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There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The loss of Bowman incited dismay and rage among progressive organizations. More than a dozen groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Center for Popular Democracy Action, raised \u201cdire concerns\u201d about the party's ongoing affiliation with AIPAC in a letter to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. \"AIPAC and other Super PACs spent over $23 million to defeat Bowman,\" the letter said. He invested $3 million. It is almost difficult to close that budget disparity. Another \"Squad\" member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emerged victorious in her primary, suggesting that AIPAC's power is considerable but not unbeatable. However, Bowman's loss represents a turning point for progressive Democratic Party views. Jewish Voice for Peace Action's political director, Beth Miller, referred to the outcome as \"a sad day for American democracy.\" \"To protect progressive candidates moving forward, Democrats must reject AIPAC,\" she said, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to oppose the organization. Bowman's loss highlights a larger pattern of pro-Israel organizations stepping up their influence in Democratic primaries in an effort to counter the party base's rising pro-Palestinian views, especially among younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
The loss of Bowman incited dismay and rage among progressive organizations. More than a dozen groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Center for Popular Democracy Action, raised \u201cdire concerns\u201d about the party's ongoing affiliation with AIPAC in a letter to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. \"AIPAC and other Super PACs spent over $23 million to defeat Bowman,\" the letter said. He invested $3 million. It is almost difficult to close that budget disparity. Another \"Squad\" member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emerged victorious in her primary, suggesting that AIPAC's power is considerable but not unbeatable. However, Bowman's loss represents a turning point for progressive Democratic Party views. Jewish Voice for Peace Action's political director, Beth Miller, referred to the outcome as \"a sad day for American democracy.\" \"To protect progressive candidates moving forward, Democrats must reject AIPAC,\" she said, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to oppose the organization. Bowman's loss highlights a larger pattern of pro-Israel organizations stepping up their influence in Democratic primaries in an effort to counter the party base's rising pro-Palestinian views, especially among younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Latimer won the election with a big boost from wealthy areas with sizable Jewish communities, thanks to the assistance of well-known individuals like Hillary Clinton. Latimer, a longtime Westchester official, emphasized the racial and economic divides within the district, which encompasses both wealthy suburbs and impoverished neighborhoods like the Bronx. He called for the return of hostages captured by Hamas prior to any ceasefire, a position that struck a chord with many voters. The main topic of discussion between the candidates was the Gaza War, with Latimer's defense of Israel and Bowman's pro-Palestinian position diverging significantly. Bowman was at odds with pro-Israel and centrist Democratic Party sections since he had also denounced Israeli assault in Gaza and advocated for a ceasefire. \"Never before in history has a powerful special interest spent so much money trying to defeat a candidate,\" said Bernie Sanders, endorsing Bowman. \"This election is not about Jamaal versus Mr. Latimer,\" Sanders continued. The question in this election is whether the oligarchy and the billionaire class will continue to dominate American politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The loss of Bowman incited dismay and rage among progressive organizations. More than a dozen groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Center for Popular Democracy Action, raised \u201cdire concerns\u201d about the party's ongoing affiliation with AIPAC in a letter to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. \"AIPAC and other Super PACs spent over $23 million to defeat Bowman,\" the letter said. He invested $3 million. It is almost difficult to close that budget disparity. Another \"Squad\" member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emerged victorious in her primary, suggesting that AIPAC's power is considerable but not unbeatable. However, Bowman's loss represents a turning point for progressive Democratic Party views. Jewish Voice for Peace Action's political director, Beth Miller, referred to the outcome as \"a sad day for American democracy.\" \"To protect progressive candidates moving forward, Democrats must reject AIPAC,\" she said, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to oppose the organization. Bowman's loss highlights a larger pattern of pro-Israel organizations stepping up their influence in Democratic primaries in an effort to counter the party base's rising pro-Palestinian views, especially among younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
