Watermelon Wednesday #12: Israel Fuels Regional Fire

“Bismillaahir-rahmaanir raheem”

(In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful)

TL;DR:

  • Israeli airstrikes expanded into Iranian territory this week, targeting nuclear sites with plans to intensify. Experts suggest the goal may be regime change.
  • Israel killed over 280 Palestinians (many near aid sites), imposed an internet blackout in Gaza, seized the Madleen, and assaulted medics and civilians.
  • The UN and multiple countries condemned Israel’s actions as “extermination”. World leaders urged Israel-Iran dialogue as markets fell and oil prices surged due to their conflict.
  • Meanwhile, the Trump administration praised Israeli strikes on Iran and imposed sanctions on Palestinian groups.

Takeaways:

  • Israel is showing wild aggression against both Iran and Palestinians.
  • Leaders worldwide are urging for Iran-Israel dialogue and Palestinian peace.
  • Israel’s assault of Iran has resulted in damaged global markets.
  • Trump is hypocritically supporting Israeli strikes in Iran and demanding negotiations

As your constituents we expect you to:

  • Advocate policies for market stability.
  • Challenge leadership hypocrisy.
  • Courageously support peaceful solutions here and beyond.

Assault Sprawls

  • While Gaza’s suffering continues, Israel sparks a regional conflict with Iran.
    • 6/12 – Israel conducted several waves of airstrikes across Iran, targeting nuclear and military sites. [NYT]
    • 6/14 – Israel continues assault on Iran for a second day, with Prime Minister Netanyahu vowing to intensify the campaign. [Reuters]
    • 6/14 – Michael Singh (Washington Institute for Near East Policy): Israel’s strikes suggest a goal of regime change in Iran. [Reuters]
  • Israel continues weaponizing aid sites to kill hungry aid-seeking Palestinians, while it assaults medics and West Bank residents.
    • 6/8 – 6/14 – Israeli forces killed over 280 Palestinians, many while seeking food near aid distribution sites.
      • 6/8 – >13 killed, >150 injured near two aid sites. [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/10 – >17 killed near an aid site. [Reuters]
      • 6/11 – >120 killed, many near aid points. [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/14 – >79 killed, many near aid sites. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/9 – 3 medics and a journalist killed while rescuing victims in Gaza City. [Reuters]
    • 6/9 – UK doctor returning from Gaza: Israeli bombing is “worse than ever.” [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/11 – Two unarmed Palestinian brothers shot dead by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/12 – Former UN aid chief: “Food has become an opportunity for killing.” [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/13 – UNRWA reports >665,000 displaced since March 18 and 317 staff killed. [UNRWA]
  • Israel detains aid-givers, risks violating Jewish values, and blocks Gaza’s internet.
    • 6/9 – Israeli forces seized the charity vessel “Madleen,” which was en route to Gaza carrying activists. [AP]
    • 6/10 – 12 – Greta Thunberg and 8 other pro-Palestinian activists, including a French MEP, soon to be deported from Israel. [Reuters, Reuters]
    • 6/11 – Israeli government signals possible conscription of ultra-Orthodox seminary students, destabilizing internal politics. [Reuters]
    • 6/12 – Full internet blackout in Gaza, paralyzing aid coordination and communication. [Reuters]

Israel conducted several waves of airstrikes against Iran. [Al Jazeera]

Escalation Pushback

  • Groups (including the UN, countries, and the ICRC) slam Israel for its campaign of “extermination”.
    • 6/9 – UN: Most flour delivered to Gaza has been looted or taken by starving Palestinians. [Reuters]
    • 6/9 – Red Cross ICRC: Gaza’s healthcare system is “extremely fragile.” [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/10 – UN: Israel committed the crime against humanity of “extermination” by killing civilians in schools and mosques. [UN]
    • 6/10 – UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway imposed sanctions on two far-right Israeli ministers for inciting West Bank violence. [AP]
    • 6/13 – UN: U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation is a “failure.” [Al Jazeera]
  • The world urges Israel-Iran dialogue, while the conflict hinders economies globally.
    • 6/13 – Germany called on Israel and Iran to avoid escalation. [Reuters]
    • 6/13 – China urged de-escalation for regional peace/stability. [Reuters]
    • 6/13 – UN Secretary-General condemned Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites during ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. [Reuters]
    • 6/13 – UN nuclear watchdog chief called for restraint from both sides. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/14 – Pope Leo appealed for both countries to pursue dialogue. [Reuters]
    • 6/14 – Putin condemned Israel’s operations in Iran and warned of escalation. [CBS]
    • 6/13 – Stock markets fell and oil prices surged due to Israel-Iran airstrikes. [Reuters]

Head of a nuclear watchdog calls Israel’s ambassador at the UN. [Al Jazeera]

Policy Hypocrisy

  • Trump praises Israel’s assault of Iran, while continuing its support of Gaza’s extermination.
    • 6/10 – Trump imposed sanctions on a Palestinian human rights organization and 5 charity groups in the ME and Europe. [Mondoweiss]
    • 6/10 – Washington’s Israel ambassador said an independent Palestine was not a US foreign policy goal. [Reuters]
    • 6/11 – US judge: Trump cannot use US foreign policy interests to justify detainment of Mahmoud Khalil. [ABC]
    • 6/13 – Trump: Israeli strike on Iran was “excellent”, warning there was more to come, saying “the next already planned attacks” are “even more brutal”. [Reuters, Reuters]
    • 6/14 – Iran to the US: “You cannot claim to negotiate” and simultaneously allow Israel to target Iran’s territory. [Reuters]

Trump has called Israel’s strikes on Iran “excellent” and warns of more to come. [Reuters]

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