Note: CONTENT WARNING - some of this content is about upsetting, disturbing or triggering events & attitudes. Seek competent help - including professional - if you need it. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that linked
articles may contains names and/or images of deceased people. READER CAUTION IS RECOMMENDED! For
anyone distressed by anything in this post, or for any other reason considering
seeking support, resources are available in Australia here, here, and here. In other nations, you will have to do an Internet search using terms such as “mental health support - <your nation>” (which, for instance, may lead to this, this, and this, in the USA, or this, this, and this, in France [biased towards English-language - my apologies]), or perhaps try https://www.befrienders.org/.
Note: in my “from the news” posts, quotes are shown italicised and blue, my comments are in a different shade of blue, and “good” items are shown in green. I have loosely grouped the posts where such seemed reasonable, but that is subjective (i.e., my opinion - others are free to disagree), and challenging, as some posts belong in multiple “groups”.
Reporting on recent and currently ongoing tragic events in West Asia, in imperialistic Israel, Gaza, and adjoining nations, includes the following:
Note: as with other mass murderers/serial killers/and the like, violent extremists crave publicity, so I refuse to give that to them - I will avoid using their names (which is a policy adopted by good law enforcement and media for other mass murderers), and I will not give them the satisfaction of being described with the T word.
This is explained further in my post at https://politicalmusingsofkayleen.blogspot.com/2023/10/from-news-on-war-in-west-asia-content_25.html.
Note also that the genocidal intent of the VE group I refuse to name is, and has been for some time, clear, according to this from experts in that topic.
- By a vote of 15 to 2, the ICJ has ordered, as provisional measures (meaning the formal consideration and decision is yet to come), that Israel take measures to ensure it and its agents comply with the obligations of the Genocide Convention - but has NOT ordered a ceasefire (which I don’t consider anyone really thought was likely). The dissenting opinions consider matters should be resolved, according to one (which noted the importance of the existence of Israel and _____’s determination to destroy that nation: this judge, who is Israeli, voted in favour of two of the provisional measures), under international humanitarian law (IHL) and, according to the other, as a political matter. Additional declarations noted that the case has not been fully argued nor a complete factual record presented and this does not yet address the key issue of intent (two notes with the second noting this case is weaker than that brought by The Gambia against Myanmar), and taking action is important for credibility reasons, but emphasises that the court has jurisdiction and the nations have standing. The summary is available at https://icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/192/192-20240126-sum-01-00-en.pdf See also:
- “ICJ fails to order ceasefire, but says Israel must prevent genocide in Gaza | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/icj-fails-to-order-ceasefire-but-says-israel-must-prevent-genocide-in-gaza “Top UN court stops short of ordering cease-fire in Gaza | DW News” https://youtu.be/E4Kf5pNc4tU?si=SVS4x_3d-hWi0-WE “UN world court calls for prevention of genocidal acts in Gaza” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145937 “World Court says Israel must prevent genocide in Gaza, stops short of ceasefire order | Reuters” https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-braces-world-court-ruling-focuses-attack-south-gaza-2024-01-26/ “ICJ orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240126-%F0%9F%94%B4-live-int-l-court-of-justice-to-rule-on-request-for-urgent-measures-in-gaza-genocide-case “International Court of Justice orders Israel to prevent acts of genocide in Gaza | SBS News” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/international-court-of-justice-orders-israel-to-prevent-acts-of-genocide-in-gaza/8p10fqgmc “‘Hague shmague’: Israel reacts to ruling” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2024/01/27/world-court-israel “UN court orders Israel to ensure acts of genocide are not committed in Gaza” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/un-court-orders-israel-to-ensure-acts-of-genocide-are-not-committed-in-gaza “ICJ ruling increases pressure on Israel to prevent civilian deaths in Gaza” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/icj-ruling-increases-pressure-israel-prevent-civilian-deaths-gaza
- In more depth: “ICJ rules Israel must prevent acts of genocide in Gaza: Key takeaways | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/icj-rules-israel-must-prevent-acts-of-genocide-in-gaza-key-takeaways “World court’s interim ruling on genocide in Gaza: key takeaways” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/world-courts-interim-ruling-on-genocide-in-gaza-key-takeaways-icj-israel “ICJ’s Gaza decision shores up rules-based order and puts west to test” https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/26/icj-gaza-decision-shores-up-rules-based-order-and-puts-west-to-test “How South Africa’s genocide case against Israel played out in The Hague” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/how-south-africas-genocide-case-against-israel-played-out-in-the-hague “Who is Julia Sebutinde? The judge against all ICJ rulings in Israel’s case | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/who-is-julia-sebutinde-the-judge-against-all-icj-rulings-in-israels-case