Latimer won the election with a big boost from wealthy areas with sizable Jewish communities, thanks to the assistance of well-known individuals like Hillary Clinton. Latimer, a longtime Westchester official, emphasized the racial and economic divides within the district, which encompasses both wealthy suburbs and impoverished neighborhoods like the Bronx. He called for the return of hostages captured by Hamas prior to any ceasefire, a position that struck a chord with many voters. The main topic of discussion between the candidates was the Gaza War, with Latimer's defense of Israel and Bowman's pro-Palestinian position diverging significantly. Bowman was at odds with pro-Israel and centrist Democratic Party sections since he had also denounced Israeli assault in Gaza and advocated for a ceasefire. \"Never before in history has a powerful special interest spent so much money trying to defeat a candidate,\" said Bernie Sanders, endorsing Bowman. \"This election is not about Jamaal versus Mr. Latimer,\" Sanders continued. The question in this election is whether the oligarchy and the billionaire class will continue to dominate American politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The loss of Bowman incited dismay and rage among progressive organizations. More than a dozen groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Center for Popular Democracy Action, raised \u201cdire concerns\u201d about the party's ongoing affiliation with AIPAC in a letter to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. \"AIPAC and other Super PACs spent over $23 million to defeat Bowman,\" the letter said. He invested $3 million. It is almost difficult to close that budget disparity. Another \"Squad\" member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emerged victorious in her primary, suggesting that AIPAC's power is considerable but not unbeatable. However, Bowman's loss represents a turning point for progressive Democratic Party views. Jewish Voice for Peace Action's political director, Beth Miller, referred to the outcome as \"a sad day for American democracy.\" \"To protect progressive candidates moving forward, Democrats must reject AIPAC,\" she said, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to oppose the organization. Bowman's loss highlights a larger pattern of pro-Israel organizations stepping up their influence in Democratic primaries in an effort to counter the party base's rising pro-Palestinian views, especially among younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There has been some opposition. Israeli and American soldiers in the area have faced opposition from Iranian supporters. Tehran retaliated against Israel with a huge air strike after high-ranking Iranian officials were killed in Syria. It is anticipated that it would act similarly in response to the murder of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas. In response to Israeli strikes on Lebanese land that proved fatal, Hezbollah likewise initiated a string of offensives. It is probable that it will follow suit with regard to Food Shukr's murder.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The complex conflicts between America and Gaza","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-complex-conflicts-between-america-and-gaza","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7111","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"}],"next":false,"prev":true,"total_page":57},"paged":1,"column_class":"jeg_col_2o3","class":"epic_block_3"};
New York's 16th congressional district saw incumbent Congressman Jamaal Bowman lose to George Latimer in a costly and high-stakes primary contest. The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) had a significant impact on this contest, which turned into the most costly House primary in American history. Latimer's campaign received around $25 million in funding, much exceeding Bowman's $3 million expenditure. As the first Black congressman from the area and a progressive member of the \"Squad,\" Bowman has been outspoken in his criticism of Israel's treatment of the Palestinian people, charging it with genocide and casting doubt on American support for Tel Aviv. Bowman said that AIPAC was trying to \"buy\" the election, saying, \"We should be outraged when a Super PAC of dark money can spend $20 million to brainwash people into believing something that isn't true.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Latimer won the election with a big boost from wealthy areas with sizable Jewish communities, thanks to the assistance of well-known individuals like Hillary Clinton. Latimer, a longtime Westchester official, emphasized the racial and economic divides within the district, which encompasses both wealthy suburbs and impoverished neighborhoods like the Bronx. He called for the return of hostages captured by Hamas prior to any ceasefire, a position that struck a chord with many voters. The main topic of discussion between the candidates was the Gaza War, with Latimer's defense of Israel and Bowman's pro-Palestinian position diverging significantly. Bowman was at odds with pro-Israel and centrist Democratic Party sections since he had also denounced Israeli assault in Gaza and advocated for a ceasefire. \"Never before in history has a powerful special interest spent so much money trying to defeat a candidate,\" said Bernie Sanders, endorsing Bowman. \"This election is not about Jamaal versus Mr. Latimer,\" Sanders continued. The question in this election is whether the oligarchy and the billionaire class will continue to dominate American politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The loss of Bowman incited dismay and rage among progressive organizations. More than a dozen groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Center for Popular Democracy Action, raised \u201cdire concerns\u201d about the party's ongoing affiliation with AIPAC in a letter to House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries. \"AIPAC and other Super PACs spent over $23 million to defeat Bowman,\" the letter said. He invested $3 million. It is almost difficult to close that budget disparity. Another \"Squad\" member, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, emerged victorious in her primary, suggesting that AIPAC's power is considerable but not unbeatable. However, Bowman's loss represents a turning point for progressive Democratic Party views. Jewish Voice for Peace Action's political director, Beth Miller, referred to the outcome as \"a sad day for American democracy.