mintpressnews--2020-07-23--Anti-Diplomacy: Danny Danon Ends Five Year Legacy of Israeli Hasbara at the UN

The United States is Israel ’ s best friend and ally in the world .
It contributes over $ 10 million a day in no-strings-attached military aid despite the fact that Israel ’ s human rights record , according to the State Department ’ s own admission , is deeply problematic and contravenes U.S. law .
The U.S. has dropped out of or defunded a number of United Nations organizations , including the Human Rights Council , UNESCO , UNRWA , all for the sake of Israel .
Danny Danon – who once criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ leftist feebleness ” – just completed a five-year stint as Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations , bringing his own political flourish to the job .
Back in 2015 , when Danon was first appointed , Israel expert Jonathan Cook observed , “ Danon ’ s posting is part of a discernible pattern of recent appointments by Netanyahu that reflect a growing refusal to engage in any kind of recognizable diplomacy .
Confrontation is preferred .
Danon can be expected to barrack , abuse and alienate fellow ambassadors at the UN in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was right on the money .
Before his UN appointment , Danon already showed great promise as a combative promoter of Israeli exceptionalism .
That exceptionalism was on display in May 2010 , when Israel killed nine Turkish citizens aboard a humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza ( a tenth victim later died ) .
The ship , one of six in a flotilla , was in international waters when Israeli commandos attacked it in an attempt to prevent humanitarian goods from reaching Gaza .
Turkey demanded that Israel apologize and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of parliament , complied .
“ We are sorry that , due to the [ Israel Defense Forces ’ ] over-cautious behavior , only nine terrorists were killed , ” said Danon .
In 2012 , Danon served as chairman of Israel ’ s Deportation Now movement , an effort to remove tens of thousands of Eritrean and Sudanese refugees that had entered Israel in search of asylum .
He declared at a rally , In June 2013 , Danon advocated for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank with no regard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( a plan that is taking shape today ) : That same month , he expressed indifference to both international law , in this case regarding illegal settlement building , and Israel ’ s reputation when he declared to the Times of Israel , that “ [ the ] international community can say whatever they want , and we can do whatever we want.
” 2014 : “ We must not be humiliated ” The next year , Danon landed a position in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’ s cabinet as Deputy Defense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year before his brusque manner got him in trouble .
The Israeli Defense Force ( IDF ) was on its seventh day of an air invasion of Gaza .
Its mission : to stop Hamas rocket fire ( up to that point , projectiles from Gaza had caused 27 Israeli deaths in 13 years ) .
In its week-long air assault , the IDF had killed 185 Palestinians .
No Israelis had been killed , and Israel had accepted a ceasefire .
However , Danon criticized the Israeli government for going too easy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in starting a ground offensive – and for buying into a ceasefire too soon .
Danon released a statement that read in part , “ I did not agree , and won ’ t agree , to this spirit of leftist feebleness by the prime minister , and I won ’ t sell out my ideology for an office and a driver.
” The ceasefire fell through , and two days later , Israel began a ground invasion of Gaza .
By the end of the seven-week conflict , 2,251 Palestinians and 73 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ temporarily unemployed , but his career as a public servant was far from over : Netanyahu brought him back five months later as Minister of Science , Technology , and Space ; the next year , he was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations .
In the UN , Ambassador Danon hit the ground running .
In his first speech to the General Assembly , he attacked the entire body for what he considered an ongoing and utter mischaracterization of the Israel-Palestine situation : 2016 : “ Shame on you !
” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In April 2016 , the UN Security Council debated a possible resolution to call on Israel to halt the construction of illegal settlements on Palestinian land .
Ambassador Danon went off-script , addressing the Palestinian Ambassador , Riyad Mansour : Danon : Shame on you for glorifying terrorism !
Mansour : Shame on you for killing Palestinian children !
Danon : I condemn all acts of terrorism ’ : one sentence you can not say .
Shame on you for that .
Mansour : Let my people be free !
Shame on you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you !
You are an occupier .
The next month , Danon played host to a conference called , “ Building Bridges Not Boycotts , ” in the United Nations headquarters .
The summit sought to counter recent bad press : the UN Human Rights Council ( UNHRC ) had mandated a database , which was finally published in February of this year , of companies doing business in illegal Israeli settlements .
The list could be used to boycott the companies , most of them Israeli , as a form of economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ settlements .
The Boycott , Divest , and Sanction ( BDS ) movement – a campaign that addresses Israel ’ s violations of international law in its treatment of the Palestinian .
The nonviolent campaign is modeled after the South African anti-apartheid movement .
Israel and the U.S. describe BDS as anti-Semitic and an attempt to delegitimize Israel .
During the conference , Ambassador Danon declared to his audience , In October 2018 , the UNSC had a guest , one Hagai El-Ad , Director-General of B ’ tselem , a highly respected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tselem ’ s goal is to document human rights violations in the Israeli-occupied territories .
As part of a debate on Israel ’ s treatment of Palestinian Bedouins , El-Ad reported on his findings , describing Israel as a state “ founded on supremacy and oppression.
” Ambassador Danon retorted , In November 2018 , Israel clearly undermined a ceasefire with Hamas by infiltrating Gaza .
The incident ended with seven Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead .
Hamas retaliated by firing rockets toward Israel , killing one ; Israel then killed seven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ met to discuss the situation , but could not agree on a response .
Some UNSC members blamed Israel for the flare-up – Danon accused them of being “ morally bankrupt ” ; others diplomatically called for restraint on both sides , to which Danon proclaimed , “ there is no such thing as both sides.
” 2019 : “ The Bible is our deed , ” “ Palestinian surrender , ” and more In April 2019 , Ambassador Danon – himself a secular Jew – waved a Bible in the air and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to our land.
” In June , Danon published an editorial in the New York Times , “ What ’ s wrong with Palestinian surrender ?
” In it , he criticized the Palestinians ’ rejection of Trump ’ s so-called Deal of the Century – a “ peace ” plan that eliminates all hope of justice and self-determination and acquiesces to Israeli colonization .
Danon concluded that Palestinian resistance , In December , in what turned out to be one of his final acts of “ diplomacy , ” Danon announced that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2020 – one that would recognize the Jewish refugees circa 1948 .
He was referring to the estimated 850,000 Jews who had been exiled from Arab countries and Iran around the time that Israel was created , forced out by the Muslim majorities in those countries , angry that Jews had colonized the homeland of the Palestinians .
Danon insisted , “ Every time the U.N. talks about the refugees of Israel ’ s war of independence , they speak only of the Palestinian refugees .
He said he hoped to pass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : 2020 : One more for the road Ambassador Danon ’ s resolution recognizing Jewish refugees never materialized .
He did leave a parting gift , though : an interview with BBC ’ s Stephen Sackur , riddled with problematic and controversial statements : “ I represent not only the people of Israel , I represented [ sic ] the Jewish people in the U.N. ” When asked about Israel ’ s plan to begin formally annexing parts of the West Bank , Danon replied , “ You can not annex something that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something you do it from a foreign territory .
I do not know from whom we are annexing it… ” Danny Danon ’ s confrontational style of “ diplomacy ” grew from his belief that the United Nations carries a grudge against him and all Jews .
In fact , the UN created Israel , and in return , Israel made promises – none of which it has kept .
In 2015 , Jonathan Cook noted , “ Danon ’ s appointment…indicates the extent to which the Israeli right has abandoned any hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rightness of its cause – or even of working within the rules of statecraft.
” Based on that job description , Mr. Danon certainly discharged his duties .
Feature photo | Israel United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon listens to a correspondent during a news conference about Israel ’ s violent crackdown on Palestinian protests at the Gaza border , May 15 , 2018 , at U.N. headquarters .
Bebeto Matthews | AP Kathryn Shihadah writes for MintPress News and If Americans Knew .
She speaks regularly about the injustice and demonization Palestinians face @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the United States , especially to Christian audiences .
Kathryn has lived in the Middle East for ten years and has traveled extensively .
She blogs at PalestineHome.org .

