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 currrently ongoing war in West Asia (I object to the colonial term “Middle East”), 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. Information suggests that several thousand
of the Palestinian deaths to date are likely to be from that group -
maybe up to 20% (as a maximum) of the total: the rest - more than 80% -
are innocent civilians, including babies, toddlers, and children.
In my opinion, a safe place for Jewish people has to exist because of the world’s collective failures in the 1930s and 40s (the problem was not only Germany, but every nation that rejected Jewish asylum seekers/refugees [including my nation - although Yorta Yorta man William Cooper was a notable “upstander”] or allowed antisemitism - and that continues now) ... but
the Arab nations’ proposal for a single nation with Arab and Jewish
provinces should have been given more consideration, IMO, and now that MUST be as part of a two state solution, lest Israel’s foundation and existence be inherently based on an injustice - which, as part of correcting an injustice, intrinsically morally weakens that foundation and existence.
Note also: mainstream media continues to fail to report on the sexual assaults by _____ (which may be a bias resulting from having a majority cismale editors); media bias towards Israel has been reported, but I have not seen that in the media I read; this, on when criticism of Israel becomes antisemitism;
and Israel’s conduct since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin and the
collapse of the Oslo Accords has been damaging of its standing (and devastating to those people on the receiving end), and its conduct now risks an even more self-damaging Pyrrhic “victory”.
- “The Battle for the Soul of Judaism: Tribalism, Amalek and the Axial Age Universalism of Isaiah” https://www.juancole.com/2024/02/judaism-tribalism-universalism.html Interesting - but note this was written by a Zen Buddhist priest See also “Eyeless in Gaza: Being Jewish and Being Heartbroken by the War” https://www.juancole.com/2024/02/eyeless-jewish-heartbroken.html
- “Rights experts call for probe into alleged violations against Palestinian women and girls” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146667 These reports are not new “UN Human Rights Experts Blast Israel over “credible” Reports of Rape, Sexual Abuse, Arbitrary Imprisonment of Palestinian Women” https://www.juancole.com/2024/02/arbitrary-imprisonment-palestinian.html
- “Why do Israelis and the rest of the world view the Gaza conflict so differently? And can this disconnect be overcome?” https://theconversation.com/why-do-israelis-and-the-rest-of-the-world-view-the-gaza-conflict-so-differently-and-can-this-disconnect-be-overcome-223188 “Decades
of mutual grievances, tit-for-tat violence, daily rights violations of
Palestinians and intergenerational trauma have eroded whatever goodwill
may have existed once for the “other side”. ... The only hope for
peace now is of a plan imposed from the outside. ... mediators will
have to demonstrate both fairness and a previously missing commitment to
push the parties into making such concessions – on assurances of robust
and durable international support ... Hate comes easily in the face
of injustices ... Selective denunciation of atrocities based on
one’s support or rejection of a cause — any cause — is not only morally
flawed, but counterproductive as well ... Those who have been
severely aggrieved may struggle to apply the same yardstick to others, but the rest of us could and should. We can do better.” An opinion that “The world’s moral failure in Gaza should shame us all | Opinions | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/2/21/the-worlds-moral-failure-in-gaza-should-shame-us-all I agree
- “_____ Is Returning to Northern Gaza Because Israel Has No Plan for the “Day After” - War on the Rocks” https://warontherocks.com/2024/02/_____-is-returning-to-northern-gaza-because-israel-has-no-plan-for-the-day-after/ “Providing
for the welfare of Gaza’s civilians is therefore a political, military,
and humanitarian imperative. Israel expanded the scope of its military
operations to pursue its objectives — it should now correspondingly
broaden its mission parameters to provide aid and assistance to the
territory’s residents” This goes into past examples of problem attitudes, but it was also an issue after World War (part) Two
in South East Asia - and the use of defeated Japanese forces for civil
order as a stop gap measure because of lack of planning was problematic
for many reasons. Several years of prior planning resulted in the
situation in Europe being better - or less bad, Israel’s failure on this
aspect is just another part of its self destructive Pyrrhic victory - a
case of, if you will, shooting itself in the other foot. In fact, Israel’s worst/biggest/main enemy is ... itself ... “Israeli parliament backs Netanyahu’s rejection of a Palestinian state | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/israeli-parliament-backs-netanyahus-rejection-of-a-palestinian-state For the sake of a future and lasting peace, Israel’s current politicians need to be voted out for better ones in 2026
- “Israel says it will launch Rafah assault if hostages not freed by Ramadan” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/19/israel-says-it-will-launch-rafah-assault-if-hostages-not-freed-by-ramadan In three weeks ...
on peace/ceasefires:
- “Gaza ceasefire hopes fade as Netanyahu rejects calls to halt Rafah offensive” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/18/gaza-ceasefire-hopes-fade-netanyahu-rejects-calls-halt-rafah-offensive-israel “Diplomatic efforts stall amid Israeli opposition to what it calls ‘unilateral recognition’ of a Palestinian state” “US proposes UN resolution calling for ‘temporary ceasefire’ in Gaza | United Nations News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/19/us-proposes-un-resolution-calling-for-temporary-ceasefire-in-gaza Hmm “US vetoes Algerian resolution demanding immediate ceasefire in Gaza” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146697 “World slams US ceasefire veto at UN Security Council on Israel’s Gaza war | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/world-condemns-uss-latest-un-security-council-veto-on-gaza-ceasefire “...
the third US veto of a UNSC resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza,
and came a day after Washington circulated a resolution that would
support a temporary ceasefire linked to the release of all Israeli
captives from the Palestinian enclave. The vote in the 15-member
council was 13-1, with the United Kingdom abstaining, reflecting the
strong support from countries around the globe for ending the
devastating conflict that has killed more than 29,000 Palestinians.”
