Sierra Club Reverses Decision to Cancel Trips to Israel

Sierra Club Reverses Decision to Cancel Trips to Israel
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Sierra Club Reverses Decision to Cancel Trips to Israel

Sierra Club Reverses Decision to Cancel Trips to Israel

The Sierra Club reversed its decision to cancel trips to Israel, saying it was "hastily" made and did not accord with the conservation group's mission.

"Recently, the Sierra Club hastily made a decision, without consulting a robust set of stakeholders, to postpone two planned outings to Israel," said the Club.

Earlier, the organization announced it was canceling environmental-tourism trips to Israel because of its actions against the Palestinians.

In a Tuesday statement, the Club confirmed new Israel trips would be announced later this year, saying earlier decision to cancel tours was made in ways that created "confusion, anger, and frustration."

The head of Sierra Club's National Outings, Mary Owens, confirmed in a previous mass email to hundreds of volunteers and members that trips were canceled saying the decision came after activists alleged the foundation was "greenwashing the conflict" and "providing legitimacy to the Israeli state, which is engaged in apartheid against the Palestinian people."

"Greenwashing" is a term used by anti-Israel activists that accuse the Jewish state of using environmental causes to disguise alleged human rights violations.

The Sierra Club Foundation, founded by John Muir in 1892, is a charitable foundation concerned with nature, with over 750,000 members and an annual budget for the current year of more than $97 million.

Its first trip to Israel began in 1960 to explore biodiversity, bird migrations, desert landscapes, and ancient monuments. Last year's trip was called "Natural and Historical Highlights of Israel," offered for two weeks in March for about $5,000 per person.

More than 250 upcoming trips are listed on Sierra Club's website, including more than 200 to sites in the US and others to places like Malaysia, Nepal, and Antarctica.

The email sent from Owens stated that the Club's decision was taken after a campaign an advocacy push from one "Jewish American activist" and a host of both progressive and anti-Zionist groups, including the pro-Palestinian Adalah Justice Project, the Indigenous rights group the NDN Collective, the Campaign for the Boycott of Israel, Jewish Voice for Peace, the Sunrise Movement and the Movement for Black Lives.

An employee confirmed he was aware of his organization's efforts but was not authorized to say more. A request for comment from JVP, the Jewish anti-Zionist group, went unanswered.

The decision sparked outrage in Israel, particularly against Jewish Voice for Peace, which has been working in the United States since 1996.



Kremlin Says It Sees EU as Hostile, No Prospect of Improved Relations

19 December 2024, Russia, Moscow: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference. (Kremlin Press Office/dpa)
19 December 2024, Russia, Moscow: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference. (Kremlin Press Office/dpa)
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Kremlin Says It Sees EU as Hostile, No Prospect of Improved Relations

19 December 2024, Russia, Moscow: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference. (Kremlin Press Office/dpa)
19 December 2024, Russia, Moscow: Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov attends Russian President Vladimir Putin's annual end-of-year press conference. (Kremlin Press Office/dpa)

Europe is making statements suggesting that it regards Russia as an "adversary and even an enemy," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov ‌said on ‌Saturday, adding that ‌Moscow ⁠sees no prospect ⁠of improved relations between Russia and the European Union.

It was not ⁠immediately clear which ‌statements ‌Peskov was referring to.

He added ‌that the EU's current politicians are confrontational towards Russia, "not only ‌in words but also in deeds".

"They ⁠are ⁠mobilizing Europe's military capabilities and directing them against our country, whilst taking a direct part in hostilities against us," Peskov said.


Zimbabwe Crash Involving Church Minibus Kills 27

Zimbabwe Crash Involving Church Minibus Kills 27
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Zimbabwe Crash Involving Church Minibus Kills 27

Zimbabwe Crash Involving Church Minibus Kills 27

A minibus carrying churchgoers collided head-on with a truck in central Zimbabwe, killing at least 27 people, police said Saturday, in the latest deadly road crash to hit the country, AFP said.

The crash occurred at around 1830 GMT on Friday near Chivhu, about 140 kilometers (87 miles) south of the capital Harare, police said.


Iran's President Admits Sanctions Impacting Economy

FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: FILE PHOTO - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: FILE PHOTO - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
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Iran's President Admits Sanctions Impacting Economy

FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: FILE PHOTO - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa
FILED - 02 February 2025, Iran, Tehran: FILE PHOTO - Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian visits an exhibition that showcases the defense ministry's latest advancements in defense and space in Tehran. Photo: -/Iranian Presidency/dpa

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has admitted that US sanctions on his country are hurting its economy, despite just days ago insisting they would achieve nothing.

"Some say sanctions have no effect at all; to those people, I really don't know what to say," Pezeshkian told state TV in an interview late on Friday.

"We are in a war situation, and we must accept these wartime conditions," he added.

On Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent laid out plans for the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, warning of dire consequences for countries that do not join the American campaign.

The new measures build on a sanctions regime by the US and allies that has been in place since 2018 when President Donald Trump withdrew from an international deal struck with Tehran on its nuclear program.

Pezeshkian said Friday that Iran's exports and imports had fallen by 25 to 35 percent in recent months as the US maintains a naval blockade of Iranian ports.

The president said the price of petrol should be increased in Iran to account for the fall in trade.

"We should raise the price of the third-tier quota... For example, from 5,000 tomans to 10,000 tomans," he added.

That quota refers to one of several consumption rates that determine the price an Iranian consumer is charged.

Iran, a major oil producer with some of the world's cheapest fuel, has for years heavily subsidized petrol, making any changes to pricing politically sensitive.

Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah said Wednesday that the US blockade had prevented his country from importing enough petrol to cover a shortfall in domestic production.

But Pezeshkian said that same day that the latest US sanctions "will not achieve anything".

"We will stand firm against economic pressures, as we have done so far and will continue to do," Pezeshkian told state media.