Laurie Mercier talks with historian and Middle-East specialist Juan Cole about current events in Gaza. They discuss Israel's motives in launching its attack, and the history of Israel's occupation of Palestine, attacks on Hamas, and expansion of settlements in the West Bank. In addition, Laurie and Professor Cole discuss the role of the US: the failure of much of the US mainstream media to report adequately on events in Palestine; the US support for Israel; the impact of financial contributions on corrupt US legislators; and the possibility that the US could make all the difference by withholding its veto of UN security-council measures censuring Israel. The discussion also addresses the Boycott-Divest-Sanctions movement and various boycott targets, and the surge in global support for Palestinians prompted by the use of photography and video to expose Israel's actions in killing non-combatants, especially young people who comprise the majority of the population in Gaza.
You can read more on Juan Cole's blog, Informed Comment.
- KBOO