Craig Murray:

The gap between the western political and media elites and their people on this issue is simply enormous. Western leaders have not only failed to restrain Israel, they have almost unanimously egged Netanyahu on, with the continued repetition of the phrase “Israel’s right to self-defence” as justification for the mass bombing, removal and starvation of an entire civilian population.

The western leadership glee in vetoing every attempt at a ceasefire resolution at the UN is astonishing.

Massive demonstrations have been taking place across Europe against this unspeakable massacre, and the knee-jerk reaction of politicians at their isolation from public opinion has been to try to make such shows of dissent illegal. In the UK people have been arrested for displaying Palestinian flags. In Germany pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been entirely banned. Something similar has been attempted in France, with predictable failure.

I have myself attended pro-Palestinian demonstrations in three different countries, and the most striking thing on each occasion was the strong support of passers-by, and the number of people spontaneously coming out to join the demo as it passed.

A wave of racism has been unleashed in the UK and elsewhere. I am astonished by the Islamophobia and racial hatred released online, with no apparent comeback. UK Ministers claim to be alarmed at the “terrorist sympathies” of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, yet it is perfectly legal to call for Palestinians to be exterminated, to compare them to different types of animal and vermin, and suggest they should be driven into the sea. That does not horrify ministers at all.

I am personally now subject to a police investigation for “terrorism” merely for suggesting that the Palestinians too have a right to self defence and may offer armed resistance to genocide – a right they enjoy beyond doubt in international law. Remember, Israel has formally declared war. Is it the position in British law that the only belief it is legal to hold and express, is that in this war the Palestinians must simply line up quietly to be killed?

Die Zeit:

Spitzenpolitiker mehrerer Parteien haben zur Teilnahme an der heutigen Kundgebung gegen Antisemitismus und für Solidarität mit Israel am Brandenburger Tor in Berlin aufgerufen. „Ich appelliere an alle: Kommen Sie zur Kundgebung und hören Sie die Angehörigen der entführten deutschen Staatsbürger an. Sie kämpfen mit übermenschlichen Kräften für ihre Liebsten und wir sollten an ihrer Seite sein“, sagte SPD-Generalsekretär Kevin Kühnert dem Tagesspiegel.

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Bundespräsident Frank-Walter Steinmeier wird die Kundgebung mit einer Ansprache eröffnen.

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Auch CDU-Generalsekretär Carsten Linnemann sagte, das breite Bündnis sei ein Zeichen, wo die deutsche Politik und die überwältigende Mehrheit der Gesellschaft stünden: „an der Seite Israels und an der Seite der Jüdinnen und Juden in Deutschland“.

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Am Samstag hat es in mehreren deutschen Städten propalästinensische Demonstrationen gegeben, bei denen teilweise israelfeindliche und antisemitische Parolen gerufen wurden. In Berlin hielt die Polizei dabei nach eigenen Angaben einen Demonstrationszug wegen israelfeindlicher Aufrufe an. Die Kundgebung sei angehalten worden, „um dem Verantwortlichen sowie auch den Teilnehmerinnen und Teilnehmern über unsere Lautsprecherwagen mitzuteilen, dass israelfeindliche Ausrufe nicht länger geduldet werden“, erklärte die Polizei.

It really is that clear: demonstrations on behalf of Palestinians in Gaza are made illegal and broken up by hundreds of police. The state and its leading politicians call for the public to demonstrate in solidarity with Israel.

Politico:

Greta Thunberg | Daniel Leal/AFP via Getty Images

The Israeli military lashed out at Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg on Friday, after she sent a message supporting Palestinians and endorsed a comment which said a „genocide“ was being perpetrated in Gaza.

Thunberg said “the world needs to speak up and call for an immediate ceasefire, justice and freedom for Palestinians and all civilians affected,” as the Israel-Hamas war escalates and threatens to become a regional conflict.

Thunberg also shared on her Instagram account a post by a German-based pro-Palestinian account which says a “genocide” is happening in Gaza.

The group, Palestine Speaks, talked of its „indignation against genocide in Gaza and the repressive state terror of many Western states against anyone who shows and acts in solidarity with the Palestinians.”

In reaction, Arye Sharuz Shalicar, spokesman for the Israeli army, told POLITICO: „Whoever identifies with Greta in any way in the future, in my view, is a terror supporter.“