of the #JudginFreedom You Tube channel. (posted by staff)
9:47 PM · Aug 15, 2024
What a joke. US is going to change it polices because war journalists are being killed! What do think is going to happen when one enters a war zone? As for journalists who are Palestinians, they are targets. Destroying the communication ability of an enemy is part of war.
Nice gesture by antiwar.com …. But do the signatories to the letter know that US is a Lawless Land…!?
So the letter would most likely end up in a trash can…!
………. and we keep calling Israel the only Democratic country in the Middle East? Anybody home……… ?
Nice Short Narratives by Ritter…!
https://videon.img.ria.ru/Out/FlvHi/20240816/2024_08_16_kshe_s2zz3o2u.vej.mp4
https://twitter.com/i/status/1824446821889945874