on human rights and human suffering (on both sides) aspects:
- “If Israel continues War on Gaza for 6 Months, death toll will Exceed 100,000 from Trauma and Disease: Public Health Study” https://www.juancole.com/2024/02/continues-exceed-disease.html The study referred to is a joint report by the the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Center for Humanitarian Health at Johns Hopkins University “Rafah, Gaza: Urgent Statement from CEOs of Humanitarian and Human Rights Organisations” https://theaimn.com/rafah-gaza-urgent-statement-from-ceos-of-humanitarian-and-human-rights-organisations/ “WFP halts food deliveries to north Gaza amid ‘complete chaos, violence’ | United Nations News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/wfp-halts-food-deliveries-to-north-gaza-amid-complete-chaos-violence ““The Scenes in Rafah Are Straight From a Nightmare”” https://jewishcurrents.org/the-scenes-in-rafah-are-straight-from-a-nightmare “Three displaced Palestinians describe unlivable conditions in a city bracing for imminent Israeli invasion”
- “US intelligence casts doubt on Israeli claims of UNRWA-_____ links, report says” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/22/us-intelligence-unrwa-_____ “Intel
report says some accusations that aid workers participated in Hamas
attacks credible but could not be independently verified” The assessment is - in everyday language - that some participation probably happened, but cannot be confirmed (I consider the headline misleading - or, at the very least, inaccurate).
This is still of grave concern, but the issue of whether millions of
other Palestinians should be collectively punished for those few is also
of grave concern “Independent review group on UNRWA may request Gaza visit” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146857 “UNRWA at ‘breaking point’ warns agency chief” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/02/1146867 “Which countries are still funding UNRWA amid Israel’s war on Gaza? | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/17/which-countries-are-still-funding-unrwa “Norway to help transfer tax funds frozen by Israel to Palestinian Authority | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/19/norway-to-help-transfer-tax-funds-frozen-by-israel-to-palestinian-authority
on military aspects:
- “US to send weapons to Israel amid invasion threat in Gaza’s Rafah: Report | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/17/us-to-send-weapons-to-israel-amid-invasion-threat-in-gazas-rafah-report “France under pressure to suspend military sales to Israel as war in Gaza grinds on” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240222-france-under-pressure-to-suspend-military-sales-to-israel-as-war-in-gaza-grinds-on
- “High court rejects legal challenge over UK arms sales to Israel” https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/20/high-court-rejects-legal-challenge-against-uk-arms-sales-to-israel “Campaigners to appeal after court declines to block export licences despite concerns about human rights breaches in Gaza war”
regionally:
- “Israeli air strikes target Ghaziyeh in southern Lebanon | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/19/israeli-air-strikes-target-ghaziyeh-in-southern-lebanon “Israeli air strikes kills two people in Syria’s capital: State media | Israel War on Gaza News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/21/israeli-air-strikes-kills-two-people-in-syrias-capital-state-media “Occupied Jerusalem: ‘There is no Palestinian male that hasn’t been beaten’ | Israel War on Gaza | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/2/21/occupied-jerusalem-there-is-no-palestinian-male-that-hasnt-been-beaten
- “H_____s claim cargo ship is at risk of sinking after Red Sea attack” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/feb/19/houthis-claim-cargo-ship-risk-sinking-red-sea-attack “Two projectiles hit Belize-flagged vessel in strike that if confirmed would be a propaganda victory” “Rubymar cargo ship targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels 'at risk of sinking'” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240219-rubymar-cargo-ship-targeted-by-yemen-s-houthi-rebels-at-risk-of-sinking “The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported the crew had abandoned a ship off Yemen after an explosion” “EU launches Red Sea naval mission to protect shipping from Houthi attacks | European Union News | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/19/eu-launches-red-sea-naval-mission-to-protect-shipping-from-houthi-attacks
internationally:
- “Corporate Japan deals an unwitting blow to US East Asia policy | Israel War on Gaza | Al Jazeera” https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/2/19/corporate-japan-deals-an-unwitting-blow-to-us-east-asia-policy “Japanese
trading giant Itochu’s decision to cut ties with an Israeli defence
contractor over the ICJ’s preliminary ruling on Israel’s war on Gaza
will have consequences beyond Palestine. ... Itochu stated
specifically that they based their decision on ... the position of the
Japanese government that the ICJ decision must be implemented “in good
faith”. ... The decision puts Itochu in a different league from the
many Western states and companies that have either ignored the ICJ
ruling or disparaged the charges of genocide as “without merit”.” Well done!
- in the USA “A majority of Jewish Democrats and Muslim Democrats agree on one Thing: Immediate Gaza Ceasefire” https://www.juancole.com/2024/02/democrats-immediate-ceasefire.html
- “Social media users say their Palestine content is being shadow banned – here’s how to know if it’s happening to you” https://theconversation.com/social-media-users-say-their-palestine-content-is-being-shadow-banned-heres-how-to-know-if-its-happening-to-you-222575
- “The Israel-_____ War and Resurgent _ Threats to Europe and the United States | Lawfare” https://www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-israel-_____-war-and-resurgent-jihadist-threats-to-europe-and-the-united-states
- a The Guardian exclusive reports “From a ‘pause’ to a humanitarian ceasefire: emails reveal why Australia shifted its position on Gaza” https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/feb/23/from-a-pause-to-a-humanitarian-ceasefire-emails-reveal-why-australia-shifted-its-position-on-gaza “Exclusive:
Documents obtained by Guardian Australia show confidential advice given
to the foreign minister, Penny Wong, before she authorised ‘yes’ vote
at UN”
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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