Monday, January 20, 2025
The Nordic Times

Polaris of Enlightenment

Monday, January 20, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

Breaking News
Ad:

https://nordictimes.com/world/the-biden-administration-plans-a-massive-arms-package-for-israel/

World

The Biden administration plans a massive arms package for Israel

The Israel lobby

Published 4 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Joe Biden and Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, 2016.
Share via

The US government is planning an arms package to Israel worth $8 billion, Axios reports.

The sale includes artillery pieces, fighter jet equipment and anti-aircraft defenses and aims at “supporting Israel’s long-term security” by replenishing stocks of “critical munitions and air defense capabilities“.

– This is a crucial part of our long-term security cooperation with Israel, a source close to the Biden administration told Axios.

This is expected to be the Biden administration’s last major aid package to Israel before the change of power in the White House.

Congressional approval required

For the deal to become a reality, congressional approval is required. However, the package has faced criticism, especially within Biden’s own party. Several Democrats have tried to pressure him to condition the arms sale on improvements to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but Biden has so far chosen not to meet these demands.

An anonymous administration official defends the decision:

– The President has made clear Israel has a right to defend its citizens, consistent with international law and international humanitarian law… We will continue to provide the capabilities necessary for Israel’s defense.

The sale is expected to take effect in 2025, provided that Congress gives its approval

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

TNT is truly independent!

We don’t have a billionaire owner, and our unique reader-funded model keeps us free from political or corporate influence. This means we can fearlessly report the facts and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power.

Consider a donation to keep our independent journalism running…

https://nordictimes.com/world/japanese-journalist-jewish-lobby-run-the-us/

World

Japanese journalist: “Jewish lobby run the US”

The Israel lobby

Published 15 January 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Akira Ikegami says that AIPAC “really run the United States”.
Share via

Journalist and broadcaster Akira Ikegami has caused a stir in the West after he recently tried to explain to Japanese viewers how the United States is governed and why it remains Israel’s most important ally.

According to Ikegami, a key explanation is that the US economy and politics are dominated by people of Jewish descent, and he singles out the lobby group AIPAC as perhaps the most influential in the country.

In the program, which aired at the end of last year on the nationwide TV channel TV Asahi, Ikegami argues that both the Republicans and the Democrats fully support Israel and that the United States is Israel’s most loyal ally and financier, contributing significantly to funding the Israeli military.

When asked why the US actually supports Israel, a controversial explanation is presented – viewers are told that “the US has a lot of Jews at the top of banks and big business”.

– It is a presence that cannot be ignored, it is proclaimed, and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Google’s Larry Page are singled out as two such examples.

The audience is also visibly surprised to learn that six of the world’s 10 richest people are Jewish, as Ikegami points to a board listing various influential people of Jewish descent.

– In the US, there are quite a few Jews in politics and economics, it is further explained, and the Japanese are also told that there are also Jewish lobby groups in the US that have “even more influence” than that.

“These who run the United States”

– Lobby groups do in fact lobby Congress and negotiate various issues, but there are certain groups that have a particularly strong influence on the political world, Igame explains, pointing to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) as perhaps the most powerful lobby group in the United States.

– It is these who truly run the United States, he adds.

It is unclear how the program was received in Japan at the time of its broadcast, but it has caused quite a stir since it was translated into English and shared on Western social media.

Many point out that it illustrates very clearly the cultural and political differences between West and East, and argue that a program of this kind should never have been allowed to air on a European or American TV channel.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/journalist-starmer-works-for-israel/

World

Journalist: “Starmer works for Israel”

The Israel lobby

Published 29 December 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Keir Starmer and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Share via

Independent journalist Alex Barnicoat accuses UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of serving Tel Aviv and Israeli interests rather than his constituents or the British people.

Barnicoat points to how Starmer in 2021 hired former Israeli spy Assaf Kaplan to monitor the social media accounts of Labor Party members. The same Kaplan who was accused of illegally spying on Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

“Yes. Keir Starmer hired a Former Israeli Spy to “monitor” the social media accounts of his members of parliament. This was met with intense pushback by members of the Labour Party, but he didn’t care“, the journalist states.

In the same year, the Prime Minister expressed his unwavering support for Israel to members of the lobbying organization Labour Friends of Israel – the British equivalent of AIPAC in the US. The LFI is also reported to have donated large sums of money to Starmer’s party – although the exact amount donated has not been disclosed.

More Israeli spies

The independent journalist further points out how homosexual Jewish convert Damien Egan represents the Labour Party in the British Parliament and is married to Israeli spy recruiter Yossi Felberbaum.

Felberbaum, like Kaplan, is said to have served in the Israeli military intelligence unit Unit 8200, which primarily works on signals intelligence and decryption.

“Although it may be a distant connection, it is a connection that has sparked a lot of controversy with Keir’s relationship with Israel. As this man, Yossi, was (and may still be) incredibly important in the Israeli Intelligence Military Sector”, Barnicoat explains.

Foreign minister bought off by Israel lobbyist

He also notes that Starmer was in talks with Israeli President Isaac Herzog shortly before he and other Labor leaders blocked a motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza from being passed.

“First he speaks to the Israeli President, then moments after he weirdly ruins the Gaza Ceasefire Motion in a move that should have never happened. Is it becoming clear now?” asks the journalist.

The choice of a new British Foreign Secretary is also said to have mainly benefited Israel. Starmer appointed David Lammy, who not only visited Netanyahu and Herzog within a week of taking office, but is also accused of being bought by the Israel lobby.

