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\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nNational security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAccording to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nLobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nBlumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nBlumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nMax Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nAccording to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFrench President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nPotential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nDespite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFrench farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nhe stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFrench farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFrench farmers call for protection of local industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nArnaud Rousseau of FNSEA said on France's Inter radio.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French farmers call for protection of local industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\n\"This trade agreement, which links part of the South American states to Europe, risks having dramatic consequences for agriculture,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Arnaud Rousseau of FNSEA said on France's Inter radio.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French farmers call for protection of local industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nFrench farmers will begin a new series of protests against the EU-Mercosur<\/a> free trade agreement on Monday, according to a statement released by the president of FNSEA, the country's largest farm lobby, on Wednesday. They contend that increased imports from South America will negatively impact agriculture in the European Union<\/a>. This is because Belgian farmers called for protests outside \u200cEU offices in Brussels on Wednesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"This trade agreement, which links part of the South American states to Europe, risks having dramatic consequences for agriculture,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Arnaud Rousseau of FNSEA said on France's Inter radio.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French farmers call for protection of local industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of AIPAC in US-Israel relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that legislators who have little knowledge of the other viewpoint gladly back Netanyahu. He also claimed that due to deeply ingrained biases against Arabs <\/a>and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to US Congress members, who receive regular briefings from the Pentagon to influence their opinions, and that the media is subject to various forms of control. A cease-fire would unavoidably follow if the US imposed a weapons embargo on Israel, he continued, but Washington cannot control Israel. \"An independent presidential candidate free from Israel's influence is almost impossible to emerge in the Democratic Party,\" he stated. Many officials outside of AIPAC's sphere of influence would be threatened with assassination, just as leaders in the Middle East, if they disobey Israel's demands or question its legitimacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategic importance of arms sales to Israel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Blumenthal claimed that the United States has allowed Israel to violate both US and international humanitarian law by providing billions of dollars in weaponry to Israel since October 7, 2023. He maintained that the US may be held accountable for \u200cgenocide and has turned into a complicit party in war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Blumenthal pointed out that Israel permitted 71 trucks to cross through Gaza despite a letter from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Chief Lloyd Austin asking for the daily admission of at least 350 trucks carrying humanitarian aid. He underlined that nations who refuse humanitarian aid should be subject to a halt in the delivery of weapons under US law, but he didn't think Washington would censure Israel. Blumenthal pointed to a Nov. 1 Washington Post article that mentioned evidence of civilian deaths in Gaza brought on by US-made weapons, saying the articles have verifiable information. In Beit Lahiya, for example, where about 100 people were killed, he said, remains of US-made bombs were discovered in a shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying power and political influence in Washington<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
According to Blumenthal, the Pentagon provides material to defense reporters in Washington, and if they object, they risk losing their jobs. He underlined that the US shields Israel from responsibility and thwarts attempts to stop the massacre by using its influence at the UN and the support of other European nations under its control. According to Anadolu Agency, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke about their common concerns on security in Haiti and Somalia, as well as Houthi captives in Yemen. In an interview Friday, Blinken emphasized the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, the US Department of State said. The importance of \"heeding the Haitian government's request to transition the MSS to a UN peacekeeping operation, which will provide sustainable security support for the Haitian people\" was another topic covered by the US official. According to the Anadolu Agency, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits the politicians and compares the network of supporters <\/a>to a powerful mafia leader. Blumenthal claimed that politicians who have little knowledge of the opposition party enthusiastically back Netanyahu. He also claimed that because of long-standing biases against Arabs and Muslims, AIPAC operates in Washington with little opposition. Blumenthal claimed that money from the armaments industry is sent straight to members of the US Congress, that the Pentagon frequently advises them on how to sway opinions, and that the media is subject to many controls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
National security vs. humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with discussing <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"steps to secure the release of all UN, diplomatic, and nongovernmental organization staff detained by the Houthis in Yemen,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
the two presidents also discussed funding alternatives for the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). Somalia has been plagued by terrorist assaults for years, particularly by al-Shabaab, a group associated with al-Qaeda. Blinken conveyed his appreciation to Guterres for his ongoing guidance and teamwork in tackling these issues. According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the six UN human rights employees, five of whom were men and one was a woman, were taken into custody on June 6 together with seven other UN employees.\u00a0<\/p>\n","post_title":"US arms sales to Israel: The unyielding influence of AIPAC lobbying","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"us-arms-sales-to-israel-the-unyielding-influence-of-aipac-lobbying","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7267","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":53},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
