Videos - Video - Collaborative

Gideon Levy on Israel's addiction

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:55:39 -0500

Levy: Israel is in a "coma" and needs outside help to get over its addiction to the occupation ---- Gideon Levy, one of the most prominent Israeli journalists working with Ha'aretz speaks to The Real News' Lia Tarachansky about Israel's addiction to the occupation of the Palestinian Territories. He says there are two ways to deal with a drug addict, you can either help them get more drugs, and this may be perceived as care, but it is not friendship. A real friend helps the drug addict get over their addiction. Levy says the Jewish lobby has decided to take the former route, but he is hoping that the United States and the Obama Administration will take the latter.

Israel: Remote control occupation?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:53:15 -0500

Baum: New technologies are allowing Israel to maintain control over its occupation remotely ----- This week, the chief Palestinian negotiator, Saeb Erakat, announced that because Israeli settlements continue to grow (with de facto US support) and annex the land planned for a future Palestine, the Palestinians may have to abandon hopes for an independent state. He therefore urged Palestinians to fight for one democratic state where all citizens will be equal. With this announcement, many are wondering what the future of the Israeli occupation would look like. Meanwhile, Israel is continuing its technological evolution of the occupation, making it possible to institutionalize control over the occupation remotely. At the end of October, the joint Israeli-Palestinian Alternative Information Center held a conference in Bethlehem on economy of the occupation. The Real News' Lia Tarachansky attended and spoke to Dalit Baum of Who Profits and Shir Hever, of the Alternative Information Center about the changing face of the Israeli occupation.

The True Cost of the Occupation

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:12:20 -0500

Hever: The Israeli government is hiding the true cost of the occupation even from itself. ------ After US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to Jerusalem this weekend, the US-mediated peace talks threaten to collapse. Meanwhile Israel ramps up its occupation of the Palestinian Territories. The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported last Friday that at least 11 locations within settlement colonies in the West Bank are escalating construction in order to alter "facts on the ground." In October, the joint Israeli-Palestinian organization, Alternative Information Center, organized a conference on the economy of the Israeli occupation in Bethlehem. The Real News' Lia Tarachansky attended and spoke to the AIC's Shir Hever about the real costs of maintaining Israel's occupation. Bio Shir Hever is an economic researcher in the Alternative Information Center, a Palestinian-Israeli organization active in Jerusalem and Beit-Sahour. Researching the economic aspect of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories, some of his research topics include international aid to the Palestinians and Israel, the effects of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories on the Israeli economy, and the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaigns against Israel. He is a frequent speaker on the topic of the economy of the Israeli occupation.

Prosecuting Israel for war crimes

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:11:19 -0400

Deputy Prosecutor of Int'l Criminal Court discusses the Palestinian Authority appeal to join the court. September 4, 2009 ---- Description: Lia Tarachansky speaks to Fatou Bensouda, the Deputy Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) about the Palestinian Authority's appeal to join the group of nations over which the court has jurisdiction. Bensouda says that before the ICC can investigate the perpetration of war crimes during Israel's recent attack on Gaza, the court would have to rule on whether it has jurisdiction in the Palestinian Territories. For that, there would have to be clear borders identified, a task the UN would have to take on. Once the court rules on jurisdiction it would be able to prosecute anyone who committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide within the territory, even if (such as in the case of Israel) the perpetrator is not part of the International Court. Bio Fatou Bensouda was elected in 2004 to the post of Deputy Prosecutor by the Assembly of State Parties of the International Criminal Court. She is in charge of the Prosecution Division of the Office of the Prosecutor. Prior to joining the International Criminal Court, Bensouda served as the Senior Legal Advisor and Head of The Legal Advisory Unit at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Before that, she was the Minister of Justice of The Gambia.

Israel restrict Palestinians' water supply

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:59:26 -0400

World Bank report: Israelis have access to four times as much water as Palestinians due to restrictions --- Description of Video: After World Bank issues report, commissioned by the Palestinian Authority on the condition of water accessibility in the West Bank, Israel claims the reports authors are biased. To understand the conditions on the ground, how they've been addressed, and whether the so-called peace process succeeded in addressing them, The Real News speaks to LifeSource Project, a non-profit organization focusing solely on the issue of water. Susan Koppelman and Taysir Arabasi tell The Real News' Lia Tarachansky the Mountain Aquifer, the biggest supply of fresh underground water is pumped by Israel even though it lies almost entirely in the West Bank. They also speak about restrictions on Palestinians to dig water wells, and their dependence on the Israeli national water corporation, Mekorot.

