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Davide Cazzoni, per Equilibri.net 1- The straightest and relatively easy route for Israeli aircraft, through Jordanian and Iraqi airspace. Amman would hardly react militarly and limit its retaliation to a public complaint. Going through Iraq makes Washington's consensus necessary, but US involvement would mean serious consequences for the region's stability. Entering Iran by overflying southern Al Faw Peninsula through Persian Gulf would not limit significantly US liabilities, while the route has not advantages in terms of length. 2- Bypassing Jordan through the Gulf of Aqaba and entering Saudi airspace means a much longer route, but Riadh complaining would not be a serious problem. Saudi Arabia-Iran regional rivalry is known. 3- The northern route through Mediterranian Sea (along Lebanese and Syrian coasts) and Turkish-Syrian border needs above all Ankara's consensus, which is not guaranteed despite of good relations with Jerusalem. In this scenario, with Esfahan as...

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly and made the world community smile. 'Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses. When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, 'What a good opportunity to have a bath!' He removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. An Israeli had stolen them.' The Israeli representative jumped up furiously and shouted, 'What are you talking about? The Israelis weren't there then.' The Palestinian representative smiled and said: 'And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech.'

Israel's policies against the Palestinians are tantamount to a " crime against humanity", the United Nations' human rights rapporteur has said. Richard Falk said in a statement on Tuesday that the UN must "implement the agreed norm of a responsibility to protect a civilian population being collectively punished by policies that amount to a crime against humanity". The statement came on the same day that the UN Human Rights Council urged Israel to implement 99 measures to improve its rights record. Falk said it would seem "mandatory" that the UN's International Criminal Court investigate Israel’s policies in regard to the Palestinians. "[The court could] determine whether the Israeli civilian leaders and military commanders responsible for the Gaza siege should be indicted and prosecuted for violations of international criminal law," he said. The Israeli government has faced a level of criticism by "normally cautious UN officia...