President of the Ploughshares Fund, Joe Cirincione; @Cirincione Talks Our Current Political Earthquake on The Bill Press Show - July 17, 2018

London Mayor Sadiq Khan responds to Trump

Ireland Draws Israel's Ire With Legislation To Ban Imports From West Bank Settlements by Dominic Dudley for Forbes #LovePalestine

#LovePalestine

Ireland Draws Israel's Ire With Legislation To Ban Imports From West Bank Settlements

Dominic DudleyContributori

Jul 13, 2018, 07:02am 508 views #ForeignAffairs

The Israeli government has condemned a move by Irish parliamentarians to ban trade between Ireland and Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are deemed illegal under international law by most countries.

The Seanad, the upper house of the Irish parliament, voted on July 11 by 25 votes to 20 to support a bill that would ban the import of goods or services from West Bank settlements. The legislation – the Control of Economic Activity (Occupied Territories) Bill 2018 – still has to go through the lower house of parliament, the Dáil, before it can become law. However, while the Irish governing party Fine Gael has officially opposed the bill, it does not have a majority in either chamber. As a result, if the parties which supported the bill in the Seanad also do so in the Dáil then the bill would pass.

Independent senator Frances Black, one of seven senators to sponsor the bill in the Seanad, welcomed the result, writing on Twitter: “This is a first step but an important one. Today we state strongly: Ireland will always stand for int humanitarian law, justice & human rights.”

Construction workers install mobile homes in Amichai, the first new Israeli government-sanctioned settlement built in the Palestinian territories in some 25 years, mear the settlement of Shiloh, between the Palestinian cities of Ramallah and Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, on February 21, 2018. (Photo: AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP/Getty Images)

However, the passage of the bill through the Seanad set off a round of condemnation from the Israeli government.

The Irish ambassador to Israel, Alison Kelly, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MFA) to be told of the Israeli government’s opposition to the legislation.

In a statement issued on July 11, a spokesperson for Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the Seanad’s vote as giving support to “a populist, dangerous and extremist anti-Israel boycott initiative” which would have “a negative impact on the diplomatic process in the Middle East” and would harm the livelihoods of Palestinians who work in Israeli facilities targetted by the bill.

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The statement went on to say that Israel “will consider its response in accordance with developments regarding this legislation”, suggesting that there may be more concrete measures if the bill becomes law.

Some senior figures have already gone further though. Defense minister Avigdor Lieberman has called for Israel to close its embassy in Dublin, tweeting that “There is no point in summoning the Irish ambassador to Israel for a ‘reprimand’. With the oppressors of Israel there is nothing to argue with. Israel should immediately close the embassy in Dublin. We will not turn the other cheek to those who boycott us.”

One concern of the Israeli authorities appears to be that the Irish legislation will set give a boost to the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which campaigns to isolate the Israeli economy because of the Israeli government’s promotion of settlements in the West Bank, the treatment of Palestinians and other issues.

It could also set an example that other countries around Europe might follow, something which chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat noted in his comments welcoming the Seanad vote “This courageous step builds on the historic ties between Ireland and Palestine, as well as it shows the way forward for the rest of the European Union,” he said.

Dominic Dudley is a freelance journalist with almost two decades' experience in reporting on business, economic and political stories in the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

copied from forbes

Saturday In the Park: Coco Goes to Morley Field Balboa Park in San Diego

What day is it?



Oh, that's right it's Saturday.  I'll go to the park.

I just love the way they do these flowers at the tennis club.

I've always enjoyed Cannas.

I'll stroll on the nature path featuring local shrubs to the dog park.

It is basically just on the other side of the tennis courts but I like to think of it as a Eucalyptus Grove in the middle of a city.

A chance to rebalance--what is really important.

More folks are enjoying the velodrome since it was repaved.  I predicted that.

This is the tree where the red tail hawk family hangs out.  Zoo parking lot in the distance.

Work out bars with my favorite Jacaranda Tree.

Navy Hospital.

The hawks have a giant nest right above us--they use it every year.

The play area for the kids at the end of the Zen Path.  I'm only slightly resentful my mom will not let me go there.

Listening to the Jazz concert at Bird Park

I always bring a book.

If donald read John LeCarre would he have a better grip on the Putin-Russia thing?

Saturday is the one day I refuse to plan.

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Bill Press:  Well Done.


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Chester The Dog and His New Mom

Kind Woman Adopts an Elderly Dog to Make His Final Days the Happiest Ever (PHOTOS)

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Kate Good 
July 4, 2018 

When you adopt a dog, you make a commitment to care for them for their entire lives. Your pup loves you unconditionally and will do anything to ensure that there is always a smile on your face and that you never have to sit on the couch alone, so it is up to you to make sure that this is reciprocated.

Some people, however, don’t take this responsibility as willingly as others and decide to abandon their dogs. This is especially an issue for elderly dogs who need special care and treatment. Chester was unfortunately one of these pups. He was found wandering the streets and taken in by a local animal shelter with a high-kill rate. Given his age and the fact that he appeared to have a growth on his underbelly, Chester was slotted for euthanasia. Thankfully, Animal Ark rescue stepped in just in time and gave this elderly dog a second chance at life. Soon after he was adopted by Nicole Elliott, a kind woman who absolutely feel in love with Chester.

After taking him to the vet, it was discovered that Chester had terminal cancer and didn’t have much longer to live. So, Nicole decided it was time to pack up little Chester and set out on a road trip to fulfill all the things on his bucket list.

When Chester was rescued, it was clear he hadn’t been given any love or attention for a long time.

Now all that has changed thanks to his new forever family!

List item number one: Flatrock Park!

There’s nothing better than a refreshing dip with your best friend!

Chester might be old, but he still has all the joy of a puppy experiencing the world for the first time.

Chester’s first Fourth of July celebration was a huge success.

Hey, you only live once so why not treat yourself!

Nicole might not know how long Chester will be around, but she will do her best to give him all the love and care he needs for the rest of his life.

Good luck, Chester!

To follow Chester on his bucket list journey, follow his Instagram and Facebook page.

All image source: Chester’s Final Journey/Facebook

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