- Reactions include: “‘This court is a failure’: Palestinians in Gaza decry ICJ’s interim ruling | Israel War on Gaza | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/1/26/this-court-is-a-failure-palestinians-in-gaza-decry-icjs-interim-ruling “Israel's Victory in Gaza turns Pyrrhic as a Majority of Youths and Democrats brand it Genocidal” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/majority-democrats-genocidal.html “World reacts to ICJ ruling on South Africa’s genocide case against Israel | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/world-reacts-to-icj-ruling-on-south-africas-genocide-case-against-israel “Reactions to World Court ruling on Israel's war in Gaza | Reuters” https://www.reuters.com/world/reactions-world-court-ruling-israels-war-gaza-2024-01-26/ “Israel's El Al suspends South Africa route over World Court case | Reuters” https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/israels-el-al-says-suspending-south-africa-route-over-world-court-case-2024-01-26/
- Note also: “US court hears civil case accusing Biden of ‘complicity’ in Gaza ‘genocide’ | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/us-court-hears-civil-case-accusing-biden-of-complicity-in-gaza
- “Discord over two-state solution opens rift between the US and Israel” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240120-a-growing-rift-between-us-and-israel-over-palestinian-statehood This is to be expected, IMO “UN secretary general says Israel’s rejection of two-state solution is ‘unacceptable’” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/24/un-secretary-general-israel-rejection-palestine-two-state-solution-palestinian “António Guterres says denial of Palestinian state will embolden extremists” “The Observer view on Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel needs a change of course… and leadership | Observer editorial | The Guardian” https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/20/observer-view-benjamin-netanyahu-israel-needs-a-change-of-course-and-leadership No argument with that idea here ... See also “Why ending military Control over Palestinians is a Necessity for Israel” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/military-palestinians-necessity.html This covers what will happen “the day after the fighting ends ... ”
- “How Israel got Stuck in Orwell's “1984”” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/israel-stuck-orwells.html and “Israel in Paralysis” https://www.crisisgroup.org/middle-east-north-africa/east-mediterranean-mena/israelpalestine/israel-in-paralysis “A
political crisis has gripped Israel as its Gaza campaign grinds on with
no end in sight. Not only are more than 100 Israelis still captives of _____, but many feel held hostage by their own failed leadership”
- “US pauses funding as UNRWA staff fired for suspected role in Oct 7 attacks” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240126-us-funding-unrwa-staff-fired-oct-7-attacks “The
United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Friday
it had opened an investigation into several employees suspected of
involvement in the October 7 attacks in Israel by _____ and that it had
severed ties with those staff members” This may be the end of that agency - which will be yet another tragedy See also “UN agency investigates staff suspected of role in 7 October attack on Israel” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/unrwa-investigation-staff-7-october-attack-israel “UN agency for Palestinian refugees commissioner general says staff will be held accountable as US pauses funding to UNRWA”
on peace/ceasefires:
- “Qatar accuses Netanyahu of deliberately obstructing Gaza mediation efforts” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/25/qatar-accuses-benjamin-netanyahu-deliberately-obstructing-gaza-mediation-efforts “Doha ‘appalled’ at leaked recordings allegedly showing Israeli PM saying Qatar’s role in talks is ‘problematic’”
on human rights and human suffering (on both sides) aspects:
- “25,000 civilians killed in Gaza war as humanitarian needs go on rising” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145742 “If food trucks arrive in Gaza, they are immediately set upon and pillaged” https://www.france24.com/en/video/20240120-if-food-trucks-arrive-in-gaza-they-are-immediately-set-upon-and-pillaged
- “Catastrophic Displacement Crisis in Gaza is a New Phase in More than a Century of Expulsions by Israel” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/catastrophic-displacement-expulsions.html
- “Israeli hostages’ families storm Knesset meeting to demand their return” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/22/families-israeli-hostages-storm-knesset-meeting-netanyahu-rejects-_____-offer-fighting-gaza Also reported is “_____ official says ‘no chance’ hostages will return to Israel after Netanyahu rejects deal” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/22/israel-gaza-war-_____-hostages-release-benjamin-netanyahu-rejects-deal but I consider the conditions were unrealistic, so that supposed deal was never viable nor, IMO, genuine However, “Qatar PM to meet Israel, US intel chiefs on new Gaza captives deal | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/26/qatar-pm-to-meet-israel-us-intel-chiefs-on-new-gaza-captives-deal
