Watermelon Wednesday #13: A Criminal’s Aggressive “Self-Defense”

By /

“Bismillaahir-rahmaanir raheem”

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

Watermelon Wednesday is a weekly brief shared with our elected officials to ensure they are aware of Israel’s aggression, the Palestinian experience, and our country’s complicity in this genocide and international war crimes.

TL;DR:

  • Israel initiated an air conflict with Iran, with hundreds of Iranian casualties and tens of Israeli casualties. Palestinians in Israel say they never felt safe.
  • Even while fighting abroad, Israel amplifies its atrocities closer, killing over 500 in Gaza, many near aid sites. 
  • Global voices urge de-escalation as nuclear watchdog finds no evidence Iran is building a bomb.
  • Trump’s unwavering support for Israel fuels division at home, as he silences pro-Palestinian voices and dismisses US intelligence on Iran’s nuclear program — all while war abroad drives up oil and sinks markets.

Takeaways:

  • Israel is causing havoc in the Middle East, recognized by many other countries…
  • …Israel is killing scores both abroad and in Gaza, with many killed seeking aid…
  • …all as Trump supports Israel, silences dissent, and damages oil and stock markets.

As your constituents we expect your work to:

  • Push the safeguarded stability of our economy and livelihoods.
  • Not fund foreign conflicts that harm us.
  • Champion diplomatic efforts to support peace worldwide.

Two Fronts, One Aggressor

  • As Israel agresses Iran, it undermines Palestinians within its own borders...
    • 6/15 – Israel put the West Bank under lockdown, sealing entrances with iron gates and concrete barriers. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/16 – Palestinians in Israel say they never felt safe, even with Israel’s defense system. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/17 – “Not for you”: Israeli shelters exclude Palestinians. [Al Jazeera] 
    • 6/19 – Israel accused Iran of “war crimes” after it attacked an Israeli hospital, while Israel attacked nearly every Gazan hospital. [Al Jazeera]
  • …and continues its assault in Gaza against aid-seekers. 
    • Over 540 Palestinians killed across Gaza, with hundreds wounded, many near aid sites:
      • 6/15 – 59 killed (17 near aid sites). [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/16 – >56 killed (38 near aid sites). [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/17 – >70 killed, hundreds wounded near aid sites. [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/18 – >140 killed, many near aid sites. [Reuters]
      • 6/19 – >92 killed, many near aid sites. [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/20 – >82 killed, many near aid sites. [Al Jazeera]
      • 6/21 – >44 killed, many near aid sites; water scarcity worsening. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – 680,000 displaced in Gaza since March 18. [UNRWA]
  • Even while the Israel-Iran conflict surges, the world calls out Israel’s atrocities in Gaza.
    • 6/16 – Gaza is declared among “Hunger Hotspots” by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). [UN]
    • 6/16 – Doctors Without Borders is pleading to EU leaders to pressure Israel to end its siege on Gaza. [MSF]
    • 6/19 – 9 EU countries called for discussion on how to discontinue EU trade with illegal Israeli settlements. [Reuters]
    • 6/19 – Norwegian Refugee Council: 1 million Gazans without adequate shelter. [NRC]
    • 6/20 – EU: there were indications that Israel has breached its human rights obligations. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – UN kept Israel on its blacklist of countries that committed abuses against children in armed conflict, for a second year. [Al Jazeera]

Israel accused Iran of war crimes, while Israel has destroyed nearly every hospital in Gaza. [Al Jazeera]

Power Plays, Civilian Fallout

  • Israel unleashes unprovoked airstrikes on Iran, killing hundreds, vastly outpacing Iran’s retaliation.
    • 6/15 – Israel and Iran exchanged attacks. [Reuters]
    • 6/15 – Israel struck Mashhad Hashemi Nejad airport, Iran. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/16 – Israel: “The residents of Tehran will have to pay the price of dictatorship…” [Reuters]
    • 6/16 – Israeli strike hit Iran’s broadcasting authority mid-broadcast. [Reuters]
    • 6/16 – Thousands in Tehran are fleeing and stockpiling for fear of Israel’s airstrike campaign. [Reuters]
    • 6/16 – Iran: most victims of Israeli attacks are civilians. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/18 – Anti-Iranian hacking group destroyed $90M from Iran’s Bank Sepah. [CNBC]
    • 6/18 – Iran: any US intervention would risk “all-out war”. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/19 – Israel struck Iran’s unfinished Arak heavy water reactor. [BBC]
    • 6/20 – Attack on Bushehr nuclear plant could cause nuclear disaster. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – Israel said it won’t stop until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – Iraq: 50 Israeli warplanes violated airspace. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – Third hospital damaged in Tehran; Israel vows intensified raids. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/21 – >430 people killed in Iran by Israel; >25 people killed in Israel by Iran. [Al Jazeera]
  • Israel’s aggression affects economies and livelihood worldwide — including the US.
    • 6/15 – Netanyahu said regime change in Iran could result from Israel’s attacks. [Reuters]
    • 6/15 – Iran: Israeli attacks couldn’t have happened without U.S. support. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/19 – Iran could shut the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. [Reuters]
    • 6/19 – JP Morgan: Strait of Hormuz closure could raise oil to $120–$130/barrel. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – Brent crude oil up 20% amid tensions. [Reuters]
  • Even amongst tangling alliances, a myriad of international voices, excluding the US, urge de-escalation and caution.
    • 6/17 – China, UAE, Russia, and France voiced concern over Israel’s actions against Iran. [Reuters, Reuters, Reuters, Reuters]
    • 6/18–6/19 – UK, Qatar, and Germany urged de-escalation and moderation. [Reuters]
    • 6/19 – IAEA chief: no evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon. [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/20 – Mass evacuations from Israel and Iran by over 20 countries, including the US, Germany, China, India, Japan, and others. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – UN Secretary-General warned the conflict could ignite a “fire no one can control.” [UN]
    • 6/21 – Turkey accused Israel of sabotaging upcoming nuclear talks with the US by striking beforehand. [Reuters]

Thousands of Iranians have had to flee due to escalating fighting between Iran and Israel. [Reuters]

Trump Escalates, Cracks Show

  • Trump is Netanyahu’s “subcontractor”, as he goes against his Director of Intelligence and as thousands dissent.
    • 6/15 – Thousands protested Trump nationwide ahead of his military parade. [Reuters]
    • 6/19 – Sen. Van Hollen: Netanyahu made America a “subcontractor.” [Al Jazeera]
    • 6/20 – Trump labeled pro-Palestinian protestors, including Jews, as antisemitic and extremist sympathizers. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – U.S. Supreme Court ruled American victims can sue Palestinian authorities in U.S. courts. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – Director of National Intelligence: Iran not building a nuclear weapon; Trump: “she’s wrong.” [CBS]
    • 6/20 – Sen. Bernie Sanders: U.S. aiding Israel would be “catastrophic.” [Al Jazeera]
  • Fighting in the Middle East directly impacts livelihoods and finances at home.
    • 6/16 – Dollar weakened due to Israel-Iran fighting. [Reuters]
    • 6/20 – U.S. equity funds saw largest weekly outflow in 3 months. [Reuters]
    • 6/21 – Trump ordered a strike on Iran. [Reuters]
    • 6/21 – The U.S. airstrike triggered potential global market and oil price spikes. [Reuters]

Trump said his director of intelligence was “wrong” regarding Iran’s lack of nuclear weapons. [CBS]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top