\nThe Strait of Hormuz is under the control of Iran. The war in Iran would disrupt global oil supplies and cause prices to rise sharply. This situation has a great impact on \u200cdeveloping nations that depend upon oil imports. Is also a leader in inflation, food shortages, and high poverty levels. The involvement of the US in Russia's and China's interests could result in a larger\u200c war. So all nations should act wisely to bring and maintain peace across the world. <\/p>\n","post_title":"Campaign strategies: Trump and Harris on Israel, Iran, and global security","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"campaign-strategies-trump-and-harris-on-israel-iran-and-global-security","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7274","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7271,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-17 16:41:03","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-17 16:41:03","post_content":"\n
French farmers will begin a new series of protests against the EU-Mercosur<\/a> free trade agreement on Monday, according to a statement released by the president of FNSEA, the country's largest farm lobby, on Wednesday. They contend that increased imports from South America will negatively impact agriculture in the European Union<\/a>. This is because Belgian farmers called for protests outside \u200cEU offices in Brussels on Wednesday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"This trade agreement, which links part of the South American states to Europe, risks having dramatic consequences for agriculture,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Arnaud Rousseau of FNSEA said on France's Inter radio.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
French farmers call for protection of local industries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We are not here to bother the French people; we are here to tell them that we are proud to feed them and continue to produce in France,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
he stated. The planned free trade agreement between South American nations and the EU was referred to as \"a bad agreement\" by the nation's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday because it would permit the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would lead to harmful competition. French farmers' complaints have been exacerbated by weather-related harvest delays, livestock disease outbreaks, and political impasse following a snap election at the beginning of the summer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The role of trade unions in protesting the deal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French farmers demonstrated against a trade agreement<\/a> that would boost South American agricultural imports, claiming it would negatively impact their lives. An initial agreement was reached in 2019 between the European Union and the Mercosur trade bloc, which is made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. However, negotiations faltered because of resistance from farmers and some European governments, which resulted in large-scale protests where they specifically voiced their concerns about the use of pesticides in South American produce.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard's statement that the deal was \"highly unlikely,\" Tuesday's protest in Aurillac, in southern France, marked the beginning of a new wave that is anticipated to spread throughout the European agricultural community amid concerns that it could be finalized at the G20 summit in Brazil on November 18\u201319. In an open letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, a group of more than 600 French legislators stated that the requirements for reaching a deal with the Mercosur bloc \"have not been met.\" The letter was published in Le Monde. The Copa-Cogeca European farmers' association wrote to von der Leyen on Monday, pushing her to reject the Mercosur accord and implement \"a coherent trade policy,\" while French demonstrators blocked the state building in the western commune of Niort last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potential effects on food standards and safety<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The three largest farmer unions in France have pledged to take action in the meantime: When the winter planting season concludes in mid-November, the main French FNSEA has called for widespread protests. In Auch and Agen, two cities in the Southwest of France, Coordination Rurale has pledged \"an agricultural revolt\" <\/a>that would begin on November 19. Meanwhile, the third-largest union, Conf\u00e9d\u00e9ration Paysanne, which is well-known for its anti-globalization views, is also preparing its action against \"free trade agreements.\" Belgian farmers have also planned for protests on Wednesday near the EU headquarters in Brussels. According to V\u00e9ronique Le Floc'h, president of Coordination Rurale, France's second-largest farmers' union, the Mercosur deal could flood the market with imports from South America that are produced under lower environmental and labor standards, while European farmers are worried about the EU's overly stringent environmental regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The future of French farming amid global trade deals<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
French President Emmanuel Macron referred to the agreement as \"outdated\" and \"dreadful\" in March. Since June 28, 1999, negotiations have been a drawn-out and agonizing process. As long as South American producers do not follow the same environmental and health regulations as Europeans, Macron is against any agreement. French farmers, however, have no plans to block roads and highways as they did last year when widespread protests throughout the EU were sparked by resentment about competition from cheaper imports, notably those from EU ally Ukraine, and a regulatory load. The proposed free trade agreement between South American countries and the EU, which would allow the importation of \"99,000 tons of beef, 180,000 tons of sugar, and similar quantities of poultry meat\" and would give local producers a competitive edge, was dubbed \"a bad agreement\" by the country's agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, on Sunday.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Farmers in France expect protests against the EU-Mercosur deal","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"farmers-in-france-expect-protests-against-the-eu-mercosur-deal","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:24","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7271","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7267,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_date_gmt":"2024-11-16 14:33:53","post_content":"\n
According to an expert, the American Israel Political Affairs Committee's (AIPAC) powerful lobbying makes it practically impossible for Republicans and Democrats to stop arms supplies to Israe<\/a>l. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"A free trip to Israel, organized by AIPAC, is one of the first offers US lawmakers encounter when they begin serving,\" <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Max Blumenthal, editor-in-chief of The Grayzone news website, told Anadolu. He pointed out that politicians who consider Israel to be a holy land and those who have no understanding of the Palestinian problem get a lot of financial support<\/a> for their campaigns. The MPs were visited by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu<\/a>, who also compared the network behind them to a powerful mafia lord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n