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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
A Genocide Foretold: Reporting on Survival and Resistance in Occupied Palestine - a lucid, at times hectoring, short read
A Genocide Foretold: Reporting on Survival and Resistance in Occupied Palestine Author : Chris Hedges ISBN-13 : 978-1911710226 Publisher : Seven Stories Press Guideline Price : £14.99 Journalist and one-time New York Times correspondent Chris Hedges tackles the war in Gaza , taking a wide-angle look, similar to several other recent publications on the matter. Like many journalists who have covered the Israel-Palestine conflict, Hedges wound up with his sympathies firmly with the Palestinians. His reporting these days, which he combines with his role as a Presbyterian minister, is decidedly more partisan than in the days when he worked for the Times, though not, to be fair, lacking in objectivity. The book's subtitle gives the promise of reporting from Palestine , though there are only a few chapters of that, beginning with the first, where Hedges recounts time spent in the West Bank last year. Even then, he relies heavily on long extracts from his friend Atef Abu Seif's Don't Look Left, a diary, published last year, of Abu Seif's experience of living in Gaza during the first 80 days of Israeli attacks. You presume Abu Seif was happy to have large tracts of his text lifted; those who have already read his book might, however, feel a bit short-changed. The rest of the book is analysis of the decades that have got us to this pass. Hedges looks at the deleterious effects of the occupation of the West Bank and the history of Zionism, which, he says, never had any intention other than dispossession of the Palestinians. He also outlines the murky way in which the Israel lobby in the United States targets and smears pro-Palestinian activists through initiatives such as the Canary Mission and the Maccabee Task Force, using targeted Facebook ads. While the ads are often effective in a localised sense, the Israel lobby also acknowledges it is fighting a losing battle for the hearts and minds of Americans on the subject of Israel-Palestine. READ MORE Hedges makes an impassioned argument for the Palestinians and also excoriates the cowardice and indolence of authorities in the United States (he has little to say about Europe) in their blind support for Israel and their countenancing of the harassment and vilification of pro-Palestinian sympathisers. [ Israeli-American plan seems intended to kill off any hope of a two-state solution by deporting population of Gaza Opens in new window ] A Genocide Foretold is a lucid, if at times hectoring, short book, even if, it must be said, it does not have a great deal to separate it from the many on the same subject that have been recently published.
Saba Yemen
5 days ago
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
Abu Obeida renews salute to Yemeni People, Armed Forces for their support of Palestine
Gaza – Saba: Abu Obeida, the military spokesperson of al-Qassam Brigades, has renewed his salute to the steadfast and sincere position of the Yemeni people and their armed forces in support of Palestine, Gaza, and its fighters. He praised their ability to establish an effective front against the Israeli enemy. In a video statement broadcasted by Al Jazeera on Friday, Abu Obeida said: 'We extend our greetings to our dear and blessed people in Yemen—the land of wisdom and faith—to its armed forces, and to the sincere brothers of Ansarullah who astonished the world with their unwavering stance and true commitment to Palestine, Gaza, its people, and fighters. They have imposed an active front on the enemy.' He emphasized that Yemen's stance had exposed the inaction of major Arab and Islamic regimes, parties, and forces, which he said had failed to support the most sacred cause of the Arab and Muslim world. 'Over the past months, we have inflicted hundreds of casualties on the enemy's soldiers, leaving many more psychologically scarred. The number of suicides among their troops is increasing due to the horrors of what they do and what they face from our resistance, strengthened by God's support,' he said. Abu Obeida stated that al-Qassam fighters have employed new tactics and strategies, conducting unique operations, targeting Israeli vehicles with explosives, engaging in direct combat, sniping soldiers and officers, and attacking buildings, tunnels, and ambush points. He stressed that al-Qassam leadership is currently focused on inflicting significant losses on Israeli enemy troops, launching close-range operations, and attempting to capture enemy soldiers. 'After 21 months of al-Aqsa Flood battle and the brutal Zionist war, our fighters and fellow resistance factions are fully prepared for a prolonged war of attrition, no matter the shape of the enemy's aggression,' he said. 