\" \"To protect progressive candidates moving forward, Democrats must reject AIPAC,\" she said, emphasizing the necessity for Democrats to oppose the organization. Bowman's loss highlights a larger pattern of pro-Israel organizations stepping up their influence in Democratic primaries in an effort to counter the party base's rising pro-Palestinian views, especially among younger voters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n AIPAC is funding Democratic politicians, many of whom are supported by affluent backers who have previously contributed to Republican elections. The ideals of justice, peace, and equality that many progressive politicians support are in danger of being undermined by the powerful influence of lobby groups like AIPAC. Big Money purchases politicians who will carry out their wishes, and the consequences are evident, as Sanders so eloquently stated. A concerted effort by the Israeli government, dubbed the \"PR Commando Unit,\" to influence American political discourse and electoral outcomes was revealed by recent investigations<\/a>. This program, which goes by the names \"Concert\" or \"Voices of Israel,\" is said to have allotted millions of dollars to secretly finance government propaganda in the United States and other Western nations.New York congressman Jamaal Bowman lost a primary challenge to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), a notorious organization, primarily because of an unprecedented amount of funding. This upset shows the growing power of pro-Israel lobby groups in US politics. AIPAC and affiliated organizations invested close to $25 million in the contest, which turned into the most costly House of Representatives primary in history, in an attempt to remove the incumbent left-wing congressman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bowman's defeat is a major setback for the political left, but it's unclear if similar tactics will work against other progressive Democrats who could be more resilient to primary challenges. Despite this, the contest has highlighted the profound rifts within the Democratic Party about Israel's settler-colonization of Palestine and brought up significant issues regarding the impact of foreign interference on American democracy.<\/p>\n","post_title":"Israel lobby's impact on black candidate's defeat in costly primary battle","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"israel-lobbys-impact-on-black-candidates-defeat-in-costly-primary-battle","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7128","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7120,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-13 16:54:19","post_content":"\n This is the first new head of Africa for the US Chamber of Commerce in eight years. Kendra Gaither is committed to grabbing the opportunity and strengthening business relationships that are still far from realizing their full potential. It's a chilly day, and Gaither has just been directing engagement with Africa at the US Chamber of Commerce for a month when she welcomes The Africa Report into her office. After being chosen the center's president on October 18, Gaither steps back from the daily commotion over the following forty-five minutes to give a 10,000-foot picture of her vision for US-Africa commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the trade association's historic offices, which is located just across Lafayette Square Park from the White House, it's a normal busy day. After meeting with President Joe Biden, Gaither's team is frantically trying to get Angolan President Jo\u00e3o Louren\u00e7o to stop by and talk. They are currently in the US-Africa Business Center. \"I do think that this moment right now is extremely special,\" Gaither adds, referring to the Biden administration's renewed engagement with the continent and the African Union's progress toward establishing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Recognized as the biggest lobbying organization in the United States, the US Chamber was established in 1912 when many regional business associations responded to President William Howard Taft's request for the establishment of a national corporate voice. Although the chamber's opaque financial structure is allegedly dominated by multinational firms, it still claims to represent three million businesses nationwide, the majority of which are small and medium-sized businesses. Even though the chamber has been losing political power recently due to a rise in corporate skepticism, especially from the populist right, it nonetheless spent around $80 million on lobbying in Washington in 2022, according to its reports to the public. \"There's often an expectation that these are the very big players, the Fortune 500 companies, when there's a discussion around how to connect African nations and African businesses with the United States and US businesses,\" Gaither adds. \"But it's much more inclusive, vibrant, and nuanced than that.