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The documentary series "The Reagans" shows that President Ronald Reagan's roots are corruption, racism, and corporatism. Trumpism is not an anomaly but walks in the footsteps of a right-wing construct to achieve tax cuts for the rich and undoing the New Deal. Director Matt Tynrauer joins theAnalysis.news with Paul Jay. This interview was originally published on January 27, 2021.

In part 2, Joshua Landis discusses Hamas' recent ceasefire proposal and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's planned ground incursion into Rafah. Netanyahu has rejected international calls to abandon a military onslaught on the densely populated area around the Rafah Crossing, where 1.4 million Palestinians from all over the Gaza Strip are seeking shelter in a 64-square-kilometer area. Landis contends that Bibi's explicit repudiation of a two-state solution, as well as lack of plans to guarantee the safety of civilians before launching an invasion of Rafah, does little to assuage concerns about the continued ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip.

Joshua Landis is a historian and Sandra Mackey Chair and Director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma, as well as a Non-Resident Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Landis presents the case for an immediate U.S. troop withdrawal in the Middle East, arguing that many civil society groups as well as militant groups in Iraq are strongly opposed to the U.S.' military presence there. This is Part 1 of 2.

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Frank Hammer, a former president and chairman of the United Auto Workers local 909 in Detroit, joins theAnalysis to discuss the role of the UAW and the"} UAW president Shawn Fain called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza yet endorsed Biden, who has been accused of complicity in Israel’s genocidal war. Frank Hammer, a former president and chairman of the United Auto Workers local 909 in Detroit, joins theAnalysis to discuss the role of the UAW and the working class in balancing opposing Biden’s policies and a possible Trump victory. Should the U.S. Withdraw Its Troops from Iraq and Syria? – Joshua Landis (part 1/2) Why did UAW’s Shawn Fain Endorse Biden After Calling for a Ceasefire? – Frank Hammer Arab-Americans in Michigan Denounce Biden’s Bankrolling of Destruction in Gaza – Shireen Al-Adeimi Political Stalemate in Lebanon Exacerbates Hezbollah-Israel Tensions – Imad Salamey pt 2/2 Israel’s “Dahiya Doctrine” of Death – Imad Salamey pt 1/2 Biden: Sheepish Deference to Netanyahu and Unlawful Strikes on Yemen – Trita Parsi Gaza: AI Targeting a Cover for Genocide South Africa’s Case Lays Out Genocidal Intent – Francis Boyle The UN and Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories – Ardi Imseis Brutal Occupation Underpins Class Inequality for Israelis and Palestinians – MK Ofer Cassif Growing Up Privileged in Apartheid, Colonial Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/4) Israel, World Capital of Homeland Security Industries – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 3/4) Fear and Loathing in Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/4) An Occupier’s Peace or a Just Peace – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 4/4) Radical Transformation is Needed for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Nadim Houry Strategically and Morally Bankrupt: U.S. Policy in the Middle East – Col. Lawrence Wilkerson Justifying Genocide – Shir Hever pt 2 Demand a Cease-Fire in Gaza – Shir Hever pt 1 A Brutal Occupation Begets a Brutal War Between Israel and Hamas – Trita Parsi Censorship in Germany, Israeli Hacking & Saudi-Iran Peace Deal – Dr. Shir Hever Why David Clennon Refused Audition for Hit & Run, a Netflix Israeli Co-pro Is BDS Effective Strategy? – Shir Hever Pt 3/3 Fighting for Peace and Equality in Israel – Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green Who Rules Israel – Shir Hever pt2 Why Did 72% of Israelis Want Attack on Gaza to Continue? Is Israel a Strategic Asset or Liability? – Wilkerson Abby Martin’s “Gaza Fights for Freedom” Israel’s War on Palestine – Ali Abunimah Does Israel Have the Right to Exist as a Jewish State? – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (3/5) Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 2/2 Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/2 Class Struggle in Palestine – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (4/5) Palestinians can Learn From the African America Struggle – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (2/5) Awakened by the Palestinian Intifada – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (1/5) Justice Requires an End to Israeli Jewish Supremacy Over Palestinians – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (5/5) From a Zionist Youth to Outspoken Critic of a Jewish State – Michael Ratner on RAI Pt 2/7 One State or Two, Solution Must be Based on Palestinian Rights Phyllis Bennis on RAI Pt 4/4 Fmr. Israeli Intel. Chief Says Palestinian Israeli Conflict Greater Risk than Nuclear Iran Pt 2/4 Vietnam War Created Middle East Activist – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/4 Syria’s Six Wars and Humanitarian Catastrophe – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 3/4 Transcript Listen Donate Subscribe Guest Music Talia Baroncelli Hi, I’m Talia Baroncelli, and you’re tuned in to theAnalysis.news. I’ll shortly be joined by Frank Hammer to discuss the UAW and Shawn Fain’s call for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as Shawn Fain’s subsequent endorsement of President Biden. If you’d like to support the work that we do and give us a boost, you can do so by going to our website, theAnalysis.news, and hitting the donate button at the top right corner of the screen. Make sure you get onto our mailing list and like and subscribe to the show wherever you watch us, be it on Spotify, Apple, or YouTube. See you in a bit with Frank Hammer. Joining me now is Frank Hammer. He is the former President and Chairman of the United Auto Workers Local 909, which is located at the GM transmission plant in Detroit. He used to be a former GM employee and worked for GM for 32 years. Frank, it’s great to have you back. Frank Hammer Great to be with you again. Thank you. Talia Baroncelli Shawn Fain, who is the President of the UAW, has called for a ceasefire in Gaza, and he recently endorsed President Biden. There are some groups within the UAW, such as Labor for Palestine, who are opposed to this endorsement as they see this as a contradiction of the UAW’s values and the UAW’s declared support for Palestine and for Palestinians. Would you characterize Shawn Fain’s endorsement of Biden as a respectability politics that’s perhaps misplaced? Would you call on him to rescind this endorsement? Frank Hammer Why don’t we start out with a non-controversial subject? Yes, I think, first of all, it was historic that Shawn Fain, on behalf of the International Executive Board in the UAW, came out with a declaration back in December, calling on a ceasefire. The resolution that the UAW endorsed was a resolution that had been originally circulated by the United Electrical Workers and has been signed on to by numerous labor organizations. It’s a broadly supported resolution. In that resolution, it calls for an immediate ceasefire, and it also calls for the end of the siege on Gaza. It was a bold statement, and I want to add that historically, the UAW has supported zionist Israel. To venture into this territory and make that statement, and he’s done it repeatedly, is really a departure from what the UAW on their prior administrations may have done. This was part and parcel of the UAW rank and file electing a new president directly by membership votes. Then we go to the declaration of the endorsement for Biden, that took place at the UAW’s bi-annual Political Action Conference. You could say it came as a surprise and that it didn’t come as a surprise at all. There was no qualification of Biden agreeing to a ceasefire, so that was greatly disappointing, especially to the UAW Labor for Palestine rank and file effort, which has been really pressing, especially in the East Coast, for the UAW, not only to declare the ceasefire, but to carry through with that resolution in the ways that the UAW can do, which include the UAW represents defense workers in the military-industrial complex. The UAW Labor for Palestine feels that the UAW can play an outsized role in preventing weapons and armaments being sent to Israel made with UAW hands. We have to look at the larger picture, and it’s very painful for me to venture into this territory, but it’s going to be painful for all of us because right now, the slogan that has been projected not only by rank and file activist looking for the ceasefire but also in the Arab community here in the outskirts of Detroit, for example, in Dearborn, is we have the slogan of “Genocide Joe.” This is most unfortunate, but we’re also dealing with the reality that we have an election in November and wish as we might that there would be a third-party alternative, for instance, a labor party or some grassroots political party. We don’t have that. We don’t have that in November. We are faced with a stark choice of Trump, who has already openly declared that he intends to empower himself in a dictatorship. We have a Biden who is wedded to the genocide and the destruction that’s going on in Israel. These are very difficult circumstances that we face, but it’s clear that the UAW and the labor movement are going to want to endorse Biden, even with the difficulty of seeing daily images of the U.S. arm-in-arm with Netanyahu, who is perpetrating all this destruction and death in Palestine. I think that supporting him does not mean that we cease in pressing Democrats, not only at the president’s level, the resolution also calls for pressing members of Congress, and I think that the UAW can do a lot to support the likes of Rashida Tlaib, and her call for a ceasefire in the U.S. House and pressing other Democrats who are not coming out on behalf of the ceasefire, and pressing on to do so. I think that we’re in a position of supporting Biden, but that does not in any way stop us from mounting a full-scale labor-led movement to reverse directions and to do it not down the road but soon, sooner rather than later, to stop all the destruction and the deaths. I think the media is reporting that we have 30,000 Palestinians who have lost their lives. When is enough is enough? It needs to be done, and the UAW needs to continue to speak up in spite of the fact that there are other reasons why the UAW would support Biden. Talia Baroncelli I will ask you again because I don’t fully understand what the purpose is in endorsing Biden. Is it because after the strike, he did visit the picket line, whereas Trump didn’t do so? Is it a thank you for supporting us in our historic strike? Is that why Shawn Fain endorsed President Biden, or are there other strategic reasons to do so? Personally, as an outsider, I don’t see this endorsement as being in line with the call for a ceasefire and for an immediate ceasefire. I see those two things as being at odds with one another. I don’t fully understand the logic behind the endorsement. Frank Hammer I should add that the UAW Labor for Palestine has expressed the view why endorse President Biden now in February? Why not hold out and say, as a condition of our endorsement, you’re going to have to compel a ceasefire in Palestine? That’s a reasonable position to hold. To answer your question, I do believe that in the UAW negotiations, and this is speculation on my part, I don’t have insider information, that there certainly was a deal that was struck between the UAW and the Biden administration that enabled the UAW, for example, of rescuing the Stellantis plant in Belvidere, Illinois, which had been idled and was doomed to be closed. It seems