The United States is Israel’s best friend and ally in the world. It contributes over $10 million a day in no-strings-attached military aid despite the fact that Israel’s human rights record, according to the State Department’s own admission, is deeply problematic and contravenes U.S. law. The U.S. has dropped out of or defunded a number of United Nations organizations, including the Human Rights Council, UNESCO, UNRWA, all for the sake of Israel.
Danny Danon – who once criticized Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, a hawk’s hawk, for his “leftist feebleness” – just completed a five-year stint as Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, bringing his own political flourish to the job.
Back in 2015, when Danon was first appointed, Israel expert Jonathan Cook observed, “Danon’s posting is part of a discernible pattern of recent appointments by Netanyahu that reflect a growing refusal to engage in any kind of recognizable diplomacy. Confrontation is preferred. Danon can be expected to barrack, abuse and alienate fellow ambassadors at the UN in New York.”
Cook’s prediction was right on the money.
Danny Danon: the early years
Before his UN appointment, Danon already showed great promise as a combative promoter of Israeli exceptionalism. That exceptionalism was on display in May 2010, when Israel killed nine Turkish citizens aboard a humanitarian aid ship en route to Gaza (a tenth victim later died). The ship, one of six in a flotilla, was in international waters when Israeli commandos attacked it in an attempt to prevent humanitarian goods from reaching Gaza. Turkey demanded that Israel apologize and a young Danny Danon, then a member of parliament, complied. “We are sorry that, due to the [Israel Defense Forces’] over-cautious behavior, only nine terrorists were killed,” said Danon.
In 2012, Danon served as chairman of Israel’s Deportation Now movement, an effort to remove tens of thousands of Eritrean and Sudanese refugees that had entered Israel in search of asylum. He declared at a rally,
The State of Israel is at war! An enemy state of infiltrators has been established within the State…We have to put an end to this, expel all the infiltrators before it is too late… The infiltrators are a national plague…”
In June 2013, Danon advocated for Israel to annex parts of the West Bank with no regard for the indigenous Palestinians that live there (a plan that is taking shape today):
The Jewish people are not settlers in the West Bank, but Israel will make the Palestinians settlers and Jordan will be the one taking control over Palestinians and that’s it.”
That same month, he expressed indifference to both international law, in this case regarding illegal settlement building, and Israel’s reputation when he declared to the Times of Israel, that “[the] international community can say whatever they want, and we can do whatever we want.”
2014: “We must not be humiliated”
The next year, Danon landed a position in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet as Deputy Defense Minister. He lasted just over a year before his brusque manner got him in trouble.
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) was on its seventh day of an air invasion of Gaza. Its mission: to stop Hamas rocket fire (up to that point, projectiles from Gaza had caused 27 Israeli deaths in 13 years).
In its week-long air assault, the IDF had killed 185 Palestinians. No Israelis had been killed, and Israel had accepted a ceasefire. However, Danon criticized the Israeli government for going too easy on Hamas – especially for its delay in starting a ground offensive – and for buying into a ceasefire too soon.
We must not be humiliated. We must correct the mistake of the cabinet decision from this morning [to accept the ceasefire] and allow the army to do what it must… with Hamas we must speak in a language it understands.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu promptly fired him.
Danon released a statement that read in part, “I did not agree, and won’t agree, to this spirit of leftist feebleness by the prime minister, and I won’t sell out my ideology for an office and a driver.”
The ceasefire fell through, and two days later, Israel began a ground invasion of Gaza. By the end of the seven-week conflict, 2,251 Palestinians and 73 Israelis were dead.
Danny Danon was temporarily unemployed, but his career as a public servant was far from over: Netanyahu brought him back five months later as Minister of Science, Technology, and Space; the next year, he was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations.
2015: “Stop making excuses”
In the UN, Ambassador Danon hit the ground running. In his first speech to the General Assembly, he attacked the entire body for what he considered an ongoing and utter mischaracterization of the Israel-Palestine situation:
Let me make one thing clear – this is not a cycle of violence. These are simply unprovoked attacks against Israelis for no reason other than the fact that they are Jews living in their historic homeland…” The UN must end its usual practice of calling on both sides to show restraint, and state clearly: there is one side that is instigating a wave of terror.” Stop making excuses for the Palestinians, and start holding them accountable.”
2016: “Shame on you!” and “BDS has infected the UN”
In April 2016, the UN Security Council debated a possible resolution to call on Israel to halt the construction of illegal settlements on Palestinian land. Ambassador Danon went off-script, addressing the Palestinian Ambassador, Riyad Mansour:
Danon: Shame on you for glorifying terrorism!
Mansour: Shame on you for killing Palestinian children!
Danon: I condemn all acts of terrorism’: one sentence you cannot say. Shame on you for that.
Mansour: Let my people be free! Shame on you! Shame on you! Shame on you! You are an occupier.
The next month, Danon played host to a conference called, “Building Bridges Not Boycotts,” in the United Nations headquarters. The summit sought to counter recent bad press: the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) had mandated a database, which was finally published in February of this year, of companies doing business in illegal Israeli settlements. The list could be used to boycott the companies, most of them Israeli, as a form of economic pressure to stop the construction of illegal settlements.
The Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) movement – a campaign that addresses Israel’s violations of international law in its treatment of the Palestinian. The nonviolent campaign is modeled after the South African anti-apartheid movement. Israel and the U.S. describe BDS as anti-Semitic and an attempt to delegitimize Israel.
During the conference, Ambassador Danon declared to his audience,
[BDS] has already infected the UN. When the UN opens its doors to BDS, we have to respond. This is a battle we must fight, and it is a battle we will win. To those who boycott Israel, who want to see an end to the Jewish state; to those standing outside the UN right now screaming hateful anti-Semitic slogans against Israel: you will never win. Our people have overcome every enemy. We stand strong; we stand together; and we will defeat you, once and for all.”
2018: “Wretched collaborator,” “morally bankrupt”
In October 2018, the UNSC had a guest, one Hagai El-Ad, Director-General of B’tselem, a highly respected Israeli human rights organization. B’tselem’s goal is to document human rights violations in the Israeli-occupied territories. As part of a debate on Israel’s treatment of Palestinian Bedouins, El-Ad reported on his findings, describing Israel as a state “founded on supremacy and oppression.” Ambassador Danon retorted,
You’re a wretched collaborator…IDF soldiers guard you, and you came here to defame them. Shame on you.”
In November 2018, Israel clearly undermined a ceasefire with Hamas by infiltrating Gaza. The incident ended with seven Palestinians and one Israeli soldier dead. Hamas retaliated by firing rockets toward Israel, killing one; Israel then killed seven more Palestinians.
The UN Security Council met to discuss the situation, but could not agree on a response.
Some UNSC members blamed Israel for the flare-up – Danon accused them of being “morally bankrupt”; others diplomatically called for restraint on both sides, to which Danon proclaimed, “there is no such thing as both sides.”
2019: “The Bible is our deed,” “Palestinian surrender,” and more
In April 2019, Ambassador Danon – himself a secular Jew – waved a Bible in the air and declared, “This is the deed to our land.”
From the book of Genesis; to the Jewish exodus from Egypt; to receiving the Torah on Mount Sinai; to the gates of Canaan; and to the realization of God’s covenant in the Holy Land of Israel; the Bible paints a consistent picture. The entire history of our people, and our connection to Eretz Yisrael, begins right here…”
In June, Danon published an editorial in the New York Times, “What’s wrong with Palestinian surrender?” In it, he criticized the Palestinians’ rejection of Trump’s so-called Deal of the Century – a “peace” plan that eliminates all hope of justice and self-determination and acquiesces to Israeli colonization. Danon concluded that Palestinian resistance,
[exposes] the uncomfortable truth about the Palestinian national identity: It is motivated not by building a better life for its people but by destroying Israel.”
In December, in what turned out to be one of his final acts of “diplomacy,” Danon announced that he’d be introducing a resolution in 2020 – one that would recognize the Jewish refugees circa 1948. He was referring to the estimated 850,000 Jews who had been exiled from Arab countries and Iran around the time that Israel was created, forced out by the Muslim majorities in those countries, angry that Jews had colonized the homeland of the Palestinians. Danon insisted, “Every time the U.N. talks about the refugees of Israel’s war of independence, they speak only of the Palestinian refugees.
The fact is there were two populations of refugees, and we must not allow that fact to be forgotten. Not only because we must honor those who lived through it, but because we must learn from it.”
He said he hoped to pass a resolution to formally recognize these refugees:
Israel took in these refugees and integrated them into our society. The international community on the other hand ignored them and built corrupt institutions that only serve so-called Palestinian refugees.” But the State of Israel will give voice to the truth and correct the historical injustice by putting an end to the deafening silence on the part of the international community.”
2020: One more for the road
Ambassador Danon’s resolution recognizing Jewish refugees never materialized. He did leave a parting gift, though: an interview with BBC’s Stephen Sackur, riddled with problematic and controversial statements: “I represent not only the people of Israel, I represented [sic] the Jewish people in the U.N.”
We [Jews] do have biblical rights to the land. Whether you are Christian, Muslim, or Jew — you read the Bible, you read the stories of the Bible — it’s all there. This is our deed to the land. That’s biblical.”
When asked about Israel’s plan to begin formally annexing parts of the West Bank, Danon replied, “You cannot annex something that belongs to you. When you annex something you do it from a foreign territory. I do not know from whom we are annexing it…”
Danny Danon’s confrontational style of “diplomacy” grew from his belief that the United Nations carries a grudge against him and all Jews. In fact, the UN created Israel, and in return, Israel made promises – none of which it has kept. In 2015, Jonathan Cook noted, “Danon’s appointment…indicates the extent to which the Israeli right has abandoned any hope of persuading the international community of the rightness of its cause – or even of working within the rules of statecraft.”
[Israel] has no place for negotiations or compromise [and] wants only to tell the world that it is wrong and that Israelis don’t care what others think…”
Based on that job description, Mr. Danon certainly discharged his duties.
Feature photo | Israel United Nations Ambassador Danny Danon listens to a correspondent during a news conference about Israel’s violent crackdown on Palestinian protests at the Gaza border, May 15, 2018, at U.N. headquarters. Bebeto Matthews | AP
Kathryn Shihadah writes for MintPress News and If Americans Knew. She speaks regularly about the injustice and demonization Palestinians face at the hands of Israel with complicity from the United States, especially to Christian audiences. Kathryn has lived in the Middle East for ten years and has traveled extensively. She blogs at PalestineHome.org.


