"Jews and Israelis should be afforded compassion, not conflated with the actions of Netanyahu... I write as the UK CEO of an organisation that supports Israel’s human rights NGOs, many jointly run by Jewish & Palestinian leaders." — @daviddavidi-brown.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Well worth listening to the full podcast. Gore is as sharp as ever.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Al Gore:
“This is the most corrupt administration not only in American history, but more corrupt than I could ever have imagined a president would be able to get away with to the extent that he has. It’s shocking to me.”
I like to think that Magyar did actually invite Netanyahu to Hungary — with full intention of him being arrested upon arrival.
Netanyahu claimed last week that Magyar invited him to Hungary.
Today Magyar said that Netanyahu will be arrested if he enters Hungary:
“I made it clear to the Israeli PM — we will not back down... If a state is an ICC member and a person who is wanted enters that territory, they must be detained”
An important shift in perspective.
We often talk about security guarantees for Ukraine. But give Ukraine what it needs, and they will emerge as the most effective military powerhouse that modern Europe has ever known.
Ukraine will be Europe's security guarantee against Russian imperialism.
The deal will encourage other countries to agree similar arrangements with Ukraine. It's a brilliant strategy to integrate influential global economies with Ukraine's and make its national integrity beneficial to them, thereby incentivising more assistance for Ukrainian defence against Russia.
This is a remarkable and important step.
Ukraine, a country under full scale invasion for 4+ years, is signing deals to co-develop/produce weapons with other countries.
Saudi, UAE and Qatar are not only confident of but also banking on Ukraine being a functional nation state over the next decade.
Trump is acting here as a private citizen while exploiting the office to unofficially coerce govt institutions into giving him and his family obscene amounts of American taxpayer cash.
'Official acts' immunity will therefore not protect him for this brazen corruption.
They should all be jailed.
Anyone with a viral-worthy post on Bluesky today.
Incoming Hungarian PM Péter Magyar went on Orbán's state TV today for the first time in 18 months:
"This factory of lies will end once the Tisza govt is formed... What has been going on here since 2010, which even Goebbels or the North Korean dictator would have been envious of, cannot continue."
Amazed world leaders aren't resorting to finger puppets at this point.
It's literally the first three Commandments, Mike.
Péter Magyar has just wrapped up his three-hour press conference with independent Hungarian and global media outlets.
He hasn't even been incoming PM for a day, yet he's already opened himself up to more media scrutiny than Viktor Orbán did in 16 years.
In 24 hours, Hungary has gone from relentlessly sabotaging the EU from within to actively calling for ex member states to rejoin.
The defeat of Orbán is a profound moment for our entire continent that will enable Europe to reach its full potential.
Incoming Hungarian PM Péter Magyar calls for the UK to rejoin the European Union:
"I remember when I was a diplomat in Brussels... We were able to influence decisions. At the time, the Brits were also part of the EU. Let's hope they will rejoin."
Magyar on Ukraine:
"We cannot tell any country to give up territory. If they do, they are a traitor... What would you do if Russia attacked Hungary? Which counties would you be willing to give up? ...They [international community] should give security guarantees."
Big rhetoric change from Orbán.
Péter Magyar:
"We are going to relaunch Hungary's accession to the International Criminal Court. It's in the interests of the international community and Hungary for us to be there."
Viktor Orbán had initiated Hungary's withdrawal from the ICC due to its investigation of Israel's actions in Gaza.
Péter Magyar on Polish politicians Zbigniew Ziobro and Marcin Romanowski, facing misuse of public funds & abuse of power charges, who Orbán granted asylum to:
"They shouldn't buy any furniture in Hungary because they are not staying long. Hungary will not be an asylum for international criminals."
Péter Magyar calls on Hungarian President Tamás Sulyok to resign:
"He didn't say a word when thousands of Hungarian children were abused by pedophiles — pedophiles who were appointed by this govt, awarded by this govt or pardoned by this govt... Resign... We don't need the puppets of the mafia."
Péter Magyar opens his first press conference as incoming Hungarian PM:
"Formerly, press conferences worked in a way that the propaganda media could ask questions that were written for them by the govt... Therefore, we will now give the floor to those Hungarian outlets who are still independent."
Threatened by Russian fascists to the east and American fascists to the west, the people of Hungary chose Europe and democracy.
Hungarian election results.
Péter Magyar victory rally.
One way that Orbán sought to entrench power was adopting a new Hungarian constitution in 2011 that classified many policy areas as 'cardinal laws' that require a two-thirds majority vote to change.
With almost 100% of votes counted, the Hungarian opposition has just achieved what seemed impossible.
Hello @jd-vance-1.bsky.social, please come campaign for Nigel Farage in the UK at your next opportunity.
Péter Magyar victory speech:
"We want to make a country where no one is persecuted because they think differently or because someone loves in a different way to others."
He may not have campaigned as a liberal. But this is a huge change of direction and rhetoric from Orbán’s anti-LGBTQ+ crusade.
Péter Magyar victory speech:
"Hungary wants to be a European country again. We want to return to Europe."
The crowd immediately chants "Russians, go home" in response.
Zelensky happy
Trump sad
Putin sad
I’m just so glad about how happy he’ll be and how sad they’ll be tonight.
The fact that Orbán conceded so quickly — let alone at all — shows the astounding extent of the opposition's win.
Orbán had literally no chance whatsoever to contest the result.
He was decisively and clearly rejected by the Hungarian people.
Opposition leader Péter Magyar at a rally.
Orbán's electoral crushing is a far greater achievement than most people outside Hungary realise.
He systemically consolidated power for 16 years, fixed the electoral map, abused govt power for political purposes & censored media.
The hurdles that Hungarians overcame for this moment were immense.
Péter Magyar winning a super majority will allow him to comprehensively restore Hungarian democracy.
Viktor Orbán had altered the Hungarian Constitution to weaken and politicise the judiciary, and remove checks and balances on power.
Magyar has indicated that he wants to draft a new constitution.
