In a live report on Iranian TV, a reporter said that Egyptians who where planning on demonstrating on the Israeli border are being prevented by the Egyptian Army.
Egyptians say they chartered dozens of buses to take them to the border along Gaza. However, those bus companies say they have been ordered by the Egyptian Army not to do so.
In the past week many Egyptians made statements about protesting Israel on May 15. They even asked for the Egyptian Army to support them in their demonstrations. Reports that the new Egyptian government is trying to block such anti-Israel demonstrations shows that new government is not in line with the Egyptian people. Egyptians say they will find other ways to get to the Israeli border.
Israeli media reporting that U.S. President Barack Obama will announce a new U.S. Middle East policy, before his visit with the Israeli Prime Minister next week.
Reports say Obama’s new policy is in response to the drastic changes taking place in the Middle East, and North Africa.
When Obama became President he made promises about peace between Israel and Palestine, but some Israeli analysts say he failed to keep that promise. Any new policy he comes up with, they think will fall short: “…will lay out some very well known parameters and call in the parties to negotiate, but it won’t be a full blown plan.”-Dr. Jonathan Rynhold, Bar-Ilan University
President Obama’s man for peace in the Middle East throws in the towel, just in time for a massive May 15 march on Israeli borders by Egyptians, Jordanians and Lebanese.
There are yet to be any official statements about George Mitchell’s resignation. There is speculation that the unification of Palestinian political parties Hamas and Fatah (and other groups) is a factor.
The Israeli government recently said that with Fatah united with Hamas, there could be no more peace talks.
An Idaho political commentator was interviewed by Iranian PressTV, which aired on May 13.
Controversial Mark Glenn, high school teacher turned political commentator, stated that United States foreign policy is controlled by corporate America, and Israel: “…with Tel Aviv as well we have to keep in mind that this is a two-headed beast, it’s not just the U.S. and her political/business interests.”
Glenn also said that corporate capitalism and true democracy are not compatible: “Where there is freedom as far as capitalism goes where there is true freedom to choose, capitalism cannot thrive. Capitalism as much as we are told it is a supporter of a free market and competition, in true essence it is not. We do not want the people to have the opportunity to choose for themselves to make choices in their own best interests and so America at the highest political level is not in the least bit interested to have any form of democracy- it is the iron fist in a velvet glove.”
Events in the Middle East and North Africa will only make the U.S. government more aggressive: “…if the U.S. and Israel manage to lose control of these governments in that part of the world they are going to up the ante as the saying goes and they are going to apply even more desperate measures to maintain the kind of control that they have enjoyed…”
Israeli officials are concerned about upcoming Nakba demonstrations by Palestinians, Egyptians, Jordanians and Lebanese. The demonstrations come one day after Israel celebrates its so called “Independence”.
Israelis are increasing military and police forces along their borders with Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon. They have also banned access to Al-Aqsa Mosque (aka Temple Mount). Only men more than 45 years old, and having Israeli ID will be allowed in.
Israeli officials say intelligence has picked up a huge increase in internet and cell phone activity between Palestinians. In Gaza alone, officials expect at least a quarter million demonstrators on May 15.
Palestinian media reporting that the Queen of England has sent the President of Israel a message of support for Israel’s anniversary, and encouragement for the coming year.
No messages have been sent to Palestinian officials, regarding the upcoming Nakba anniversary, or the unification of Hamas and Fatah.
A day after Israel invades northern Gaza, Egypt says it will open its border with Gaza.
Egypt will allow aid convoys to enter Gaza. Prior to the Egyptian Revolution, Egyptian President Mubarak closed the border, in cooperation with Israel.
Mubarak’s government also worked with Israel to keep Hamas and Fatah separated. The new transitional government of Egypt worked to bring Hamas and Fatah together, which greatly angered Israel.
The first aid convoys are planned to cross the Gaza border on May 15 (the anniversary of the Nakba, Israeli occupation of Palestinian land).
Israeli ground troops have invaded the northern half of Gaza, Wednesday, May 11. Reports say troops, tanks and armored bulldozers are advancing towards Gaza City.
Israeli officials say they are destroying “possible tunnels”. Palestinians think the Israelis are trying to provoke action by Gazans, that would then be used to justify a larger military operation.
Recently Hamas and Fatah unified, a move deplored by the Israeli government. Israel responded by withholding Palestinian taxes (which Israel controls) from the government of Palestine.