mintpressnews--2020-07-24--Friends of the IDF Lobby Group Secures Forgivable US COVID Loans for Israeli Soldiers

A non-profit organization that “ that provides for wellbeing of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) ” was awarded a $ 2.5 million forgivable PPP loan by the ( Small Business Administration ) SBA .
The Friends of Israeli Defense Forces ( FIDF ) is the only organization “ authorized to represent the IDF across the United States and Panama ” where they claim to operate 20 regional offices , with a P.O .
Box in New York .
The FIDF ’ s loan was filed under the category of “ religious organization ” in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPP ) loan data , despite the NPO being listed as a Y12 organization under the IRS ’ NTEE classification system for non-profits : a “ Mutual/Membership Benefit Organization , ” which ( in the case of FIDF ) raises funds for issues relating to “ foreign affairs and national security , ” according to the tax-exempt organizations database published by ProPublica .
The FIDF is the largest donor organization to the IDF and its CEO , 33-year IDF veteran Maj. Gen .
( res . )
Meir Klifi-Amir , receives an annual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klifi served as Netanyahu ’ s military secretary before retiring in 2010 and working as a security consultant , specializing in “ national security and strategic planning for governments and agencies worldwide.
” He was appointed to the top post of the FIDF in 2014 .
Questioned about the untoward “ bonuses ” of half a million dollars he was given by the NPO , Klifi justifies it by asserting that he “ manages to raise three times as much as the second largest organization ” and claims the job is one that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ despite perks like flying business class as a part of his contract .
The New York-based 501c3 organization raises the vast majority of its average annual haul of $ 113 million ( over the period of Klifi ’ s tenure ) through extravagant gala events and functions attended by major celebrities like Barbra Streisand , Larry King and Arnold Schwarzenegger , among others .
Last October , the FIDF National Gala raised “ a record ” $ 37 million from top NY real estate leaders .
“ A Night of Heroes ” featured @ @ @ @ @ @ @ several high profile guests .
Klifi delivered a speech in which he called the IDF “ an extraordinary force of humanity .
Guided by its official ethical code , the Spirit of the IDF , which holds human life above all else.
” The IDF ’ s track record of holding “ human life above all else ” is laughable , at best .
What Klifi calls an “ extraordinary force for humanity ” has engaged in a litany of human rights abuses and extrajudicial murder against the Palestinian people over decades and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Israeli state .
From aiding the wholesale dispossession of Palestinian lands by Israeli settlers to killing children with targeted headshots , the Israeli Defense Forces are anything but a boon for humanity .
A timeline counting back to the year 2000 compares the number of Palestinians and Israelis killed since the Second Intifada began in that year .
The tally shows the true mission of IDF in the world and exactly what the FIDF ’ s mission to “ provide hope , purpose , and life-changing support for [ IDF ] @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. Senate approved a $ 38 billion-dollar package for Israel ’ s Defense establishment , allocating $ 3.8 billion a year over the next decade to “ upgrade most of Israel ’ s fighter aircraft , improve its ground forces ’ mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems.
” The largest military assistance deal in American or Israeli history co-sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio , however , seems to have stalled in the U.S. Congress .
Fortuitously for Israel , the National Defense Authorization Act ( NDAA ) for 2021 was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – a virtual carbon copy of the House version – that includes the go-ahead for $ 3.3 billion to Israel based on the same ( Memorandum of Understanding ) MOU , which delineated the original $ 38 billion-dollar aid proposal .
The Pentagon ’ s $ 740.5 billion NDAA passed by an overwhelming majority of 86-14 and , in addition to the billions slated for Israel ’ s defense systems like the Iron Dome , it also sets aside millions for joint U.S.-Israeli public-private partnerships to develop “ innovative medical projects primarily aimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Furthermore , the Act calls for the establishment of a “ US-Israel Operations Technology Working Group ” to focus on battlefield technology and other Israeli grant programs .
With such massive windfalls of U.S. tax-payer cash for Israel ’ s war machine , it ’ s no wonder that Meir Klifi-Amir would display such condescension over challenges to his outsized salary and bonuses as chief executive of the Friends of Israeli Defense Forces NPO .
“ Petty people want to make headlines , ” he complained .
He would have “ returned to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he exclaimed , if it wasn ’ t for the “ tremendous pressure ” he is under to remain here and raise “ three times as much as the second largest organization.
” Feature photo | In this Nov 26 , 2015 photo , members of the Israel Defense Forces pose for a photo for social media .
Twitter | @ IDF

A non-profit organization that “that provides for wellbeing of the soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)” was awarded a $2.5 million forgivable PPP loan by the (Small Business Administration) SBA. The Friends of Israeli Defense Forces (FIDF) is the only organization “authorized to represent the IDF across the United States and Panama” where they claim to operate 20 regional offices, with a P.O. Box in New York.
The FIDF’s loan was filed under the category of “religious organization” in the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan data, despite the NPO being listed as a Y12 organization under the IRS’ NTEE classification system for non-profits: a “Mutual/Membership Benefit Organization,” which (in the case of FIDF) raises funds for issues relating to “foreign affairs and national security,” according to the tax-exempt organizations database published by ProPublica.
The FIDF is the largest donor organization to the IDF and its CEO, 33-year IDF veteran Maj. Gen. (res.) Meir Klifi-Amir, receives an annual salary of over $1 million. Klifi served as Netanyahu’s military secretary before retiring in 2010 and working as a security consultant, specializing in “national security and strategic planning for governments and agencies worldwide.” He was appointed to the top post of the FIDF in 2014. Questioned about the untoward “bonuses” of half a million dollars he was given by the NPO, Klifi justifies it by asserting that he “manages to raise three times as much as the second largest organization” and claims the job is one that “nobody is enthusiastic about,” despite perks like flying business class as a part of his contract.
The New York-based 501c3 organization raises the vast majority of its average annual haul of $113 million (over the period of Klifi’s tenure) through extravagant gala events and functions attended by major celebrities like Barbra Streisand, Larry King and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among others. Last October, the FIDF National Gala raised “a record” $37 million from top NY real estate leaders. “A Night of Heroes” featured a delegation of 20 IDF soldiers and several high profile guests. Klifi delivered a speech in which he called the IDF “an extraordinary force of humanity. Guided by its official ethical code, the Spirit of the IDF, which holds human life above all else.”
Charity for Murder
The IDF’s track record of holding “human life above all else” is laughable, at best. What Klifi calls an “extraordinary force for humanity” has engaged in a litany of human rights abuses and extrajudicial murder against the Palestinian people over decades and is the prime agent of Palestinian oppression by the Israeli state.
From aiding the wholesale dispossession of Palestinian lands by Israeli settlers to killing children with targeted headshots, the Israeli Defense Forces are anything but a boon for humanity. A timeline counting back to the year 2000 compares the number of Palestinians and Israelis killed since the Second Intifada began in that year. The tally shows the true mission of IDF in the world and exactly what the FIDF’s mission to “provide hope, purpose, and life-changing support for [IDF] soldiers” really entails.
In May, the U.S. Senate approved a $38 billion-dollar package for Israel’s Defense establishment, allocating $3.8 billion a year over the next decade to “upgrade most of Israel’s fighter aircraft, improve its ground forces’ mobility and strengthen its missile defense systems.” The largest military assistance deal in American or Israeli history co-sponsored by Senator Marco Rubio, however, seems to have stalled in the U.S. Congress.
Petty Cash
Fortuitously for Israel, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2021 was just passed in the Senate on Thursday – a virtual carbon copy of the House version – that includes the go-ahead for $3.3 billion to Israel based on the same (Memorandum of Understanding) MOU, which delineated the original $38 billion-dollar aid proposal.
The Pentagon’s $740.5 billion NDAA passed by an overwhelming majority of 86-14 and, in addition to the billions slated for Israel’s defense systems like the Iron Dome, it also sets aside millions for joint U.S.-Israeli public-private partnerships to develop “innovative medical projects primarily aimed at detecting and treating the coronavirus.” Furthermore, the Act calls for the establishment of a “US-Israel Operations Technology Working Group” to focus on battlefield technology and other Israeli grant programs.
With such massive windfalls of U.S. tax-payer cash for Israel’s war machine, it’s no wonder that Meir Klifi-Amir would display such condescension over challenges to his outsized salary and bonuses as chief executive of the Friends of Israeli Defense Forces NPO. “Petty people want to make headlines,” he complained. He would have “returned to Israel a long time ago,” he exclaimed, if it wasn’t for the “tremendous pressure” he is under to remain here and raise “three times as much as the second largest organization.”
Feature photo | In this Nov 26, 2015 photo, members of the Israel Defense Forces pose for a photo for social media. Twitter | @IDF
Raul Diego is a MintPress News Staff Writer, independent photojournalist, researcher, writer and documentary filmmaker.


