Stephen Lendman: Netanyahu Rejects Palestinian

Sovereignty and Democratic Freedoms: On January 20, Netanyahu said no to independent Palestine, yes to settlement expansions. More on that below. Freedom House calls itself "an independent watchdog organization dedicated to the expansion of freedom around the world." It deplores what it claims to support. It gets State Department and other US agency funding. It serves Washington's dark side. It helps further its imperial agenda. In its January annual report, headlined "Freedom in the World 2013," It called Israel the Middle East's only "free" state. Doing so turns truth on its head. Free countries, it is said, are ones with "open political competition, a climate of respect for civil liberties, significant independent civic life, and independent media." Palestinians and Israeli Arabs have different views. So do most Jews mindful enough to know. "Neoliberal" harshness and broken electoral promises marginalize and harm them. Haaretz discussed "false economic promises." It said Netanyahu and Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz "handed out money" to the usual interests, "and now the public will have to pay the price." It urged Israelis not to forget when heading to the polls to vote. They didn't pay attention before and don't now. They've got themselves to blame. Eva Berger is School of Media Studies dean, as well as College of Management Academic Studies. Until November 2011, she was Israel's press adviser. She quit over eroding press freedom. She said she wouldn't "lend her hand to this." She cited proposed legislation, enabling government to sue journalists, and media sources for libel. She mentioned shutting down a Jewish-Palestinian radio station. At the same time, others were threatened for reporting anti government views. Legislative proposals worried her. They are worse now than then. Freedom in Israel is fast eroding. Netanyahu and like minded extremists bear full responsibility. On January 22, Israelis vote. Ballot options largely exclude choice. Dominant parties control things. They reflect fascism, not democracy.