“It’s confirmed that Lammy also received at least £70,000 one month into the Israel Gaza war from Israel lobbyist Gary Lubner. 8 days after that payment, he abstained on the ceasefire vote in parliament. It’s clear the Labour Party does not work with the UK’s best interests at heart“, Barniacoat notes.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/greta-thunberg-could-be-named-anti-semite-of-the-year/

World

Greta Thunberg could be named “anti-Semite of the year”

The Israel lobby

Published 26 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
StopAntisemitism considers Greta Thunberg to be one of the world's leading "anti-Semites".
Share via

Vocal climate activist Greta Thunberg used to be invited by politicians and other leaders around the world – often as a guest of honor at conferences and events.

Instead, after speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza, she has become something of a pariah among the Western elite, and now Thunberg may soon be named “anti-Semite of the year”.

The Jewish lobby group StopAntisemitism organizes the annual vote, claiming that its purpose is to “expose and unmask anti-Semites” and that “those who propagate hatred against the Jewish people are met with real-world consequences” – such as being fired from their jobs or suspended from the schools they attend.

However, the majority of the 10 finalists have not spread hatred or even expressed negative or hostile views about Jews as an ethnic or religious group – instead, in most cases, they have simply expressed support for the Palestinians in Gaza and condemned Israel’s bloody invasion and bombardment.

Others have highlighted and criticized the fact that Jewish lobby groups have a huge influence on American politics – an influence that AIPAC itself is quite open about.

Actors and TV personalities

There are no militant Islamists or radical national socialists on the list of this year’s worst “anti-Semites” – instead, it consists of actors, TV personalities, influencers, satirists and athletes who have condemned Israel’s actions in various ways.

In addition to Sweden’s Greta Thunberg, you can vote for award-winning actor John Cusack, MMA star Jake Shields and influencer Dan Bilzerian.

As reports of Israeli war crimes and abuses have increased, defenders of Israel’s actions have also begun to hurl accusations of “anti-Semitism” more liberally – with even the United Nations as an organization and its Secretary-General accused of hating and oppressing Jews.

Thunberg takes part in a pro-Palestinian protest outside the UN headquarters in Yerevan. Photo: Voice of America

“Fuels anti-Jewish hostility”

As for Thunberg, the lobby group claims she has “turned her climate activism into a platform for Jew-hatred”, participated in pro-Palestinian protests and has dared to engage in “voicing disdain for the Jewish state”.

“From chanting “crush Zionism” at protests to targeting Israeli Eurovision participants, Thunberg’s activism now fuels anti-Jewish hostility”, it claims.

The Swedish online news magazine Fria Tider notes that some of the nominees seem to have a hard time taking the nominations seriously, and some have even urged their followers on social media to vote for them so they can “win” the award.

 

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/trump-appoints-loyal-friend-of-israel-as-un-ambassador/

World

Trump appoints loyal friend of Israel as UN ambassador

The Israel lobby

Published 14 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Elise Stefanik and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Share via

President-elect Donald Trump has announced his nomination of the staunchly pro-Israel Elise Stefanik as the country’s new ambassador to the United Nations.

Stefanik, described as an experienced congresswoman and loyal supporter of Donald Trump, is likely to be approved by the Senate, as Republicans now hold a majority in the US Congress.

In an interview with Reuters, Trump said he had asked the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives, Elise Stefanik, to take on the role of the next US ambassador to the UN. Stefanik, who has represented New York’s 21st district since 2015, is known for her outspoken support for Trump and has established herself as one of the more prominent voices in the party.

She has expressed a “deeply humble ” approach to the nomination and is now awaiting Senate approval. With Republicans controlling 53 of the Senate’s 100 seats after the election, approval is expected to be a smooth, formal process.

Despite her political experience, Stefanik has not previously worked on foreign policy issues. However, she has long advocated for stronger support for Israel.

In October, Stefanik proposed a “complete reassessment of U.S. funding of the United Nations” in light of the Palestinian Authority’s expressed desire to expel Israel from the UN over alleged human rights abuses in Gaza.

“I am honored to nominate Chairwoman Elise Stefanik to serve in my Cabinet as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations”, Trump wrote in his message. He describes her as “incredibly strong, tough, and smart America First fighter”, referring to the protectionist policies he has made his trademark.

Photo: Elise Stefanik/FB

Israel welcomes the nomination

Israel’s UN spokesperson, Danny Danon, has commented on Stefanik’s possible appointment, pointing to hopes that Stefanik will continue to defend Israel’s interests at the UN.

– I look forward to working closely with Elise Stefanik on tackling malicious lies at the U.N. advanced by hostile nations while staying unswervingly committed to truth and justice”, he said.

The possible appointment as UN Ambassador means that a new representative will need to be elected for New York’s 21st District. However, party officials have expressed concern that the empty seat could lead to the Democrats taking over this mandate, which could affect the Republican majority in the House.

Rubio could become Secretary of State

Meanwhile, Trump is also expected to nominate Senator Marco Rubio as the new Secretary of State. Rubio, who has had a competitive relationship with Trump in the past, has repeatedly questioned the US’ extensive military aid to Ukraine.

Rubio has repeatedly voted against such proposals in the Senate, instead emphasizing the need for negotiations that could involve territorial concessions to Russia in order to achieve peace – something that could see Trump’s administration take a different direction in foreign policy than his predecessor.

Critical voices have been raised against Trump’s very pro-Israel nominations for the upcoming administration, with many wondering if “Israel First” and not “America First” is the president’s motto.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com