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Former Al-Jazeera chief compiles “blacklist” of journalists who support Israel-UAE and Israel-Bahrain deal
The announcement of the normalisation agreements between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain, signed on Tuesday in Washington, gave rise to some unusual plain speaking by various Arab commentators on the subject of Palestinian rejectionism.
Read MoreRussia’s quest to make itself indispensable in the Middle East
Although it has neither the desire nor the financial or military capacity to actually displace the United States in the Middle East, Russia has become adept at planting itself firmly in the middle of crises and conflicts and establishing itself as an indispensable intermediary at relatively little cost.
Read MoreAIJAC hails signing of Abraham Accords in Washington
The Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) today hailed the signing of the Abraham Accords, formalising the normalisation of relations between the United Arab Emirates and Israel, and between Bahrain and Israel, at the White House overnight.
Read MoreBridging the gulf to peace
The deals reflect a broader geopolitical realignment taking place – an already existing covert alliance of the US, Israel and Sunni Gulf nations against the threat represented by Iran and its proxies including terror group Hezbollah, due to Iran’s nuclear program and its destabilising activities across the region.
Read MoreDeals between Israel, UAE and Bahrain shatter old barriers
These historic deals, unlike those before them, have not grown out of the cold, transactional “land for peace” framework that followed the 1967 Six-Day War, but a new model of “peace for peace” and shared mutual interests. They are the organic product of both economic opportunity and common security concerns, particularly regarding the threat to all three countries from Iran – through conventional warfare, proxy militias and terror groups, and nuclear weapon ambitions.
Read MoreMahmoud Abbas courts disaster by rejecting hundreds of millions of dollars the Palestinians desperately need
Three things seem certain in the Middle East: death, taxes and the uncanny ability of Palestinian leaders to make terrible choices that leave their people worse off. A New York Times feature has demonstrated yet again not only this principle in action but the dysfunction at the heart of Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas’ 15-year one-man rule.
Read MoreAIJAC welcomes announcement of Israel-Bahrain ties
The historic news that Israel and the Kingdom of Bahrain have agreed to normalise full diplomatic and security relations is yet another highly positive step towards a peaceful Middle East, the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council (AIJAC) said today. Bahrain will become the fourth Arab country to pursue full diplomatic relations with Israel. “This is…
Read MoreAl Jazeera coverage promotes Qatar’s view opposing UAE-Israel normalisation deal
Surprise and a largely positive international reaction greeted the August 13 announcement of the Abraham Accord, the US-brokered normalisation agreement between Israel and the UAE. Even many Arab states said positive things about the agreement, or at least did not oppose it. Less surprising has been the negative coverage given to this historic development by the “independent” media organisation, Al Jazeera, the anti-Israel, anti-US and pro-Islamist propaganda outlet of the Qatari government, which founded, funds and controls it.
Read MoreIslamic charity in hot water receives Australian endorsement
Islamic Relief Australia was recently endorsed by the Australian Government as a preferred charity, despite the departure of its director over vile antisemitic social media comments, and existing unresolved accusations that an Australian board member allegedly has close ties to the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.
Read MoreIs your charitable donation supporting terrorism?
More sophisticated terrorist organisations require quite substantial amounts of money in order to survive and develop over longer periods of time. These groups tend to operate in a way that assumes some degree of social responsibility for their supporters by establishing a ‘humanitarian wing’ alongside the ‘military wing’, which complicates identifying funding for a terrorist group.
Read MoreIsrael Energised
A primarily export-focused policy has indeed been implemented to strategically leverage Israel’s energy discoveries. Newly developed energy partnerships have strengthened existing relations with regional allies, including Egypt, and become the foundation for new partnerships and forums. Meanwhile, Israel’s emergence as an energy producer has also enhanced regional and national energy security overall.
Read MoreAustralia must do more to get Melbourne academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert out of Iranian prison
The University of Melbourne Middle East expert has become another pawn in the Iranian game of taking foreign hostages under the guise of imprisoning “spies”. But should the Australian government be doing more, or doing things differently, to secure Moore-Gilbert’s release?
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