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January 14, 2024
Palestine Open Thread 2024-015
Comments
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 14 2024 23:25 utc | 100
Drat. I read “hoping” as “going”. Scrap it, Murray was not getting ahead of himself. The rest of my post stands.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 14 2024 23:32 utc | 101
Dado@2051
As a 1944 model technophobe, I’ve yet to even begin to do the cut and paste bit. Technical complexities always frustrate me. Simplicity, contrarily, is a comfort zone. By simply using the name of poster and time of posting, it does not become particularly difficult for most folks to rapidly locate the referenced subject. All are creatures of habit and for some, lack of familiarity can be an issue.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 14 2024 23:36 utc | 102
“”No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else.”
Posted by: Jane | Jan 14 2024 17:33 utc | 42
What Bibi has done here is thrown down the gauntlet to other psychopaths in the Anglo-Zionist Imperial Power structure, particularly ones embedded in the U.N legal hierarchy.
To state that you are above international law is like waving a red flag before a bull.
The “bull” in this case is the hierarchy of control-freak types who naturally rise to the top of institutions like the U.N and it’s legal organs.
No matter what their allegiances, they will perceive Bibi’s statements as an attempt to delegitimise the engine of their livelihood, their lifeblood.
The question is: “Is their allegiance ultimately to Power and Power alone, or is it to Izzrael for the sake of Izzrael?”
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 14 2024 23:49 utc | 103
Yikes! I just saw an ad for a movie about fighting in the international space station? It was during the packers cowboys game. Seems like weird deep state maneuvers.
Posted by: Hose head mchoser | Jan 14 2024 23:53 utc | 104
If the deep conspiracy is so powerful and competent, why does it continually shoot itself in the foot?
.
.
.
In any case, if Joe Biden is the best that this nefarious conspiracy to rule the world can put forward to operate in the open, what exactly does it say about the puppet masters?
Posted by: Lex | Jan 14 2024 17:24 utc | 37
Easy.
“Factions”
There is no single Cabal working behind the scenes to dominate the globe.
There are multiple.
There is not merely one multi-national Jewish Cabal working behind the scenes to establish “Pax Judaica”, there are factions negotiating with each other over turf and ideology.
That’s how crime syndicates work, even within the same criminal syndicate, factions and internal conflicts exist.
And that’s just the Jewish Global Domination Cabal …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 0:04 utc | 105
“”No one will stop us, not The Hague, not the axis of evil and not anyone else.”
Posted by: Jane | Jan 14 2024 17:33 utc | 42
========================
Zionist Zombie killers must be stopped.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 15 2024 0:07 utc | 106
Netanyahu doubling down in his latest speech to the nation is more and more sounding like T.S. Eliot’s madman shaking a dead geranium.
Posted by: RJPJR | Jan 15 2024 0:16 utc | 107
aristodemos | Jan 14 2024 23:36 utc | 102
Time stamp is a requirement for when b was deleting trolls and worth keeping in case he starts to do so again because there are many to delete, but with so many comments, comment number is much faster and easier. If you are typing rather than copy pasting, perhaps just use the comment number until b starts cleaning house again.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 0:47 utc | 108
Lindsey Graham “can we at least blow up just one Iranian refinery”
Posted by: Hankster | Jan 15 2024 0:53 utc | 109
Russia developed the new paradigm for defeating the West: be patient and slowly attrit. Actually previously implemented by the Taliban.
Hamas and Hezbollah are defeating Israel handily. The Houthi rebels are starving Israel and Europe of trade. No Arab Sunni country nor the Persian Shia has their fingerprints upon this.
Perfect. These proxy fighters will gradually attrit Israel and the US unto the death of Israel and the US. Just as Russia is doing in the Ukraine. Smart. Escalation management. Light years ahead of western intelligence and strategy.