that the Biden administration had a hand in assisting the UAW in convincing or negotiating with Stellantis to not only keep that plant open, but to add another plant nearby, a battery plant. I know that the UAW and Shawn Fain early on held out for some federal intervention on behalf of the UAW and behalf of the union when the federal government gave all these subsidies to the auto companies for GM Stellantis in converting to battery production and electric power vehicles. That may have been also in the mix, although I didn’t detect that in the messaging that came out of the strike. Real-world, real politics, real reality; it’s possible that the federal government, and Biden specifically, carried the day for the UAW in these regards in exchange for the UAW agreeing to support Biden. I’m speculating, but I think that in the real world, I think that’s the kind of thing that happens. The most troubling piece of it, of course, is that it really feels like a reversal for the Palestinians and certainly for the Arabic community here in Detroit because it was such a switch around. President Fain was here at the Martin Luther King event in Detroit and reiterated his call for a ceasefire. It was only literally a week later at the CPAC conference that no mention was made at all of the ceasefire resolution with Biden’s presence. I think it left a lot of anxiety. I certainly feel anxious about it myself. There are a lot of UAW members who feel anxious, never mind the broader community. That being said, I think that it behooves now the UAW rank and file and the labor movement as a whole, regardless of the endorsement, to press on with a mass movement to reverse directions in Israel. Talia Baroncelli Yeah, I think when the endorsement was announced, there were a few UAW Labor for Palestine members who were in Washington, and they disrupted one of Biden’s speeches. They were taken away by Secret Service members, and I’m assuming it was pretty violent. I haven’t actually seen footage of it. But I was then surprised to see that when Biden recently visited Michigan and visited a UAW meeting there with Shawn Fain, there was no mention of a ceasefire, as you just pointed out. I didn’t even see protesters there or UAW Labor for Palestine members there. Maybe they weren’t even allowed into the event. I’m not quite sure. Frank Hammer Yes, I can speak to that. So I wasn’t in town, unfortunately, but from all the reports that I received, Biden was scheduled to be in Michigan. The location was not disclosed. It was kept secret. It turns out that it was held at my region, region one, in Warren, Michigan, in Macomb County. But there were many protesters outside the complex where Biden spoke and glad-handed with UAW staffers and some UAW members who were there to make calls for Biden. But there was no indication, no connection. These were UAW Labor for Palestine. These were UAW members here in Detroit and supporters who came out to protest and demand the ceasefire and, of course, to denounce the endorsements. I believe that that’s going to follow Biden in any industrial city where he’s going to be and elsewhere, that he’s not going to be able to shed this demand, and that it needs to continue to follow him and continue to impress upon him that he is basically risking an election. He’s risking the November election, especially in the state of Michigan, where he only won by 150,000 votes in 2020. They have an Arabic community that has initiated an abandon Biden campaign. I don’t know whether the Democratic Party establishment understands that they’re at the risk of losing the state of Michigan in November. This is one of the key states that’s going to decide the election in November. I think that for strategic reasons, for election purposes, Biden has to turn this around, never mind the moral arguments and the allegiance that he has to the working class. If he has an allegiance to the working class, he would be moving really quickly to demand a ceasefire and to cease equipping Israel and supplying more money as has been scheduled currently in the Senate, where they want to send another 14 billion to Israel to continue to perpetrate its genocide. Talia Baroncelli Well, you just added some really important context because some of our viewers and listeners will know that in Michigan, there are lots of Muslim and Arab Americans. Recently in Dearborn, the mayor of Dearborn refused to meet with Biden campaign officials. He did say that he would meet with officials from the Biden administration, but not with people in the campaign because he wanted to impress upon them the idea that this ceasefire is so crucial and that there has to be some give or take here or listening, at least to Arab Americans and to Muslims, and that’s not happening at the moment. Because Michigan is so crucial to Biden winning the elections, you do wonder what’s going on. Is he completely tone-deaf, or does he not even want to win the elections? Does he not care about actually winning? It’s just remarkable to see what’s going on. And then, of course, you have this horrible Wall Street Journal op-ed that was recently published calling Dearborn a jihadi capital or some nonsense because there are people with conscience who are calling for a ceasefire. They’re not terrorists. They’re average people who are calling for a ceasefire. I think this is an important context. Given all that, given what’s going on in the background, I wonder whether that’s sown divisions or perceived divisions within the UAW or if you think that most members are actually on the side of perhaps even calling for Shawn Fain to rescind the endorsement. Frank Hammer Well, a couple of things on that note. Let me say that within the ranks of UAW Labor for Palestine, within the Arabic community in Dearborn, Muslim community, this is so personal. People are losing family members in Gaza, in the West Bank. It couldn’t be any closer to one’s heart to see how they would see what Biden has done as a betrayal. The Arabic community, 70% of the Arabic Muslim communities in 2020 voted for Biden. You can imagine that they’re going to be very, not just reluctant. They’re not going to have the stomach to vote for Biden in 2024 unless this is reversed. And even then. Talia Baroncelli Well, I was wondering, are there additional tensions within the UAW as a result of Biden’s policy and Shawn Fain’s endorsement of Biden? Frank Hammer I think that broad swaths of UAW members are not familiar enough with the dynamics of the history of the creation of the state of Israel. That history is something that, generally, workers have not been familiar with. The UAW, unfortunately, in the past administrations, has been a close supporter of the zionist State of Israel. Therefore, the UAW has never bothered to educate its own rank and file about it. If they were to do so, it was on the side of Zionism. We, in the ranks of the UAW, have a lot of catching up to do. We’re beginning the reform caucus within the UAW, UAWD. The United Auto Workers for Democracy held its first teach-in Palestine 101. We had UAW members and auto workers in on the education that we provided. People were really learning things that they had never known about Israel because of the corporate media and the incessant pro-zionist messaging that we get through corporate media. I think it’s incumbent upon the UAW to do a lot of education in the rank and file. I think the rank and file get told daily that Hamas is a terrorist organization. You react to it, “Oh, that is a terrorist organization,” without understanding the context or even whether that’s an appropriate label for what’s happened. The elements in the UAW that have a much more ready understanding are, of course, the UAW members that are in the academic institutions, as many are, or for example, in the legal profession in New York, they’re part of the Legal Aid Society. They’ve had much more contact with the information about Israel and Palestine, and they’re much more readily under our understanding that the UAW must take the side of Palestine and demand an end to the genocide. That’s the way I would describe it. I don’t think that there’s a groundswell on the UAW right now in support of the position taken by Shawn Fain. I think that the leadership should do everything in its power to create that groundswell to show that UAW members, once they have the facts, something that Shawn Fain has really emphasized that I don’t think I have any question that UAW members would be part of that groundswell in support of the ceasefire. Talia Baroncelli Well, you recently attended the Martin Luther King Day event in Detroit a few weeks ago. You awarded Shawn Fain the Spirit of Flint Award. I was wondering if you could speak about the significance of that award, what it represents, and what you thought of the event in general. Frank Hammer Thank you. Yeah. By the way, that was a week before Shawn Fain endorsed Biden. There are very important reasons. First, as the Martin Luther King Day event has now entered, it was in its 21st year when, a couple of weeks ago, Shawn Fain accepted the invitation to speak at the event. First time. No other UAW president in the last 20 years has ever volunteered to speak at an event honoring Martin Luther King and honoring Martin Luther King in all of his manifestations, including in his opposition to the Vietnam War, including in his role in the labor movement, in support of the Memphis sanitation workers, etc. Here is Shawn Fain; he brought other members of his leadership team with him and gave a very eloquent speech combining and putting together the labor movement and the Black liberation struggle, identifying Martin Luther King as such a key part in both movements and bringing those movements together. Even during the Martin Luther King event, as I stated earlier, he reiterated the call for a ceasefire. Talia Baroncelli Sorry if I can interject because I was listening to the speech. He not only called for a ceasefire, but the way he did it was very important because he was talking about Vietnam, specifically, and the speech that Martin Luther King gave, I think, a year and a day before he was assassinated, and how he was talking about what unites Americans and what affects American life is war abroad and how war abroad needs to be put to an end. He made that connection between Vietnam and Gaza. Hearing that and then hearing that a week later, he would endorse Joe Biden is what created some tension or at least caused cognitive dissonance for me. Frank Hammer Yes. I think that if Shawn Fain is going to be true to himself and the honor upon which he bestowed on Martin Luther King, he’s really going to have to re-examine what he’s doing regarding the support of the ceasefire. I say that because it was against all odds that King made the famous speech on April 4, 1967, during the Johnson administration, despite Johnson’s role in supporting Dr. Martin Luther King in the quest for the Civil Rights Act and so on. Even his people, associates, assistants, and advisors said, “Don’t do it, don’t do it.” King felt compelled, in spite of the fact that he got support from Johnson on other matters, to speak out about Vietnam, and he was denounced shortly after. He was denounced for this speech. I think that Shawn Fain and the UAW as a whole, the UAW leadership, needs to look at that and say, If we’re going to meet that standard, that we’re holding up high, then we have to be willing to oppose Biden now, where we see him clearly in the wrong and clearly against the interests of the world’s people. He is clearly on the short end of the International Court of Justice, and the South Africans bravely going to that court and declaring that Israel is reasonably suspected of committing genocide and that we need to be on the side of South Africa. We were on the side of South Africa during their struggle against apartheid. We need to be against the Israeli zionists for the current apartheid against the Palestinians. Talia Baroncelli Well, I also