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US Needs a Declaration of Independence - from Israel
ATHENS, Greece - 235 years after the American colonies declared independence from Britain, the passenegers on the U.S. Boat to Gaza call for a new American Declaration of Independence, this time from Israel.
The passengers issued their call from the decks of the U.S.-flagged boat, The Audacity of Hope, which is currently confined to a Greek military pier near Athens, while its captain sits in jail.
Like the Founders in Philadelphia, the passengers in Athens recognize that "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them to another, a decent respect for the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separataion."
Just as the Founders cited "a long train of abuses and usurpations" committed by the British, The Audacity of Hope passengers detailed the Israeli abuses motivating their call for U.S. independence:
- For generations Israel has engaged in a systematic campaign to disposess Palestinians of their lands and drive them from their ancestral homes.
- Since 1967 Israel has occupied East Jerusalem the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and the Golan Heights in open defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions and the Geneva Conventions. Residents of these occupied territories have been subjected to numerous forms of mistreatment, including military attacks, arbitrary arrests, home demolitions, and the confiscation of vast areas for the construction of illegal Jewish-only settlements and roads.
- Since the mid-1990s Israel has imposed an ever-tightening regime of economic strangulation on the Gaza Strip. Since 2006 in particular the 1.5 million people of Gaza have been kept in isolaton and under siege, with severely limited access to medical care, clean water, and construction materials needed to rebuild after Israeli military attacks. They have been prevented from fishing in their coastal waters, growing crops on much of their farmland, or exporting almost anything.
- Israel has used its powerful influence inside the U.S. to secure Washington's backing for these illegal and counterproductive policies. In addition to more than $3 billlion per year of U.S. taxpayer dollars in military aid, Israel has gained uncritical American diplomatic support, including repeated use of the American veto in the Security Council to stymy any U.N. effort to enforce international law and to hold Israel accountble for its crimes.
- In recent years Israel has reacted with brutal violence against international as well as Palestinian and Israeli activists who have dared to step in where the U.S. and the U.N. have feared to tread. On May 31, 2010, Israel's vicious assault on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters caused the deaths of nine unarmed human-rights volunteers, including the 19-year-old American citizen Furkan Dogan.
- This year Israel, in collusion with the U.S., has deployed a variety of economic, diplomatic, and other pressure tactics to undermine the sovereignty of Greece, Turkey, and other nations and force them to obstruct the Gaza Freedom Flotilla II in defiance of their own maritime regulations and procedures. In addition, Israel has carried out a campaign of unbridled distortion and defamation against the organizers and participants in this year's flotilla. When that failed, Israel's agents resorted to life-threatening sabotage operations against at least two of the flotilla's ships.
"In light of this long - but still very partial - list of abuses and usurpations committed by Israel, it's past time for the U.S. to end its 'special relationship' with Israel and declare its independence from that country," said a letter that the passengers will deliver to the U.S. Embassy in Greece on July 4. "Just as the original American Declaration of Independence inspired popular sturuggles for independence and democracy all over the world, we humbly call on other countries that have been subjected to Israeli pressure and manipulation, particularly Greece and Turkey, to join us in our campaign to rid our country of this scourge."
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85 Comments so far
Show AllBoiling it down, most everyone in the world will say they are against war.
Yet, what gets the most money, support and attention to forge the fear necessary to control the direction of the War Economy?
War, the thing that the most are against gets the prize for the controller of the planet still, with no end in sight.
This goes beyond Israel, and has been going on before Israel was created in the late 40's. The war economy is global and big money rules not the people.
Oil.
Not oil. Think bigger: global finance. Oil is just a small portion of that.
Industrial nations will cease to exist if deprived of energy. The dominant form of energy used today is oil. Finance is not an end in itself, but a means of allocating and controlling resources, including oil. Oil, Global Finance : kind of a chicken-or-egg thing really.
And the fact that Israel is armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons it can deploy from land, sea, or air coupled with an attitude that suggests such deployment probable if provoked.
The people on this boat are serious risk-takers. I send them best wishes and admiration.
Yes, the fact that Israel is armed to the teeth with nuclear weapons it can deploy from land, sea, or air and the fact that Israel is next to the world's largest oil fields means that Israel can assure US control over the last of the world's oil as the resource wars of the 21st century gain momentum.
The outlines of World War III are becoming clearer as it gets under way.
By the way, happy Independence Day to the USAcorp with all of its foreign entanglements!
Nope - you have no evidence that Israel has enhance our access to oil, and lots of evidence to the contrary. Just Zionistic talking points. The only solution to throwing off the yoke of Israel is forced dissolution, accompanied by massive reparations paid by Zionists worldwide.
