PRAGOTI

Israel is possibly the only unapologetic state in the world that believes in assassination of opponents as a state policy. Ironically, that this nation does "hit jobs" through its notorious spy agency - the Mossad, actually gives it an "aura" of professionalism - as much as the Mumbai underworld looked "cool" in the eyes of many during its heydays.

Israel’s foreign ministry is reported to be establishing a special undercover team of paid workers whose job it will be to surf the internet 24 hours a day spreading positive news about Israel. Writes Jonathan Cook.

"Israel has lost in Gaza. Whilst many Palestinians have lost their lives the Palestinians have not been conquered or cowed. Repression generates resistance and that will grow. Israeli aggression stands exposed". This is the address by Ronnie Kasrils, veteran South African communist and anti-apartheid activist, on the occasion of Israel Apartheid Week.

Ari Folman's Waltz with Bashir has won international acclaim with several awards and an Academy nomination for the Foreign Language Film category.  "More than a quarter of a century after the atrocities in Sabra and Shatila, during which approximately 2,000 civilians were brutally murdered, we are witnessing a perverse moment: an apparently "anti-war" Israeli film wins several Israeli and international film awards in a context not only of Israel's ongoing brutal occupation, violations of international law, racism and denial of refugee rights, but also while fresh atrocities are committed by Israeli forces in Gaza", writes Naira Antoun.