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Welcome back to Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, where we bring you news, politics and culture - without the red and blue treatment. I’m John Kiriakou here with Benjamin Zinevich
More than 200 Palestinian civilians were killed yesterday in southern Gaza, as Israeli forces continued to pound civilian targets and to drive civilians to the border with Egypt. The Palestinian death toll is now near 23,000 with as many as 90 percent of the dead being civilians. More than 57,000 people have been injured. The World Food Program said over the holiday weekend that fully half of all Palestinians now face starvation, and there is not a single fully-functioning hospital in Gaza. The Israeli media reported that there would soon be a withdrawal of several hundred IDF troops from Gaza, but the move is likely little more than a normal rotation, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said yesterday that the war will continue for "many months." Meanwhile, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that Netanyahu's plan to effectively take over the court system, a plan launched early last summer, which led to nationwide protests, was unconstitutional. And a cabinet minister responsible for much of the plan has apologized publicly, saying that it was ill-advised. Still, Netanyahu will not abandon it. And Israeli political commentators believe that he will again try to take over the judiciary once the war is over. // In the Red Sea over the weekend, four Houthi fast boats attempted to take over a Maersk Lines cargo ship. The ship is flagged in Singapore, has a Chinese captain, and was on its way from Singapore to the Netherlands. The ship put out a distress call as it was being approached by the fast boats, and the US Navy responded immediately. The fast boats fired on the ship, but the US military fired back, sinking three of the four boats and killing 10 Houthis. One boat escaped back into Yemeni waters. Hours later, Iran announced that it would send a warship into the Red Sea to counter the US military presence there. // In the Mediterranean, the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier battle group began its journey back to the United States, having been off the coast of Israel for several months. It will be replaced by another carrier battle group, which includes 12 warships and support vessels.
Mark Sleboda is an international affairs and security analyst.
Israel’s Supreme Court strikes down Netanyahu’s judicial overhaul law - The Washington Post
Israel-Hamas War Updates: Supreme Court Ruling Latest News - The New York Times
Israel announces withdrawal of some troops from Gaza - The Washington Post
Iran sends warship through Red Sea, praises 'brave' Houthis after US kills 10
Questions:
Thanks for being with us. We're glad to have you back. Let's start with the situation on the ground in Gaza. The number of civilians killed and wounded in just three short months is staggering. Most of the international community is appalled by the way Israel is prosecuting this war. Starvation, thirst, and disease among Palestinians is spreading. A refugee crisis of historic proportions is in the offing. Is the international community doing anything to try to stop this disaster? Should we expect to see peace talks, a cease fire, international aid, or anything else in the near future?
I'm a little unclear as to what the ultimate Israeli goal is here. I understand that the Israelis say they want to destroy Hamas. But they've never articulated how it is they might do that. Instead, what we see every day are massive civilian casualties, akin to the great wars of the 20th century. What would it take for the Israelis to stop? How is the destruction of Hamas measured?
Here we are in the midst of one of the gravest wars Israel has ever been involved in, and the Supreme Court takes us back to the early summer and says that Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to take over the judiciary is unconstitutional. That plan had led to widespread national protests last summer. And now commentators are saying that, as soon as the war is in hand, Netanyahu is going to try to take over the judiciary again. What do you make of this? Is that even a feasible plan?
I've been saying for weeks that Yemen's Houthis are just begging to get blasted. I understand that they want to help and support the Palestinians. That's laudable. But randomly attacking, and in some cases kidnapping, civilian shipping crews that have nothing whatsoever to do with Israel doesn't help the Palestinians in any way. It's international piracy and it's a crime. Now 10 Houthis are dead, six western countries have warships in the Red Sea, and the Iranians are moving a ship there, which greatly increases the chances of an accident or a miscalculation. I'm assuming that the Iranians will do nothing to get the Houthis to stop. So how does this play out? Does the west attack Yemen? Does the west attack Iran? Is that where we're headed?
Washington made a big announcement yesterday that the USS Gerald Ford was returning to Norfolk. My immediate thought was "big deal. It'll just be replaced by another carrier battle group." This is a normal rotation. So will the Gerald Ford be replaced? Is the US in this conflict for the long haul?
Finally, the Israeli media made a great deal over the weekend of saying that there is no way Benjamin Netanyahu can survive this war politically. On the one hand, as prime minister he has to take responsibility for the war. On the other hand, the Israeli political system is such that there's almost no way to depose him. Are Israelis stuck with Netanyahu as Prime Minister, despite the fact that he has an approval rating of under 20 percent?
Israeli minister proposes depopulation of Gaza — RT World News
US rejects Gaza ethnic cleansing proposal — RT World News
War in Gaza won’t end in 2024 – Israel — RT World News
UK preparing to attack Houthis – The Times — RT World News
USS Ford aircraft carrier returning home after extended deployment defending Israel | The Times of Israel
Israel vs Palestine - Israeli Officials Speak Openly of Goal of Ethnic Cleansing Palestinians from Gaza, US & Iran Do the Proxy Dance Around Each Other, more...