want to ask you about Trump because, of course, Shawn Fain was very vocal about Trump. He’s come out against Trump, and he’s supported Biden. I think it’s pretty obvious or intuitive that he’d be speaking about Trump and how Trump doesn’t have the interests of the workers at heart. You wrote a piece in 2015 for the Real News Network, and you were talking about an interview that Trump gave, and I think he gave it to Chuck Todd at MSNBC. He was saying, “Of course, I would bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States from abroad, and I would take them out West and ensure that people are paid a third of the wages or at least much less than what people were earning before.” He was pretty much exposing his position as being in cahoots with or in alignment with the transnational capitalist class. Shawn Fain is aware of how horrible Trump is on these policies, but do you think he analyzes these policies as being part of a larger trend of global capitalism and how these capitalists have it out for the average worker? It’s not just Trump that has it out for them. Frank Hammer When I wrote that piece, it was interesting because, most recently, Shawn Fain has, in fact, referred to that interview that Trump did back in 2015. He spelled out that what Trump was promoting was that the corporations could show the unionized workforce in the Midwest a little thing or two by extracting the work from the Midwest. He said, “Oh, you don’t even have to go overseas. You can take it to a non-union area of the U.S. Within a couple of years, you could bring it back. Those workers, the unionized workers in the Midwest, would gladly accept the jobs at a third of the wages,” like you were saying. What I was seeking to point out is that this wasn’t particularly unique to Trump. He was spilling the beans, so to speak, about what the capitalists have been doing in the last, certainly in the last neoliberal 40 years that we have been living through. Shawn Fain has wanted to contrast that with Biden, and I think that Shawn Fain falls short because this has not only been a Trump phenomenon, this has been a capitalist phenomenon. In fact, Biden, along with Barack Obama and that administration, were instruments that Wall Street used to exact all these concessions during the bankruptcy of GM and Stellantis, or Chrysler than, I believe, that we have had to suffer with, including the multi-tier wages, including the loss of cost of living allowance. All these things that were extracted during the bankruptcy were done under a Democratic administration, under President Obama and Joe Biden. We can’t give it now. He’s being characterized. Biden has been characterized as, well, he had the backs of the workers, and I’m so sorry, but that’s simply not true. Let’s face it: the UAW is confronted with two capitalist parties. We don’t have a labor party of our own. Although we attempted to do that decades ago, we’re stuck. In fact, I think that to Shawn Fain’s credit, he was able to undo the damage, a lot of the damage that was done through the bankruptcy by a Democratic administration. The Democratic administration during that bankruptcy didn’t put any time limit on any of the concessions that were extracted from the the UAW. The only time limit they placed was on suspending the UAW’s right to strike. That in the bankruptcy proceedings was slated to be reinstated in 2015, which it was. But no such time limits were put on the cost of living. We had to go on a 40-day strike in 2023 to get back what was extracted from UAW members during the bankruptcy. We have to look it in the eye. We have to talk facts and say, I’m so sorry, but that was part of the Wall Street scheme, and the engineers of it were Biden as the vice president and Barack Obama as president. Like it or not, we have to deal with that. I was shocked when Biden came to a picket line here in Michigan. I was shocked to learn that he was the first president that had ever done that. I didn’t know that, but it’s a matter of optics. It was good optics. It was great optics, but it was optics. More substance has to come down the road. The UAW should be pressing for what are we doing about the minimum wage? The minimum wage is the same now as it was under Obama. It’s a 7.25-an-hour federal minimum wage. Why isn’t the labor movement addressing that full force? That would help all workers if the minimum wage was raised to the level that we need at this moment in time. I think there’s a lot of work to do. This whole narrative about Biden had our backs, and Trump was a bad guy, and Biden was a good guy. Well, in reality, the Democratic Party administration, although they weren’t saying it, they were pretty much toeing the line quite like what Trump was announcing. Talia Baroncelli Well, a lot of it is optics, as you said. Joe Biden’s approval rating is currently at 37%, which is basically President Jimmy Carter’s level approval rate. It’s pretty abysmal. Not that approval rating necessarily determines the outcome of an election, but it’s an indication that things aren’t going so well. The fact that he showed up at the picket line isn’t even surprising to me, even though, as you said, no president has done so before. I think he’s trying to score all the points that he can get because he’s clearly aging, he’s fumbling around, having falls, and a lot of people don’t agree with him on certain policies, especially Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. I think he was trying to score some points wherever he could. I do want to ask you something, and if we don’t fully get into it now, I think we should do a separate episode on this in the future. That is the history of labor in the United States and the links that they have traditionally had to the sources of decision-making power within the United States government, as well as within the CIA, and how they’ve been involved in suppressing labor movements in other countries, such as countries in Latin America. Frank Hammer The question we can raise right now in that context is, where is the AFL-CIO in regard to the genocide that’s taking place? The AFL-CIO is also, again, very much connected with, as you were saying, the federal government, the Central Intelligence Agency, NED [National Endowment for Democracy], which is funded by the federal government for the AFL-CIO. There are state AFL-CIO councils that are passing resolutions in support of a ceasefire, but they’re not doing it because the AFL National Administration is promoting it. They’re not. They’re suppressing it. I think it’ll be a very, very important conversation to talk about the role of the AFL-CIO, not just in line with Israel and Palestine, but certainly in line with other attacks on working classes in other countries, whether it be in Chile, whether it in El Salvador, whether it be in Venezuela, you name it. The AFL-CIO has been very key in promoting U.S. foreign policy. That obviously is a big challenge, but it’s something that needs to change if we’re going to have a real progressive labor movement in this country. Talia Baroncelli For those who don’t know, that stands for the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations. I guess they represent all the unions. Is that how you would best describe them, or how would you describe the function of the AFL-CIO? Frank Hammer The AFL-CIO is the largest labor federation in the U.S. It’s not the only one. Approximately 50 or 60 unions are part of the federation, including, for example, the UAW. But there are other elements in the labor movement, for example, the Teamsters; I forget which of the other ones. There are significant labor formations that are not part of the AFL-CIO. The AFL-CIO has a membership of about 14 million workers. It’s a sizable force that, if it was true to labor’s agenda, would be playing a much larger force in the U.S. on behalf of the working class of not only this country but the working classes of other countries, the international working class. That’s not been its role. It’s very important that U.S. workers who are, by and large, kept out of knowing anything about the AFL-CIO, that we begin to open that up and expose that and reveal that for people to know what we are supporting with our dues. Union members’ dues do support the AFL-CIO. Talia Baroncelli Well, we’ll get into that next time. I think that’ll be really fascinating. Well, Frank, it’s been great speaking to you. Is there anything else you want to reflect on about the UAW and calls for a ceasefire? Frank Hammer Well, I think that as angry as we might be in regards to the role currently being played by Biden and the Democratic Party, I think we have to really be mindful that what Trump represents is fascism. As such, It’s very clear that if he were back in the presidency, there would be no limits to his aggression against immigrants, which, by the way, Shawn Fain has been speaking on behalf of. There’s no question that there would be a tax on Muslims wholesale, that there would be a tax on workers. I think that we have to be extremely mindful of what that would represent for us, never mind the environment, never mind the climate crisis. Trump denounces Shawn Fain for pronouncing that we do have a global warming crisis and for supporting a transition away from ICE vehicles: internal combustion engines. Trump would do no such thing. A Trump election would surely doom the planet to a very grim future. But certainly, Biden has got shortcomings on that score as well. Talia Baroncelli I do agree with you for the most part. I just think that a lot of people, especially in Michigan, for example, who are Arab-American or Muslim-American, are worried that Biden actually uses that as a justification for his policies and saying Trump was the one who enacted the Muslim ban, and if Trump were to come back, then there would be a Muslim ban, and Muslim immigrants would not be able to come to the U.S., or they wouldn’t be welcome in the U.S. Yet, based on the conversations I’ve had with some people in Michigan who are Muslim, they have said that that’s not something they’re really worried about because what is currently going on in Gaza is just unspeakable horrors and a complete disregard for Palestinians, as well as a disregard for the opinion and the culture of a ceasefire by Muslim and Arab Americans within the United States. Not to say that I don’t think Trump represents a vile form of politics. At the same time, I feel like some people don’t really want to face the, I guess, trajectory that Biden comes from and the fact that he’s always been in support of these wars. He’s never really, despite what he says about criticizing trickle-down politics and saying that, food never trickled down to my table when I was a kid, but he still supports that broader capitalist class and warmongering machine. I think we have to be mindful of that, even when we’re pointing to the horrors of Trump. Frank Hammer I completely respect that position. It’s something that deserves more discussion and clarification. I’m very clear that we’re in a very difficult position with these two capitalist parties buying for control in the fall. I’m totally aware of that. Talia Baroncelli Well, Frank Hammer, it was great speaking to you, and I’m looking forward to our next conversation. Thank you for watching theAnalysis.news. If you enjoy this content and you’d like to support us, you can do so by going to our website, theAnalysis.news, getting onto our mailing list, and hitting the donate button at the top right corner of the screen. Thanks for watching, and see you soon. Select one or choose any amount to donate whatever you like any amount $5 $15 $25 $50 $100 $500 $1,000 Custom Amount $ Make this donation each month (optional) User my donation to help support the upcoming documentary "How to stop a nuclear war" (optional) Donate with Credit Card #gform_wrapper_10[data-form-index="1"].gform-theme,[data-parent-form="10_1"]{--gf-color-primary: #204ce5;--gf-color-primary-rgb: 32, 76, 229;--gf-color-primary-contrast: #fff;--gf-color-primary-contrast-rgb: 255, 255, 255;--gf-color-primary-darker: #001AB3;--gf-color-primary-lighter: #527EFF;--gf-color-secondary: #fff;--gf-color-secondary-rgb: 255, 255, 255;--gf-color-secondary-contrast: #112337;--gf-color-secondary-contrast-rgb: 17, 35, 55;--gf-color-secondary-darker: #F5F5F5;--gf-color-secondary-lighter: #FFFFFF;--gf-color-out-ctrl-light: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.1);--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-rgb: 17, 35, 55;--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-darker: rgba(104, 110, 119, 0.35);--gf-color-out-ctrl-light-lighter: 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12.496 32.758 0 45.254s-32.758 12.496-45.254 0L367.248 412.502C335.862 434.854 297.467 448 256 448c-106.039 0-192-85.962-192-192z' fill='rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.65)'/%3E%3C/svg%3E");--gf-label-space-y-secondary: var(--gf-label-space-y-md-secondary);--gf-ctrl-border-color: #686e77;--gf-ctrl-size: var(--gf-ctrl-size-md);--gf-ctrl-label-color-primary: #112337;--gf-ctrl-label-color-secondary: #112337;--gf-ctrl-choice-size: var(--gf-ctrl-choice-size-md);--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-checkbox-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size: var(--gf-ctrl-radio-check-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-font-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-padding-x-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-size: var(--gf-ctrl-btn-size-md);--gf-ctrl-btn-border-color-secondary: #686e77;--gf-ctrl-file-btn-bg-color-hover: #EBEBEB;--gf-field-pg-steps-number-color: rgba(17, 35, 55, 0.8);} Never miss another story Subscribe to theAnalysis.news – Newsletter Email(Required) Name(Required) First Last 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contents;}setTimeout(function(){jQuery('#gform_wrapper_10').replaceWith(confirmation_content);jQuery(document).trigger('gform_confirmation_loaded', [10]);window['gf_submitting_10'] = false;wp.a11y.speak(jQuery('#gform_confirmation_message_10').text());}, 50);}else{jQuery('#gform_10').append(contents);if(window['gformRedirect']) {gformRedirect();}}jQuery(document).trigger('gform_post_render', [10, current_page]);gform.utils.trigger({ event: 'gform/postRender', native: false, data: { formId: 10, currentPage: current_page } });} );} ); Frank Hammer is the former president and bargaining chair of UAW local 909 and General Motors at Warren, Michigan. He’s a retired UAW–GM international representative. He’s co-founder of the Autoworker Caravan and co-chair of the International Auto Workers Council, GM section, and is a leading member of several worker solidarity networks within the UAW and in the U.S. and global labor movements. theAnalys

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Michigan is key to Biden\u2019s presidential run, where Muslim and Arab-Americans in the state have withheld support from Biden due to h"} Dr. Shireen Al-Adeimi is a Professor of Language and Literacy at Michigan State University and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Michigan is key to Biden’s presidential run, where Muslim and Arab-Americans in the state have withheld support from Biden due to his full backing of Israel’s genocidal project in Gaza. Arab-Americans in Michigan Denounce Biden’s Bankrolling of Destruction in Gaza – Shireen Al-Adeimi Political Stalemate in Lebanon Exacerbates Hezbollah-Israel Tensions – Imad Salamey pt 2/2 Israel’s “Dahiya Doctrine” of Death – Imad Salamey pt 1/2 Biden: Sheepish Deference to Netanyahu and Unlawful Strikes on Yemen – Trita Parsi Gaza: AI Targeting a Cover for Genocide Mini Doc: Why I am Opposed to the War in Vietnam – Martin Luther King South Africa’s Case Lays Out Genocidal Intent – Francis Boyle The UN and Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories – Ardi Imseis COP28: Talk Green, Play Dirty – Patrick Bond Brutal Occupation Underpins Class Inequality for Israelis and Palestinians – MK Ofer Cassif COP28: Hypocrisy and Climate Appeasement – Bruce Robertson Venture Capital Fuels U.S. Military Support for Israel, Egypt, and Saudis – Shana Marshall Systemic Corruption at Home and Abroad – Sarah Chayes Why Did Argentines Elect a Right-Wing Non-Establishment Extremist? Colleague of Imprisoned Boris Kagarlitsky on Russian Anti-War Opposition – Anna Ochkina Growing Up Privileged in Apartheid, Colonial Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/4) Israel, World Capital of Homeland Security Industries – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 3/4) Fear and Loathing in Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/4) An Occupier’s Peace or a Just Peace – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 4/4) The Russian Oligarchy and the “Civilization State” Radical Transformation is Needed for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Nadim Houry Massive Protests in Panama Against Canadian Mining Company Wealth Supremacy vs. The Democratic Economy with Marjorie Kelly The Roots of American Fascism and the Domestic Objectives of the Cold War – Peter Kuznick pt 2 Strategically and Morally Bankrupt: U.S. Policy in the Middle East – Col. Lawrence Wilkerson Christian Nationalism Unleashed in the U.S. Military – Mikey Weinstein Justifying Genocide – Shir Hever pt 2 Seeking Full Employment Without Falling Prey to Neoliberal Traps Demand a Cease-Fire in Gaza – Shir Hever pt 1 Renowned Russian Marxist Economist Aleksandr Buzgalin Dies BRICS: Talk Left, Walk Right – Patrick Bond (pt 2/2) A Brutal Occupation Begets a Brutal War Between Israel and Hamas – Trita Parsi BRICS: An Anti-Imperialist Fantasy and Sub-Imperialist Reality? – Patrick Bond (pt 1/2) UAW: Historic Demand to Eliminate Wage Tiers – Frank Hammer Climate Lobbyists Hijack Progressive Climate Bills – Rebecca Burns Paul Jay on 9/11 Debt and Climate Crisis in Sri Lanka and the World – Asoka Bandarage Corruption in Lebanon Propped up by the Transnational Capitalist Elite – Nadim Houry Revolutionary Mathematics: Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, and the Logic of Capitalism Global Upheaval Undermining Food Security – Matin Qaim Non-Aligned Movement +G77 (Group of Developing Countries) versus G7+NATO+OECD+World Economic Forum Honest Government Ad | COP31 Australia & the Pacific Ecuador: Presidential Candidate Assassinated We Are Living in Oppenheimer’s Worst Nightmare Free Boris Kagarlitsky – Katrina vanden Heuvel U.S. and China Must Cooperate to Reduce Threat of Nuclear War and Deal With Climate Crisis Russian Anti-War Activist – Boris Kagarlitsky Arrested – Paul Jay How Will the War in Ukraine End? – Boris Kagarlitsky Oppenheimer: U.S. Developed First-Strike Weapon and Used Japan to Prove it – Kuznick and Jay Protests Against Police Brutality – What’s Next for France? Subsidizing Chemical Fertilizers is Counterproductive Says Economist Jayati Ghosh Extraction, Destruction of Ecosystems, and Fires in North America – Éric Pineault U.S.-Iran: An Unwritten Agreement on the Horizon? – Trita Parsi Practical Radicalism: Community Wealth Building with Neil McInroy An E.U. Double Standard With Massive Impact on the Global Environment Haiti’s Predatory Ruling Families and Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier – Jafrikayiti part 2/2 Paul Jay and Freddie deBoer Discuss Independent Media, Censorship, and Hate Speech Laws “The Most Dangerous Man” Turns 90 – Peter Kuznick on Daniel Ellsberg To His Last Breath, Daniel Ellsberg Fought to Save the World  U.S. and Canada Continue Meddling in Haitian Affairs – Jafrikayiti part 1/2 Political Resistance in Senegal Through Food Sovereignty Honest Government Ad | Anti Protest Laws (SA) Russian Invasion a War of Aggression – Offer of Ukraine in NATO a Provocation – Paul Jay Debt Ceiling Theater and the Trump Parallel Universe Part 2/2 – Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War Chomsky on Ellsberg and the Danger of Nuclear War – pt 1/2 Libyans Caught Between Warring Elites and Foreign Powers Modern Iran: National Identity as a Tool of Resistance or Coercion? Honest Government Ad | Reserve Bank of Australia Massive French Protests Continue – Renaud Lambert Yemen: Biden’s Hypocrisy and Possible Peace? Capitalism Has Never Been This Irrational – Paul Jay (pt 3/3) Part 2: Debt and the Collapse of Antiquity – Michael Hudson Donald Trump and the (Non) Prosecution of Presidential Crimes (pt 2/3) Debt and the Collapse of Antiquity – Michael Hudson (pt 1/2) Class and the War in Ukraine – Paul Jay (pt 1/3) Detroiters Fight to Reclaim Their City From Real Estate Vultures – Linda Campbell U.S. Interference in the Middle East – 20 Years Since the U.S. Invasion of Iraq – Col. Larry Wilkerson Honest Government Ad | Visit New South Wales! Chomsky und Ellsberg über die derzeitige Bedrohung (Ukraine & Taiwan) Fossil Fuel Industry Phase-Out: Three Critical Worker Guarantees for a Just Transition Censorship in Germany, Israeli Hacking & Saudi-Iran Peace Deal – Dr. Shir Hever Bill Black on SVB: A Bipartisan Clown Car Crash Nord Stream Pipeline Sabotage and One Year Since Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine – Larry Wilkerson “Take Arms Against a Sea of Troubles” – Chomsky and Ellsberg pt 2/2 Significance of China-Brokered Iran-Saudi Agreement – Trita Parsi Chomsky and Ellsberg on the Present Danger Net Zero Commitments Dangerously Misleading – Peter Carter The Ultimate Serial Killer is Nuclear War – Paul Jay Secret Power and the Persecution of Julian Assange – Stefania Maurizi Honest Government Ad | the Safeguard Mechanism How Will the War in Ukraine End? – Boris Kagarlitsky Ukraine: Compromise or War to the End – Paul Jay Italian State-Mafia Collusion and the Arrest of a Crime Boss 44 Years in Prison, Still a Revolutionary – Eddie Conway Dies on Feb. 13, 2023 Federal Reserve is Throwing Workers Out of Work to Save the Rich Honest Government Ad | AUKUS The False Promise of Carbon Capture and Storage Exposing Apocalyptic Economics with Steve Keen Saudis Hedge Bets, Iran Risks Increasing Isolation – Trita Parsi Navy Puts Climate Change at Top of Threat List – Larry Wilkerson Honest Government Ad | Julian Assange No Evidence to Support FED 2% Inflation Target – Robert Pollin  Apartheid Drives the Conflict in Peru Pro-Bolsonaro Attacks Following Bannon’s Playbook? 50 Years After Allende at the UN: A Corporate Triumph Named Multistakeholderism The Iranian Revolution: The Fall of the Shah and the Rise of Khomeini Ukraine: Zelenskyy’s Visit to Washington | With Colonel Wilkerson (Ret.) Brazil: Hope for the First Time in a Very Long Time Time Bomb in Global Finance – Rob Johnson Iranian Women-Led Resistance Independent of Western Imperialism Debatte über den Krieg in der Ukraine mit preisgekrönten Journalisten Monopoly Power vs Democracy – Matt Stoller  Why the Media is Now Supporting Julian Assange? – Paul Jay pt 2/2 Class and the War in Ukraine – Paul Jay pt 1/2 Peru’s Systemic Political Crisis Deepens as President is Arrested State of Big Tech 2022: Dismantling National & Global Digital Enclosures Retired US Army Colonel on Ukraine, Iran & the State of the US Empire Real Climate Solutions are No Mystery – Pollin How to Fight Inflation Without Attacking Workers – Pollin Is Russian War in Ukraine “Similar” to 1962 U.S. Blockade of Cuba? – Daniel Ellsberg (pt 2/2) Risking Nuclear War to Avoid Humiliation – Ellsberg (pt 1/2) Worker’s Wages & Leverage are the Real Targets – Ferguson Ukraine War & Pandemic Caused More Inflation Than Gov. Spending – Wilkerson Honest Government Ad | Visit Western Australia

Dr. Imad Salamey is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, and author of several books, including The Communitarian Nation-State Paradox in Lebanon and The Government and Politics of Lebanon. In part 2, Salamey points to issues arising from Lebanon's sectarian political system, such as the current political stalemate between the three power-sharing groups and how the status quo favors members of the political elite.