RE: chaokoh's "Oil"
That's right. Israel is essentially a garrison state put there after WWII to provide watch over "the greatest material prize in history" (quoting the US State dept): "our" oil underneath lands populated by people "we" may not be able to control . During WWII the Allies, including the US, knew the Holocaust was happening and could have done much to stop it or, reduce its gruesome effectiveness - but didn't. If the Middle East didn't possess the greatest reserves of "the lifeblood of capitalism", Israel wouldn't exist.
You are right. They did know about the camps. Just as they knew the Japanese fleet was out there ready to attack. That is why they got the newer boats out of the harbor.
While I feel bad about the people that were in the camps, that doesn't give Isreal the right to do what they are doing in Gaza.
How about the millions who are suffering the same way in Somalia, rwanda and other countries? Isreal needs to get over itself.
"Our" oil. And other rsources that happen to be in someone elses nation.
You are both wrong. Knowing about something doesn't mean you can do anything about it. They certainly should have said something, but at the time if the allies had said that Hitler was killing the Jews, a lot of people would have said nasty things...
Knowing a fleet is on the ocean is not the same thing as knowing where it's going to attack.
Quit reading the revisionist history sites.
Saturnalia,
Revisionist history is the status quo that is taught to American children from the time they are knee high to a grasshopper. It's blatant propaganda filled pages of tireless heroes defending the homeland and maliciously evil threats to our national security spew so much sugar coated mendacity that it's nauseating. Granted, many internet sites that wish to revise the revision, so to speak, have inaccuracies. But the preponderance of conspiracy by governments when planning and executing wars is hardly a radical view of history.
If you accept the official story, you are reality impared.
In the early part of the war, thousands of European Jews charted an ocean liner to NY to escape Nazism. The US government wouldn't let them land. They sent them back to Europe and death.
The US Air Force could easily have blown up the railroad tracks to the concentration camps. They didn't. IBM sold Nazi Germany the technology to keep track of all the Jews on their road to extermination. This isn't revisionist history; it's real history, a history that had to be silenced as it challenged the ""we fought the war to end fascism and protect democracy" propaganda.
The fascists were very popular among US elites before the war. Henry Ford admired the fascists. Mussolini was even Time magazine's "man of the year." Western elites were happy with Nazism and fascism when they were attacking "commies"; Western elites only turned against fascism when Hitler attack them!
Question: if the Great War was really about ending fascism, then why after defeating the Axis powers didn't the Allies head south to end fascism in Spain?
RE: You are both wrong.
As I see it, this statement says more about you than us.
RE: Great War
I stand corrected! It is interesting that "the greatest generation" didn't fight in the "great war" or the "war to end all wars".
Zionists did their best to make to fill the Middle East by pressuring places like the US to refuse entrance for Jews.
But thanks for the attempt at revisionism. Can anyone believe anything Zionists say nowadays? What a carbuncle on humanity is Israel - the only path to peace is the dissolution of Israel and reparations paid to those harmed by Zionism.
Bull. If it was about Oil, then why haven't we invaded Venezuela.
The only solution to throwing off the yoke of Israel is forced dissolution, accompanied by massive reparations paid by Zionists worldwide.
deleted double posting
Bull.
If it was oil, then why haven't we invaded Venezuela?
The only solution to throwing off the yoke of Israel is forced dissolution, accompanied by massive reparations paid by Zionists worldwide.
Yet.
Why haven't we invaded Venezuela yet?
Because we've been hoping the CIA assisted uber-rich in Venezuela will be able to overthrow the democratically elected President.
I think you are asking too much have all your questions answered on a posting board. Your first question is based on the wrong assumption since our politicians don't just answer to wealth and power (wealth and power is an over-generalization, media organizations and who control them play an important part). In the past, the majority of Americans have opposed the Iraq War but both parties continue policies supporting the occupation. Your questions suggest the a simple magic bullet answer to issues that many authors have spent pages on discussing different aspects of the issues you raise. I suggest you continue reading articles from the likes of Glenn Greenwald to get more background. Other CD posters have touched on answers to the complicated questions. Ultimately, though, the rhetorical question is, we elect our politicians, so why do WE keep voting for politicians that don't even serve our interests?
Ultimately, though, the rhetorical question is, we elect our politicians, so why do WE keep voting for politicians that don't even serve our interests?
If I might address the rhetorical--We think all elections are like Homecoming King or American Idol. We don't realize that the lesser of two evils is still evil. We equate good candidate with funds raised. In short--thanks to years of educational decline and exposing our children to pollutants--Americans are irredeemably stupid.
You've got me there. Wish I were just a little smarter.
"If our politicians only answer to wealth and power then why would they capitulate so easily Israel?"
A great deal of relevant background information the influence of Zionists in America is at
http://examine.webs.com
A detailed history of how a conservative Talmudic Jewish sect, backed by powerful European bankers "captured" Britain and the U.S. in order create Israel is at
http://www.controversyofzion.info/Controversybook/index.htm
The Declaration of Independence from Israel is a good idea because it summarizes relevant facts. The American public needs a barrage of facts to be freed from a lengthy, intense public relations campaign.
