Gaza, 1-12-24

For today, links to reports from Consortium News, the Associated Press, Reuters, and National Public Radio, followed by commentary from Indian Punchline, MintPress News via Popular Resistance, and ScheerPost; other articles are accessible by clicking on their names or initials below. (UKRAINE entry for this date and a ROHR entry are HERE and HERE.) — MCM

   

Israel dismisses genocidal intent as ‘random assertions,by Joe Lauria | Consortium News  In its defense against allegations by South Africa that it is committing genocide in Gaza, a British barrister arguing today at the World Court for Israel downplayed numerous statements by senior Israeli officials of genocidal intent against Palestinians as mere “random assertions” that proves nothing. Kings Counselor Malcolm Shaw, for Israel, told the Court: “As far as . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Israel defends itself at the UN’s top court against allegations of genocide against Palestinians, by Mike Corder and Raf Casert | AP  THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Accused of committing genocide against Palestinians, Israel insisted at the United Nations’ highest court today that its war in Gaza was a legitimate defense of its people and said instead that Hamas was guilty of genocide. Israel described . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Israel rejects genocide charges, tells World Court it must defend itself, by Anthony Deutsch, Toby Sterling and Stephanie van den Berg | Reuters   THE HAGUE — Israel today rejected as false and “grossly distorted” accusations brought by South Africa at the U.N.’s top court that its military operation in Gaza is a state-led genocide campaign against the Palestinian population. It called on . . . READ MORE . . .

   

South Africa charges Israel with genocide in Gaza. Israel defends itself at The Hague. Reported by Leila Fadel and Rob Schmitz | NPR  Israel presents its rebuttal to the charge of genocide it faces in Gaza at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

FROM JAN 11  SA’s impassioned plea to stop Israel’s genocide, by Joe Lauria | Consortium News   South Africa was not arguing on Thursday the merits of the case of whether Israel is or isn’t committing genocide, which will be decided much later, but rather whether there is sufficient evidence at the outset for the International Court of Justice to issue a “provisional measure” ordering Israel to immediately end its military operation. Proving intent is crucial to arriving at a finding of . . . READ MORE . . .

   

FROM JAN. 11  South Africa outlines genocide case against Israel at International Court of Justice. Reported by Rob Schmitz | NPR  At The Hague, proceedings began on South Africa’s accusation of genocide by Israel in Gaza. Health officials in Gaza say more than 23,000 people have died in the war. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

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FROM JAN. 11  Palestinians and Israelis react to International Court of Justice proceedings. Reported by Lauren Frayer | NPR  Palestinians and Israelis watch the genocide case at a United Nations court — as fighting continues between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Click HERE to listen and, later, read.

   

Palestine: EU’s Burrell bats for U.S., by M.K. Bhadrakumar | Indian Punchline  The European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell appeared in the region at the same time as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His destinations were Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. The EU announcement said that Borrell’s mission “will be an occasion to discuss all aspects of the situation in and around Gaza, including . . . READ MORE . . .

   

Israel’s goal of expelling Palestinians from Gaza is closer to reality, by Jessica Buxbaum | MintPress News / Popular Resistance  Once considered a fringe pipe dream, the once taboo idea of Israelis recolonizing portions of Gaza has been reinvigorated after Hama. Just as 2024 began, Israeli politicians . . . READ MORE . . .

   

FROM JAN. 8  U.S. policy as spectacle, by Patrick Lawrence | ScheerPost The Americans’ leadership cliques long ago took up the practice of obscuring what they mean and what they are doing. If these people are going to run an imperium their own citizens are not supposed to see, the last thing required is . . . READ MORE . . .