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber didn't start its Africa initiative until 2009, the first year of President Barack Obama's administration. In 2015, the program developed into the fully functional business center it is today. That year, Gaither became a member of the chamber's Americas section, where she played a significant role in founding and leading the US-Colombia Business Council as its first executive director. She succeeds Scott Eisner, the center's founding president, who is currently a senior vice president in the International and Trade Practice at the prestigious Washington-based lobbying firm BGR Group. Prior to joining the Chamber, Gaither oversaw the Center for International Policy and Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was after beginning her career as a US diplomat and assisting in the organization of the State Department's participation in the 2005 AGOA forum in Dakar, Senegal, as well as working on economic ties with South Africa. According to Gaither, the Africa Center has received praise from Chamber members over the last eight years for its creative and aggressive approach to assisting US firms in leveraging Africa's commercial possibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When the chamber and its adversary and partner, the Corporate Council on Africa (CCA), co-hosted the business roundtable on Day 2 of the three-day event at the US-Africa Leaders Summit last year, it was evident how cooperatively they operate. Though Gaither believes there is room for a variety of organizations <\/a>to prosper while interacting with the 54 nations on the second-largest continent in the world, the CCA, which will reach 30 in 2023, is regarded as the leading US trade association dedicated to US-Africa economic connections. Since September 2022, when the Chamber's Advance with Africa Initiative was introduced, multi-stakeholder engagement has really taken off. This multi-year roadshow campaign aims to increase the commercial profile of the continent in the US by focusing on cities with sizable African diasporas and minority business communities. The project held six events around the country in its first year of operation, including ones in Atlanta, Georgia, and Houston, Texas, the second-largest US urban trading partner in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Chamber intends to send a delegation of small firms to the continent for the first time in order to officially launch Advance with Africa the following year. \"This opportunity will be more than just a business trip; it will be an experience,\" the Chamber states, \"allowing executives to meet potential partners and immersing American entrepreneurs in the energy and hope of Africa's business landscape while also learning firsthand how to create conditions for business success in Africa.\" Gaither says the President's Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement, which was established this year, is a positive step in the Biden administration's efforts to engage immigrants and Americans of African descent. He believes these efforts will help \"break down some of those barriers and perceptions and really inject some dynamism and enthusiasm into the relationship.\"<\/p>\n","post_title":"Kendra Gaither shapes US-Africa policy","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"kendra-gaither-shapes-us-africa-policy","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7120","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7117,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-11 12:35:23","post_content":"\n Every year, tobacco firms spend millions of dollars on lobbying in the United States in an effort to undermine, postpone, or eliminate public health regulations that might save lives. In the middle of a worldwide respiratory epidemic in 2021, ASH started monitoring the registrations of lobbying firms and lobbyists for the tobacco industry. At that time, the business was spending significantly more at the federal level to undermine measures related to public health and tobacco control. Regretfully, lobbying efforts have kept Big Tobacco's powerful influence in Washington, DC until an undisclosed future, delaying the crucial decision to outlaw the sale of menthol cigarettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nearly half (538) of the 2024 registrations are for businesses such as Reynolds American, Inc. (RAI), Juul, and Altria that are either controlled by or have a license arrangement with federally adjudicated racketeers. This is an important point to make because lobbying itself is not bad; the trouble comes when you are advocating on behalf of a sector of the economy that is controlled by federally adjudicated racketeers, particularly those whose goods are lethal when used as intended. There were 315 lobbyists or lobbying firms registered with Altria (formerly known as Philip Morris USA), spanning all 50 states and the District of Columbia. 