mintpressnews--2020-07-24--US-Backed Coup Gov’t in Bolivia Suspends Elections for Third Time

Amid a rapidly worsening COVID-19 pandemic , Bolivia ’ s coup government has once again suspended much-anticipated elections that were due to be held on September 6 .
This is the third time the administration of Jeanine Añez has postponed them because of the virus , setting a new date for October 18 .
The move has drawn condemnation from both left and right , but for different reasons .
MintPress ’ Ollie Vargas , who covered events from inside the country since last year ’ s November 10 coup , was dismayed , announcing : Former President Evo Morales @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) party agreed , stating that “ The de facto government wants to gain more time to continue the persecution of social leaders and against MAS candidates .
It ’ s yet another form of persecution .
That ’ s why they don ’ t want elections on September 6.
” Meanwhile , coup leader Fernando Camacho rejected the new date , demanding elections be scrapped altogether , a position shared by the far-right Santa Cruz “ Civic Committee.
” Morales was reelected in October for another five year term .
A popular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and extreme poverty by three quarters , while increasing the ( inflation-adjusted ) per capita GDP by 50 percent in his 13 years in office .
He managed this primarily through a series of nationalizations of the country ’ s key industries and by expelling the predatory International Monetary Fund ( IMF ) from Bolivia .
But in November , the military and police intervened , demanding he resign .
Today he lives in exile in Argentina .
Nevertheless , the latest polls show that the MAS candidate Luis Arce , who served @ @ @ @ @ @ @ win the election outright on the first ballot if it were held today .
Arce accused Añez of using the pandemic as a pretext to extend her rule .
A little-known senator from a party that received only just four percent of the vote in October , Añez was handpicked by the military to become the new president .
A strongly Christian conservative who described the country ’ s indigenous majority as “ satanic , ” she arrived to take her new place in government clutching an oversized bible .
She enjoyed the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the U.S. government , and the entire spectrum of corporate media , who cheered the events as they happened .
The new administration immediately began to suppress and criminalize dissent , including massacring protesters who objected to the takeover .
Despite leading in the polls , the MAS have been suppressed , with many of their leaders jailed or facing dubious charges .
Morales himself faces life in prison for “ terrorism ” if he sets foot in his country again .
Añez has also overseen the selling off of the country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hydrocarbon industry , and has completely reoriented its foreign policy to align with the United States .
She has also begun working with the IMF , taking out a $ 327 million loan in April .
The U.S. government strongly backed Añez from the beginning ; three days after the coup the State Department released an official communiqué “ applauding ” her for “ leading her nation ” through a “ democratic transition.
” The stated reason for the postponement of the elections is the country ’ s continued inability to deal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tribunal President Salvador Romero said the move was necessary to keep Bolivia ’ s hospitals and cemeteries from collapsing under the strain of the increased deaths .
“ This election requires the highest possible health security measures to protect the health of Bolivians , ” he said .
One reason why the country ’ s medical system is under such pressure is that Añez expelled hundreds of Cuban doctors working primarily with the country ’ s poorest people , leading to closures of hospitals and health clinics .
While Bolivia has officially reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe those figures could be an underestimate .
This week , police said they recovered 420 dead bodies from streets , vehicles and homes in La Paz and Santa Cruz .
In June , Añez herself tested positive for COVID-19 .
In response to the delayed elections , Bolivian trade unions have given the government 72 hours to reverse the decision , threatening “ indefinite mobilizations ” to restore democracy .
Thus , it appears that even after eight months of constant political struggle , tensions could be about to be increased once @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a face mask and shield against the spread of the new coronavirus walks past soldiers in riot gear standing on a sidewalk during quarantine , in La Paz , Bolivia , May 11 , 2020 .
Juan Karita | AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age : Still Manufacturing Consent .
He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

Amid a rapidly worsening COVID-19 pandemic, Bolivia’s coup government has once again suspended much-anticipated elections that were due to be held on September 6. This is the third time the administration of Jeanine Añez has postponed them because of the virus, setting a new date for October 18.
The move has drawn condemnation from both left and right, but for different reasons. MintPress’ Ollie Vargas, who covered events from inside the country since last year’s November 10 coup, was dismayed, announcing:
Bolivia’s unelected coup regime has extended it’s illegitimate power by canceling elections once again. When we get to October they’ll invent another reason to postpone, then another, till they’ve found a buyer for the lithium & other natural resources. This is a dictatorship.
Former President Evo Morales of the Movement to Socialism (MAS) party agreed, stating that “The de facto government wants to gain more time to continue the persecution of social leaders and against MAS candidates. It’s yet another form of persecution. That’s why they don’t want elections on September 6.” Meanwhile, coup leader Fernando Camacho rejected the new date, demanding elections be scrapped altogether, a position shared by the far-right Santa Cruz “Civic Committee.”
Morales was reelected in October for another five year term. A popular president, he reduced poverty by half and extreme poverty by three quarters, while increasing the (inflation-adjusted) per capita GDP by 50 percent in his 13 years in office. He managed this primarily through a series of nationalizations of the country’s key industries and by expelling the predatory International Monetary Fund (IMF) from Bolivia. But in November, the military and police intervened, demanding he resign. Today he lives in exile in Argentina. Nevertheless, the latest polls show that the MAS candidate Luis Arce, who served as Morales’ finance minister, would win the election outright on the first ballot if it were held today. Arce accused Añez of using the pandemic as a pretext to extend her rule.
From popular mandate to elitist candidate
A little-known senator from a party that received only just four percent of the vote in October, Añez was handpicked by the military to become the new president. A strongly Christian conservative who described the country’s indigenous majority as “satanic,” she arrived to take her new place in government clutching an oversized bible. She enjoyed the support of the country’s elite, the U.S. government, and the entire spectrum of corporate media, who cheered the events as they happened. The new administration immediately began to suppress and criminalize dissent, including massacring protesters who objected to the takeover. Despite leading in the polls, the MAS have been suppressed, with many of their leaders jailed or facing dubious charges. Morales himself faces life in prison for “terrorism” if he sets foot in his country again.
Añez has also overseen the selling off of the country’s national resources, including in the hydrocarbon industry, and has completely reoriented its foreign policy to align with the United States. She has also begun working with the IMF, taking out a $327 million loan in April. The U.S. government strongly backed Añez from the beginning; three days after the coup the State Department released an official communiqué “applauding” her for “leading her nation” through a “democratic transition.”
The stated reason for the postponement of the elections is the country’s continued inability to deal with the coronavirus pandemic. Supreme Electoral Tribunal President Salvador Romero said the move was necessary to keep Bolivia’s hospitals and cemeteries from collapsing under the strain of the increased deaths. “This election requires the highest possible health security measures to protect the health of Bolivians,” he said. One reason why the country’s medical system is under such pressure is that Añez expelled hundreds of Cuban doctors working primarily with the country’s poorest people, leading to closures of hospitals and health clinics. While Bolivia has officially reported 65,000 cases and 2,407 deaths, some believe those figures could be an underestimate. This week, police said they recovered 420 dead bodies from streets, vehicles and homes in La Paz and Santa Cruz. In June, Añez herself tested positive for COVID-19.
In response to the delayed elections, Bolivian trade unions have given the government 72 hours to reverse the decision, threatening “indefinite mobilizations” to restore democracy. Thus, it appears that even after eight months of constant political struggle, tensions could be about to be increased once again.
Feature photo | A woman wearing a face mask and shield against the spread of the new coronavirus walks past soldiers in riot gear standing on a sidewalk during quarantine, in La Paz, Bolivia, May 11, 2020. Juan Karita | AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


mintpressnews--2020-07-24--Homeland Security Justifies Invasion of Portland by Claiming Shields and Gas Masks are Weapons