Posted by: RLTW | Jan 15 2024 0:55 utc | 110
Arch Bungle | Jan 14 2024 23:32 utc | 101
Israels argument is that SA took it to court before there was a dispute. Apparently the must bew a dispute before it is taken to court. Legal gobbly gook but apparently that is actually a legal requirement. Israels argument was that they had not replied to South Africa, therefore there was no dispute prior to SA taking it to court. Trying to get off on a bullshit technicality
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 0:57 utc | 111
87 menz. Regev is a disgusting human. Ashamed he is part Australian and has received national honours. His bare faced lies have filled media for far too long. He should be high on the list for those going for war crimes and enabling war crimes.
Posted by: Hankster | Jan 15 2024 0:59 utc | 112
Point of Fact – Red Sea Blockade
The Yemeni Blockade is only against Israeli linked ships. European and other nations’ linked ships are free to pass.
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 0:59 utc | 113
Posted by: RLTW | Jan 15 2024 0:55 utc | 110
By the grace of God and this disgusting empire.
They clearly are paying attention to our financial system and the state that it is in.
And every single ethnic money changer and religious coin clipper on every financial podcast is trying to keep the gentile investors ‘in the game’ and his this time its different.
LOL
LMAO
Posted by: ryanggg | Jan 15 2024 1:04 utc | 114
Israels argument was that they had not replied to South Africa, therefore there was no dispute prior to SA taking it to court. Trying to get off on a bullshit technicality
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 0:57 utc | 111
I’ve heard that one before.
S.A’s argument is that they had multiple communications with Izzrael in order to get them to respond to the claims.
At the point where an actual dispute should have been _recorded_ in the process, Izzrael refused to address the issue but instead informed the S.A government that they would respond to the claims once the operation in Gaza had been concluded.
So in terms of _process_ Izzrael attempted to indefinitely postpone a step of the legal process by deferal.
If this “technicality” was valid it would allow any country to commit and get away with genocide simply by not responding in disputation to the request for response.
If that loophole is actually valid, then the genocide convention is indeed empty of meaning.
However, my understanding is that in the context of the genocide convention, the charging country has the permission of the court to bring the case before the ICJ regardless of the response of the “charged state” due to perceived urgency.
In that case, the dispute may not be required at this stage of the procedure.
The dispute may actually be required once the case is formally initiated by the ICJ justices.
Well, that’s enough from me pretending to be a lawyer – not my wheelhouse.
I can but wait for the story to unfold …
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:21 utc | 115
Russia developed the new paradigm for defeating the West: be patient and slowly attrit.
Posted by: RLTW | Jan 15 2024 0:55 utc | 110
My New T-shirt:
(hammer & sickle)
Keep Calm
and
Attrit
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:26 utc | 116
In that case, the dispute may not be required at this stage of the procedure.
The dispute may actually be required once the case is formally initiated by the ICJ justices.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:21 utc | 115
Afterthought:
If truly no dispute was _recorded_ and Izzrael refuses to respond in order to allow S.A to register a dispute, the court should be requested to compel Izzrael to state their position in order to register a dispute.
But logically, this can only go two ways:
1. We agree that S.A’s charge is correct, we are indeed waging a genocidal war against Gaza – guilty as charged.
2. We dispute S.A’s characterization of our actions as genocide.
1 -> No case required, move directly on to sentencing.
2. -> Dispute registered. Move on to case.
The point I’m making is:
1. If truly no dispute was registered, nothing stops S.A from trying again to register the dispute.
2. If Izzrael stalls the process, the ICJ must have mechanisms to compel a response (or the genocide convention is void)
3. If Izzrael responds, the process either goes to trial or to sentencing.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:34 utc | 117
Arch Bungle
South Africa’sc ase is so strong and the weight of international behind it so overwhelming that Israel has only one chance, which is to provide an alibi for the judges- almost certainly the great majority- who will do just about anything to avoid offending the Israelis and the Empire.
That can only be a technical or procedural quibble which would allow the Judges to return to civilised society and excuse themselves-for prmooting genocides- by saying, in effect, ” You just cannot understand the legal technicalities involved. I really had no choice as a lawyer and a judge but to abide by the letter of the law which tells me…blah blah blah.’
