Palestine, the Raytheon 9 and the Belfast May Day Rally

by Blackwatch Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:41

Was anyone aware of the links between Tony Blair's role as Envoy in the Middle East and Raytheon?

Upon his retirement in June 2007, Tony Blair assumed the 'unpaid' role of Peace Envoy to the Middle East. He was also appointed as an advisor to the major US Investment Bank, JP Morgan Chase in a deal worth over £1 million per year.

His employers at JP Morgan Chase are major shareholders in Raytheon, having invested close to $80 million in 1997 (that figure is likely to have since increased).

Reporters at the time asked a Government Spokesman if there was likely to be a conflict of interests in is roles as both envoy and advisor. The response? 'Ask Tony Blair'.

Closer scrutiny also needs to be made of New Labour's pro-Israel stance. Both Blair and Gordon Brown are members of 'Labour Friends Of Israel' - a pro-Israeli interest group operating in the UK Parliament (there is also a 'Conservative Friends of Israel' group).

Although largely ignored by the press at the time, the 'Labour Friends Of Israel' group featured at the centre of the 'Donorgate Scandal' of 2007. David Abrahams donated at least £548,850 since 2003, via at least two work colleagues, his solicitor and the wife of an employee - an illegal activity. Abrahams at the time ranked as the third biggest Labour donor. Another senior member of 'Labour Friends of Israel' was Lord Michael Levy, the disgraced peer at the centre of Blair's 'Cash For Peerages Scandal' (Blair first met Lord Levy at a 'Friends of Israel' function in North London).

Also named in the 'Cash For Peerages Scandal' was Lord Sainsbury - who similarly faced an inquiry over his £2 million loan to the party. Sainsbury too is a 'Labour Freinds of Israel' member (David Goldman – the Chairman of an Israeli telecommunications equipment company BATM Advanced Communications is also reported to have made several 5-figure donations). He too is an LFI member.

John Mendelsohn - Mr Big at the LFI and a passionate Zionist is now Gordon Brown's party fundraiser.

Of course we all know about the influence of America's pro-Israeli lobby, AIPAC and their ability to influence the Senate, but too little has been made of pro-Israeli interest groups in the UK's own backyard.

The image of Blair as somekind of ‘lacky’ or sidekick to Bush has served as a rather convenient cover for Britain's own vested interests in this region. The standard party line is that Britain was pulled somewhat reluctantly into the Middle-Eastern conflict because of its loyalty to the USA, when its quite clear that Britain’s actions were more the result of influence built up at home.

Although interesting to see that Fidelity Investments (US), the largest shareholders in Trinity Mirror (owner of the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, People, and Sunday Mail) are also major shareholders in Raytheon Defense. Little wonder that Piers Morgan was ejected from the Daily Mirror after he published the ‘fake’ photos of UK soldiers urinating on Iraq prisoners. Afterall, it didn’t do much for the war effort.

Interesting ideas but you have to look at the comments area for more on Raytheon and Blair.

by Doug Tue May 13, 2008 01:43

Against racism.

I cant believe that this stuff is actually going on. Two guys got stabbed then after this text was sent.

http://www.imemc.org/article/54818

“It's time to put an end to all the Arabs that hang out in the neighborhood and at the mall, whistle to girls, curse and threaten little children. Any Jew who wishes to put an end to this should arrive at the burger ranch, where we will finally teach them not to walk around in our area. Whoever is willing to do this and has the Jewish blood to do so”, the message reads as published by Haaretz.

by TD - FPC Sun May 11, 2008 16:11

3!

The 130 or so, Malaysians currently studying medicine in the University College Hospital Galway are unstinting in their support for Palestine

by TD - Free Palestine Campaign Sun May 11, 2008 15:58

and Palestine in Galway yesterday.

Nabeela, Martin (son of Mary Kelly) and daughter Maya

From L to R: Finn Arden, Margaretta D'Arcy and husband, John Arden

by Kevin Murphy - 32 csm Sun May 11, 2008 02:07

I dont believe the anti war movement in Ireland consists solely of pacifists , although Im sure there are many pacifists within its ranks . Anyway the 3 lads are in a maximum security prison on the word of a senior garda facing up to 6 years imprisonment . Thats basic internment by another name . More great work by the Donegal gardai whom we all know are impeccable in their honesty and wouldnt tell a lie to stitch a man up .
Fair play to Eammon and Co for keeping the anti raytheon protests in the public eye and for their principled stand against these merchants of death .

by Podge Fri May 09, 2008 19:22

"Are there attested or proven links between the Raytheon 9 & Omagh bombers?"
The Omagh bombing was carried out by the RIRA. Certain members of the Raytheon 9 are members of the 32 CSM - the political wing of the RIRA. Some members of the Raytheon 9 are now in prison charged with membership of the RIRA. Certain members of the Raytheon 9 also have quite a notorious reputation within their own community in Derry for violence and intimidation, usually (but not always) towards so-called anti-social elements within that community.
From the point of view of those of us who embrace non-violence and non-violent protest, it does indeed seem a tad hypocritical that some folks can claim to be non-violent one day and then are willing to go out and kill in the name of freedom the next.

by belfast Fri May 09, 2008 13:06

does anyone have the photos from the whole of the belfast march?

by lulu Thu May 08, 2008 19:33

Are there attested or proven links between the Raytheon 9 & Omagh bombers? If so, please publish them.

by May Day NVDA Thu May 08, 2008 07:43

LINK-May Day raid on General Dynamics Weapons Plant - Vermont, USA

http://www.counterpunch.org/dangl05052008.html

by Omagh Resident Thu May 08, 2008 03:54

Whether the bombs are made by Raytheon or by the so-called "Real IRA" - they have one thing in common. They kill.
Neither bomb is more progressive than the other. Those members of the Raytheon 9 who sympathise with the "Real IRA" are hypocrites. Their socalled war of liberation is as acceptable in Ireland as the zionists' attack on Lebanon. Eamonn McCann for 40 years or more has called a spade a spade - why the reticence now when it comes to the clowns in the Real IRA? Is he afraid of a split in the Raytheon 9, some of whom are linked to the "32 county sovereignity committe" - a group that has links to the Omagh bombers!

by The Sovereign Nation - 32CSM Wed May 07, 2008 00:12

Unfortunately three members of the Raytheon 9, Paddy McDaid, Mickey Gallagher and Gary Donnelly could not attend this rally due to their continued internment by the free state on IRA membership charges. The 32CSM believe that these bogus charges are as much about their work wth the Derry Anti War coalition as they are to do with their political activism with the 32 County Sovereignty Movement.

by TD - FPC Tue May 06, 2008 15:26

3!

Kathleen (IPSC)

Bernadette and husband, Jerry on left - Jerry was a member of the solidarity visit group to the West Bank last February

by TD - FPC Tue May 06, 2008 15:19

More!

George Rishmawi

Iyad Bornat