Far from restoring order , the arrival of federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) and Border Patrol in Portland , Oregon has only heightened tensions , with agents attacking and arresting protesters nightly .
DHS ’ Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli took to social media yesterday to share images of items confiscated from demonstrators .
“ Here is a shield and a couple of gas masks from a rioter arrested in Portland .
Not a sign with a slogan that someone expressing their first amendment rights might carry , but preparations for violence .
Peaceful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , ” he wrote .
Evidence that demonstrators were using inherently defensive items like shields and gas masks to protect themselves from tear gas , rubber bullets and pepper balls appeared not to convince many to drop their support of the movement .
“ ‘ The steps you take to protect yourself from the violence I perpetrate against you are the evidence that you deserve that violence ’ is rarely articulated quite so plainly .
At least not in public , ” replied Angus Johnston of Hostos Community College ( City University @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justifies its invasion of Portland — over the objections of city and state officials — on the grounds that it is protecting federal property , particularly the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse , which has become a venue of intense struggle .
“ Simply put , we need to make sure [ it is ] not burned down , as rioters have tried to do for weeks .
That ’ s our mission , ” it stated .
Yet it is far from clear whether the DHS has the legal remit to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its mission is “ striving to prevent future [ terrorist ] attacks against the United States and our allies , responding decisively to natural and man-made disasters , and advancing American prosperity and economic security long into the future , ” none of which would be covered by protesters graffiting federal property .
The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the government and the DHS for their actions .
Despite this , Cuccinelli has promised to expand the use of federal troops or police nationwide , including into a number of Democratic-run cities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we ’ re responsible for around the country , ” he told NPR .
Fears over live ammo and violence against the press Local elected officials appear far more concerned about the violence of the feds than of any damage protesters have done .
The city ’ s mayor , Ken Wheeler , has repeatedly demanded federal agents leave the city immediately .
Instead , they gassed Wheeler himself when he joined the demonstrations .
Wheeler also raised concerns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ authorized to use live ammunition .
Despite Wheeler and many other Oregon representatives ’ opposition to the President ’ s moves , demonstrators themselves have criticized the mayor for failing to rein in his own police force , who have been no less aggressive .
Despite a judge banning the use of tear gas , earlier this month , police broke the court order and declared a riot , using flashbang grenades and tear gas to disperse protesters .
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker , Portland has seen 52 attacks on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police violence began in late May , Minneapolis being the only city recording more .
Not counted among the 52 is the case of MintPress contributor Wyatt Reed .
Late Wednesday night , federal agents shot him in the face with pepper balls , injuring his eye .
Last night , he was also hit in the knee and the hand .
“ For the record I was sitting by myself , well away from anyone else & nowhere near any of more militant demonstrators when these “ specially trained ” federal agents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” he tweeted .
The current protest movement was sparked by the viral images showing the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis .
Since then they expanded to every state in the union and to other nations .
One recent Morning Consult poll found that 23 percent of police officers said they held “ very ” or “ somewhat favorable ” views of white supremacy , by far the highest proportion of over 100 identifiable groups the survey asked .
President Trump has opted to confront the protests head on , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gas masks are now considered weapons , it appears likely that more government escalation is on the cards for Portland .
Feature photo | Federal officers use tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on July 22 , 2020 , in Portland , Ore. Noah Berger | AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting , The Guardian , Salon , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

Far from restoring order, the arrival of federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Border Patrol in Portland, Oregon has only heightened tensions, with agents attacking and arresting protesters nightly. DHS’ Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli took to social media yesterday to share images of items confiscated from demonstrators.
“Here is a shield and a couple of gas masks from a rioter arrested in Portland. Not a sign with a slogan that someone expressing their first amendment rights might carry, but preparations for violence. Peaceful protester? I don’t think so,” he wrote. Evidence that demonstrators were using inherently defensive items like shields and gas masks to protect themselves from tear gas, rubber bullets and pepper balls appeared not to convince many to drop their support of the movement. “‘The steps you take to protect yourself from the violence I perpetrate against you are the evidence that you deserve that violence’ is rarely articulated quite so plainly. At least not in public,” replied Angus Johnston of Hostos Community College (City University of New York).
Here is a shield and a couple of gas masks from a rioter arrested in Portland. Not a sign with a slogan that someone expressing their first amendment rights might carry, but preparations for violence. Peaceful protester? I don’t think so. pic.twitter.com/0Re1V129ge — Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli (@HomelandKen) July 23, 2020
The DHS justifies its invasion of Portland — over the objections of city and state officials — on the grounds that it is protecting federal property, particularly the Mark O. Hatfield Federal Courthouse, which has become a venue of intense struggle. “Simply put, we need to make sure [it is] not burned down, as rioters have tried to do for weeks. That’s our mission,” it stated. Yet it is far from clear whether the DHS has the legal remit to do so. Its own website notes that its mission is “striving to prevent future [terrorist] attacks against the United States and our allies, responding decisively to natural and man-made disasters, and advancing American prosperity and economic security long into the future,” none of which would be covered by protesters graffiting federal property. The American Civil Liberties Union is suing the government and the DHS for their actions.
Despite this, Cuccinelli has promised to expand the use of federal troops or police nationwide, including into a number of Democratic-run cities. “This is a posture we intend to continue not just in Portland but in any of the facilities that we’re responsible for around the country,” he told NPR.
Fears over live ammo and violence against the press
Local elected officials appear far more concerned about the violence of the feds than of any damage protesters have done. The city’s mayor, Ken Wheeler, has repeatedly demanded federal agents leave the city immediately. Instead, they gassed Wheeler himself when he joined the demonstrations.
What I saw last night was powerful in many ways. I listened, heard, and stood with protesters. And I saw what it means when the federal government unleashes paramilitary forces against its own people. It is unconscionable and un-American. We are all committed to change – this must stop so the work can move forward,” he wrote.
Wheeler also raised concerns over unconfirmed reports that agents had been authorized to use live ammunition. Despite Wheeler and many other Oregon representatives’ opposition to the President’s moves, demonstrators themselves have criticized the mayor for failing to rein in his own police force, who have been no less aggressive. Despite a judge banning the use of tear gas, earlier this month, police broke the court order and declared a riot, using flashbang grenades and tear gas to disperse protesters.
According to the U.S. Press Freedom Tracker, Portland has seen 52 attacks on journalists since the nationwide protests against racist police violence began in late May, Minneapolis being the only city recording more. Not counted among the 52 is the case of MintPress contributor Wyatt Reed. Late Wednesday night, federal agents shot him in the face with pepper balls, injuring his eye. Last night, he was also hit in the knee and the hand. “For the record I was sitting by myself, well away from anyone else & nowhere near any of more militant demonstrators when these “specially trained” federal agents shot me directly w chemical weapons projectile,” he tweeted.
The current protest movement was sparked by the viral images showing the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Since then they expanded to every state in the union and to other nations. One recent Morning Consult poll found that 23 percent of police officers said they held “very” or “somewhat favorable” views of white supremacy, by far the highest proportion of over 100 identifiable groups the survey asked. President Trump has opted to confront the protests head on, rather than make concessions. If shields and gas masks are now considered weapons, it appears likely that more government escalation is on the cards for Portland.
Feature photo | Federal officers use tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters outside the Mark O. Hatfield United States Courthouse on July 22, 2020, in Portland, Ore. Noah Berger | AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


mintpressnews--2020-07-24--Tech Giants Eye Lucrative Rent Market as End to Eviction Moratorium Could Leave Millions Homeless