I sincerely hope that no judge refusing to find that Israel has a case to answer and that it is imperative that certain measures, including a ceasefire, to prevent genocide, is subject to violent assault or lynching.
Sending them to ‘Coventry’ would be sufficient.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 1:36 utc | 118
“..it is imperative that certain measures, including a ceasefire, to prevent genocide, need to be mandated and enforced…”
I just wish there were a preview facility.
There is?
I just wish I had the sense to use it.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 1:38 utc | 119
That can only be a technical or procedural quibble which would allow the Judges to return to civilised society and excuse themselves-for prmooting genocides- by saying, in effect, ” You just cannot understand the legal technicalities involved.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 1:36 utc | 118
I agree that this is likely the
izzraeli strategy.
However, if indeed the case is squashed at this stage due to that technicality, what stops S.A from simply re-initiating the process , this time observing the technicality? Perhaps even requesting the court to provide the exact sequence to be followed?
I mean, there’s no resrictions on restarting the case application process (“you get one shot an one shot only”), correct?
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:45 utc | 120
Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 1:34 utc | 117/115
I know little as in zero about that sort of law, but if as you say there was no mechanism to force Israel to respond then the genocide convention is invalid makes me think there must be some mechanism. But my take on Murray’s piece was that due to the reaction of the judges, that was the one point he was worried about.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 1:45 utc | 121
@ Arch Bungle | Jan 14 2024 23:25 utc | 100
My mostly uninformed understanding of this issue, the technicality raised by the Izzies, is that because they the Izzies did not submit a response to SA’s plaint, there is technically no dispute, implying, arguing (disingenuously) therefore case for dismissal.
Posted by: suzan | Jan 15 2024 1:53 utc | 122
What is the difference between you and me: there’s nothing.
Wait…
Music:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx5KnFr9xSk
Posted by: Dado | Jan 15 2024 2:00 utc | 123
@ Arch. # 100
I see now Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 0:57 utc | 111 already replied to your query.
Posted by: suzan | Jan 15 2024 2:00 utc | 124
Posted by: suzan | Jan 15 2024 1:53 utc | 122
That is my understanding basically, with one modifier:
The izzraelis attempted to defer their response beyond the window of urgency. I.e They stalled.
I don’t think any court would accept obvious stalling tactics as a basis for a technicality.
It would literally be a loophole to the effect of: “Just don’t respond to any charges of genocide and you need never face them in court”.
i.e The Genocide Convention is an illusion. Ignore it and it goes away.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 2:03 utc | 125
If I remember correctly, someone here at moa gave a link to zero hedge the other day when this talk of a technicality and whether or not an official dispute between the two parties existed, and said the comments there were interesting. I don’t have the link at hand but not far down in those comments someone who did know about this stuff said they thought the dispute would be recognized as indeed existing because of the discussions during voting in the UNSC or UNGA in past weeks.
Posted by: DuchessAndBob | Jan 15 2024 2:03 utc | 126
@ Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 2:03 utc | 125
Who wrote:
“ The izzraelis attempted to defer their response beyond the window of urgency. I.e They stalled.
I don’t think any court would accept obvious stalling tactics as a basis for a technicality.”
Agreed.
The institution itself is on trial as well as the genocider.
Posted by: suzan | Jan 15 2024 2:08 utc | 127
The person in those comments was saying the judges were not constrained by “israel’s” delay – the dispute can be legally recognized as existing via the exchanges between SA and “israel” in the other venues.
Posted by: DuchessAndBob | Jan 15 2024 2:09 utc | 128
Arch Bungle @ 115
“S.A’s argument is that they had multiple communications with Izzrael in order to get them to respond to the claims.”
+++++++++++++++++
Surely SA can produce a record of these communications.
Photocopiers, anyone? Electronic proof of sending communication and of receipt of communication?
Trying to base a legal defense on one’s refusal to respond to a legitimate communication sounds like another bright idea from the “dog ate my homework” legal department.
Stonewalling pure and simple.
Not a lawyer, but . . .
