This month, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory after a close re-election race, cementing his right wing Likud party in power for another term.
Right before the election, Netanyahu reinforced his rejection of Palestinian statehood, vowed to continue building settlements and doubled down on his decade long fear-mongering campaign against Iran.
Since Netanyahu spoke at Congress, the media has been hyping a rift between the two heads of state, suggesting that the US is finally standing up its biggest welfare recipient. Yet it’s only rhetoric until the US government ceases its support for Israel’s policy of apartheid and annual allotment of $3 billion in military aid.
On this edition of Media Roots Radio, Rania Khalek of The Electronic Intifada talks about what another term of Netanyahu means for occupied Palestine and the US political establishment, as well as how the leader’s zealotry emboldens resistance against apartheid.
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During Israel’s latest offense on Gaza, Operation Protective Edge, Rania came on Breaking the Set to discuss the disproportionality of the conflict, the collective punishment against Palestinian civilians and how people can help the residents of Gaza.
Holding Israel Accountable From Bottom Up | Interview with Rania Khalek
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The UN estimates it will take 100 years to rebuild bombed out Gaza, but the territory cannot even get construction materials under Israel’s siege.
Get involved in the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement to push for exposure and necessary pressure on Israel.
Photo by flickr user Thierry Ehrmenn
“Naturally the common people don’t want war: Neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.”
-Hermann Goering