In a ‘ normal ’ , pre-pandemic economy , a number roughly equal to the population of Pittsburg , Pennsylvania – or about 3.7 million people – are evicted every month in the United States , according to Matthew Desmond , principal investigator of Princeton University ’ s “ Eviction Lab ” project , which tracks evictions throughout the country and produces the first nationwide eviction database .
But , come Friday , July 24 , those numbers could rise precipitously should the moratorium on evictions , included in the CARES Act be allowed to expire .
The legislation afforded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ period from “ fees , penalties , or charges in relation to nonpayment of rent ” and barred landlords from filing eviction notices of any kind during that period .
The situation facing low-income communities is exceedingly harsh when considering the endemic economic disparity that characterizes cash-poor communities with scant access to any sort of financial resources or affordable credit .
Studies on wealth inequality have shown time and again how excessive rent burdens can leave families on the brink of homelessness over relatively minor , unexpected emergencies like a simple car repair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A “ semi-permanent renter class ” has developed among poor African Americans , in particular .
1 in 11 people who fall into this demographic face eviction every year .
For the rest of the United States , the rate is 1 in 20 .
African American communities and other communities of color are the most vulnerable to the approaching deadline , which not only opens the door for the resumption of eviction filings but also brings potentially large bills of fees and penalties , which the CARES Act allowed to accrue for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lawmakers have come out against the end of the moratorium despite the uncertainty and great potential for popular unrest this is likely to cause .
Some cities like Houston have already lifted the eviction freeze leading many in the legal profession to expect a “ tsunami ” of eviction filings .
The prospect of homelessness looms large over working families living on incomes under $ 40K a year ; 40 percent of which lost a source of employment in March , according to Shamus Roller of the National Housing Law Project .
Milwaukee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most at risk , with a 40 percent jump in eviction rates from their typical level at this time of year .
The American Bar Association ’ s Task Force Committee on Evictions revealed that a staggering 28 million homes are at risk of coming under eviction orders due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic .
Emily Benfer , who chairs the ABA committee is also the co-creator of the COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard put out by the Eviction Lab .
In an editorial published Wednesday by NBC News , Benfer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ housing precarity and its disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx families ” and warned that without “ robust government intervention ” the “ avalanche of evictions ” will take a heavy toll on entire communities .
She predicts renters will suffer increasing levels of distress as unemployment benefits are cut off and reopened courts begin hearing thousands of pending evictions .
Benfer decried the Trump administration ’ s attempts to eliminate fair housing rules , that were set up to push back against “ longstanding discriminatory housing practices , ” echoing her partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who contrasted the plight of African American and Latino renters with white American families who are “ buffered ” from the looming eviction crisis by virtue of most of them owning their own home .
In her concluding paragraph , Benfer asserted that we must “ define our post-pandemic reality ” and suggested that the government subsidize the housing market in toto while a new paradigm takes shape .
Anti-eviction demonstrations are starting to sprout up around the country with organizations like the Cancel the Rent movement and Kansas City Tenants stage protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some state governments , like Andrew Cuomo ’ s office , are taking the initiative to implement rental assistance programs .
The federal government is joining the chorus through U.S. Representative , Ilhan Omar ’ s “ Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020 , ” a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , Rep. Rashida Talib and 27 others , which calls for the effective annulment of rents and mortgages due for the ( undefined ) period of the Covid-19 pandemic and proposes the creation of a Landlord Relief Fund for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parallel to this and largely under the radar , however , the private tech sector is moving into position to swoop in and take advantage of the impending housing crisis .
Just as news of a mysterious virus was breaking late last year , Facebook invested $ 1 billion for the construction of 20,000 new affordable housing units in California , following Google ’ s lead which had made the exact same commitment a few months earlier .
Apple more than doubled Google ’ s and Facebook ’ s investment , combined , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the same cause .
On the occasion of Facebook ’ s investment , California governor Gavin Newsom declared that the “ State government can not solve housing affordability alone ” and praised the public-private partnership for advancing the fight against “ economic inequality and restoring social mobility.
” Feature photo | People from a support organization for immigrant and working class communities unfold banners , including one advocating rent cancellation , on a subway platform in the Queens borough of New York during a vigil memorializing people who died from coronavirus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted authorities around the U.S. to initiate policies protecting renters from eviction , May 21 , 2020 .
Bebeto Matthews | AP

In a ‘normal’, pre-pandemic economy, a number roughly equal to the population of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania – or about 3.7 million people – are evicted every year in the United States, according to Matthew Desmond, principal investigator of Princeton University’s “Eviction Lab” project, which tracks evictions throughout the country and produces the first nationwide eviction database.
But, come Friday, July 24, those numbers could rise precipitously should the moratorium on evictions, included in the CARES Act be allowed to expire. The legislation afforded renters with a 120 days’ grace period from “fees, penalties, or charges in relation to nonpayment of rent” and barred landlords from filing eviction notices of any kind during that period.
The situation facing low-income communities is exceedingly harsh when considering the endemic economic disparity that characterizes cash-poor communities with scant access to any sort of financial resources or affordable credit. Studies on wealth inequality have shown time and again how excessive rent burdens can leave families on the brink of homelessness over relatively minor, unexpected emergencies like a simple car repair or a doctor’s visit.
A “semi-permanent renter class” has developed among poor African Americans, in particular. 1 in 11 people who fall into this demographic face eviction every year. For the rest of the United States, the rate is 1 in 20. African American communities and other communities of color are the most vulnerable to the approaching deadline, which not only opens the door for the resumption of eviction filings but also brings potentially large bills of fees and penalties, which the CARES Act allowed to accrue for 120 days.
A broad crisis
So far, few lawmakers have come out against the end of the moratorium despite the uncertainty and great potential for popular unrest this is likely to cause. Some cities like Houston have already lifted the eviction freeze leading many in the legal profession to expect a “tsunami” of eviction filings. The prospect of homelessness looms large over working families living on incomes under $40K a year; 40 percent of which lost a source of employment in March, according to Shamus Roller of the National Housing Law Project.
Milwaukee and Cleveland are two of the cities most at risk, with a 40 percent jump in eviction rates from their typical level at this time of year. The American Bar Association’s Task Force Committee on Evictions revealed that a staggering 28 million homes are at risk of coming under eviction orders due to the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emily Benfer, who chairs the ABA committee is also the co-creator of the COVID-19 Housing Policy Scorecard put out by the Eviction Lab.
In an editorial published Wednesday by NBC News, Benfer called for a “long-term solution to housing precarity and its disproportionate impact on Black and Latinx families” and warned that without “robust government intervention” the “avalanche of evictions” will take a heavy toll on entire communities. She predicts renters will suffer increasing levels of distress as unemployment benefits are cut off and reopened courts begin hearing thousands of pending evictions.
Benfer decried the Trump administration’s attempts to eliminate fair housing rules, that were set up to push back against “longstanding discriminatory housing practices,” echoing her partner at Eviction Lab, Matt Desmond, who contrasted the plight of African American and Latino renters with white American families who are “buffered” from the looming eviction crisis by virtue of most of them owning their own home.
In her concluding paragraph, Benfer asserted that we must “define our post-pandemic reality” and suggested that the government subsidize the housing market in toto while a new paradigm takes shape.
Public and Private Motives
Anti-eviction demonstrations are starting to sprout up around the country with organizations like the Cancel the Rent movement and Kansas City Tenants stage protests against the imminent expiration of the moratorium. Some state governments, like Andrew Cuomo’s office, are taking the initiative to implement rental assistance programs.
The federal government is joining the chorus through U.S. Representative, Ilhan Omar’s “Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act of 2020,” a bill co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Rashida Talib and 27 others, which calls for the effective annulment of rents and mortgages due for the (undefined) period of the Covid-19 pandemic and proposes the creation of a Landlord Relief Fund for property owners to recoup their losses.
Parallel to this and largely under the radar, however, the private tech sector is moving into position to swoop in and take advantage of the impending housing crisis. Just as news of a mysterious virus was breaking late last year, Facebook invested $1 billion for the construction of 20,000 new affordable housing units in California, following Google’s lead which had made the exact same commitment a few months earlier. Apple more than doubled Google’s and Facebook’s investment, combined, when it put down $2.5 billion for the same cause.
On the occasion of Facebook’s investment, California governor Gavin Newsom declared that the “State government cannot solve housing affordability alone” and praised the public-private partnership for advancing the fight against “economic inequality and restoring social mobility.”
Correction | A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that 3.7 million people are evicted in the United States every month, the correct figure is 3.7 million people evicted every year. We regret this error.
Feature photo | People from a support organization for immigrant and working class communities unfold banners, including one advocating rent cancellation, on a subway platform in the Queens borough of New York during a vigil memorializing people who died from coronavirus. The pandemic has shut housing courts and prompted authorities around the U.S. to initiate policies protecting renters from eviction, May 21, 2020. Bebeto Matthews | AP
Raul Diego is a MintPress News Staff Writer, independent photojournalist, researcher, writer and documentary filmmaker.


mintpressnews--2020-07-27--Amid Escalating Tensions, US Warships Sail Just Miles off Coast of China