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He also addresses Israel’s “Dahiya doctrine,” a military strategy of targeting civilian infrastructure with the aim of forcing civilians to jettison their political leadership or kick out combatant groups residing in the area. It was first deployed by Israel during its 1982 invasion of Lebanon to evict the PLO and is now being unleashed in Gaza under the pretext of rooting out Hamas.  Political Stalemate in Lebanon Exacerbates Hezbollah-Israel Tensions – Imad Salamey pt 2/2 Political Stalemate in Lebanon Exacerbates Hezbollah-Israel Tensions – Imad Salamey pt 2/2 Israel’s “Dahiya Doctrine” of Death – Imad Salamey pt 1/2 Biden: Sheepish Deference to Netanyahu and Unlawful Strikes on Yemen – Trita Parsi Gaza: AI Targeting a Cover for Genocide South Africa’s Case Lays Out Genocidal Intent – Francis Boyle The UN and Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories – Ardi Imseis Brutal Occupation Underpins Class Inequality for Israelis and Palestinians – MK Ofer Cassif Growing Up Privileged in Apartheid, Colonial Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/4) Israel, World Capital of Homeland Security Industries – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 3/4) Fear and Loathing in Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/4) An Occupier’s Peace or a Just Peace – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 4/4) Radical Transformation is Needed for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Nadim Houry Strategically and Morally Bankrupt: U.S. Policy in the Middle East – Col. Lawrence Wilkerson Justifying Genocide – Shir Hever pt 2 Demand a Cease-Fire in Gaza – Shir Hever pt 1 A Brutal Occupation Begets a Brutal War Between Israel and Hamas – Trita Parsi Censorship in Germany, Israeli Hacking & Saudi-Iran Peace Deal – Dr. Shir Hever Why David Clennon Refused Audition for Hit & Run, a Netflix Israeli Co-pro Is BDS Effective Strategy? – Shir Hever Pt 3/3 Fighting for Peace and Equality in Israel – Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green Who Rules Israel – Shir Hever pt2 Why Did 72% of Israelis Want Attack on Gaza to Continue? Is Israel a Strategic Asset or Liability? – Wilkerson Abby Martin’s “Gaza Fights for Freedom” Israel’s War on Palestine – Ali Abunimah Does Israel Have the Right to Exist as a Jewish State? – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (3/5) Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 2/2 Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/2 Class Struggle in Palestine – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (4/5) Palestinians can Learn From the African America Struggle – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (2/5) Awakened by the Palestinian Intifada – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (1/5) Justice Requires an End to Israeli Jewish Supremacy Over Palestinians – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (5/5) From a Zionist Youth to Outspoken Critic of a Jewish State – Michael Ratner on RAI Pt 2/7 One State or Two, Solution Must be Based on Palestinian Rights Phyllis Bennis on RAI Pt 4/4 Fmr. Israeli Intel. Chief Says Palestinian Israeli Conflict Greater Risk than Nuclear Iran Pt 2/4 Vietnam War Created Middle East Activist – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/4 Syria’s Six Wars and Humanitarian Catastrophe – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 3/4 Transcript Listen Donate Subscribe Guest Music Talia Baroncelli Hi, I’m Talia Baroncelli, and you’re watching theAnalysis.news. I’ll shortly be joined by Imad Salamey to speak about Hezbollah, as well as the recent strike in the south of Beirut, which killed Hamas Deputy Leader Saleh al-Arouri.   We just started a new year, so if you’d like to support us at the beginning of this year, you can do so by going to our website, theAnalysis.news, and hitting the donate button at the top right corner of the screen. You can also get onto our mailing list. Like and subscribe to the show wherever you watch us, be it on YouTube or other podcast streaming services such as Apple or Spotify. See you in a bit with Professor Salamey.   Joining me now to break down the developments ongoing in Lebanon is Professor Imad Salamey. He’s an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Lebanese American University in Beirut. He’s also the author of numerous books, including two books published in 2021 called The Government and Politics of Lebanon and The Communitarian Nation-State Paradox in Lebanon. Thank you so much for joining me today, Professor Salamey. Imad Salamey Great. Thank you, Talia. Talia Baroncelli Well, we’ve seen numerous strikes in the Middle East, or what some people are now calling West Asia, including two suicide bombings in Kerman in the south-eastern part of Iran, which attacked people who were commemorating the killing of Qassem Soleimani. At least 84 people were killed there, and over 284, I believe, were wounded. In addition to that, on January 2, we saw the Deputy Head of Hamas in the southern part of Beirut being taken out by a strike. That’s, of course, al-Arouri.   So far, Israel hasn’t claimed responsibility for that attack, though they haven’t actively denied any responsibility there either. So that’s maybe something that we could discuss throughout our discussion today.   In response to this strike and taking out al-Arouri, the head of Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, has said that there would be a full-scale war if Israel decided to invade and escalate. At the moment, it seems like there’s more of a strategic balancing, and there hasn’t been any warfare that goes beyond low-intensity attacks. It’s very difficult to say whether this will indeed escalate. How do you perceive what’s going on? Do you think that Hezbollah will decide to take this and make this into a much broader regional war? Imad Salamey Yes, Talia. Thanks for the question. It’s very important to think about these issues right now as we go into a very unstable and fluid situation here in Lebanon and the wider Middle Eastern region. Of course, the assassination of al-Arouri in Beirut, in the southern district of the city, was a major change in the rule of engagement, so to speak, that was governed— the confrontation on the Lebanese-Israeli borders for the past two months. Since October 7, there have been limited skirmishes, what we call a low-intensity conflict, taking place on that border. It’s a conflict or fighting that has been within seven kilometers of both sides of the borders.   The assassination of Saleh al-Arouri, Deputy Chairman of Hamas’s political bureau, was a major escalation, so to speak, by Israel, which went all the way to the capital city of Beirut to target or kill the leader of Hamas. Definitely, this is from a perspective on the various threats made by Hezbollah and its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, that require some major retaliations on the party’s side.   However, if you listen to Nasrallah’s previous speech, and today he just gave a speech as well, it appears that Nasrallah has been trying, to any extent possible, to divert a major retaliation that could lead to a major retaliation by Israel or what we are calling here open warfare between both sides or open conflict that could lead to the utilization of more strategic weapons such as long-range missiles from Hezbollah or by Israel bombarding major infrastructure of the party all over the country.   I believe Hezbollah and Nasrallah are hesitant to make the wrong move here in this battle. They are carefully calculating every action they’re making in this warfare and trying to divert a major war. Therefore, what we are hearing right now is a message that the retaliation of Hezbollah will be made based on their own timing and based on the positions or the place they feel is best to retaliate, maybe now, maybe in the future. This gives us a pretext for Hezbollah not to immediate retaliation and not to start a major conflict here in the country.   When you hear Hezbollah, and particularly Nasrallah, speaking about how they want or how they see the course of this warfare, their intention, as they say, is to back [inaudible 00:06:49] Hamas in Gaza rather than to become the fighting force against Israel or to have the front shifted from that of Gaza to Lebanon. Then, the whole political issue becomes that of Lebanon, Israel, or Iran. Iran is red because Iran supports Hezbollah on different levels: economically, militarily, and politically. I guess, for the moment, Hezbollah is trying to prevent this scenario from taking place. They are continuously trying to maintain a low conflict to play the supporting act or the supportive role to Hamas, fighting with them to become the military front in a fight [inaudible 00:07:49].   In a way, what I’m trying to say is that perhaps Nasrallah and Hezbollah do not want to retaliate in any major way that would spark a major war here in the south. Talia Baroncelli Right. They’re trying to avoid stealing the spotlight away from Gaza for various reasons. But Lebanon is no stranger to being attacked by Israel. There was the invasion in 1982, and even up to 2006, there was ongoing warfare between Israel and various groups in Lebanon. Of course, many civilians were killed in Lebanon. A lot of civilian infrastructure was destroyed.   I believe there was a doctrine that Israel developed in that fighting called the Dahiya doctrine, in which Israel would attack certain civilian areas where militants were residing. The whole purpose was to try and damage the civilian infrastructure so that those civilians would pressure the militants to leave those areas. Whether this is an effective strategy or not, I highly doubt it. Would you say that Israel is still using or deploying that strategy? Would you also say that Hezbollah’s response has been informed by decades of fighting between Israel and various groups in Lebanon? Imad Salamey Yeah, I mean, definitely what we’ve seen from Israeli actions in the past is what we call collective punishment. Similar to what’s happening today in Gaza, much of the military tactics utilized by the Israeli army is to attack major civilian infrastructure, to destroy every possible means of survival for the civilian population in the different areas of Gaza, therefore, to create local pressure by the civilian population against the militants.   This way, the civilian population becomes a position contradictory to those of the militants. This is how Israel calculated a way to undermine public support for Palestinian army groups. I think Israel has utilized the same tactics in southern Lebanon and many confrontations.   However, at one time in ’96, there was an agreement brokered by France at that time. There was an agreement that neither side would utilize civilian areas for the fight, and any retaliation would be exclusive to many of their positions. Of course, this was broken in 2006, again, in Lebanon, where we had major incursions by Israel, major fights that led to the destruction of power stations, the destruction of major bridges and roads. The target was civilians. Of course, Israel’s aim for those attacks was to create an anti-Hezbollah popular discontent against authority. Therefore, I guess right now this can develop in that direction.   However, till now it has remained very limited, the fight on the southern border between both sides and military installations. There hasn’t been an attack against civilian settlements or housing inside Hezbollah, nor has there been any real attack against civilian targets in Lebanon. That’s why we are calling this confrontation that both sides are fighting an understandable rule of engagement. A rule of engagement where the civilian sides are spared from this conflict. Thus far, this is how it has been going. But situations can easily get out of hand and the situation can become more volatile.   For any reason, if a mistake happened and a large number of civilians were hurt by any attacks, that would bring about a strong retaliation on either side and then we cannot control it anymore. But thus far, it has been low intensity skirmishes, attacks here and there without major bombardments on civilian targets. Talia Baroncelli Well, the situation is quite tense. As you say, we don’t know if there will be any additional escalations. The United States has been sending additional military assets to the eastern Mediterranean, as well as reinforcing some of the troops that are stationed there. How are these developments perceived by Hezbollah? Do they take this as a direct incursion into their space or as a threat, or are they really just worried about Israel? Imad Salamey No, of course. Hezbollah considers the United United States as part of the overall war in the region, being a main ally to Israel in terms of providing the Israelis with all types of support: political, economic, and military. The United States’ official position is to place Hezbollah on the terrorist list, similar to Hamas. In that sense, the party does not distinguish much between the United States and Israel.   Actually, in the latest assassination/targeted killing of Saleh al-Arouri, the leader of Hamas in the southern district of Lebanon, you’re going to find out that Saleh al-Arouri was listed on the U.S. list of terrorists, and there was a $5 million prize for any information leading to his arrest or killing. Therefore, there wasn’t much distinction, at least from a Hezbollah perspective, between the United States and Israel. They are both allies, and they’re both responsible for the atrocities taking place in Gaza today. They’re both orchestrating this fight against what Hezbollah considers the Axis of Resistance.   