Politicians don't care about the opinions of the people of this nation whether they are Jewish or not. They only care about the 'donations' they get to stay in office. And Israel gives them LOTS of money. The rub is that the money comes from the American tax payers. The Israelis get huge amounts of money for their 'defense'. A small part of these billions the Israelis send back to our elected officials to buy their votes. Our elected officials can be completely trusted to be do as they are directed by their 'contributors'. Now, some of us might think this smells like a bribe---but our 'honored' members of Congress assure us that this is not the case. But the evidence that it is true is easily seen in the case of the unarmed boats attempting to enter international waters to go to Gaza. These unarmed people are only threatening the reputation of the state of Israel---what they have left. The horrors of their brutal attack on the enclosed population of Gaza has exposed the truth about the apartheid nation of Israel.
Pertinent question.
If 99% of the world population is seek to death literally of this cancer that has become a black hole into the heart & mind of the world SUCKING EVERYTHING LIFE & ENERGY & RESOURCES than who what & where is the 0.0.1%? that is controlling the will of 7 billion people.
IF WE IN THE SO CALLED WEST JUST AN OTHER SEPARATION, BY PRINCIPLE REFUSE TO TAKE ARMS THAN WE MUST TAKE THEM BY THE HAND & EXPOSE THEM FOR WHAT THEY ARE IN ORDER TO STOP THE HAEMORRHAGE OF OUR BLOOD, VALUES, MORALS, ETHICS , LIBERTY, HUMANITY & PATH.
IF WE WERE TO GIVE UP OUR MONITORED HOMES, MONITORED, COMPUTERS & PHONES, SEARCHED CARS, THREATENED LIVES, TORTURED BODIES & SOULS, BLACKMAILED & MURDERED FRIENDS, IF WE HAVE TO LEAVE OUR SLEEP DEPRIVED, PERSECUTED, STUNG, GASSED, MICROWAVED EXISTENCE, THAN WE MUST WALK & OPEN THE DOORS TO THE OLD PRISONS. OURSELVES.
OBVIOUSLY A THOUSAND HEROIC WOMAN & MAN WAS NOT ENOUGH THAN WE NEED A LOT MORE.
If we the world must stand still for days weeks as long as necessary to SEA these hidden forces of denial, THAN IT MUST BE DONE.
No terror no torture just truth.
Could the string-pullers include any of the Jewish bankers and 'captains of corporate industry'? Oh wait - there aren't any Jewish bankers or corporate directors, much less Wall Street 'powers', are there......
Sorry, the "majority of American Jews in this country" DO support the Zionism, and do so with a vengence not seen in any other area of politics in the US.
The only solution to throwing off the yoke of Israel is forced dissolution, accompanied by massive reparations paid by Zionists worldwide.
I sign that Declaration of Independence too.
"Jim Glover"
That was easy since I never was a dependent.
finally ................
Thank you, Mr. Norr. Be safe!
"... join us in our campaign to rid our country of this scourge."
I wonder how many people think the same thing about the u.s..
amerika is the most hated country on earth - noam chomsky
zion is going to divorce us once they have sucked the last drop of marrow from the bone
sort of like newt gingrich and his ex-wives
medmedude.
BINGO!
The U.S. is not the only country being controlled by this foreign power.
Yes, indeed, we need a declaration of independence from Israel- $3 trillion in military aid and counting. Thank you for your efforts this 4th of July.
We also need a declaration of independence from China. How about a boycott, divest and sanction movement towards China for it's human rights and environmental abuses? They are also brutal occupiers- of Tibet. There are stories of Tibetan women going in for a routine medical procedure and coming out sterile. Electronics manufacturers are installing netting on the tops of their buildings to prevent workers from committing suicide- after working long, alienating shifts making parts for computers etc. that end up in our homes.
We have to say enough is enough already.
We need a declaration of independence from our own "federal monstrosity" as well and for the very same reasons you outline against China. Substitute {the world} for Tibet, forced sterilization of black women, ongoing genocide of native peoples, the return of slavery- albeit in a more subtle form- I could just go ON AND ON AND ON.
We have to say enough is enough already. The Fourth of July is really just another day.
China is only filling the needs of it's global finance master, like the rest of the world. And politically it's only link to our government is through the multinational corporations that have invested in China and which hold our government in control.
When you think about it the only state that appears to operate independent of global finance these days is Israel. Ask yourself why that is?
The largest banking empire that also has vast control in central banks all over the planet are the Rothschildts network which includes interconnections with the war economy at every level including oil, railroads, and the Federal Reserve.
Israel because it was financed by this core group of Banksters, has a special place in the secret world of financing the War Economy.