48 states were covered by the 197 lobbyists and lobbying companies that Reynolds American has registered. With combined ownership of Swedish Match since 2023, Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services has 145 lobbyist or lobbying company registrations altogether, spanning 38 states. The majority of lobbyists and lobbying firms in the tobacco business were also registered to represent a wide range of other clients. Interestingly, public data show that, as opposed to individual lobbyists, 12 states and the District of Columbia let or mandate lobbying companies to register. The tobacco industry is frequently able to conceal from the public the precise number and identities of specific lobbyists operating on their behalf in certain states due to the fact that lobbying companies frequently hire a large number of lobbyists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In some areas, registrations have climbed and in others, they have declined since ASH started monitoring tobacco industry lobbying in 2021. Nineteen states and the District of Columbia had the same number of registrations in 2024 as they did in 2021, while 23 states had more than that number. Overall, 2024 registrations represent a 2.5% rise over base year registrations from 2021 and a 10.7% increase above statistics from 2023. There will be 100 more registrations in 2024 compared to 2023. This overall growing trend for tobacco lobbying registrations continues, even if Juul had an 81% decline in registrations as of 2024. In particular, 927 people registered in 2023 and 1027 in 2024. The number of lobbyists that Philip Morris International (PMI) Global Services and Swedish Match together employ in the US has significantly increased since 2023. This merger has demonstrated a significant change in lobbying tactics, as PMI Global Services, to our knowledge, has never before had any registered lobbyists in the US. Swedish Match employed 8 lobbyists and 3 lobbying companies in 2021; by 2024, they employed 128 lobbyists and 17 lobbying firms, a 200% increase under PMI's management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to a recent study from the anti-smoking advocacy group Action on Smoking and Health, tobacco industry lobbyists are flooding statehouses around the country, from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to Tallahassee, Florida. Between 2023 and 2024, the number of tobacco company-affiliated lobbying registrations increased<\/a> by more than 10%. Based on data on lobbying registration that is accessible to the public, ASH's total figure is probably an underestimate because several states only require lobbying firms, not individual lobbyists, to register with them. Keep a close eye on the tobacco industry's lobbying efforts in your state to understand its impact over policy and work to resist it. Recognize patterns in the tobacco industry's lobbying endeavors to remain knowledgeable and aggressive in your advocacy work. Use tracker data to target legislators and local leaders with outreach that emphasizes the need to bar the tobacco business and its lobbyists from government policy-making, as well as the harm that tobacco industry lobbying does to public health. Utilize the tracker's findings to strengthen your activism by developing proposals for policies based on solid facts and pushing for strict laws to counteract the influence of the tobacco industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to campaign for particular legislation in decision-making organizations like the US Congress, special interest groups pay well-connected professional advocates, frequently attorneys, to engage in paid lobbying in the US. Journalists and the general public in America frequently see it poorly; detractors see it as a kind of extortion, influence peddling, or bribery.<\/p>\n","post_title":"The US tobacco lobby: A register of interests and influence","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"the-us-tobacco-lobby-a-register-of-interests-and-influence","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7117","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7114,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-08 16:11:00","post_content":"\n The UN has launched an investigation into claims made by Francesca Albanese, the controversial UN monitor assigned to look into \"Israel's violations,\" that she unlawfully accepted money from pro-Hamas organizations to pay for an estimated $20,000 trip to Australia and New Zealand, during which she attempted to persuade a significant pension fund to pull out of Israel. Recently, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur tasked with monitoring \"Israel's violations\" in the Palestinian territories, made charges of financial irregularities. The UN Office of Internal Oversight Services' investigations section said that it has begun an inquiry into these claims. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Albanese, a former UNRWA attorney who co-founded an international network to advocate against Israel, was recently the first UN human rights rapporteur in UN history to face criticism for antisemitism from France and Germany. The US Special Envoy to Combat Anti Semitism also censured her in 2022 after learning that she had written a UNRWA fundraising plea in which she asserted that \u201cAmerica is subjugated by the Jewish lobby.\u201d A group of eighteen parliamentarians, including both parties, denounced her in 2023 for not denouncing terrorism against Israelis. United Nations Watch, an independent non-governmental organization with headquarters in Geneva, filed a complaint in June that prompted the new UN probe, which OIOS stated will be headed by High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the inquiry, UN Watch declared today that it has initiated removal procedures against Albanese with the UN. Executive director Hillel Neuer asked the 47-nation Human Rights Council to revoke Albanese's mandate due to her financial irregularities and her repeated remarks endorsing Hamas terrorism and inciting antisemitism. The request was made in a draft resolution that was submitted to the Human Rights Council President.