14 Comments

Ms. Abarbanel's story was very helpful to read, thanks for the link.

Expand full comment

Yeah, I like those kinds of personal stories.

Expand full comment

So glad to read what Special Envoy Witkoff did---by tone of voice and body language, and succeeded with that "deep dark SOB" Israeli Prime Minister. Today, I watched carefully the presentation of Jeffrey Sachs at the Cambridge Union Society, given 30 Octobert 2024. Great history lesson given from his personal experience. I think he has re-evaluated his own beliefs during the passing years, and has chosen a role for himself as a Towne Cryer, alerting fellow human beings about the unjustices that he understands from the basis of career expertise. He's calling out the lies, literally, across all communications' platforms that allow his "message" to be delivered to mankind everywhere---like he means to be a good neighbor to all of his neighbors because he wants people to live, and work and grow and flourish. I'm grateful for his passion and the clarity of problem-naming.

Also, yesterday, I watched carefully three times, the interview of Mazim Qumsiyeh by Larry Johnson. Mr. Qumsiyeh is a medical geneticist and founder of an organization that fosters human and natural environment co-habitation. He wants people to keep alive and flourish in an earthly environment which is nurturing of both man and nature. He's a Palestinian Christian who tells the history of the land of Palestine prior to, during, and since the invasion of the Zionist Jewish occupiers. He tells of the British Government's discrimination of the people living in Palestine during post WWI British control. Very serious unjust treatment of the native peoples, who are genetically related to one another from ancient, pre-Biblical times.....

https://sonar21.com/palestinians-will-not-surrender-a-conversaton-with-mazin-qumsiyeh/

Expand full comment

Via MoA:

As Haaretz writes (archived):

Last Friday evening, Steven Witkoff, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, called from Qatar to tell Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's aides that he would be coming to Israel the following afternoon. The aides politely explained that was in the middle of the Sabbath but that the prime minister would gladly meet him Saturday night.

Witkoff's blunt reaction took them by surprise.

He explained to them in salty English that Shabbat was of no interest to him. His message was loud and clear.

Thus in an unusual departure from official practice, the prime minister showed up at his office for an official meeting with Witkoff, who then returned to Qatar to seal the deal.

Expand full comment

Remember who was one of the very first international leaders to reach out and congratulate good ‘ol’ Joe after the stolen election was “certified” by the AP? I’m sure Trump remembers.

Expand full comment

Very encouraging. Maybe Leopards can change their spots?

Expand full comment

Trump definitely remembers--and has brought that up. Why he expected 'loyalty' (his word) from Netanyahu is anyone's guess.

Expand full comment

I mean the Trump appointees not the Israeli govt Zionists.

Expand full comment

No money to fund the Trump proofing?

Expand full comment

No, the well ran dry - literally: the head of DWP was being paid $750k/yr. Along with that you have the budget for the homeless, who are known to start brush fires as they move around the region. And now they’re asking for aid from Trump? Call it “common sense-proofing!”

Expand full comment

No, they want money from Trump before the Trump proofing. Trump proofing might prevent handouts.

Expand full comment

My guess the optics were too bad while LA is still burning.

Expand full comment