Thank you for your sensitivity and centering of the issue of rape. Whether child rape by gangs in the UK, or rape as a weapon of war, the true and lasting Weight of this horrific act still falls so far short of understanding in our Abrahamic patriarchal systems.
This piece brought back to me the first thought I had after learning of Hamas's 10/7 attack on Israel, how could Hamas Surprise Israeli intelligence. Looking back at the incredible sophistication of the propaganda from Israel revolving around sexual atrocities and beheadings I don't even want to type about ... the visuals, the scripts... created in reaction, so instantaneously? I suppose the propaganda machine is always on, and maybe even had plans and pieces on the shelf waiting for response to any ground incursion, but still...
And then again, let at how the student protesters were Immediately branded.
Literally felt as if Edelman PR handled the whole weaponization of anti-semitism and melded it with the decades old RW attacks on academia (currently branded as "woke") for the perfect election year cudgel of Democrats and liberals.
WHERE is the sophisticated response from the Left? Aside from right here with you, Mr. Rashid. The DNC has the worst PR of any group in the US!!
This sounds like a side issue, but it costs us at Every Election.
Thank you for covering what legacy media won't. I would love to see a breakdown of how much AIPAC money each of those 45 Dems have received. Very disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising these days.
Thank you for centering the terrible politicization of rape, whether as a "weapon of war" by war criminals, or as a political cudgel by a soulless plutocrat.
I'm a survivor and I've been triggered again and again since Trump became legitimized and then crowned by the WASP "Christian" Patriarchy and its rape culture.
I cannot imagine how people abused in this case as children feel.
I hope they band together and write and sign a letter to the Times about what a POS Musk is.
I was always skeptical of the rape allegations, and I also think that it's quite possible that Israel is afraid of the backlash against the IDF, who habitually rape and assault Palestinian women and girls.
"To suddenly claim 'there is no evidence' means either the Israeli government lied over the past 16 months, or the Israeli government is complicit in covering up crimes of mass rape. Which one is it?"
Why persist in refusing to recognize the true face of this evil entity, guilty of the worst crimes and perversions, and a master in the art of lying, falsification, accusatory inversion and victim delusion?
The attitude of the Americans is abject, in perfect contradiction with their own laws, and their fundamental interests. Let us therefore stop talking about virtues, morality, democracy….
Only the law of the strongest applies in the jungle that the world has become!
Great writing Qasim. I wrecked a couple of friendships over this issue. We should acknowledge that a small handful of courageous journalists broke this story way back in November of 2023. Max Blumenthal, Ali Abunimah, Asa Winstanley, Justin Podur, and others put their reputations and integrity on the line to insist that there was no evidence for these claims. They were mercilessly smeared in both Israeli and U.S. media for saying what the prosecutor now admits is true. Winstanley had his home raided and his equipment seized by police for violating “anti-terrorism” laws in the UK.
With that in mind- every single journalist, celebrity, politician, and news anchor was on notice that these claims were, at best, unsubstantiated, at least as early as November 2023. When Dana Bash was scolding Rep. Pramila Jayapal on CNN for trying to humanize Palestinians and for “failing to condemn Hamas’ use of sexual violence,” she knew there was no evidence of sexual violence. This was December of 2023.
When Kamala Harris was on the debate stage eight months later, she repeated “women were horribly raped by Hamas on October 7.” She knew there was no evidence. She knew this was atrocity propaganda.
How many celebrities and politicians are on the record saying “I saw it with my own eyes on video”? German chancellor Olaf Shulz and foreign minister Annalena Baerbock both claim they “saw” rapes on video. So did many, many US celebrities and officials who were invited to see the special “exclusive” invite-only screening Israel presented in the first few months.
President Biden was the first one to pick up on rape rumors and claims of beheaded Jewish children, and he repeated them many times. His legacy will not be kind to him; spreading rumors was the least of his war crimes.
If you vote to condemn Netanyahu for his appalling behavior, you are not condemning the state of Israel, just the man who happens to be its Prime Minister. The war he is waging against the Palestinians is wrong, way over the top. He created the situation by inviting everyone, not just people who are being oppressed to come to Israel, and occupy land where Palestinians were living. It’s like a teenage party that got way out of control, with weapons.
