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: 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 - in addition to devastating and often displacing and killing its victims - 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”. One day Israel will collectively recover enough from the events of 7th October to look around and grieve, shocked, at what they have done ...
- I recently commented: “Gaza update: the prospect of mass famine is beginning to change minds in Washington” https://theconversation.com/gaza-update-the-prospect-of-mass-famine-is-beginning-to-change-minds-in-washington-226268 When we have photos like those from Biafra in the 1960s or Bosnia in the 1990s, this effect will be accelerated and become more pronounced Well, we now have them. See the following, but [Content Warning: extremely distressing images of children]: “Videos of malnourished children show Gaza’s forced starvation crisis” https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/3/27/videos-of-malnourished-children-show-gazas-forced-starvation-crisis “Starvation
is getting worse in north Gaza where 31% of children under the age of 2
are suffering from acute malnutrition, a percentage which has doubled
since January” When individual images are available, this will eventually - quite rightly - start spreading more quickly and increase pressure on politicians - and outcome such as this: ““It is Criminal..Show some Humanity!” Ireland will Join ICJ case against Israel on Gaza Starvation, Genocide” https://www.juancole.com/2024/03/criminal-starvation-genocide.html
- “Thousands protest in Tel Aviv, calling on Netanyahu to step down • FRANCE 24 English” https://youtu.be/evrZvdnFKq4?si=fyHSGGlipM-OPhj8
- “‘We must push for lasting peace in Gaza’, UN chief insists as starvation threat nears” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147921
- “Rights expert finds ‘reasonable grounds’ genocide is being committed in Gaza” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147976
- “Israel's toxic legacy: White phosphorus bombs on south Lebanon” https://www.aljazeera.com/features/longform/2024/3/25/israels-toxic-legacy-bombing-southern-lebanon-with-white-phosphorus A sample taken one month after being dropped and rained on has reportedly spontaneously self ignited and had toxic effects
- “Israeli settlers call for UN agency’s closure in Jerusalem protest” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/27/israeli-settlers-protest-un-agency-refugees-unrwa-jerusalem “Right wing activists demonstrate outside UNRWA office for third week over claims of links between staff members and Hamas” Those claims are looking more and more dodgy
- “Analysis: America has said to Israel that enough is enough. But how far is Benjamin Netanyahu willing to push the friendship?” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-26/un-vote-israel-gaza-us-biden-netanyahu/103633132 “‘Madness’: Netanyahu’s handling of US relations under scrutiny after UN vote” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/26/benjamin-netanyahu-handling-us-relations-un-israel-gaza-ceasefire-vote “Tone in parts of Israeli media borders on contempt, as prime minister’s growing friction with Biden linked to US abstention”
- “Naked Hypocrisy: The US once cited UNSC Resolutions to Invade Iraq, now calls Gaza Ceasefire Demand “Non-Binding”” https://www.juancole.com/2024/03/hypocrisy-resolutions-ceasefire.html
on peace/ceasefires:
- “Gaza: Security Council passes resolution demanding ‘an immediate ceasefire’ during Ramadan” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147931 “UN Security Council demands immediate Gaza ceasefire as US abstains” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/25/un-security-council-adopts-resolution-calling-for-immediate-gaza-ceasefire “UNSC calls for a ‘lasting, sustainable ceasefire’ in Israel’s war with _____ in Gaza and the release of all captives” “‘Must be a turning point’: UN Security Council passes immediate ceasefire demand” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/must-be-a-turning-point-un-security-council-passes-immediate-ceasefire-demand/ypveotgdn “The United Nations Security Council has voted for a ceasefire to be adopted between Israel and _____ during the month of Ramadan” “Israel isolated as UN security council demands immediate ceasefire in Gaza” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/un-gaza-ceasefire-vote “Israeli PM cancels White House visit by two ministers and says US ‘abandoned its policy in the UN’ after abstaining on vote” “US-Israel tension as UNSC ceasefire demand crosses line” https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/us-news/2024/03/26/unsc-ceasefire-demand “UN Security Council passes first resolution calling for ceasefire in Gaza as _____ says it wants truce” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-26/un-security-council-calls-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/103631944 commentary includes: “‘Not enough’: Why the US did not veto a Gaza ceasefire resolution at the UN” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/25/not-enough-why-us-did-not-veto-gaza-ceasefire-resolution-at-un “Analysts say US decision against vetoing UN measure signals Biden’s growing frustration with Israel’s PM Netanyahu” “The security council vote is a significant moment – but the US says its Gaza policy is unchanged” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/25/the-security-council-vote-is-a-significant-moment-but-the-us-says-its-gaza-policy-is-unchanged “UN Security Council ceasefire resolution a turning