This has been goin on for a long time and as long as the global economy is based on War with the broke USA declaring itself the God blessed super power with the right of full spectrum domination of the planet... well, at least Israel is not that nuts!
Hear! Hear! This is not the hollow, jingoistic patriotism we've grown numb to. It's amazing how fresh and vital our own declaration sounds again for the first time.
Of course, like the US government, marinated in bribes and corruption, the Greek government too is a kleptocracy captured by the Washington consensus of the bankster cartel. Like the madness of King George, they no longer have ears to hear.
But this too shall pass. And may The Neocon Israeli-American empire finally be the last.
The US Congress is occupied Israeli territory.
Most of the world is also.
Actually, this focus on Israel is what the War Machine profits from.
The Zionists love acting the victim and haters.
This is biblical class cultural spy psy ops that has been goin on before we were born.
We need a Declaration of Independence from the global War Economy.
It is based on fear and the more we make Israel the focus of this global machine, the more we are diverted (The Hate Plan) from making our world better.
So I am signing right here and be my guest, people.
love folk, Jim Glover (first signer)
This populist declaration, posted by ezeflyer on 7/2/11, 1:47pm, still has appeal, notable for the continuing progress that the Venezuelan people have achieved in recent years during the Chavez Administration:
"President Chavez has set direct democracy in motion. The people will lead."
Hopeful and truthful, with a pinch of naivete!
Bill in Dubuque
Canada, too, needs to make such a declaration. Go home Israel, and take your spies with you.
Kudos to you Mr. Norr for speaking truth to illegitimate power, for standing up to Israel's immoral, unethical and outrageously flagrant violations of every norm of human decency. You remind us all that there are still some people in the US who care about their government's condoning of criminal actions. Whether the action succeeds in manifest terms or not, you have ennobled all of us by your actions.
The pressure on Greece is from both Israel an the US. The US is bankrupt, China and Japan have the largest leans on its debt. At the same time the private sector in the US an Britain have the leans on a good part of the debtor nations of the rest of the world. Whoever holds your debt, controls your fate.
It's been said Israel could take down the Greek economy, with an adverse effect on the entire Euro zone.
One has to ask oneself, what makes Israel so powerful? What is it that makes the US so subservient to Israel? Is I money, and if so, who's money?
I add my support also to this activity and those others like Mr. Norr who are so motivated.
Not until we see a major shift in mass mentality will we see any constructive policies toward this situation. Too may people worship power-- abstract, amoral power-- and until we see that these powers do NOT in fact contribute to our security or stability, we will get the same insane political behavior we've been getting for the last several generations.
Those who don't agree with this flotilla have no idea of the actual tensions in the region and take their answers from a limited menu provided by their leaders and PR sources. Life is easy that way... also cheap and ridiculous.
Explosion hits Egypt gas pipeline
AP
Monday, 4 July 2011
Masked assailants blew up the Egyptian pipeline that carries gas to Israel and Jordan today, starting a fire that burned for hours and disrupting the flow of gas, security officials said.
The blast targeted a pumping station about 65 miles south of the Mediterranean coastal city of El-Arish, in the northern part of the Sinai Peninsula.
El-Arish is 30 miles west of Israel's border.
The officials said the attackers, armed with assault rifles, arrived in two pickup trucks without number plates and forced the three security guards on duty to leave before placing the explosives and shooting the pipeline's valves to release gas.
The explosion triggered a blaze that took firefighters at least seven hours to extinguish, they said.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak to the media, said there were no casualties.
Today's blast was the third to hit the strategic pipeline since an uprising overthrew Egypt's long-term leader Hosni Mubarak in February.
No one has yet claimed responsibility for the explosion. Disgruntled Bedouin tribesmen in the area have been blamed for attacking the pipeline in the past. Islamists opposed to Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel have also been suspected.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/explosion-hits-egypt-gas-pipeline-2306568.html
"US Needs a Declaration of Independence - from Israel"
Is there a petition we can sign?
Great idea.
Thank you Henry for this excellent article.
The day before this appeared I sent an email to my list saying the following:
On July 4, 1776 we declared our independence from Britain.
When will we declare our independence from Israel?
I believe that if we do not declare our independence from Israel every American legislator should remove the small American flag from his or her lapel and replace it with an Israeli flag. The American flag should come down from every public building in America, including the White House and the Capitol and be replaced with an Israeli flag.
Israel has for far too long controlled our foreign policy in regard to the Middle East. In 1967 they deliberately attacked the USS Liberty killing 34 American servicemen and wounding many more. When they got away with this crime they knew they could do anything and the US would do nothing to stop Israeli crimes.
I write as an American Jew who is heartsick and angry about the crimes committed in my name by Israel. It is time to stop Israel and this will only happen if the US stands up for what is right and declares its independence from Israel.