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In order to endorse the resolution, Neuer wrote to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today. \"We trust that, after having repeatedly condemned her for inciting Hamas terrorism and antisemitism, the US will do the right thing and present the resolution to finally remove her,\" the statement reads. \"The US was one of several democracies that, despite our appeals, inexplicably failed to object when Albanese's appointment was brought to the Council floor on April 1, 2022.\" \"Francesca Albanese misuses her position at the UN to constantly propagate propaganda for Hamas and antisemitism on social media, TV, and in her reporting. Neuer stated, \"The human rights council and the United Nations as a whole are shadowed every day she is in office.\" Allegations that special rapporteur Francesca Albanese inappropriately accepted outside funding from pro-Hamas organizations to cover her $20,000 lobbying trip to Australia have prompted the UN to launch an inquiry. Today, we are submitting paperwork to end her mandate. United Nations Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination serve as guiding documents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Recalling the Human Rights Council's June 18, 2007, resolutions 5\/1 on the Council's institution-building and 5\/2 on the Code of Conduct for those with special procedures mandates, and emphasizing that mandate holders must carry out their duties in compliance with those resolutions and their appendices, Reiterating the Council's authority to establish and amend special procedures mandates as well as to designate and dismiss mandate holders. Acknowledging that the mandate was created before the Palestinian Authority was established in September 1993 and before Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, and that the mandate was never updated to take into account the actions of these and other pertinent actors, a number of previous mandate holders have denounced the mandate's inherent flaws. Confirms that Francesca Albanese has broken the Code of Conduct for Special Procedures and the UN Charter in a flagrant and systematic manner<\/a>, failing to uphold the highest standards of competence, honesty, equity, and good faith; failing to ensure that her personal political opinions do not interfere with the way she is carrying out her mandate; and failing to exercise restraint, moderation, and discretion so as not to compromise the UN's recognition of her independent position or give the impression that she is siding with one side in the dispute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Particularly acknowledging that the previous Special Rapporteur Hannu Halinen had acknowledged the mandate's inherent bias, he objected that the mandate was \"so distant from reality,\" that he did not want to \"be told beforehand what the violations were and by whom they were committed,\" and that \"it was taken for granted that there were violations\" and \"that they were committed by Israel.\" Amnesty International, for example, claimed that the mandate's \"limitation to Israeli violations undercuts both the effectiveness and the credibility of the mandate,\" and that it \"fails to take account of the human rights of victims of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law committed by parties other than the State of Israel.\" Civil society organizations have also criticized the mandate for being biased and one-sided. <\/p>\n","post_title":"UN Investigates Palestine monitor over alleged Pro-Hamas funds","post_excerpt":"","post_status":"publish","comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","post_password":"","post_name":"un-investigates-palestine-monitor-over-alleged-pro-hamas-funds","to_ping":"","pinged":"","post_modified":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_modified_gmt":"2025-02-02 08:34:26","post_content_filtered":"","post_parent":0,"guid":"https:\/\/dctransparency.com\/?p=7114","menu_order":0,"post_type":"post","post_mime_type":"","comment_count":"0","filter":"raw"},{"ID":7111,"post_author":"7","post_date":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_date_gmt":"2024-08-06 17:00:40","post_content":"\n Israel has been fighting a murderous war in Gaza for about ten months now. With its ceaseless attack on a populace so defenseless, the army has broken almost every aspect of international humanitarian law. Israel has refused to provide food, water, medication, sanitation, power, fuel, and other basic requirements of life to the Gaza concentration camp. Additionally, the bulk of Gaza's population is now homeless as a result of its targeting of civilian infrastructure. No Israeli military objective necessitates the complete devastation of Gaza. There is no evident strategic reason for the estimated 40,000 Palestinian deaths and many injuries (maybe as high as 186,000). Nor does the methodical and complete demolition of Gaza's hospitals, universities, schools, and residential areas. It seems to reason that Israel would seek to take over more than just a bomb zone if it were to invade and absorb Gaza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, although Israel's actions seem unreasonable, so does the unwavering backing that its closest friend, the United States, has provided. Washington's claim to protect the international rules-based system has been undermined by its \"ironclad\" support of the genocide Israel is committing. Many attribute Israel's