'Our fight is a sacred duty, a right that is not up for debate. We will fight with determination, armed with faith, even if all we have are the stones of the earth. Our men, with limited weapons, perform miracles by the grace of God,' he added. He revealed that Israel's government does not prioritize its captured soldiers, having conditioned its public to accept their deaths. Yet, he affirmed Hamas' efforts to preserve them for a potential exchange. Abu Obeida reaffirmed Hamas' support for the resistance's negotiating team in indirect talks with the Occupation, saying they offered a full prisoner exchange deal. However, Netanyahu and his ministers rejected it. He warned that if the Occupation continues to reject agreements, Hamas might not return to partial deals or the current "ten prisoners" proposal. Abu Obeida condemned the occupation's use of collective punishment and war crimes, supported openly by the U.S. administration. He said, 'If the enemy continues its genocide, it will keep receiving the corpses of its soldiers. Their tanks won't save them from the fire sent by faithful hands.' He held Arab and Islamic leaders responsible for the bloodshed in Gaza, accusing them of failing their duty. 'You will be held accountable before God for every orphan, widow, refugee, and wounded person. Your silence enabled the enemy.' He noted that four months had passed since the Occupation entity resumed its aggression in violation of a previous agreement. The Zionist campaign has focused on the destruction of civilian areas and targeting of innocents. Reflecting on 21 months of aggression, Abu Obeida described the resilience of the Palestinian people as legendary, while shaming Arab regimes for their betrayal. He praised the few honest fighters, the oppressed peoples, and global activists who stand with Palestine. He mocked the Occupation "Operation Gideon's Chariots," saying it was based on religious myths, while al-Qassam responded with "David's Stones" operations, inspired by Prophet David's triumph over Goliath. Abu Obeida affirmed unity with all Palestinian resistance factions, especially Islamic Jihad's al-Quds Brigades, in fighting a highly unequal battle with faith and courage. He saluted global activists trying to break the siege and support Gaza, despite danger and betrayal from hypocrites within the Arab world. He warned that using Arab-named collaborators was a sign of Israel's desperation, calling on them to repent before it's too late. He praised Palestinian tribes disowning traitors, affirming they do not represent the people. 'Your patience and defiance enrages the enemy more than anything else. Victory will come. After hardship, there is ease,' he said. Abu Obeida concluded with a Quranic verse promising joy to believers in the victory of Allah, calling for continued resistance until liberation is achieved.
Mada
7 days ago
- Politics
- Mada
Israel forces announce new ‘Magen Oz' corridor to cut off east Khan Younis amid truce talks
The Israeli Occupation military announced Wednesday that it has established a new 'corridor' in southern Gaza, an area cleared of buildings and farmland the military referred to as a 'security' zone. The new corridor, named Magen Oz, cuts eastern Khan Younis off from the west. A drone video of the Magen Oz corridor. Released by the IDF on July 16, 2025 The corridor is the latest of several zones that the Israeli military has carved through Gaza using wide-scale demolitions to divide the strip into separate regions and expand Israeli control over movement. Its establishment was preceded by dozens of military displacement orders for neighborhoods across Khan Younis, and comes as a delegation from Israel is due in Cairo to discuss a US-backed ceasefire — an agreement in which Israel's withdrawal from the besieged enclave is a major point of contention. The Israeli military said the corridor, which extends for 15 kilometers and adjoins the existing ' Morag ' zone that separated Khan Younis from Rafah, will be used mainly to pressure Hamas and try to defeat the Khan Younis brigade of the Qassam Brigades. An illustration of the Magen Oz and Morag corridors. Released by the IDF on July 16, 2025 The Israeli military began to clear and fortify zones within the strip in February 2024 in regions resembling the 'five fingers' plan of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for the strip's occupation. It first established the Netsarim corridor to cut off areas of northern Gaza from the rest of the strip. Less than two months later, Israeli forces invaded the Rafah border crossing and took control of the Philadelphi corridor between Gaza and Egypt, effectively controlling the entire southern border of Palestinian Rafah. In March, weeks after Israel broke the ceasefire, the Occupation military gained full control over Rafah by establishing the Morag corridor, cutting Rafah completely from neighboring Khan Younis. The 'Mefalsim corridor,' also established since the ceasefire, cuts through northern Gaza to separate Gaza City from the rest of the north, while an incomplete corridor named 'Kissufim,' opened in November 2024, seeks to separate Deir al-Balah from Khan Younis. The corridors have been used to extend Israeli military ground control inside the strip and launch deadly advances targeting people in their homes or in streets across