In “real life,” you can make all the claims you want in a letter to an adversary—even a letter from an attorney—but I am pretty sure you don’t have a lawsuit until you file a lawsuit in a court of law that has jurisdiction over the situation.
So, supposing SA wrote to Israel three times telling them to cease and desist with their genocide, and Israel ignores these communications.
The next step is the ICJ . . . Just speculatin’.
Even if you have an issue with a neighbor, in many towns you must make three complaints to the police (they come and take a report)—you have to create a record of an ongoing violation of something—before you can go to a court and file a request for a “cease and desist” order, which can then be enforced by the police and might lead to arrest/court hearing/fines/etc.
Of course, if your neighbor were in the process of beating someone to death, the police would be expected to stop it! One problem with the current setup is that there is in effect no international “police” to step in stop murderers.
If the court finds that Israel is committing genocide, maybe one possibility is “nonstate actors” arrogate to themselves the right and legal status to act under an R2P umbrella. Maybe a finding of genocide would be a signal for the Freedom Flotilla 2.0 to sail from Turkiye . . . Not to act to halt an “official” genocide might be construed as homicidal negligence.
Again, just speculatin’ .. .
It would be very interesting to find out more about these earlier communications from SA to IS.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 15 2024 2:15 utc | 129
The thing is:
Must be moral, if you wanna understand that you are an spirit, from ever you are: there’s no different between you and God. There is: you are a mist of God. I’m the same: his 0,000’9 last fucking son.
Posted by: Dado | Jan 15 2024 2:34 utc | 130
Really
Do you have been in this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZft7tVs_E
Posted by: Dado | Jan 15 2024 2:50 utc | 131
Zionist “Defense” Minister Yoav Galant has stated the Genocide will continue until Hamas is “defeated.” That’s going to take forever as Hamas is essentially an idea–Liberation from Occupation–and ideas as is very well known cannot be defeated. The assortment of NATO nations that have joined to help the Zionists with their Genocide Project by attempting to halt Ansarallah’s legal interdiction of shipping headed to the Zionists merely shows the Global majority yet again the utter criminality of those nations and the falseness of all their words and so-called values.
I expect the Global Majority to combine and mount a global boycott of all things made by those abetting the Genocide while the dollar becomes seen as genuine blood money to be shunned by all.
I went to the Free Palestine, peace rally in D.C. yesterday.
There was a huge crowd, but it seemed that people were pouring in quite late. At one o’clock, when the rally was scheduled to start, there was a dense crowd, just to the end of the plaza, down to about thirteenth street. At two thirty the crowd was very dense, filling the streets on both sides of the plaza, down Pennsylvania ave, well past thirteenth st. With more arriving every minute.
It was a huge crowd, at least one hundred thousand people. Probably more.
Of course if you “google” the pro Israel rally, in October, the MSM results show hundreds or tens of thousands at that rally. Versus, “thousands” at this freedom for Palestine march.
Many Arabs, Muslims, Jews, blacks and whites, all ethnicities and religions. All praying for an end to the genocide happening in front of our eyes.
I went to this peace march to voice my support for peace on our planet, the same as I have for many other rallies.
I’ve never been “anti-semitic” in my life.
These extremists are destroying our planet.
Peace. Love.
Posted by: shocker | Jan 15 2024 3:42 utc | 133
Thank you Cynic ( Jan 14 2024 19:49 utc | 63 ) for the link to Craig Murray’s report on the second day. Interesting reading.
Found a comment there by Emma M. (January 14, 2024 at 21:00) that I really liked:
“Israeli lawyers appear to have made an argument based on the most prestigious of legal sources, the Looney Tunes: Hamas/Palestinians are an entire population of Wile E. Coyotes who have mistakenly misfired rockets and booby trapped themselves into oblivion, and the only harm Israelis have inflicted is from going “beep-beep”. I can’t imagine a more absurd, incredible argument.