A U.S. warship and military aircraft were spotted traveling southwest from Japan towards China yesterday afternoon , in what some fear is a growing escalation of aggression towards Beijing .
A Boeing P-8A Poseidon ( hex code AE68A2 ) , an anti-submarine aircraft appeared to be working in conjunction with the anti-submarine destroyer the U.S.S .
Rafael Peralta , patrolling as close as 41 nautical miles from China ’ s maritime boundary , almost in sight of the city of Shanghai .
Earlier in the day , an Air Force Northrop Grumman E-8C reconnaissance plane ( hex code AE1492 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hex code AE1D8A ) reconnaissance aircraft surveilled China ’ s Fuijanese coast , the latter coming within 58 nautical miles of its boundaries before turning back .
Today , the EP-3E was back , this time going west , following the coastline of China ’ s most populous province , Guangdong .
The moves are believed by Chinese experts to be information gathering operations , attempting to track the positions of Chinese submarines and to pinpoint Chinese coastal defenses as the United States increases the tension on Beijing .
The U.S. military is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia in the Philippine Sea , aimed at better training those involved for a future war with China .
Those wargames do not appear to be a part of the maneuvers off of China ’ s coast .
Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently accused the People ’ s Liberation Army as “ continuing its aggressive behavior in the East and South China Seas , ” stating that the U.S. was there to “ deter against coercive [ Chinese ] behavior.
” The United States is also beginning to sever diplomatic relations with China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close , claiming it was a hub of spying activity .
Diplomats and embassy staff were jeered and heckled as they left for the final time , The Guardian reporting that American officials forced entry to the building , potentially a serious breach of international law .
In retaliation , China ordered an American consulate in Chengdu to close .
Going further , Florida Senator Rick Scott recently claimed every Chinese citizen in the U.S. is a Communist spy , arguing that foreign students should be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increasingly see China as a threat to U.S. hegemony .
In 2011 , the Obama administration announced its so-called “ Pivot to Asia , ” an attempt to encircle China with military bases in an attempt to crush it .
This has been continued by Trump , who has consistently portrayed China as a U.S. enemy .
The Pentagon ’ s 2021 budget calls for a move away from the Middle East and a focus on East Asia as America ’ s “ priority theater.
” The government has also attempted to shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 pandemic onto China , Trump missing no opportunity to call it the “ Wuhan China Virus.
” The president has even committed the U.S. to leave the World Health Organization over its refusal to comply with censuring China .
While there has been no active fighting , the online information war is already raging .
Last month a U.S.-funded think tank managed to convince Twitter to delete over 170,000 accounts sympathetic to China and its government , while the government is also considering outright banning the popular ( Chinese-owned ) video app @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to get out in front of the president , but it ’ s something we ’ re looking at , ” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News .
The negative media coverage appears to have had a profound impact on public opinion .
Just nine years ago , Americans ’ views on China were strongly favorable , but a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that a record 66 percent of the country now hold negative opinions about the country , only a quarter continuing to hold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activities of the U.S. military are noteworthy and potentially inflammatory , they are not unique .
Indeed , only last month , it launched a similar operation off the coast of Venezuela .
Describing it as a “ freedom of navigation operation , ” the U.S.S .
Paul Nitze sailed within almost 12 nautical miles of the Venezuelan coast , accompanied in the sky by a Boeing RC-135W reconnaissance plane , with some postulating that the move was an attempt to gain information on the country ’ s coastal defenses in the light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ President Trump reportedly stated would be a “ really cool ” thing to do .
In 2016 former senior Trump advisor Steve Bannon said that “ We ’ re going to war in the South China Sea in five to 10 years…there ’ s no doubt about that.
” While anti-war activists everywhere will hope otherwise , recent events suggest he may have been on to something .
Feature photo | In this photo provided by U.S. Navy , Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class James Benzel , from Louisville , Ohio , assigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Squadron , signals an MH-60R Sea Hawk to disengage its rotors on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan ( CVN 76 ) as USS Mustin ( DDG 89 ) steams alongside in South China Sea , July 9 , 2020 .
Erica Bechard | U.S.Navy via AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age : Still Manufacturing Consent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Accuracy in Reporting , The Guardian , Salon , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

A U.S. warship and military aircraft were spotted traveling southwest from Japan towards China yesterday afternoon, in what some fear is a growing escalation of aggression towards Beijing. A Boeing P-8A Poseidon (hex code AE68A2), an anti-submarine aircraft appeared to be working in conjunction with the anti-submarine destroyer the U.S.S. Rafael Peralta, patrolling as close as 41 nautical miles from China’s maritime boundary, almost in sight of the city of Shanghai.
Earlier in the day, an Air Force Northrop Grumman E-8C reconnaissance plane (hex code AE1492) and a Navy Lockheed Martin EP-3E (hex code AE1D8A) reconnaissance aircraft surveilled China’s Fuijanese coast, the latter coming within 58 nautical miles of its boundaries before turning back. Today, the EP-3E was back, this time going west, following the coastline of China’s most populous province, Guangdong. The moves are believed by Chinese experts to be information gathering operations, attempting to track the positions of Chinese submarines and to pinpoint Chinese coastal defenses as the United States increases the tension on Beijing.
US Navy P-8A operating near #Shanghai, with USS Rafael Peralta sailing underneath, July 26.
Might be a joint-operation? pic.twitter.com/vm7REvY14U — SCS Probing Initiative (@SCS_PI) July 26, 2020
The U.S. military is currently conducting extensive wargames with Japan and Australia in the Philippine Sea, aimed at better training those involved for a future war with China. Those wargames do not appear to be a part of the maneuvers off of China’s coast. Defense Secretary Mark Esper recently accused the People’s Liberation Army as “continuing its aggressive behavior in the East and South China Seas,” stating that the U.S. was there to “deter against coercive [Chinese] behavior.”
The United States is also beginning to sever diplomatic relations with China. Last week, the Trump administration ordered the Chinese consulate in Houston to close, claiming it was a hub of spying activity. Diplomats and embassy staff were jeered and heckled as they left for the final time, The Guardian reporting that American officials forced entry to the building, potentially a serious breach of international law. In retaliation, China ordered an American consulate in Chengdu to close. Going further, Florida Senator Rick Scott recently claimed every Chinese citizen in the U.S. is a Communist spy, arguing that foreign students should be treated with extreme suspicion.
American policymakers increasingly see China as a threat to U.S. hegemony. In 2011, the Obama administration announced its so-called “Pivot to Asia,” an attempt to encircle China with military bases in an attempt to crush it. This has been continued by Trump, who has consistently portrayed China as a U.S. enemy. The Pentagon’s 2021 budget calls for a move away from the Middle East and a focus on East Asia as America’s “priority theater.” The government has also attempted to shift both domestic and international blame for the COVID-19 pandemic onto China, Trump missing no opportunity to call it the “Wuhan China Virus.” The president has even committed the U.S. to leave the World Health Organization over its refusal to comply with censuring China.
While there has been no active fighting, the online information war is already raging. Last month a U.S.-funded think tank managed to convince Twitter to delete over 170,000 accounts sympathetic to China and its government, while the government is also considering outright banning the popular (Chinese-owned) video app TikTok. “I don’t want to get out in front of the president, but it’s something we’re looking at,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Fox News.
The negative media coverage appears to have had a profound impact on public opinion. Just nine years ago, Americans’ views on China were strongly favorable, but a recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that a record 66 percent of the country now hold negative opinions about the country, only a quarter continuing to hold China in high regard.
Can you imagine the absolute freakout that would take place if the Chinese military was operating this close to New York, off the US coast? The US engages in these dangerous provocations against China on a weekly basis, but it is China that is always painted as the "aggressor". https://t.co/KzBJdaJhXf — Ajit Singh (@ajitxsingh) July 26, 2020
While the activities of the U.S. military are noteworthy and potentially inflammatory, they are not unique. Indeed, only last month, it launched a similar operation off the coast of Venezuela. Describing it as a “freedom of navigation operation,” the U.S.S. Paul Nitze sailed within almost 12 nautical miles of the Venezuelan coast, accompanied in the sky by a Boeing RC-135W reconnaissance plane, with some postulating that the move was an attempt to gain information on the country’s coastal defenses in the light of an oft-rumored possible invasion, something President Trump reportedly stated would be a “really cool” thing to do.
In 2016 former senior Trump advisor Steve Bannon said that “We’re going to war in the South China Sea in five to 10 years…there’s no doubt about that.” While anti-war activists everywhere will hope otherwise, recent events suggest he may have been on to something.
Feature photo | In this photo provided by U.S. Navy, Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class James Benzel, from Louisville, Ohio, assigned to the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, signals an MH-60R Sea Hawk to disengage its rotors on the flight deck of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as USS Mustin (DDG 89) steams alongside in South China Sea, July 9, 2020. Erica Bechard | U.S.Navy via AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.


mintpressnews--2020-07-27--United Tesla Company: Widespread Condemnation of Elon Musk’s Bolivia Coup Comments

