Lebanon | Occupy World Writes

‘The fact that Netanyahu’s temper tantrum about the Iran deal could go towards an increase in aid is disturbing,’ said Naomi Dann of Jewish Voice for Peace

Written by Sarah Lazar, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 7-16-15.

President Barack Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he is ready to hold “intensive discussions” about bolstering Israel’s military. (Photo: White House/flickr/public domain)

President Barack Obama offered Israel even more military aid this week as a consolation prize for the Iran deal, raising the concerns of human rights campaigners who oppose U.S. funding of atrocities against Palestinians.

Speaking with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday, the same day the accord was reached, Obama said he is ready to hold “intensive discussions” about bolstering Israel’s military, according to unnamed administration officials cited by The New York Times.

However, Netanyahu—who has vigorously opposed diplomacy with Iran—rebuffed the gesture.

Obama indicated in an interview with the Times on Tuesday that Netanyahu is likely holding out to see if he can still sink the Iran deal. Netanyahu “perhaps thinks he can further influence the congressional debate, and I’m confident we’re going to be able to uphold this deal and implement it without Congress preventing that,” said the president.

Due to recently-passed legislation, the U.S. House and Senate will have 60 days to review Tuesday’s agreement between Iran and the United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the European Union. If lawmakers were to vote against the deal, and amass the votes to override a presidential veto, Obama’s hands would be tied on sanctions relief and the deal would sink. Continue reading →

Flag used by Islamic State. Image via FaceBook.

The people of Lebanon are rising up to protest against the Islamic State, and in particular the alleged beheading of a Lebanese soldier by ISIS – by challenging the world to burn ISIS flags and post photos of them doing so. But there are those in the government of that country that oppose this action, claiming the flags are religious symbols, which one may not desecrate according to Lebanese law, according to a report in the JewishPress.com.

The ISIS flag contains a religious writing at the bottom that translates to “There is no god but Allah, and Mohammad is the messenger of Allah.”

The controversy began August 30 when 3 youths posted pictures of themselves burning the ISIS flag in Sassine Square in Ashrafieh. The website Al-Akhbar reports that Lebanon’s Justice Minister Ashraf Rifi is now demanding the arrest of anyone who burns the ISIS flag. MP Ibrahim Kanaan said he would represent the group of three boys in court, who were the first to burn the ISIS flag, if the prosecutor charges them.

The concept is starting to go viral in Lebanon, and it has some Islamists worried.

We do not intend any offense to Islam or to Muslims throughout the world. As one of the world’s oldest and largest religious faiths, Islam is both divine and deserving of all respect. As non-Muslims, we apologize in advance for any misunderstanding.

It matters not what the government of Lebanon – or any other country – has to say about the world’s readiness to reject this group and all it represents. Islam teaches that religious faith and purity is not achieved in conversion through coercion. To that regard, ISIS is not representative of Islam any more than Ghandi is representative of violent uprising.

It also occurs to us that when ISIS uses this symbolic religious writing on their flag, it does so in violation of the very faith it claims to observe. While killing innocent men, women and children, raping and selling others, and burying still more alive, the barbaric actions are neither religious or holy. We believe ISIS to be the very spawn of the devil they claim to seek to destroy.

So we support those who would burn the ISIS flag, And we support those that will do so at risk.

JOIN US WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD IN REJECTING ISIS TODAY!

Follow the #BurnISISFlagChallenge news feed on Facebook

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