The entire Israeli testimony is a bad joke, a perversion of law, justice, and morality. People of the future will no doubt struggle to imagine how anyone could have supported such cartoonishly evil, ridiculous villains, how it could have come to this, how they could seriously say the things they do and be listened to by anyone. No doubt, they will justly mock their stupidity, and laugh at the most absurd of their claims the way people do with Nazis in the present era. The Zionist is truly one of the most ridiculous and contemptible characters in history, worthy of infinite scorn.
I can only hope that in addition to only the best for Palestinians and somehow a swift relief of the injustice inflicted on them, an end to the genocide, that humanity will after it is all done, somehow for once manage to learn its lesson from all this, and avoid forgetting and doing it all again. One can dream.”
· · · · ·
Newbie ( Jan 14 2024 21:01 utc | 79 ):
Exactly!
I saved a picture of it (from the preceding lbcgroup.tv story) and named it “20240114 High atmospheric pressure, Carmel Olefins Ltd reactor, Haifa, Israel.jpeg” just for the sake of dry comedic relief.
“Carmel Olefins” is the name of the company, a subsidiary of the BAZAN Group. According to Wikipedia (and this reads like a general summation, meaning they probably do other stuff as well):
“Carmel Olefins is Israel’s sole manufacturer of petrochemical products that are used as raw materials for the plastics industry. Carmel manufactures standard and special grades of polypropylene (PP) as well as a broad range of low density polyethylene (LDPE) grades”
· · · · · ·
Michaelj72 ( Jan 14 2024 21:42 utc | 86 ):
Very good point.
In both a historical and current perspective the Yemenite partial blockade is akin to zionists and the west crying out in pain from being tickled with a feather.
I thought certain international football teams were bad at pretending injury but this is a new level of unbelievable melodrama! 😛
· · · · · ·
Of course many other great, insightful, and encouraging comments as well! Thank you all!
Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Jan 15 2024 3:42 utc | 134
“You know what else DIED in GAZA? The myth of western HUMANITY and JUSTICE”
Bevin gave us the great photo montage of the rally for Palestine in London and my favorite pic is of the man holding up that sign.
Thanks for being visible at your own event too, bevin.
You as well, jane.
And anybody else who is doing same – my serious respects.
Posted by: DuchessAndBob | Jan 15 2024 3:43 utc | 135
Martyanov says that a sufficient number of drones and missiles from Houthis would deplete the Eisenhower group defensive capabilities, and that they are unable to replenish missiles at sea. It would then seem useful to have a daily tally of missiles and drones launched on both sides to anticipate the group’s actions. I looked around for someone collecting such numbers today without success.
A quick back of the envelope might suggest the ships have somewhat more than 400 tubes, part filled with offensive missiles. Some 150 have been announced as used in the last operation. Seems important.
Posted by: john | Jan 15 2024 4:30 utc | 136
DuchessAndBob | Jan 15 2024 3:43 utc | 135
That was my favourite poster too. Others (wife) prefer “Herbalists against genocide” or whatever it was.
I’m very happy that I can get to these things. Best wishes to both of you.
The guy to thank is Philip Roddis of Steel City Scribbling- a great blogger and photographer.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 4:48 utc | 137
“…The institution itself is on trial as well as the genocider…” suzan@127
That is true.
The Judges understand that next week’s slogan could be:
“You know what else DIED in GAZA? Besides the myth of western HUMANITY and JUSTICE? The International Court of Justice.”
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 4:53 utc | 138
the dispute can be legally recognized as existing via the exchanges between SA and “israel” in the other venues.
Posted by: DuchessAndBob | Jan 15 2024 2:09 utc | 128
There’s been a lot of those, televised. Izzrael publicly casting aspersions on s.a’s case, netanyahoo saying he won’t abide by the ICJ.
I’m sure s.a will produce their emails to izzrael.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 5:54 utc | 139
From the New York Games:
“The airstrikes damaged or destroyed about 90 percent of their targets. But much of the Houthis’ offensive capability is mounted on mobile platforms and can be readily moved or hidden.