Therefore, you’re finding, in many ways, attacks against U.S. targets nowadays, especially in Iraq with U.S. bases, and they’re surrounded by many pro-Iranian and pro-Hezbollah groups who have been launching missiles against these bases because they consider the United States is responsible for what Israel is doing.   These feelings within Hezbollah and the so-called Axis of Resistance group are consolidated by the fact that the United States has repeatedly vetoed any resolutions, any direct national security councils to demand a ceasefire in Gaza or to open getaways, humanitarian assistance in any serious way or to open what is called to undermine a siege of Gaza. That’s to consolidate, so to speak, the convictions that the United States is part of this conflict when it’s backing Israel. It is what it’s doing.   When the U.S. passes through the Strait to come to the Mediterranean, Hezbollah considers this as a direct threat or a message to the party that it will be targeted if there is any conflict with Israel. Nasrallah has bowed to target these ships in case they join the fight, and they expressed fearfulness about the ship and military presence in the region. This is how it is unfolding here in the Middle East. Talia Baroncelli Well, you mentioned the so-called Axis of Resistance, which is comprised of groups such as Ansar Allah or the Houthis, as well as Hamas and Hezbollah. As you mentioned, there have been numerous attacks on commercial vessels by the Houthis and the Red Sea. In response to these attacks, in order to ensure that there’s global trade and commerce, the United States has created a neighborhood watch, which doesn’t involve many countries in the Persian Gulf or the neighborhood. The only country that’s involved in that area is Bahrain. The United States and the United Kingdom are the other countries that are leading this initiative. Countries such as Italy in Europe have pulled out. You do wonder how well thought out this particular initiative was.   In addition to that neighborhood watch, Politico reported that the Biden administration has other plans to potentially escalate the conflict in response to what’s going on. They’ve been launching additional drone strikes in Iraq and in Syria. We just saw a member of the Popular Mobilization Front, which is an Iranian-backed group in Iraq, being taken out by a U.S. drone strike. I do wonder, these additional plans that the U.S. has, do you see this potentially leading to a full-out war with Iran? Imad Salamey I think the United States is quite concerned about the widening of this conflict were it to become a direct confrontation between the United States and Iran because then you are at full-scale war. Regional war with Iran means full mobilizations of U.S. troops, marines, and air force. That means that Iran may be able to close the Hormuz Strait. It may launch missiles against U.S. bases in other countries, i.e., Arab Gulf states. That means that Iran can devastate the U.S. presence in the region.   We were talking about a full-scale war. That means we were talking about thousands and thousands of casualties, which means the United States will have to engage in a war on a wide scale with various fronts. A fight with Iran doesn’t mean a fight just across the Iranian borders because Iran has many proxy groups, many militant-supported groups all over the world, but particularly in Lebanon, with Hezbollah, in Iraq with Hashd al-Sha’bi, in Yemen with the Houthis, so we can expect that any fight between Iran and the United States will become a regional war. The United States will have to have many fights on different grounds.   I guess this is one of the reasons why many European countries pulled out from this coalition that was meant to secure passage through Yemen. Many Europeans fear that if a confrontation starts with the Houthis in Yemen, this will prepare the ground for a wider confrontation whereby the Europeans will have to be pulled into this conflict against Iran. I don’t think the Europeans at this moment are ready for such a scenario. The Europeans are already overwhelmed by the instability that took place in Syria, which led to a massive migration of refugees to European states. These migration waves undermined the unity of the European Union.   Imagine what would happen if Iran became unstable and there were a lot of massive migrations at the same time due to the conflict of war from Iran to different European countries. Europe is much closer. It’s much closer to the conflict and much closer geographically to Iran and to Iranian allies. It’s much more concerned and much more cautious than how the United States would act vis-à-vis Iran.   Now, what we’re seeing is that Israel, in particular, is trying to encourage some regional confrontation because Israel recognizes full well that the different groups it’s confronting on its own are backed and supported by Iran, whether they’re Hezbollah or Hamas, Hashd al-Sha’bi, or the Houthis, these different groups Iran knows full well that they can fight with them, but they will never be victorious as long as Iran continues to support these groups. The lifeline to these groups is held in Iran.   Therefore, Israel recognizes each day that the only way to stop a security threat against its national security interest is to undermine Iranian military bases and military power and cut off this line of support to these proxies— from Iran to them. The only way to do this is perhaps to have a major confrontation where the United States becomes involved in attacking and bombarding Iran.   Definitely, however, one can see that any confrontation with Iran is not going to be a simple fight. It will be a major undertaking. We don’t know how other countries would react. We have to also factor in here Russia. We have to factor in here China. How would they behave if Iran was attacked by the United States? One way or another, if Iran were to lose this fight, these countries have many military cooperation agreements with Iran, especially Russia. They could come to Iran as an aid and prolong any regional confrontation with the United States. The United States would end up in the same boat as Russia and Ukraine; it would become the United States with Iran.   There are many factors to consider here in any region of confrontation that are very complex and can lead to serious repercussions if not well thought out. I guess everybody, particularly the Europeans, is concerned about this, but also the American military is concerned about venturing into [inaudible 00:25:58] with Iran. Talia Baroncelli Well, the Europeans are concerned, but I think these issues always have a different spin when you look at the domestic politics of each individual member state. I think you were talking about the issue of additional migration waves coming from Syria and how, in 2015, Europe was overwhelmed. But perhaps that was a bit of a fabrication as well because there wasn’t much solidarity between the European states to take in Syrians. There wasn’t enough sharing of the burden, so to speak, between member states, but also no real solidarity with the people who are in need, who are being displaced from countries like Syria. We see the opposite happening with Ukraine, where Ukrainians were taken in with open arms, as they should be. That should be the case regardless of the background of the asylum seekers in question, regardless of whether they have blue eyes, blonde hair, or a darker complexion. There’s always a domestic component to it.   Going beyond what the domestic issues might be for Europe and whether they want to support Gaza or support Israel or oppose Hezbollah, for example, if we look at what the domestic politics are in Lebanon, how is the population there responding to what’s going on in Gaza, but also to this potential escalation between Israel and Hezbollah? It’s a sectarian country, of course, and there are a lot of different groups. How would you say the response has been domestically from within Lebanon to these developments? Imad Salamey Yes, Talia. We are very concerned. The Lebanese, in general, are very concerned about this state of instability and the constant anticipations of what could happen at any time or any hour, i.e., whether we will be dragged into a major war with Israel or, a political solution to the conflict, or a ceasefire. The Lebanese are worried. There is a continuous concern about how the situation is developing. That’s why I see people always watching the news. They’re on Twitter. They’re trying to figure out what’s happening second by second. It is a very alert population.   This is really concerning what we’ve seen in the last two months. Much of the foreign population in the country, Europeans or Americans who were either working for international organizations in the country or were at university as students, have left. We have this feeling of anxiety. Business is not as usual. Not even Lebanese are coming to Lebanon from abroad. There are a lot of concerns. This is taking its toll on the economy for sure.   Now, in terms of how the Lebanese are thinking about the Gaza situation, of course, the Lebanese, like many people around the country, condemn, in many ways, what’s happening in terms of the civilian population taking the fall for the military encounters between Hamas and Israel. People stand in solidarity. They feel with the children, with the innocent lives that are being spared in this fight. Many consider Israel’s retaliation and actions as overwhelming, so they condemn Israel’s action. This is across all sectarian and confessions.   Nonetheless, there is a clear division, political division, on what to do. What should Lebanon do, given what’s happening in Gaza? Of course, Hezbollah, on its own, has decided to engage the Israeli forces as a form of solidarity with Hamas and with the Palestinians in Gaza. They consider this a duty of the Lebanese to support their brothers and sisters in Palestine and to undermine this military campaign by drifting or splitting Israeli forces between the south and north of Israel. Hezbollah and supporters of Hezbollah consider the defeat of Hamas and the occupation of Gaza by Israel to pave the way for another incursion against Lebanon because the same pretext used to destroy Hamas in Gaza can be used against Hezbollah in Lebanon next time around. This concern is a pretext for Hezbollah’s armed engagement with the Israelis and to display some solidarity with the Palestinian people.   Now, not all Lebanese take this position. Other Lebanese, especially on the Christian side of Lebanon, consider Hezbollah’s actions are not necessarily that of Lebanon or the country’s interest is not being taken with the consent of the Lebanese population and is not coming out from a government perspective. It is in violation of UN resolutions, particularly Resolution 1701, which called to disarm the government in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is operating right now. They think that Lebanon should take a neutral stance because it cannot afford a military confrontation with Israel.   We have that political division of what to do given the situation in Gaza: those who support Hezbollah’s actions of going into a confrontation with Israel and those who believe Lebanon is too weak and such a confrontation would cost a heavy price if Israel decided to militarily retaliate against Lebanon, so best to take on a neutral position and provide solutions.   There is quite a deep risk in the political scenery in Lebanon. Yet, this has not been manifested in any actions on the ground. People are still waiting in anticipation of what can happen in Gaza. Everybody is awaiting some solutions or resolution or international interventions that will stop the war and bring about a ceasefire so that Lebanon will be spared from this fight. Things will not deteriorate or escalate from there. Talia Baroncelli Well, Professor Salamey, it was a pleasure speaking to you. Let’s hope next time we speak, there will be a ceasefire as well as a cessation in hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, and other actors in the region. Let’s hope next time things will be a bit more positive. Imad Salamey Great. Thank you, Talia. Talia Baroncelli You’ve just been watching part one of my discussion with Professor Imad Salamey. Part two will be about sectarianism in Lebanon and the consociational state.   If you’d like to support the work that we do, you can do so by going to our website, theAnalysis.news, and hitting the donate button at the top right corner of the screen. Get on to our mailing list as well. Thanks for watching, and see you next time. 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Imad Salamey is an Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Lebanese American University. Salamey is a widely published researcher and scholar. theAnalysis.news theme music written by Slim Williams for Paul Jay’s documentary film “Never-Endum-Referendum“.   Never-Endum-Referendum Artist Website Paul Jay’s Documentaries

Dr. Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, says the U.S. and U.K. bombing of Yemen is illegal. He highlights the U.S. and U.K.’s spin doctoring of the Houthi’s stated objective of attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached. He criticizes Biden’s disdain for obtaining Congressional authorization to launch offensive strikes in Yemen, Iraq, and Syria.

