Violence in Gaza: “An Ugly Witch’s Brew” – We spoke to Rob Richer, former Associate Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA, for comment:
MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : GHAZA – THE LONG TERM CONSEQUENZES / 17. May 2018
Since the United States declared the opening of its new embassy in Jerusalem, violence has broken out along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, where thousands of protesters have gathered for months for what they have dubbed “The Great March of Return” [to Israel].
Earlier this week, Israeli troops fired into the crowd from across the border fence, killing at least 58 Palestinians and wounding more than 2,700. Israel has faced international backlash for its heavy-handed approach to the protests, including Turkey expelling its ambassador and a number of countries calling for an investigation of the bloodshed. However, what’s just as interesting is which voices are missing in the conversation…
We spoke to Rob Richer, former Associate Deputy Director of Operations for the CIA, for comment:
- “Look, I thought for sure we’d be better off than we are today. On my wall I’m looking at right now I have two awards from two different administrations for my contributions to Middle East peace, and obviously that just didn’t go where we thought it would.”
- “We have an administration that’s making a case for Iran. You have a country, Israel, that will use any violence to further their case on Iran. You have Palestinians who feel like they have no hope, and most believe that they have no future. All of this is a pretty ugly witch’s brew.”
- “What concerns me seriously right now is the absence of some voices about what happened and what is going to happen. If you look at the world press right now, the King of Jordan has spoken very forcefully as has his government. The Kuwaitis are trying to move a resolution through the UN and they’re speaking forcefully. But the Arab states which have the most influence in this U.S. administration—mainly because of money, investment, and ties to Jared Kushner and others—are the Emirates and the Saudis…They’ve been passive.”
- “You know, if this were any other place in the world and 60 people were killed and 2,000 people were wounded, the U.S. would be pounding a gavel at the UN. The administration would be pounding the table. It’s just not happening.”
Read the full conversation with Richer.