Gaza. Forces stationed to occupy the corridors have targeted civilians attempting to move between the separated areas, with documented instances of forces abducting and killing passing pedestrians, including young children. The continued presence of the occupied zones has been a major block to ceasefire negotiations. Hamas leader Bassem Naim said on Wednesday that the new axis does not constitute a major military shift given Israel's complete control over Gaza. It is, however, a clear indication of the Occupation's intention to remain inside the strip, Naim said. He stressed that, contrary to public statements, Israel has not submitted to negotiators any new maps of its military presence in Gaza, which, along with the new corridor, indicate that the Occupation government's participation in the negotiations falls solely within the framework of 'improving its image within Israel and easing international pressure.' Amid the renewed talks for a 60-day truce, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared his commitment to a post-truce plan to displace Palestinians in Gaza to a confined space in southern Gaza, between Morag and Philadelphi, and resume the war in full force until Hamas is disarmed. The establishment of the new corridor comes against the backdrop of the renewed ceasefire and prisoner release talks ushered by US President Donald Trump.
The Star
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
The Violinist, Singapore's first animated historical film, set for August 2026 release
SINGAPORE: A film billed as Singapore's first animated historical epic is set to open in cinemas here in August 2026. The Violinist is set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese Occupation and the turbulent decades that follow. The story begins before the war and follows Fei, a violinist from a Peranakan family, and her close friend Kai, also a violinist. After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1941, Kai joins the resistance, but he disappears after the war. Fei spends decades performing around the region while searching for her missing friend. Her journey is marked by grief, and also hope. Singapore actors voicing the characters include Tan Kheng Hua, Adrian Pang, Ayden Sng and Fang Rong. Japanese actor Kazuya Tanabe voices a character who appears during the Occupation. Golden Horse Award-winning local musician Ricky Ho will compose music for the project. In a press statement, the film's co-director Ervin Han called The Violinist a tribute to 'a generation shaped by history'. 'I wanted to tell a story that lives in the space between history and imagination, one that honours the people who endured and the quiet courage that history often overlooks,' says Han, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He shares the writing and directing credits with veteran Spanish animator Raul Garcia, whose animation credits include Disney classics like Beauty And The Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994). The Violinist is a co-production between Singapore's Robot Playground Media, co-founded by Han, Spain's TV ON Producciones and Italy's Altri Occhi. Don Chen, director of the Singapore Film Commission and senior principal consultant with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), calls the film 'a breakthrough for Singapore storytelling'. 'It is the first time our history has been brought to life through animation in a way that has captured global interest. This achievement does more than showcase our creative talent; it opens the door for future generations of local talents to share stories of our home and our dreams,' he said. At a press event held on July 15 at IMDA's innovation space Pixel in one-north, Han, 50, says the film is about 'music and memory' - 'the things we hold on to, the things we search for, and the things we have to let go of to find something new'. The feature, adapted from Han's 2016 short film The Violin, has taken eight years to develop. 'We wanted the The Violinist to be rooted not just in character but in a place, specifically in Singapore and Malaya. We spent years establishing a high level of authenticity in the historical locations seen in the film,' he says. Fei's Peranakan family home, for example, is based on the NUS Baba House in conservation district Blair Plain. Fei's Peranakan family home is inspired by the NUS Baba House, a heritage site that was once the home of a Straits Chinese family. The track record for Singapore animated features has been marked by ups and downs. The 3D animated fantasies Legend Of The Sea (2007) and Zodiac: The Race Begins (2006) were acknowledged to be critical and commercial failures, while the animated drama Tatsumi (2011) from celebrated Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo was more positively received on the festival circuit and was selected to be Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language category at the 2012 Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist. Han says he is aware of the risk he is taking but says that making a film in Singapore, be it live-action or animation, involves taking a bet on one's instincts. 'Who in their right mind would make an animated film? Maybe there's a good reason why no one has made one in so long. Tatsumi was released 14 years ago. But I can't help it. It's what I love,' he says. Producer Justin Deimen calls The Violinist a 'very Singaporean film that crosses cultures'. It is not aimed at the arthouse or prestige end of the market, but will be a film for 'children in higher primary, their parents and their grandparents', he says. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