{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@id":"https:\/\/theanalysis.news\/gaza-ai-targeting-a-cover-for-genocide\/#arve-youtube-zthdig3onie65aeb6fde7dc3052389924","type":"VideoObject","embedURL":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zthDIg3oniE?feature=oembed&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&autohide=1&playsinline=0&autoplay=1&enablejsapi=1","name":"Gaza: AI Targeting a Cover for Genocide","thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/theanalysis.news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Shir-Hever.jpg","uploadDate":"2024-01-22T13:42:00+00:00","author":"theAnalysis-news","description":"Shir Hever discusses investigative work by the Israeli\/Palestinian magazine\u00a0+972, which exposed the use of AI targeting to justify the Israeli bombing of apartment buildings and hospitals. TranscriptListenDonateSubscribeGuestMusic Paul Jay Hi, I'm Paul Jay. Welcome to theAnalysis.news. In a few minu"} Shir Hever discusses investigative work by the Israeli/Palestinian magazine +972, which exposed the use of AI targeting to justify the Israeli bombing of apartment buildings and hospitals. Gaza: AI Targeting a Cover for Genocide South Africa’s Case Lays Out Genocidal Intent – Francis Boyle The UN and Israel’s Occupation of the Palestinian Territories – Ardi Imseis Brutal Occupation Underpins Class Inequality for Israelis and Palestinians – MK Ofer Cassif Growing Up Privileged in Apartheid, Colonial Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 1/4) Israel, World Capital of Homeland Security Industries – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 3/4) Fear and Loathing in Israel – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 2/4) An Occupier’s Peace or a Just Peace – Shir Hever on Reality Asserts Itself (pt 4/4) Radical Transformation is Needed for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace – Nadim Houry Strategically and Morally Bankrupt: U.S. Policy in the Middle East – Col. Lawrence Wilkerson Justifying Genocide – Shir Hever pt 2 Demand a Cease-Fire in Gaza – Shir Hever pt 1 A Brutal Occupation Begets a Brutal War Between Israel and Hamas – Trita Parsi Censorship in Germany, Israeli Hacking & Saudi-Iran Peace Deal – Dr. Shir Hever Why David Clennon Refused Audition for Hit & Run, a Netflix Israeli Co-pro Is BDS Effective Strategy? – Shir Hever Pt 3/3 Fighting for Peace and Equality in Israel – Rula Daood and Alon-Lee Green Who Rules Israel – Shir Hever pt2 Why Did 72% of Israelis Want Attack on Gaza to Continue? Is Israel a Strategic Asset or Liability? – Wilkerson Abby Martin’s “Gaza Fights for Freedom” Israel’s War on Palestine – Ali Abunimah Does Israel Have the Right to Exist as a Jewish State? – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (3/5) Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 2/2 Gaza Under Siege – Eva Bartlett on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/2 Class Struggle in Palestine – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (4/5) Palestinians can Learn From the African America Struggle – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (2/5) Awakened by the Palestinian Intifada – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (1/5) Justice Requires an End to Israeli Jewish Supremacy Over Palestinians – Ali Abunimah on Reality Asserts Itself (5/5) From a Zionist Youth to Outspoken Critic of a Jewish State – Michael Ratner on RAI Pt 2/7 One State or Two, Solution Must be Based on Palestinian Rights Phyllis Bennis on RAI Pt 4/4 Fmr. Israeli Intel. Chief Says Palestinian Israeli Conflict Greater Risk than Nuclear Iran Pt 2/4 Vietnam War Created Middle East Activist – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 1/4 Syria’s Six Wars and Humanitarian Catastrophe – Phyllis Bennis on Reality Asserts Itself Pt 3/4 Transcript Listen Donate Subscribe Guest Music Paul Jay Hi, I’m Paul Jay. Welcome to theAnalysis.news. In a few minutes, Shir Hever will join us again to discuss the current situation and the Israeli onslaught against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank, and specifically the use of artificial intelligence to target Hamas leaders militants without much care for how many civilians get killed. In fact, some people argue killing civilians might even be part of the objective. I’ll be back in just a minute. The magazine +972, which is an Israeli Palestinian news magazine published in Israel, and as I say, with Palestinian journalists, published an article very recently about the use of artificial intelligence to target Hamas leaders militants in Gaza. It was not only about the use of AI, but the willingness, and policy even, to not care much about how many civilians are killed in the course of targeting the Hamas leaders and a great reliance on using AI to target an apartment building, school, or a hospital, with maybe 20 seconds of checking whether AI is actually telling you anything that makes any sense. Now joining us to discuss the article and what this means, and also the significance in terms of the South African case of accusing Israel of genocide is Shir Hever. Shir was born in Israel. He now works for BDS in Germany and is, by training, a political economist. Thanks for joining us, Shir. Shir Hever Thanks for having me, Paul. Paul Jay So tell us what’s in the article, and then we can talk about what this means. Shir Hever Yeah, this is an article by Yuval Abraham, who is a Jewish Israeli working for +972 Magazine, a very serious investigative journalist who has received confidential information from anonymous sources. These anonymous sources are high-ranking officers in Israeli intelligence. He has put a picture of how the targeting acquisition mechanism works for this particular attack on the Gaza Strip, which amounts to the crime of genocide. I guess we’ll get to the point of why it is relevant to talk about genocide in this context. What he found out from the testimonies of these officers is that the Israeli normal mechanism of acquiring targets by using military intelligence units that identify so-called desirable targets, which means some high-ranking militant or asset belonging to Hamas that they want to destroy or kill, then making a certain calculation of what would be the collateral factor for that attack. The collateral factor means how many civilians are going to be killed for the sake of killing one person that you want to assassinate. Normally, they would have a collateral factor limited to about five. So, five civilians are okay to kill in order to kill one person who is suspected not convicted in a court of being a member of Hamas. This ratio has been used in previous wars. This time, they are using a different formula. First of all, the officers are saying that they are horrified to discover that the ratio has risen to almost 100, meaning that an entire apartment building can be destroyed. Sometimes, the objective goal of destroying this building is not to kill some high-ranking Hamas officer but to cause panic, dismay, and suffering among the civilian population as a way to pressure Hamas in a very tried, tested, and always failed method of colonial violence. Paul Jay When you say officer, to clarify a bit, the journalist from +972 states that he has talked to intelligence, military officials, or soldiers who are involved in the targeting. He’s talking to people with direct knowledge of what’s happening. I should add to this: he was interviewed on CNN, which, to their credit, gave him a fair amount of time to explain what was happening. He is quite a credible journalist. Shir Hever Yes. He also gave an interview to Democracy Now. His position is very moral and very ethical. He’s focusing on the needless killing of civilians, and he’s horrified by it, and for very good reason.  I think we should pay attention to something that came out of this article that didn’t receive enough attention, in my opinion, which is the fact that this is the first time in history that artificial intelligence has been weaponized and used as a weapon of war. You have entire units of intelligence officers who used to produce about five to six targets per day, mainly these five or six Hamas officers or militants that they wanted to kill, and established a certain collateral factor for each target. Now, there is an artificial intelligence tool that is manufacturing more than 100 per day. This is what is enabling the Israeli military to carpet bomb the Gaza Strip. This is, first of all, unprecedented. But we also have to understand how this technology works. Artificial intelligence is sometimes seen as some kind of black box, something that we’re not able to understand. I do think that for our very safety, for our very understanding of what is happening to modern warfare, we need to know. We need to know how this works. The way that artificial intelligence allegedly works, what the Israeli military is claiming while trying to promote this as a product, is to say that the artificial intelligence is using facial recognition software in order to go over thousands of pictures and videos from drones and surveillance cameras in order to get an analysis of every centimeter of the Gaza Strip. Then they can say, here we have identified a certain target, and we’ve also identified everyone around that target as a way to know how many civilians are there and what’s the collateral factor. A very important factor to this is that they also claim to be able to assess how many possible Israeli hostages are in the area. That’s very important that they say with facial recognition, we will be able to avoid accidentally bombing Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. This is the product they’re selling. Now, what we’re really seeing on the ground is something completely different. What we see is, in fact, an artificial intelligence model, which is very similar to Chat GPT. In this language model, because it has some kind of conversation with the officer, the artificial intelligence gathers these pictures and creates a target, but then it begins a process of teaching itself. That’s the whole idea of machine learning of artificial intelligence, that is teaching itself to see what kind of target would be more convincing for the soldier to squeeze the trigger. There’s a soldier sitting on a cannon or guiding a fighter plane to bomb a certain area, and the soldier receives the target from artificial intelligence and has to make a decision, yes or no. That’s those 20 seconds that you talked about. Sometimes, it’s less than 20 seconds, according to the testimonies of those soldiers. Basically, artificial intelligence teaches itself how to condense the information in the most abbreviated form and in the most convincing form so that the soldiers don’t bother reading everything and squeeze the trigger right away. In a way, the manipulation here is on the Israeli soldiers themselves. They are the weapons that are being utilized by artificial intelligence to kill more people in Gaza. This is really a very dangerous development. Paul Jay If I’m understanding the technology correctly, AI does not have X-ray vision. They are going based on some photographs and some radar, but it’s probabilities. What they’re really feeding whoever’s going to actually fire, the soldier that’s going to fire, is that there’s a probability that so and so is in this building. It’s not like there’s some direct evidence, necessarily, maybe sometimes, but if you’re having so many targets, it’s mostly probability. Based on just probability, they’re willingly killing hundreds of people in these attacks, each one of them. Also, anyone that’s worked with AI just on a text basis, and I’ve done quite a bit, it’s amazing how accurate it is most of the time, but it’s also amazing how often it makes shit up that’s completely, utterly wrong. In fact, they have a term for it in the AI world called hallucinating. AI tends, once in a while, to out and out hallucinate stuff that has nothing to do with reality, and it’s being relied on for targeting. Shir Hever It does have one thing to do with reality, and that’s the whole point because the way that artificial intelligence has been programmed is to study by interfacing with the user. If the AI comes to the conclusion that telling you something you want to hear, something you want to see, will create positive feedback, then the AI is more likely to go in that path. If it’s an uncomfortable truth that the AI is supposed to tell you, you notice that if you talk to Chat GPT, it will try to avoid giving you an uncomfortable truth. If you try to tell Chat GPT, I’m looking for a certain book on a certain topic. If that book doesn’t exist, you’re not going to get that answer. Chat GPT will invent a book to give you what you want to hear, even if that book was never written. Now, this is exactly how it works with the bombing of Gaza because, as you say, AI doesn’t have X-ray vision. Theoretically, the soldiers can vet all of the pictures that the AI is using to make a decision to create a target. But as Yuval Abraham, the author of this article, says, the soldiers eventually, because they lack patience, because they don’t want to go through this very tedious process of vetting each and every picture, they end up just checking the gender of