And finding targets is more challenging than anticipated. Western intelligence agencies have not spent significant time or resources in recent years collecting data on the location of Houthi air defenses, command hubs, munitions depots and facilities for drones and missiles, the officials said.”
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 6:14 utc | 140
What does it matter if there is a dispute or not if Israel has already said it will not abide by the ICJ’s decision? At least this will help delineate the rules-based order: it is a world order where the ICJ has no power but the ICC does all the more as long as it does not indict Israelis.
Israel is clearly a nation of geniuses. Nevertheless, the fact remains that there is a dispute at a minimum with regard to the question if there is a dispute or not. Israel’s sophistry is as brilliant as it is childish. They should get a Nobel Peace Prize or an Oscar for the best script for it.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 6:22 utc | 141
Oh yes, and there will be a class-action lawsuit against the ICJ to the tune of a few billion for making Jews feel uncomfortable.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 6:26 utc | 142
Tally of Peace Marches last weekend:
500,000 London
100,000 Washington, DC
Please add other locations to tally
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 6:36 utc | 143
Yanis Varoufakis
@yanisvaroufakis
A key sanction that helped demoralise the racists in charge of Apartheid South Africa, and brought down their Apartheid regime, was the exclusion of South African teams and athletes from all international sporting facilities for as long as the blacks had no rights and faced a different set of punitive legislation than the dominant ethnic group.
The same must apply to Israel. Israeli supremacists think it is OK for Palestinians to have no rights and to be subject to punitive administrative and legal rules in Israel-proper and in the occupied territories. They think that they can circulate within the world community, and participate in sporting events, as if Apartheid at home is fine and the world does not care.
It is imperative that the international community demonstrates to them that, no, Apartheid is not fine. It is high time Israel is banned from all international sporting events until Israel ends its Apartheid regime, just like white supremacist South Africa was.
IF YOU AGREE, PLEASE SIGN THE DiEM25 PETITION:
https://diem25.org/petition-suspend-israel-from-international-sports/
https://twitter.com/yanisvaroufakis/status/1746442595973169559
Posted by: Menz | Jan 15 2024 6:51 utc | 144
S. Ashton-Cirillo
@SarahAshtonLV
Can we take a minute to give a shoutout to these two tireless and patriotic American diplomats Mass Murderers.
https://twitter.com/sarahashtonlv/status/1745964975800422839
Posted by: mENZ | Jan 15 2024 6:57 utc | 145
Iran Observer
@IranObserver0
⚡️BREAKING
The US says we can’t find Houthi weapons, our Intel is blind in Yemen
US officials tell the New York Times that we are having trouble finding strike targets because the Yemenis have hidden most of their weapons and are still able to threaten shipping.
We launched more than 100 missiles, but the damage has been minimal for the Houthis.
The Houthis have 8 years of experience of Saudi bombing, and they have a great deal of experience of surviving all kinds of air strikes.
https://twitter.com/IranObserver0/status/1746495419415146862
Posted by: Menz | Jan 15 2024 6:59 utc | 146
Australia urged to support genocide case against Israel
Palestinian Australians are calling on the federal government to support South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the international court, as the war in Gaza continues.
South Africa has asked the International Court of Justice for an urgent order declaring that Israel is in breach of its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention in its campaign against Hamas in the strip.
Tel Aviv has rejected the accusation as baseless, saying it has acted within international law by defending itself against the Islamist group, which Australia has designated a terrorist organisation.
Australia has previously issued a statement of support for Ukraine’s case against Russia in the court after its invasion, and the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network wants the federal government to do the same for Gaza.
“We’ve heard high-ranking Israeli officials expressing genocidal intent … saying they intend to ‘flatten’ Gaza,” network president Nasser Mashni said.
“There can be no double standards when it comes to international law and genocide – Australia must today stand up for the people of Palestine and work together with the international community to put an end to Israeli genocide.”
But such a push “degraded the meaning of genocide and memory of actual mass atrocities”, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin told AAP.
“Hamas acts with absolutely genocidal intent and given the opportunity would destroy every Jewish life.