The Violinist: Singapore's First Animated Historical Epic Set for 2026 Release
A film billed as Singapore's first animated historical epic is set to open in cinemas here in August 2026. The Violinist is set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese Occupation and the turbulent decades that follow. The story begins before the war and follows Fei, a violinist from a Peranakan family, and her close friend Kai, also a violinist. After the Japanese invasion of Singapore in 1941, Kai joins the resistance, but he disappears after the war. Fei spends decades performing around the region while searching for her missing friend. Her journey is marked by grief, and also hope. Singapore actors voicing the characters include Tan Kheng Hua, Adrian Pang, Ayden Sng and Fang Rong. Japanese actor Kazuya Tanabe voices a character who appears during the Occupation. Golden Horse Award-winning local musician Ricky Ho will compose music for the project. In a press statement, the film's co-director Ervin Han called The Violinist a tribute to 'a generation shaped by history'. 'I wanted to tell a story that lives in the space between history and imagination, one that honours the people who endured and the quiet courage that history often overlooks,' says Han, who also co-wrote the screenplay. He shares the writing and directing credits with veteran Spanish animator Raul Garcia, whose animation credits include Disney classics like Beauty And The Beast (1991), Aladdin (1992) and The Lion King (1994). The Violinist is a co-production between Singapore's Robot Playground Media, co-founded by Han, Spain's TV ON Producciones and Italy's Altri Occhi. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Business Singapore financial sector growth doubles in 2024, assets managed cross $6 trillion in a first: MAS Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore Real estate firm PropNex donates $6 million to Community Chest for 25th anniversary Singapore Sengkang-Punggol LRT gets 15.8 per cent capacity boost with new trains Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years Don Chen, director of the Singapore Film Commission and senior principal consultant with the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), calls the film 'a breakthrough for Singapore storytelling'. 'It is the first time our history has been brought to life through animation in a way that has captured global interest. This achievement does more than showcase our creative talent; it opens the door for future generations of local talents to share stories of our home and our dreams,' he said. At a press event held on July 15 at IMDA's innovation space Pixel in one-north, Han, 50, says the film is about 'music and memory' - 'the things we hold on to, the things we search for, and the things we have to let go of to find something new'. The feature, adapted from Han's 2016 short film The Violin, has taken eight years to develop. 'We wanted the The Violinist to be rooted not just in character but in a place, specifically in Singapore and Malaya. We spent years establishing a high level of authenticity in the historical locations seen in the film,' he says. Fei's Peranakan family home, for example, is based on the NUS Baba House in conservation district Blair Plain. Fei's Peranakan family home is inspired by the NUS Baba House, a heritage site that was once the home of a Straits Chinese family. PHOTO: ROBOT PLAYGROUND MEDIA The track record for Singapore animated features has been marked by ups and downs. The 3D animated fantasies Legend Of The Sea (2007) and Zodiac: The Race Begins (2006) were acknowledged to be critical and commercial failures, while the animated drama Tatsumi (2011) from celebrated Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo was more positively received on the festival circuit and was selected to be Singapore's entry to the Best Foreign Language category at the 2012 Academy Awards, but did not make the final shortlist. Han says he is aware of the risk he is taking but says that making a film in Singapore, be it live-action or animation, involves taking a bet on one's instincts. 'Who in their right mind would make an animated film? Maybe there's a good reason why no one has made one in so long. Tatsumi was released 14 years ago. But I can't help it. It's what I love,' he says. Producer Justin Deimen calls The Violinist a 'very Singaporean film that crosses cultures'. It is not aimed at the arthouse or prestige end of the market, but will be a film for 'children in higher primary, their parents and their grandparents', he says.