I don’t think it is possible to have a country, even a small one, composed solely of people of one set of beliefs, certainly not when one of the groups is being oppressed. It is like The Spanish Inquisition in some respects.
It's just such a corrupt and unsustainable tactic, and to exploit innocent civilians and women while at it is just beyond the pale. I'm outraged that corporate media won't ask these questions.
it is exactly the tactic used by the Rapist in Chief and his party, which is also using it to exploit innocent civilians and women here, very very successfully.
I suppose it has been around since the first man who had words and no conscience.
That it is. Absolutely! Honestly, I'm not expecting them too. Anything that goes against the Israeli narrative isn't allowed. And if you do say anything like that you'll most likely lose your job. Mehdi Hassan comes to mind or, like Richard Medhurst and a couple of other British journalists, you get arrested.
We should create our own award that won't have the problematic history of the Nobel family. It's a source of endless confusion to me that prizes for "peace" handed out by a philanthropic organization funded on resource extraction and the armaments industry are considered meaningful.
It was the first of many tactics to demonize all Palestinians so that the genocide would be easier. Biden just authorized another $8 billion in weapons sales to Israel. The weapons just keep on flowing while we wonder whether there are any Hamas fighters left.
I believe the incredibly detailed, sophisticated and powerful propaganda bombardment was prepared in advance. "for release in case of attack"
and/or "for release if/when Hamas attacks this October" are both possibilities.
Bibi desperately needed a war to stay in power, and his party wanted Trump back in power to make sure they'd realize their dream of "The Jordan to the sea."
The Oiligarchs wanted to stop all the rebels hindering trade routes. As did MBS. And Biden wanted ? To defend our biggest proxy military power? To defang Iran? (and get IMEC rolling?) All of the above? He made a deal with the devil.
What an incredibly horrible world I have brought my children into.
Sorry. We've had to evacuate from LA and I am in a very dark place. And I'm one of the very lucky ones who could get away from the apocolypse and stay with a sister and work remotely, and my house is still standing. fingers crossed.
follow the money. the oil. At first I thought (think?) Biden actually believed Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals were capable of caring. At least about Israel's reputation, if not about the Palestinian families they slaughtered. He naively thought that Bibi would play by the rules? Biden ended up looking weak and foolish again and again. Or did he calculate that for his own political survival he had to ask and demand a cease fire, even knowing that Bibi would just spoil it every time?
seems the Israeli rulers no longer need our president's approval. They seem to be dealing directly with the Military Industrial Complex, and whoever is in the WH just signs the checks.
Oil. What we are willing to do to maintain our lazy, self centered, "care free" consumer based life style? Who are we willing to sacrifice?
And yes, there is historical competition for power in the heartland of Abrahamic religions, but religion/culture is no longer the issue. Israel was not a "gift" from the fallen Empire to the Jews after WWII. It was a trade. A homeland and the means to defend it, in exchange for being Euro-America's eyes, ears and boots on the ground.
I have done the same to no avail. My eyes have been opened to the atrocities committed by Israel with the full funding of our AIPAC owned government and I am sickened in my soul.
Thank you for your sensitivity and centering of the issue of rape. Whether child rape by gangs in the UK, or rape as a weapon of war, the true and lasting Weight of this horrific act still falls so far short of understanding in our Abrahamic patriarchal systems.
This piece brought back to me the first thought I had after learning of Hamas's 10/7 attack on Israel, how could Hamas Surprise Israeli intelligence. Looking back at the incredible sophistication of the propaganda from Israel revolving around sexual atrocities and beheadings I don't even want to type about ... the visuals, the scripts... created in reaction, so instantaneously? I suppose the propaganda machine is always on, and maybe even had plans and pieces on the shelf waiting for response to any ground incursion, but still...
And then again, let at how the student protesters were Immediately branded.
Literally felt as if Edelman PR handled the whole weaponization of anti-semitism and melded it with the decades old RW attacks on academia (currently branded as "woke") for the perfect election year cudgel of Democrats and liberals.