Homeless in East Jerusalem

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:45:58 -0400

On Aug 2nd Israeli police evicted Palestinian families from E. Jerusalem, but could the reverse happen? --- Description of Video: On August 2nd, Israeli riot and border police evicted two Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem, claiming the land on which their houses were built belongs to Jews. The court ruling was the result of a Jewish settlers' association claiming there were Jewish inhabitants in the region in the 1930s. The Real News spoke to the evicted families, and to Stephen Lendman, Research Associate at the Center for Research on Globalization about whether the same could happen to Jewish families.

Who profits from Israeli occupation?

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:11:49 -0400

Boycotted by activists, the Israeli company AHAVA is backed by one of Israel's most powerful families ------------------- After the Israeli attack on Gaza earlier this year, the international Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Campaign (BDS Movement) escalated all around the world. Now, activists are targeting AHAVA, an Israeli cosmetics company founded by and based in an Israeli settlement in the Occupied West Bank. The AHAVA company, as many others in Israel that are based in the Palestinian Territories or profit from their occupation are owned by the powerful Israel family - the Livnat family. The Real News investigates how the family's dynasty is invested in the economy of the occupation.

Terrorism "suspect" talking with Karzai

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 16:00:58 -0400

Youssef: It's unclear how lists, identifying former GITMO detainees as "returned terrorists," are made. Bio Nancy Youssef is McClatchy Newspapers' chief Pentagon correspondent. She spent the past four years covering the Iraq war, most recently as Baghdad bureau chief. Her pieces focused on the everyday Iraqi experience, civilian causalities and how the US' military strategy was reshaping Iraq's social and political dynamics. While at the Free Press, she traveled throughout Jordan and Iraq for Knight Ridder, covering the Iraq war from the time leading up to it through the post-war period.

Israeli troops attack Gaza City

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 18:18:29 -0400

As Israeli troops close in on Gaza City, clashes with various Palestinian fighters intensify. Sameh Habeeb, a photojournalist based in Gaza City, reports, shortages of water, food, gas and fuel have left many with nothing but what they have stored from before the attack began. Habeeb says the Israeli army has been warning Palestinians to evacuate in advance of bombings, but explains that for the majority of the people, they have nowhere to go. While Habeeb was describing the mushrooming humanitarian crisis in Gaza City, his house was being shelled by the unending violence between the IDF and the Hamas forces.

"Natural growth" of Israeli settlements

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:36:39 -0400

Israeli settlement construction, including "natural growth," obstacle to a two-state solution ---- After U.S. President Obama?s Cairo address to the Muslim World, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to the possibility of establishing a Palestinian state under what?s called the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But access to water and land, amongst other issues raise serious questions about the feasibility of a Palestinian state, considering that more than half of the West Bank is already annexed by Israeli outposts and settlements.

Middle East reacts to Obama

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:10:55 -0400

Israeli and Palestinian commentators, analysts, and politicians respond to Obama's Cairo speech ---- In what some call ?the most important speech since his taking office,? U.S. President Obama addressed the so-called Muslim world from Cairo on Thursday. His remarked were received with mixed feelings all over the region, and especially in Israel/Palestine. Commentators from the far Israeli right to the far left, from Hamas to the Palestinian Authority filled the media world with interpretations and opinions.

A world without nuclear weapons?

Tue, 12 May 2009 00:55:08 -0400

Schell Pt2: Obama must take concrete steps if he wants to achieve a world without nuclear weapons ---- Jonathan Schell, writer for The Nation and professor at The New School in New York City speaks to Paul Jay about what a world without nuclear weapons might look like. He says to move there, the United States must commit to a nuclear weapons convention, like other countries. He also explains that for this to happen, the hegemony of nine countries being in the "nuclear club" will have to change. Bio Based in New York City, USA, Jonathan Schell is a renowned anti-nuclear activist, prolific journalist, lecturer and best-selling author. He is a frequent contributor to The Nation, The New Yorker, Harper?s Magazine and Atlantic Monthly. He is also the author of The Fate of the Earth, nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Schell is a board member of IWT - The Real News.

Netanyahu Addresses AIPAC

Thu, 07 May 2009 01:59:19 -0400

Palestinians say Netanyahu not serious about restarting negotiations ---- oe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu address more than 60 ambassadors and over half the US Congress at the AIPAC conference Monday night. As Netanyahu reiterated that he will be a partner for peace for Palestinians, several Palestinian leaders ask what this really means.