on military aspects:
- “Where do Israel and _____ get their weapons?” https://theconversation.com/where-do-israel-and-_____-get-their-weapons-220762 This is well worth a careful read
- “‘More
killing won’t bring back lost lives’: Tal Mitnick, 18, on going to
prison instead of joining IDF | Israel-Gaza war | The Guardian” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/23/israel-man-jailed-refuse-serve-idf-military-tal-mitnick-interview
regionally:
- “Pakistan moves to de-escalate crisis with Iran after deadly airstrikes” https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20240119-pakistan-moves-to-de-escalate-crisis-with-iran-after-deadly-airstrikes See also “A New Crisis Between Iran and Pakistan” Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters “On Tuesday 16th January,
Iran launched airstrikes in Pakistan targeting a terrorist group it
claimed carried out attacks in Iran. Two days later, Pakistan responded
with its own strikes in Iranian territory, targeting a separatist group
that has carried out attacks against Pakistan. These attacks were
notable for both their scale - these were major missile and drone
strikes - and for the fact that Iran and Pakistan otherwise have normal,
stable and even cordial diplomatic relations. These are not hostile
neighbours, yet in the course of one week they conducted military
strikes on each others’ territory. These hostilities come amid
escalating instability throughout the broader middle east. My guest
today Michael Kugelman is Director of the South Asia Institute at the
Wilson Center. We kick off discussing Pakistani-Iranian relations and
why this episode is such a departure from normal. Michael Kugelman
explains how this flare up is influenced by the fraught situation in the
Middle East, and offers some insights into how this crisis may evolve
in the coming days and weeks.” Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/global-dispatches-world-news-that-matters/id593535863?i=1000642434567
- “How much Influence does Iran have over its Strategic Allies?” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/influence-strategic-h________h.html Note also “Iran urged to halt ‘horrific wave of executions’” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/01/1145812
- “Why US strikes will only embolden the H_____s, not stop their attacks on ships in the Red Sea” https://theconversation.com/why-us-strikes-will-only-embolden-the-h_____s-not-stop-their-attacks-on-ships-in-the-red-sea-221588 The
comments about the H_____s having experience at coping with air strikes
is significant, but what is also significant is the impact of the
attacks on shipping on cost of living and trade globally, so doing
nothing is NOT acceptable - even if that is limited to fending off the
attacks “Oil tanker on fire after being struck off coast of Yemen amid H_____ threats” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/26/vessel-on-fire-after-being-struck-off-coast-of-yemen-amid-h_____-threats Needless to say, this constitutes a MAJOR risk to life and environment
internationally:
- “Aid to Ukraine and Israel in doubt as House speaker says he won’t support deal” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/26/mike-johnson-us-mexico-border-ukraine-israel-aid-deal
- “Namibia, Victim of Germany's 1904 Genocide, Lambastes Berlin for Denying Israel's atrocities against Palestinians” https://www.juancole.com/2024/01/lambastes-atrocities-palestinians.html
- “Labor urged to recognise Palestinian state ‘without further delay’ after Israeli PM’s rejection of two-state solution | Australian foreign policy | The Guardian” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/24/labor-government-palestine-state-recognition-pressure-izzat-abdulhadi-benjamin-netanyahu but homophobia and transphobia by protestors in Australia against the genocide in Gaza: “Rainbow Labor’s Stall At Midsumma Carnival Targeted” https://www.starobserver.com.au/news/rainbow-labors-stall-at-midsumma-carnival-targeted/228139 “Witnesses said that Rainbow Labor and Victoria Police stalls were among those targeted by protestors. ... “They were shouting slogans against the Labor party over the Gaza war””
My links for activism post may aid any activism you may decide to do on any/all of these. If you do, don’t get too fixated on specific instances of problems - important though they may well be: take a moment to also consider the broader issues these incidents and groups of incidents may suggest/reveal.
Assumptions / basis
In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following:
- this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;
Possible flaws
Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:
- there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan
Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”;
- I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post.
If you appreciated this post, please consider promoting it - there are some links below.
Copyright © Kayleen White 2016-2024 NO AI
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