OpEd - SubScribe14

The commentators 31-07-14

...on Gaza

You can measure the decline of US authority in any number of ways. In the contemptuous Israeli response to John Kerry’s suggestion of a ceasefire in Gaza. In China’s condescending dictation of the terms for military co-operation with the US in the Pacific. In Germany’s expulsion of the CIA station chief from Berlin. Yet this summer tempest is not just about flawed leadership. It is about flawed followership. Europe would rather take shelter than contribute to solutions.
- Roger Boyes, The Times

The tragic events in Gaza and Ukraine may be dominating the news, but even more terrible things are happening in Libya and Iraq. In both cases a naive and stupendously ill-conceived Western foreign policy is almost entirely to blame.
- Stephen Glover, Daily Mail

Let us step up our action. Let us boycott Israeli academic institutions, Israeli exports and the companies that have ties with Israel. Because even when Israel stops bombing Gaza, it will not be their final attempt to ethnically cleanse the land of Palestinians.
- Yara Hawari, The Independent

Last week a convoy carrying medical supplies to Gaza from Egypt was turned back by Egyptian soldiers over 100km from the border. The convoy’s organisers knew they risked being stopped – but that was part of the point. “It was expected,” said Salma Said on her return home. “They do not want Egyptians to show support for Palestinians. They want to make sure that this siege and this isolation continues.” During this latest Gazan war, the conflict has been predominantly portrayed as one between Israel and Hamas. But a third party has exacerbated the tensions in Israel’s favour: Egypt.
- Patrick Kingsley, The Guardian

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Entries close today (Thursday 31st)

Stevie Spring

The annual Editorial Intelligence comment awards were officially launched last month with the announcement of the seventy-strong panel of judges to be led by Stevie Spring, chair of Children in Need.
They include Lorraine Heggessey, Nihal Arthanayake, Karren Brady, Damian Barr, Lynne Franks, Nicky Gavron, Laura Kuenssberg, Adrian Monck and Kirsty Lang.
Anyone is invited to nominate their favourite commentators for the awards, which are divided into 16 categories. There is no charge for entry.

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