Derrick Jensen on Washington IMF protest

Sun, 03 May 2009 23:52:01 -0400

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Sunday, April 26th, 2009, a final march was held in protest of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank representatives' meeting. A weekend of demonstrations and direct actions was held to demonstrate people's anger at the policies of these financial institutions, as well as the recently allocated $1.1 trillion bailout to the IMF by the countries of the G-20.

Too big to fail, too big to be privately owned

Sun, 03 May 2009 23:50:58 -0400

Wolff Pt2: Auto industry affects the whole society, it's too significant for private ownership May 2, 2009 ---- Description: Richard Wolff, Economist and Professor at the New School in New York City, speaks to Paul Jay about the reform needed to pull the United States out of crisis. "If we say something is too important to let it die, too big to fail, then we're saying it's so important to the society as a whole, but if it's that important, it can't be in the hands of a few people in the first place. If you're too big to fail, your too big to be in private hands." He goes on to suggest that if there is chaos in the US economy, the rest of the world will have chaos as well. "We have an unknown situation, the outcome of which could be very bad, we actually have a vision of that already, Mexico, it's a society in free fall."

Israel only listens to its own

Thu, 02 Apr 2009 22:59:28 -0400

Nissenbaum: Israel's skepticism of UN means it will probably only examine reports from its own soldiers --

Description

Dion Nissenbaum, Jerusalem bureau chief of McClatchy Newspapers speaks to The Real News about the accusation that Israel committed war crimes in its recent attack on Gaza. He says, "I'm not sure what impact this UN report is going to have." He continues to explain, "I think the only thing that the Israeli government will look at is reports from Israeli soldiers. Israel has always been skeptical of the United Nations, the international press, and they are certainly skeptical of what comes out of the Palestinians.

Bio Dion Nissenbaum covers the Middle East as Jerusalem bureau chief on his blog. Dion has covered the conflict in Iraq, working as both an embedded reporter with the U.S. Marines and as a unilateral reporter based in Baghdad. In 2004, Dion helped cover the landmark Palestinian elections after the death of Yasser Arafat.

Barak joins Netanyahu

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:27:12 -0400

Labour joins Likud in spite of disagreements on the peace process, and strong opposition from within

Dion Nissenbaum speaks to The Real News about the merging of Ehud Barak's Labour party with the Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party into the ruling right wing coalition. Barak's decision to join the coalition was a contentious one that has split the party in disagreement. "There was a lot of talk today in the Israeli newspapers about this being the death of the labour party. There were a lot of people who thought that if they went into the opposition, that it would have been the death of Labour anyway because they only have 13 seats." Speaking on the strong disagreements between Labour and Likud in regarding to the so-called Peace Process, "I would say that people are pretty pessimistic about an Israeli - Palestinian deal happening no matter who is in power on either side."

Bio

Dion Nissenbaum covers the Middle East as Jerusalem bureau chief on his blog. Dion has covered the conflict in Iraq, working as both an embedded reporter with the U.S. Marines and as a unilateral reporter based in Baghdad. In 2004, Dion helped cover the landmark Palestinian elections after the death of Yasser Arafat.

Insurance lobby reform met with protest Pt.2

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:07:47 -0400

America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) organized the 2009 Policy Forum while groups protested outside -- As insurance lobbyists met with practitioners, business leaders, and insurance industry representatives last week, several groups organized a protest outside of the Ritz-Carleton hotel, where America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) held its 2009 Policy Forum. Standing outside the hotel, Donna Smith, organizer for the California Nurses Association and one of the people featured in Michael Moore's documentary Sicko told Real News her story. Meanwhile, inside, several delegates spoke of their impressions of the health care reform proposed by AHIP and that put forward by the Obama administration.

Protest meets health insurance lobby

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:05:11 -0400

Lobby group speaks against public health care at AHIP insurance forum -- "We believe the health insurance industry is trying to buy their way onto the table with health care reform," says Carmen Balber of Consumer Watchdog at a protest against the American Health Insurance Plans' 2009 Policy Forum. "We see this in two big points," she goes on to explain, "one which is a mandate that would require individuals to purchase private health insurance... and secondly we know the insurance industry is trying to block any sort of public option for the American people. They don't want the competition, so we're here to call out the insurance industry for trying to buy Congress' position."

Two years recession, or ten years of hell?