WHERE is the sophisticated response from the Left? Aside from right here with you, Mr. Rashid. The DNC has the worst PR of any group in the US!!
This sounds like a side issue, but it costs us at Every Election.
sigh.
I'm such a broken record.
Thank you for covering what legacy media won't. I would love to see a breakdown of how much AIPAC money each of those 45 Dems have received. Very disappointing, but unfortunately not surprising these days.
Thank you for centering the terrible politicization of rape, whether as a "weapon of war" by war criminals, or as a political cudgel by a soulless plutocrat.
I'm a survivor and I've been triggered again and again since Trump became legitimized and then crowned by the WASP "Christian" Patriarchy and its rape culture.
I cannot imagine how people abused in this case as children feel.
I hope they band together and write and sign a letter to the Times about what a POS Musk is.
I was always skeptical of the rape allegations, and I also think that it's quite possible that Israel is afraid of the backlash against the IDF, who habitually rape and assault Palestinian women and girls.
I can’t believe that Suhas Subramanyam who replaced outgoing Jennifer Weston voted against ICC!
Deeply disappointing. Truly what a shameful vote.
"To suddenly claim 'there is no evidence' means either the Israeli government lied over the past 16 months, or the Israeli government is complicit in covering up crimes of mass rape. Which one is it?"
It's both. I think we all know that.
Waiting for even one legacy media journalist to have the courage and integrity to ask this of our state dept or of Netanyahu.
Why persist in refusing to recognize the true face of this evil entity, guilty of the worst crimes and perversions, and a master in the art of lying, falsification, accusatory inversion and victim delusion?
The attitude of the Americans is abject, in perfect contradiction with their own laws, and their fundamental interests. Let us therefore stop talking about virtues, morality, democracy….
Only the law of the strongest applies in the jungle that the world has become!
Great writing Qasim. I wrecked a couple of friendships over this issue. We should acknowledge that a small handful of courageous journalists broke this story way back in November of 2023. Max Blumenthal, Ali Abunimah, Asa Winstanley, Justin Podur, and others put their reputations and integrity on the line to insist that there was no evidence for these claims. They were mercilessly smeared in both Israeli and U.S. media for saying what the prosecutor now admits is true. Winstanley had his home raided and his equipment seized by police for violating “anti-terrorism” laws in the UK.
With that in mind- every single journalist, celebrity, politician, and news anchor was on notice that these claims were, at best, unsubstantiated, at least as early as November 2023. When Dana Bash was scolding Rep. Pramila Jayapal on CNN for trying to humanize Palestinians and for “failing to condemn Hamas’ use of sexual violence,” she knew there was no evidence of sexual violence. This was December of 2023.
When Kamala Harris was on the debate stage eight months later, she repeated “women were horribly raped by Hamas on October 7.” She knew there was no evidence. She knew this was atrocity propaganda.
How many celebrities and politicians are on the record saying “I saw it with my own eyes on video”? German chancellor Olaf Shulz and foreign minister Annalena Baerbock both claim they “saw” rapes on video. So did many, many US celebrities and officials who were invited to see the special “exclusive” invite-only screening Israel presented in the first few months.
Is this not incitement?
President Biden was the first one to pick up on rape rumors and claims of beheaded Jewish children, and he repeated them many times. His legacy will not be kind to him; spreading rumors was the least of his war crimes.
Yep and even now those who were condemned remain condemned and those who demonized remain without accountability. It’s outrageous and unacceptable.
If you vote to condemn Netanyahu for his appalling behavior, you are not condemning the state of Israel, just the man who happens to be its Prime Minister. The war he is waging against the Palestinians is wrong, way over the top. He created the situation by inviting everyone, not just people who are being oppressed to come to Israel, and occupy land where Palestinians were living. It’s like a teenage party that got way out of control, with weapons.
I don’t think it is possible to have a country, even a small one, composed solely of people of one set of beliefs, certainly not when one of the groups is being oppressed. It is like The Spanish Inquisition in some respects.
An ethno-nationalist state is by definition a contradiction to a democracy where everyone has equal rights.