Multibillionaire Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk once again proved that he does not know how to keep silent .
After being challenged on Twitter about his alleged involvement in the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Evo Morales in Bolivia last November , Musk responded , “ We will coup whoever we want !
Deal with it.
” Although he later deleted his statement , he doubled down on his stance , tweeting “ Congratulations to the people of Bolivia !
” on Morales ’ ouster .
The pushback to Musk ’ s apparent confession that he was intimately @ @ @ @ @ @ @ foreign government and its replacement with a far-right dictatorship was swift .
“ I ’ ve been silently fuming about this ever since he tweeted it .
It just chokes me up with so much rage I can ’ t think of anything to say about it .
I write for a living and I am still completely without words for this , ” wrote independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone .
“ All oligarchies are composed of trash , but there does seem to be something special about this one , ” said writer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grayzone Ben Norton agreed , tweeting , “ The fascist Bolivian coup dictatorship has already invited billionaire imperialist Elon Musk to exploit the country ’ s lithium reserves .
When this capitalist oligarch brags “ We will coup whoever we want , ” take the fascist criminal at his word.
” Paulo Drinot , summed up the event , describing it as the “ United Tesla Company.
” Drinot , a Professor of Latin American History at University College , London , is referencing the 1954 Guatemalan coup d ’ etat , where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Chiquita , conspired with the U.S. government to overthrow President Jacobo Arbenz , chiefly because the popular leader had initiated land reform that was hurting the company ’ s bottom line , ensuring the country would return to being nothing more than a banana republic .
Musk ’ s comments seemed to confirm what many had been saying since the coup took place .
Barely 24 hours after the events , Indian academic and writer Vijay Prashad wrote that they “ can not be understood without a glance at the nation ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Morales himself labeled his ouster a “ lithium coup d ’ etat ” last year .
The former president , who was forced to flee to Argentina or face a lifetime in prison , said that Musk ’ s words were “ more proof that the coup was due to Bolivian lithium ; and two massacres as a balance .
We will always defend our resources !
” Musk ’ s company , Tesla , relies on lithium batteries for its electric vehicles .
Bolivia is right in the center of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Andes mountain range where over half of the world ’ s known deposits of the metal lie .
With the world beginning to transition away from fossil fuels , the need for energy storage devices is expected to grow exponentially .
Morales , a resource nationalist , had for a long time seen lithium as the way forward to industrialize and improve the country ’ s economy , hoping to keep the technology and profits from battery generation inside Bolivia .
Musk ’ s plans to open a car plant in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit a snag with the defiant president refusing to give him a sweetheart deal .
Morales ’ successor , the military-backed Jeanine Añez , immediately began privatizing the country ’ s key resources , and there is widespread speculation that such a deal is imminent after Añez ’ s running mate in the now-suspended 2020 elections asked Musk to build a factory inside the country .
This is the third time that the far-right Añez administration has postponed the elections due to concerns over the coronavirus , leading many to speculate that no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Movement to Socialism Party is way ahead in the polls .
Morales was elected Bolivia ’ s president in 2005 .
A popular and stabilizing force in the often volatile nations , his programs managed to reduce poverty by half and extreme poverty by three quarters , increasing the ( inflation-adjusted ) per capita GDP by 50 percent in his 13 years in office .
Unlike rulers that had come before him , he came from the country ’ s indigenous majority and was previously a poor farmer and leader of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn the country around primarily through nationalizing its key resources and using the profits to fund social programs .
He was among the most vocal critics of U.S. imperialism in the world and , together with Venezuela ’ s Hugo Chavez and Brazil ’ s Lula da Silva was one of the key leaders of Latin America ’ s so-called “ Pink Tide , ” a continent-wide movement aimed at countering imperialism worldwide .
While the South African billionaire ’ s words certainly appear damning , he has a long history of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which cast some doubt on what he said .
In May , he tweeted that Tesla ’ s stock price was “ too high ” in his opinion , leading to an instant reduction of over $ 80 per share in value .
He also called Vern Unsworth , a British diver rescuing Thai boys trapped in a cave a “ pedo , ” after he brushed off Musk ’ s supposed attempts to help as a useless “ P.R .
stunt.
” For someone so closely connected to the notorious Jeffrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ practice to call other people pedophiles .
Musk has been photographed alongside Epstein ’ s partner Ghislaine Maxwell , and reportedly gave him a private tour of his California SpaceX facility .
Epstein also reportedly set Musk ’ s brother up with his girlfriend .
While the Tesla billionaire ’ s latest comments are certainly incriminating , it is unlikely that there will be any legal ramifications , as the United States continues to be in full support of the coup .
Like with the Epstein case , there are precious few ways @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the U.S. government is not interested in pursuing the matter .
Feature photo | President Donald Trump meets with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk , center , and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon during a meeting with business leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington , Feb. 3 , 2017 .
Evan Vucci | AP Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News .
After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books : Bad News From Venezuela : Twenty Years of Fake News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Age : Still Manufacturing Consent .
He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting , The Guardian , Salon , The Grayzone , Jacobin Magazine , Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary .

Multibillionaire Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk once again proved that he does not know how to keep silent. After being challenged on Twitter about his alleged involvement in the overthrow of the democratically elected government of Evo Morales in Bolivia last November, Musk responded, “We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.”
Although he later deleted his statement, he doubled down on his stance, tweeting “Congratulations to the people of Bolivia!” on Morales’ ouster.
The pushback to Musk’s apparent confession that he was intimately involved in the violent overthrow of a foreign government and its replacement with a far-right dictatorship was swift. “I’ve been silently fuming about this ever since he tweeted it. It just chokes me up with so much rage I can’t think of anything to say about it. I write for a living and I am still completely without words for this,” wrote independent journalist Caitlin Johnstone. “All oligarchies are composed of trash, but there does seem to be something special about this one,” said writer Justin Podur. Assistant editor of The Grayzone Ben Norton agreed, tweeting, “The fascist Bolivian coup dictatorship has already invited billionaire imperialist Elon Musk to exploit the country’s lithium reserves. When this capitalist oligarch brags “We will coup whoever we want,” take the fascist criminal at his word.”
Paulo Drinot, summed up the event, describing it as the “United Tesla Company.” Drinot, a Professor of Latin American History at University College, London, is referencing the 1954 Guatemalan coup d’etat, where the United Fruit Company, now known as Chiquita, conspired with the U.S. government to overthrow President Jacobo Arbenz, chiefly because the popular leader had initiated land reform that was hurting the company’s bottom line, ensuring the country would return to being nothing more than a banana republic.
Musk’s comments seemed to confirm what many had been saying since the coup took place. Barely 24 hours after the events, Indian academic and writer Vijay Prashad wrote that they “cannot be understood without a glance at the nation’s massive reserves of this crucial mineral.” Morales himself labeled his ouster a “lithium coup d’etat” last year. The former president, who was forced to flee to Argentina or face a lifetime in prison, said that Musk’s words were “more proof that the coup was due to Bolivian lithium; and two massacres as a balance. We will always defend our resources!”
The Bolivian people are organising to take back control of the lithium that the US-imposed regime is trying to give to Elon Musk. pic.twitter.com/df5rYMNgsW — Ollie Vargas (@OVargas52) July 25, 2020
Musk’s company, Tesla, relies on lithium batteries for its electric vehicles. Bolivia is right in the center of the Lithium Triangle” — a region high in the Andes mountain range where over half of the world’s known deposits of the metal lie. With the world beginning to transition away from fossil fuels, the need for energy storage devices is expected to grow exponentially. Morales, a resource nationalist, had for a long time seen lithium as the way forward to industrialize and improve the country’s economy, hoping to keep the technology and profits from battery generation inside Bolivia. Musk’s plans to open a car plant in Brazil and use cheap Bolivian lithium had hit a snag with the defiant president refusing to give him a sweetheart deal. Morales’ successor, the military-backed Jeanine Añez, immediately began privatizing the country’s key resources, and there is widespread speculation that such a deal is imminent after Añez’s running mate in the now-suspended 2020 elections asked Musk to build a factory inside the country.
This is the third time that the far-right Añez administration has postponed the elections due to concerns over the coronavirus, leading many to speculate that no election is forthcoming, particularly because Morales’ Movement to Socialism Party is way ahead in the polls. Morales was elected Bolivia’s president in 2005. A popular and stabilizing force in the often volatile nations, his programs managed to reduce poverty by half and extreme poverty by three quarters, increasing the (inflation-adjusted) per capita GDP by 50 percent in his 13 years in office. Unlike rulers that had come before him, he came from the country’s indigenous majority and was previously a poor farmer and leader of a peasant’s union. He managed to turn the country around primarily through nationalizing its key resources and using the profits to fund social programs. He was among the most vocal critics of U.S. imperialism in the world and, together with Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez and Brazil’s Lula da Silva was one of the key leaders of Latin America’s so-called “Pink Tide,” a continent-wide movement aimed at countering imperialism worldwide.
While the South African billionaire’s words certainly appear damning, he has a long history of making inflammatory statements and trolling others online, which cast some doubt on what he said. In May, he tweeted that Tesla’s stock price was “too high” in his opinion, leading to an instant reduction of over $80 per share in value. He also called Vern Unsworth, a British diver rescuing Thai boys trapped in a cave a “pedo,” after he brushed off Musk’s supposed attempts to help as a useless “P.R. stunt.” For someone so closely connected to the notorious Jeffrey Epstein, it is perhaps not best practice to call other people pedophiles. Musk has been photographed alongside Epstein’s partner Ghislaine Maxwell, and reportedly gave him a private tour of his California SpaceX facility. Epstein also reportedly set Musk’s brother up with his girlfriend.
While the Tesla billionaire’s latest comments are certainly incriminating, it is unlikely that there will be any legal ramifications, as the United States continues to be in full support of the coup. Like with the Epstein case, there are precious few ways to hold the powerful to account if the U.S. government is not interested in pursuing the matter.
Feature photo | President Donald Trump meets with Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, center, and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon during a meeting with business leaders in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Feb. 3, 2017. Evan Vucci | AP
Alan MacLeod is a Staff Writer for MintPress News. After completing his PhD in 2017 he published two books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent. He has also contributed to Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, Common Dreams the American Herald Tribune and The Canary.