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:03:34 -0400

F William Engdahl: US economy has been hollowed out over the last 15 years and debt load is staggering -- In this first segment of the interview, Paul Jay discusses how the global economic crisis will impact Europe with author and political economist William Engdahl. Engdahl says Italy is experiencing the worst economic crisis it has seen in 30 years, and the British economy is ?falling off a cliff.? He says the European situation is ?differentiated,? that ?it?s a little bit different from what?s going on in North America, especially in the United States.? In Europe, he explains, ?it is more an indirect knock-on effect of the United States financial meltdown.? He says the question now is whether the European Union is going to try and decouple its dependency on the US dollar and begin to form regional currency blocks like many nations around the world are starting to do. Bio F William Engdahl is an economist and author and the writer of the best selling book "A Century of War: Anglo-American Oil Politics and the New World Order." Mr Engdhahl has written on issues of energy, politics and economics for more than 30 years, beginning with the first oil shock in the early 1970s. Mr. Engdahl contributes regularly to a number of publications including Asia Times Online, Asia, Inc, Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Foresight magazine; Freitag and ZeitFragen newspapers in Germany and Switzerland respectively. He is based in Germany.

Why is Obama leaving 50,000 troops in Iraq?

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:36 -0400

Porter: Number of troops left in Iraq after Aug '10 throws into doubt the withdrawal itself -- Gareth Porter says Obama's speech at Camp Lejeaune, which was supposed to explain the President's plan to end the war in Iraq is "not doing what it said it's doing." Porter says the speech creates the, "rationale for a longer term US engagement in Iraq." Responding to Obama pledging a residual force of 35,000-50,000 non-combat troops, Porter says that, "they are combat troops to a great extent... What we're really talking about is what has been referred to as a "rapid reaction force," says Porter, explaining it will consist of, "one, maybe two or more combat brigade teams." Part two of this interview will be published on Wednesday, March 4. Bio Gareth Porter is a historian and investigative journalist on US foreign and military policy analyst. He writes regularly for Inter Press Service on US policy towards Iraq and Iran. Author of four books, the latest of which is Perils of Dominance: Imbalance of Power and the Road to War in Vietnam.

Non-combat combat troops

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:58:01 -0400

Bennis: Rebranding will not change fact that US troops in Iraq will be involved in combat -- Speaking to President Obama's announcement of withdrawing US combat troops from Iraq within 18 months, Phyllis Bennis says, "Obama says that the combat mission will end but combat will not end. When you leave 50,000 troops on the ground in a volatile, war-like situation, there is going to be combat." Part 2 of this interview will be published shortly. Bio Phyllis Bennis is a Senior Analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington DC. She is the author of Before and After: US Foreign Policy and the September 11 Crisis , Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power. and Understanding the US-Iran Crisis: A Primer.

Why are we in Afghanistan? Pt.2

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:56:15 -0400

The Real News Cafe: Recorded live at the Gladstone in Toronto, a Real News panel takes on the Afghan war -- This is the second segment of a multi-part series on the Afghan war. Sunil Ram, Tariq Amin-Khan and Paul Jay discuss the premises and impact of the US and NATO war in Afghanistan. Other segments will follow throughout the week. Bio Tariq Amin-Khan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Politics and Public Administration at Ryerson University. In addition to a Ph.D. in Social and Political Thought from York University in Toronto, he holds a Master?s degree in South Asian Studies from the University of Toronto, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Karachi in Pakistan. The title of his doctoral thesis is Theorizing the Post-Colonial State in the Era of Capitalist Globalism.

Dangerous decisions in Afghanistan Pt. 1

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:54:06 -0400

Ahmad: Obama's decision to add troops and arm Afghan militias is dangerous - Sharmini Peries speaks with Senior Analyst Aijaz Ahmad about the dangers of the long-term US involvement in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Ahmad says the only way for Obama to proceed in the region is to withdraw US military presence there and strengthen regional powers for a stable Afghanistan. Bio Based in New Delhi, Aijaz Ahmad is The Real News Network's Senior News Analyst; Senior Editorial Consultant, and political commentator for the Indian newsmagazine, Frontline. He has taught Political Science, and has written widely on South Asia and the Middle East.

Israeli troops admit abuses in Gaza

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:50:37 -0400

Bennis: Public discourse about alleged Israeli war crimes is a break-through, as soldiers speak Bio Phyllis Bennis is a Senior Analyst at the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington DC. She is the author of Before and After: US Foreign Policy and the September 11 Crisis , Challenging Empire: How People, Governments, and the UN Defy US Power. and Understanding the US-Iran Crisis: A Primer.