point in Gaza war” https://theaimn.com/un-security-council-ceasefire-resolution-a-turning-point-in-gaza-war/ reactions include: “World reacts to UNSC resolution demanding Gaza ceasefire” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/25/world-welcomes-unsc-resolution-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza “Many officials around the world have welcomed the resolution” While this is genuinely wonderful news, Israel has to agree for it to be realised - and taking advantage of it will also require actions by a number of organisations/nations/people “The UN Security Council has finally called for a ceasefire in Gaza. But will it have any effect?” https://theconversation.com/the-un-security-council-has-finally-called-for-a-ceasefire-in-gaza-but-will-it-have-any-effect-226595 ... and, sadly “Israel recalls Gaza truce negotiators, strikes Hezbollah targets in Lebanon” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240326-%F0%9F%94%B4-live-no-let-up-in-gaza-war-despite-un-resolution-demanding-a-ceasefire “As Israel defies UNSC demand for Gaza Ceasefire, UN Human Rights Body slams ongoing “Genocide”” https://www.juancole.com/2024/03/ceasefire-ongoing-genocide.html “Gaza: ‘Double-digit’ number of children reported killed overnight” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1147966 and “Naked Hypocrisy: The US once cited UNSC Resolutions to Invade Iraq, now calls Gaza Ceasefire Demand “Non-Binding”” https://www.juancole.com/2024/03/hypocrisy-resolutions-ceasefire.html
on human rights and human suffering (on both sides) aspects:
- “Israel will no longer approve UNRWA food aid to northern Gaza, agency says” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/24/israel-reportedly-blocking-un-food-aid-to-northern-gaza-despite-high-famine-risk “‘Man-made famine’: UNRWA says Israel will no longer approve its Gaza food convoys” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/man-made-famine-unrwa-says-israel-will-no-longer-approve-its-gaza-food-convoys/a19ijxgyw
- “ICJ orders Israel to unblock food aid to Gaza” https://www.sbs.com.au/news/video/icj-orders-israel-to-unblock-food-aid-to-gaza/ra1y5gmb8 “World Court orders Israel to 'take all necessary and effective' action to ensure Gaza has access to humanitarian aid” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-29/world-court-orders-israel-to-take-action-against-gaza-famine/103649234 “World warns Israel to obey ICJ on Gaza aid as Netanyahu plans Rafah assault” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/29/world-warns-israel-to-obey-icj-on-gaza-aid-as-netanyahu-plans-rafah-assault “Starvation in Gaza: The World Court’s Latest Intervention” https://theaimn.com/starvation-in-gaza-the-world-courts-latest-intervention/ “Gaza: World court issues fresh measures for Israel as crisis deepens” https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/03/1148096
- the US “Pentagon chief says civilian death toll in Gaza ‘far too high’” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/26/pentagon-chief-says-civilian-death-toll-in-gaza-far-too-high
- a The Guardian exclusive assesses: “‘Ecocide in Gaza’: does scale of environmental destruction amount to a war crime?” https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/mar/29/gaza-israel-palestinian-war-ecocide-environmental-destruction-pollution-rome-statute-war-crimes-aoe “Exclusive:
Satellite analysis revealed to the Guardian shows farms devastated and
nearly half of the territory’s trees razed. Alongside mounting air and water pollution, experts says Israel’s onslaught on Gaza’s ecosystems
has made the area unlivable”
- “Israel’s largest land seizure since Oslo Accords deals fresh blow to Palestinian statehood” https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20240326-israel-s-largest-land-seizure-since-oslo-accords-deals-fresh-blow-to-palestinian-statehood 800 ha in the West Bank has been grabbed “The area covers large swaths of the Jordan Valley, a vital region for a future Palestinian state, and is the largest piece of land to be seized by Israel since the early 1990s”
- “Israeli airstrike in Syria kills more than 40 people, says war monitor” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/29/syria-israel-airstrike-soldiers-killed-aleppo “Strike near Aleppo weapons depot reportedly killed Hezbollah and Syrian troops, while civilians also said to be among dead” “Syria reports Israeli air strikes near the city of Aleppo, up to 42 reportedly dead” https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-29/syria-reports-israeli-airstrikes-near-the-city-of-aleppo/103650262
internationally:
- “State department official’s resignation highlights rifts over US Gaza policy” https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/mar/27/state-department-resignation-gaza-biden-policy “State Department finding Israel not in Violation of Int’l Law Contradicted by Resigning Official” https://www.juancole.com/2024/03/department-violation-contradicted.html
- “Australia challenged on ‘moral failure’ of weapons trade with Israel” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/28/australia-challenged-on-moral-failure-of-weapons-trade-with-israel “ABC Australia staff’s concerns over pro-Israel bias revealed” https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/26/australias-abc-staffs-concerns-over-gaza-bias-revealed “Staff warned that language in the national broadcaster’s coverage ‘favoured the Israeli narrative over objective reporting’”
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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