egregious irrationality to the humiliation caused by the strike carried out by Hamas on October 7. This over-emotionality hastened the political transition in Israel to the right, where homicidal acts are now publicly celebrated. The language of \"peaceful coexistence\" has been replaced with pledges of \"total victory\" made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. One might infer what he could mean by such a statement from history. It has a striking resemblance to the German term Endsieg, which means \"final victory\" and denotes the accomplishment of the murderous goals of the Nazi government. The similarities are unsettling. Although October 7 may provide insight into Israel's actions, it does not prove American involvement. Indeed, the United States is a trustworthy bankroller and supporter of Israel, but because of its many foreign interests, it has always been cautious to portray itself as an impartial middleman between the Israelis and the Palestinians until lately. That prudence has disappeared. The US has categorically backed Israel's devastating onslaught in Gaza at every turn, despite its vacuous calls for \"restraint\" and a \"ceasefire.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n Washington's loyalty is remarkable. President Joe Biden has consistently backed Israel from the start of the offensive. However, the US and Israel are two different cultures with sometimes at odds interests. Is it possible that the Israel lobby merely controls the formulation of US foreign policy? There is no denying the strength of organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). However, they are only one of several lobbies vying for sway in Washington. Perhaps the US wants the gas resources that are immediately off the coast of Gaza? However, Washington could obtain that gas without instigating and supporting a genocide. A completely equitable yet nonviolent discussion would work. No, none of the aforementioned could possibly explain why, by supporting Israel's extermination of the Palestinian people, the US is risking gaining such a bad reputation throughout the Middle East and beyond. The topic of multipolarity has been discussed more recently. A scenario in which the US is no longer the world's dominant power has been forecast by several analysts. Amidst these rumors, the US and Russia suffered defeats and standoffs in Syria and Ukraine, respectively. It left Afghanistan abruptly, which allowed the Taliban to retake control of the country. As a result of the leftward movement of some Latin American regimes, tensions within \"America's backyard\" have increased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n China, the US's principal adversary, has been making an impact on the world stage in the meanwhile. Beijing is a major player in the international organization BRICS, which was renamed BRICS+ after adding Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. In 2023, the People's Republic made its debut in the Middle East by mediating a ceasefire in Yemen and acting as a mediator between<\/a> Saudi Arabia and Iran. In other words, America appeared to be losing ground and the world's preeminent superpower status became increasingly precarious. It sees an opportunity to reclaim Gaza. That's how America's participation in Gaza should be interpreted. For what other reason would the United States greatly bolster its armed forces in the Middle East in reaction to a lone, weakly armed strike by Hamas? It is a nervous superpower, anxious to establish its unquestionable superiority. To demonstrate that no one will stop it, it is also flouting even the most fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRegional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Israel lobby shapes primary outcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Israel lobby shapes primary outcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Lobby defeats black candidate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby shapes primary outcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Regional implications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Lobby defeats black candidate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby shapes primary outcome<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobby power in costly primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Israel lobby Sways Primary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gaither's vision for US-Africa policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's influence on African diplomacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Key initiatives led by Kendra Gaither in Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Kendra Gaither's African agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Financial ties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy targets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Lobbying tactics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Influence networks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Palestine monitor's role:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pro-Hamas connections?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Investigation scope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Implications for UN credibility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Military involvement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Humanitarian concerns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Policy shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n