Bolivia's Constitution and land reform Pt2

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:35:47 -0500

Thomson: The recently passed constitution in Bolivia marks significant concessions by Morales ----- To understand the significance of the recently passed referendum in Bolivia, Sharmini Peries speaks to Sinclair Thomson, co-author of Revolutionary Horizons. Thomson says, ?one of the interesting things about this document, is that it is a compromised document. It?s the outcome of a struggle between popular social forces and the government on the one hand and right-wing opposition forces based in the lowlands of Bolivia.? He concludes that, ?this document represents the interests of both sides.? He continues to say that, ?this Constitution is disappointing for indigenous peoples because it doesn?t allow for the redistribution of existing large-scale agricultural estates,? but explains the reform will affect future ones. Another major change introduced with the referendum is a new limit on the presidential reelection term, largely, Thomson says, because of a propaganda campaign the right wing opposition waged against Evo Morales, portraying him as a dictator. Bio Sinclair Thomson is an Associate Professor at New York University?s Department of History. He is the author of We Alone Will Rule: Native Andean Politics in the Age of Insurgency (2003) and co-author of Revolutionary Horizons: Past and Present in Bolivian Politics (2007).

Historic referendum passes in Bolivia Pt1

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:34:19 -0500

Thomson: New Bolivian Constitution marks first recognition of indigenous autonomy in 500 years ---- Sinclair Thomson discusses the passing of a historic referendum in Bolivia that saw an over 60% support from the population. The referendum is precedent setting as, he says, ?this is the first time Bolivia ever had a popular democratic vote on a constitution.? He explains that the referendum was an ?intensely fought over campaign, and yet at the end it is a very solid victory. This Constitution came about as a result of a wave of uprisings against neo-liberal governments and the presence of transnational firms who exploit natural gas.? He continued to explain the referendum ?is going to reconsolidate State control over strategic natural resources in the country,? and that ?though it compromised a lot of [indigenous peoples?] demands, it recognizes their rights, and for the first time, their autonomy.? Bio Sinclair Thomson is an Associate Professor at New York University?s Department of History. He is the author of We Alone Will Rule: Native Andean Politics in the Age of Insurgency (2003) and co-author of Revolutionary Horizons: Past and Present in Bolivian Politics (2007).

Obama, hope and expectations

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:22:02 -0500

Bill Fletcher on the 'heresy' of critiquing Obama and what he wants Obama to do ------ Bio Bill Fletcher, Jr. is a columnist, activist, author and labor organizer. He is the Executive Editor of The Black Commentator and his newest book, cowritten with Fernando Gapasin, is entitled "Solidarity Divided: The Crisis in Organized Labor and a New Path Toward Social Justice". He is the a cofounder of the Center for Labor Renewal, has served as President of TransAfrica Forum and was formerly the Education Director and later Assistant to the President of the AFL-CIO.

The cult of the presidency Pt.2/2

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:19:29 -0500

Matt Welch: The US treats its presidents like kings ------ Paul Jay speaks to Matt Welch, Editor-in-Chief of Reason magazine, in an effort to understand what President Obama?s inaugural speech and first days in office signify. Welch says Obama is going to maintain much of Bush?s second term politics, which saw him more willing to talk to regimes that were ?unfavorable? to the United States. Bio Matt Welch is a journalist, blogger, pundit, and libertarian. Since 2008, he has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the monthly journal, Reason. From 2006 to 2007, he was the Editorial Page Editor for the Los Angeles Times. Welch has also written a portrayal of the Republican 2008 presidential candidate John McCain from a libertarian perspective. In McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, Welch argues that a McCain presidency would have advanced a statist agenda.

The cult of the presidency Pt.1/2

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 20:18:16 -0500

Matt Welch: How will George W. Bush?s concept of the "unitary executive" play out under Barack Obama? ---------- To understand how the power of the head of state has changed in the United States, Paul Jay speaks to Matt Welch, Editor-in-Chief of Reason magazine. Welch says that, ?Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were the first ?progressive? reformers who started the process of bringing monarchial symbols to the presidency. George W. Bush famously came up with the idea of the unitary executive, whereby the president is somehow constitutionally above the law. What is interesting about Barack Obama is that he started his campaign as someone who attacked that aspect of the presidency, but then stopped talking about it. During the inauguration speech Obama said ?we reject the false choice between security and our ideals,? but supported Bush in his overriding of the rejected bailout to the auto industry. Bio Matt Welch is a journalist, blogger, pundit, and libertarian. Since 2008, he has served as the Editor-in-Chief of the monthly journal, Reason. From 2006 to 2007, he was the Editorial Page Editor for the Los Angeles Times. Welch has also written a portrayal of the Republican 2008 presidential candidate John McCain from a libertarian perspective. In McCain: The Myth of a Maverick, Welch argues that a McCain presidency would have advanced a statist agenda.