Accuse your "enemy" of that which you are actually doing.
It's just such a corrupt and unsustainable tactic, and to exploit innocent civilians and women while at it is just beyond the pale. I'm outraged that corporate media won't ask these questions.
it is exactly the tactic used by the Rapist in Chief and his party, which is also using it to exploit innocent civilians and women here, very very successfully.
I suppose it has been around since the first man who had words and no conscience.
That it is. Absolutely! Honestly, I'm not expecting them too. Anything that goes against the Israeli narrative isn't allowed. And if you do say anything like that you'll most likely lose your job. Mehdi Hassan comes to mind or, like Richard Medhurst and a couple of other British journalists, you get arrested.
They're corrupt!
Finally!!! It was maddening to see this misinformation perpetuated by so many "respected" sources.
Even Kamala Harris repeated that charge!! It was exceedingly depressive..
Even now, it's a shame that none of those "respected" sources are providing this update or retracting their earlier claims.
I don't think there's a Nobel Prize for something like "Let's Address This." There should be.
We should create our own award that won't have the problematic history of the Nobel family. It's a source of endless confusion to me that prizes for "peace" handed out by a philanthropic organization funded on resource extraction and the armaments industry are considered meaningful.
❤️✊🏽 Just getting started my friend. Lots of work to do yet to achieve meaningful justice.
Why was there so much immediate messaging of rape and mass rape, if 16 months of investigation found no evidence or even allegations of rape?
Was it state sponsored misinformation, or simple hate?
It was the first of many tactics to demonize all Palestinians so that the genocide would be easier. Biden just authorized another $8 billion in weapons sales to Israel. The weapons just keep on flowing while we wonder whether there are any Hamas fighters left.
That's the exact question I ask in point 1 of my conclusion. It demands answers.
I believe the incredibly detailed, sophisticated and powerful propaganda bombardment was prepared in advance. "for release in case of attack"
and/or "for release if/when Hamas attacks this October" are both possibilities.
Bibi desperately needed a war to stay in power, and his party wanted Trump back in power to make sure they'd realize their dream of "The Jordan to the sea."
The Oiligarchs wanted to stop all the rebels hindering trade routes. As did MBS. And Biden wanted ? To defend our biggest proxy military power? To defang Iran? (and get IMEC rolling?) All of the above? He made a deal with the devil.
What an incredibly horrible world I have brought my children into.
Sorry. We've had to evacuate from LA and I am in a very dark place. And I'm one of the very lucky ones who could get away from the apocolypse and stay with a sister and work remotely, and my house is still standing. fingers crossed.
I will never understand our complicity in this. Ever.
Agree!💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
follow the money. the oil. At first I thought (think?) Biden actually believed Netanyahu and his fellow war criminals were capable of caring. At least about Israel's reputation, if not about the Palestinian families they slaughtered. He naively thought that Bibi would play by the rules? Biden ended up looking weak and foolish again and again. Or did he calculate that for his own political survival he had to ask and demand a cease fire, even knowing that Bibi would just spoil it every time?
seems the Israeli rulers no longer need our president's approval. They seem to be dealing directly with the Military Industrial Complex, and whoever is in the WH just signs the checks.
Oil. What we are willing to do to maintain our lazy, self centered, "care free" consumer based life style? Who are we willing to sacrifice?
And yes, there is historical competition for power in the heartland of Abrahamic religions, but religion/culture is no longer the issue. Israel was not a "gift" from the fallen Empire to the Jews after WWII. It was a trade. A homeland and the means to defend it, in exchange for being Euro-America's eyes, ears and boots on the ground.
These are just my layperson's observations.
It's truly reprehensible and inexcusable. Doing what I can to create awareness.
Thank you. I’ve written constantly to the WH, Senate and House, supported pro- peace campaigns and it’s like it doesn’t matter. Our vices do matter!!
So have I! How does being a "beacon" for democracy align with condoning war crimes!🤔😡
Thank you for standing up!
I have done the same to no avail. My eyes have been opened to the atrocities committed by Israel with the full funding of our AIPAC owned government and I am sickened in my soul.