No peace while US brokers continue to be dishonest
JVL Introduction
Every day brings another example of Israel breaking international law; a new reason for shock and horror. It is important that we do retain our capacity to be shocked, to remember that what is happening is not normal in any way even if most of the world’s leaders make, at best, only token gestures against what Israel is doing. It is, however, worth looking back – even just a few short weeks – to remember what has happened. Why did Israel break the January ceasefire and why was it allowed to do that? Why did Witkoff, initially sounding firm about the original terms, later push Hamas to accept the frankly unacceptable terms that Israel was proposing?
The USA continues to be a dishonest broker. Would one phone call make Netanyahu stop as claimed here? We know they will not take the action that would work such as refusing to send weapons, expelling the US Ambassador, ending its use of the veto to protect Israel at the UN.
And what about other countries? The UK, France and, Canada issued a fine sounding statement but then abandoned their plans to recognise Palestinian state after a prod from the USA. Today the UK, together with a small number of other countries, tfinally placed some sanctions on the genocidal pair Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. But sanctions against a few individuals will not make the difference that western powers are capable of making; far too little and much too late.
LL
This article was originally published by The New Arab on Thu 5 Jun 2025. Read the original here.
Witkoff: A dishonest broker who could end Gaza war with one call
Though Witkoff holds leverage over Israel, his refusal to rein in Netanyahu and his duplicity toward the Palestinians don’t bode well, says Mouin Rabbani.trump and ceasefire
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Trump’s up to his neck in crisis management INSIDE America. Does that mean there’ll be an “empty chair” for months (possibly years) on all matters connected with US foreign policy?
Trump’s apparatchiks will continue to voice what they think his foreign policy is (or want it to be). His henchmen may even get a few nasty, threatening tweets from him.
How likely is it that any of them will be able to get a proper hearing from Trump – let alone effective action – on any matter not related to his political survival and ability to stay out of jail?