Netanyahu says Israel and EU need to reset ties | Reuters

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused the European Union on Thursday of holding his country to a double standard, (and I presume that nomenclature would apply to any and all standards Israel did not find convenient?) and reserved special criticism for Sweden… proceeding to whine like a yappy little bitch.

Israel has been at odds with the EU over its decision to require labeling of exports from Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (Because, “nothing to see here, move along” like they are South Park or something?)

Relations with Sweden, however, have deteriorated since it recognized Palestinian statehood last year. Think of how much easier life would be for all parties if they just got over it…

Source: Netanyahu says Israel and EU need to reset ties | Reuters

Bavarian Town Protests Merkel’s Refugee Policy With Busload of Migrants

Criticism of Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy in Bavaria, where most migrants enter the country, erupted on the German Chancellor’s doorstep in the shape of a busload of 31 refugees.

Bavarian Town Protests Merkel’s Refugee Policy With Busload of Migrants – WSJ

Interesting to watch this culture war for Germany’s future play out.

Greek airline apologizes for pushing Arabs off flight after protest by Jews 

The Aegean Airlines’ CEO wrote to a Palestinian leader who had said the “appalling behavior by the Israeli passengers is reminiscent of the worst years of the South African apartheid.”

Greek airline apologizes for pushing Arabs off flight after protest by Jews | Jewish Telegraphic Agency

An apology is a paltry start. This sort of bigotry is the kind that fueled the trains into concentration camps in WWII. The “Jews” who complained should be the ones prevented from flying, as well as the employees who acquiesced to their bigoted and evil demands.

The response to an Israeli official’s ban on a Jewish-Arab love story? A video of Jews and Arabs kissing 

Tel Aviv liberals respond to an education ministry decision to ban a book about forbidden love between Jews and Muslims with a video of strangers from each side kissing each other.

Ironically, its almost impossible to tell who is Israeli and who is Palestinian in the video.

Ministry officials were worried that the “intimate relations between Jews and non-Jews threatens the separate identity,” reported Israeli daily Haaretz, which broke the story.

The response to an Israeli official’s ban on a Jewish-Arab love story? A video of Jews and Arabs kissing – The Washington Post

🙂

Remembering S. Korean sex slaves after deal 

People hold portraits of late World War II “comfort women” in front of the Japanese Embassy in Seoul, South Korea. The rally, which has been held every Wednesday since 1992, was the first since the countries reached what they consider a final settlement over Korean women forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military.

Remembering S. Korean sex slaves after deal – Yahoo News

Sigh….

Gary Neville’s homeless hotel

Diane Taylor returns to the Manchester Stock Exchange, where squatters are spending Christmas courtesy of owners Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs

Gary Neville’s homeless hotel: what happened next – video | Society | The Guardian

“Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight”

Former US Military Chief Admits Iraq Invasion Spawned ISIL 

The 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq fueled the creation of the Islamic State (ISIS) today and must serve as a warning against similar rash military intervention in Syria, a former U.S. intelligence chief said in an interview with German media on Sunday.

‘Huge Error’: Former US Military Chief Admits Iraq Invasion Spawned ISIS | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community

hmmmm. And can we stop calling them Isis?