the main target. If it’s a woman, they don’t shoot because they don’t believe that it’s a Hamas fighter. If it’s a man, they shoot without checking anything further. Now, this is something that would teach the AI to always show a picture of a man. That’s how you teach the AI to only show pictures of men. And that is why if there is a man somewhere in the radius of the explosion, that’s what the AI will focus on, and that’s how the soldiers can be convinced. Now, I want to tie this to the issue of genocide because there’s a lot of debate in the legal world about why South Africa chose the crime of genocide, which is such a serious crime, as the focus of their lawsuit at the International Court of Justice. From a moral and ethical point of view, I think, of course, they were correct because this is what it is. From a legal point of view, from a strategic point of view, you could say this is a crime that’s difficult to prove. I do think that one of the most important issues about proving genocide is that societies that cross this red line, from waging war to committing genocide, have to go through a process of getting their own soldiers to cross that red line. That is one of the most difficult things. If it was in Rwanda, where the Hutu have consistently called the Tutsi cockroaches in order to dehumanize them and to get the soldiers to not see them as human beings because that’s the only way you can get the soldiers to kill indiscriminately civilians. The Nazis, of course, had very elaborate mechanisms of dehumanizing Jews, dehumanizing Sinti and Roma as a way to get the soldiers to obey orders and to commit genocide. It’s very difficult. It’s much easier to convince your soldiers to defend your homeland in battle than to go around killing soldiers. This is really the reason that Israel needs artificial intelligence because from the point of view of the soldiers, they are getting a target, and they’re making an educated decision based on data that they’re getting from the AI. But if you go to Gaza and you look on the ground as the reporters in Gaza who are dying every day but nevertheless continue to report our recording, this is just indiscriminate carpet bombing because you have these hundreds of soldiers, each one of them thinking that he’s unique and just got the best target, squeezes the trigger again and again and again. I’m hearing reports from the Israeli artillery units. They have these M-107 cannons, which have a rate of fire that allows them to shoot 500 shells, 155-millimeter shells per 24 hours. And that’s what they’re doing.  Paul Jay Well, maybe the real point of AI is to give a fig leaf of justification for carpet bombing. In other words, instead of just calling it carpet bombing, we’re claiming we’re targeting, and this is now just collateral damage when we kill civilians when the reality is the objective is to kill a lot of civilians and make Gaza completely utterly unlivable. But you can say, oh, no, there was a Hamas leader in this building. Well, how do you know? Well, AI told us. It’s actually a fig leaf. Sorry, go ahead. Shir Hever For whom is this fig leaf intended? When the Israeli team has to defend themselves at the International Court of Justice, AI doesn’t help them. They cannot go to the International Court of Justice and say, “Our AI told us that this is a Hamas leader.” As these intelligence officers told Yuval Abraham many times, this so-called Hamas leader happens to be a guy with a gun, and that is enough. That’s all they can show. That certainly doesn’t justify demolishing an entire apartment building with the people inside it. Paul Jay But that is what they’re going to say. What other defense do they have? Shir Hever Yeah, but this is not going to help them. It’s not going to work. But for the soldiers, it does work. So, the fig leaf is a manipulation. Absolutely, they are lying. They are using AI in order to manipulate people, but they’re manipulating their own soldiers.  This is the first war in Israel’s history in which the soldiers are completely banned from contacting their own families and friends back home. This has been now 101 days, or 102-103, depending on when you’re going to broadcast this. During this time, the soldiers cannot call their girlfriends, cannot call their parents, and cannot tell them what’s happening in Gaza. Even more importantly, they cannot hear what people hear back home who can watch the news and follow the situation. It’s not just to prevent the public from knowing what’s happening in Gaza, but it’s even more importantly to prevent the soldiers from knowing that the whole world is watching and calling what they’re doing an act of genocide. Some soldiers who received a little bit of leave, not many receive leave to go and be with their family for a weekend or something, exhibit serious signs of PTSD because the reality clashes completely with what they saw on the ground in Gaza. Paul Jay I think there are two other parts to this, which I don’t think get discussed enough. Netanyahu and the Israeli propagandists try to compare what they’re doing to what the British and the Americans did in Germany. The firebombing of Hamburg or the American firebombing of Japanese cities, and then eventually the atomic bomb, which also had a fig leaf of a military target. We know without question that both of these things were done to try to break the morale of either the German people or the Japanese people, which means the civilians were the targets. That is a war crime. So if Israel wants to compare what they’re doing to that, then they’re comparing war crime to war crime. This doesn’t let them off the hook. Then there’s another even more extenuating piece, if you will, which is the British and Americans vis-à-vis Germany or the Americans with Japan; they were at war with another state. Maybe you can make some argument that the populations of those states, maybe in some perverted way, are targets. Gaza is not a state. Gaza is under occupation. My understanding of international law is you cannot attack the population of a place that’s under your occupation. The attack against the Israelis on October 7, which was a terrorist and murderous attack, you can use any adjectives you want, I condemn it. This was not an act from a state. To attack the population of Gaza when you’re the occupying power has no basis in international law, as far as I understand it. Shir Hever Yeah, well, I’m not the best person to talk about international law. To my understanding, it’s also very much illegal to tell the population of Gaza that you have 24 hours to leave the northern part of Gaza, and everyone who stays behind will be killed. That’s also something that neither the United States nor Great Britain or any of those examples did as part of their fighting, whether it was against Germany or Japan or whatever. I do think that it is interesting from the point of view, especially the use of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. That’s a very good example because the American administration at the time knew that they could not just send a pilot with an atomic bomb to destroy a civilian city. They had to lie to the pilot. They had to lie to the mathematicians, [John] von Neumann and [Oskar] Morgenstern, who later established RAND corporation, and told them, we need you to develop a model using game theory in order to find which targets would be least defended by air defense systems in Japan. They came up with the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but without being told what was the real purpose of this experiment, of this mathematical exercise. I think the American administration understood you cannot expect people to commit atrocities on their own. You have to lie to them and manipulate them. So that’s a very interesting example here. When you say Hamas is not a state, a lot of Israelis would say this is just a technical issue because if Hamas is so strong and if we are so afraid and we have to defend ourselves and all that, then we should fight with all our force to survive. This sort of argument, which they tried to use at the International Court of Justice, is based on a fantasy, on a hallucination, as if Hamas can be defeated by killing a lot of children and a lot of unarmed civilians, and that will somehow weaken Hamas. Yet, it doesn’t. In fact, look at the rate of casualties in the Israeli army for 100 days. They’re being killed every day in Gaza by Hamas fighters, not by innocent, defenseless civilians. They’re being killed by Hamas fighters who keep controlling all these tunnels and have access to enough weapons, petrol, and everything they need in order to continue their fighting against the Israeli military. The Israeli army failed to rescue any of the hostages. They failed to target or assassinate even one of the leaders of Hamas in Gaza. They only assassinated one in Lebanon. But in Gaza, all of this bombing has achieved nothing except killing a lot of civilians. So, that is also a hallucination. That is also a lie. There’s no number of thousands of families who will be trapped under the rubble, dying slowly, and prevented from being rescued by the Israeli military that will make Israel win this war. Paul Jay Did the testimony, not testimony, but the statements of the South African attorneys at the trial or the court, was any of that shown on Israeli television? And if yes, would it have any effect on people? Because it was quite eloquent and powerful, what was said there? Shir Hever It was not. Sadly, it was not. The Israeli defense was shown. The responses were shown, but not the actual accusations. You hear so many cries of indignation from the Israeli public, from journalists, from politicians calling it blood libel. How can you say that the state of Israel is killing children when they are killing a lot of children? How can you do this to the Jewish people when it was, in fact, almost the second sentence uttered by the legal team of Israel and the International Court of Justice? In fact, the whole convention for the Prevention of Genocide was for Jews and belongs to Jews, and therefore, Israel is above the law and cannot be targeted by this convention. This is the sort of argument you hear on Israeli media. I am a little bit taken aback and am listening carefully to what I hear on Israeli media, and I’m following very closely. They are actually admitting each and every element in the accusation of the South African legal team. They’re saying, yes, there were calls for genocide, and yes, there was targeting of civilians and use of starvation as a weapon. This is something that you can’t actually see in the Israeli media. If you put all these things together, you’d say, well, did Myanmar commit genocide against Rohingya? Then the Israelis would say, well, absolutely. One, two, three. This is how genocide is defined. But they recognize the one, two, and three that Israel is committing but are not able to reach the same conclusion. Paul Jay The AI systems we have been talking about, are they Israeli manufactured and designed? Shir Hever I don’t believe so. In fact, there was this index of which countries have the most advanced artificial intelligence technologies in the world. Israel was lagging behind very low, even below the United Arab Emirates, because the Israeli so-called high-tech miracle is really developed as a weapon of oppression against Palestinians. Artificial intelligence is a different technology. They just don’t have it. Paul Jay Do we know where they’re getting it from? Shir Hever This is a very big question. I had some suspicions that the Nimbus Project, which is a project by Amazon and Google providing cloud services to the Israeli military, might also be providing artificial intelligence services. I haven’t found proof of this yet, so I’m not making the accusation at this point. Then, the company Palantir, which you may know, is owned by Peter Thiel, a big Trump supporter. It is a company that is already well known for its technology of surveillance and oppression. They announced officially that they had signed a contract with the Israeli military to provide artificial intelligence. They’re not saying that it’s artificial intelligence for the purpose of acquiring targets, but I think that they are right now the prime suspects as to who is providing this technology. Paul Jay Okay. All right, thanks very much, Shir. We’ll pick this up again soon. Shir Hever Thank you, Paul. Paul Jay Thank you for joining us on theAnalysis.news. Don’t forget, if you come over to the website, get on the email list if you’re not on it. If you’re on YouTube, subscribe, and you can always hit the donate button if you’re so moved. Thanks again. 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Dr. Shir Hever studies the economic aspects of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territory. He is the manager of the Alliance for Justice between Israelis and Palestinians (BIP) and the military embargo coordinator for the Boycott National Committee (BNC). theAnalysis.news theme music written by Slim Williams for Paul Jay’s documentary film “Never-Endum-Referendum“.   Never-Endum-Referendum Artist Website Paul Jay’s Documentaries

In honor of Martin Luther King Day, we republish his speech, Why I am Opposed to the War in Vietnam.