“In contrast, Israel has a thriving Arab community which is ethnically identical to the Arabs in Gaza, which makes a mockery of these claims.”
It would also “provide political cover for Hamas but will have zero impact on the course of Israel’s just war”, he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the proceedings but that it was not appropriate to comment on matters before the court.
Hamas’ cross-border assault on southern Israel on October 7 resulted in the deaths of more than 1200 people while up to 240 people were taken hostage, the Israeli government said. Hamas confirmed it took people back over the border to Gaza.
Israel’s subsequent military action has resulted in the deaths of more than 22,000 people in Gaza, according to data provided by the local health ministry and Gaza Government Media Office and cited by the UN.
Half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are at risk of starvation after Israel limited food and supplies into the strip and 90 per cent of people in the besieged enclave have regularly gone without food for a whole day, according to a recent UN report.
The Australian government has helped more than 188 citizens, permanent residents and their family members depart Gaza.
Israel used its first response to the accusations to blame Hamas for the suffering Palestinians are facing, saying the group was using them as human shields and stealing humanitarian aid.
Israel will appear before the international court “to dispel South Africa’s absurd blood libel”, government spokesman Eylon Levy said on Wednesday (AEDT).
The Genocide Convention outlaws attempts to destroy a people in whole or in part.
While the ICJ is considered the UN’s highest court, its rulings are sometimes ignored, including by Russia after it ordered Moscow to immediately halt its military campaign in Ukraine in March 2022.
A date for a hearing on South Africa’s case has not yet been set.
with Reuters
Australian Associated Press
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8475875/australia-urged-to-support-genocide-case-against-israel/
Posted by: Menz | Jan 15 2024 7:12 utc | 147
Overview of Peace Marches on Sunday :
https://www.commondreams.org/news/hundreds-of-thousands-march-for-gaza-as-world-demands-cease-fire
Apparently 400,000 Marched for Peace in DC.
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 7:16 utc | 148
The case could be made that politics should not be brought to sports. It has been unpleasant to watch how Russian athletes have been handled. How many athletes does Israel have anyway? They are a country of geniuses and they will launch a class-action lawsuit against the International Olympic Committee for making Jews feel uncomfortable.
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 7:21 utc | 149
Note: that every Israeli Athelete ( with a few exceptions ) are either IDF conscripts or reservists.
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 7:24 utc | 150
Jackson Hinkle 🇺🇸
@jacksonhinklle
🚨🇿🇦🇵🇸 MASSIVE CELEBRATION in the Johannesburg Airport for the South African legal delegation returning from The Hague after their ISRAELI GENOCIDE LAWSUIT.
https://twitter.com/jacksonhinklle/status/1746752786606256202
Posted by: Menz | Jan 15 2024 7:39 utc | 151
S. Ashton-Cirillo
Posted by: mENZ | Jan 15 2024 6:57 utc | 145
Isn’t Ashton-Cirrilo that transgender psycho of Ukraine propaganda fame?
(nothing against transgenders, before someone goes off on me about that!)
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 8:14 utc | 152
If Australia wasn’t beholden by the israeli lobby. Especially the liberals. Maybe then they could show some spine. After all Australia has said sorry and is doing the painful steps to reconciliation for its own colonial sins of genocide, stolen generations and destroying culture . But I guess not. Even today big mining companies can destroy sacred sites etc without much oversight. Abc has Palestine Israel debates that lack Palestinians and are loaded with Zionist all deciding what’s best for Palestine, which seems normal course of how media portrays the issues
Posted by: Hankster | Jan 15 2024 8:21 utc | 153
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 8:14 utc | 152
Yes, the reason I corrected the Tweet!
Posted by: Menz | Jan 15 2024 8:26 utc | 154
You can’t make this up, too hilarious:
“Grant Shapps, the defence secretary, told Times Radio that “we see state and non-state actors also involved in trying to break down that international world order that has kept us safe since the Second World War” as he announced Britain’s biggest land mobilisation to Nato in 40 years.”
Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 8:43 utc | 155
Regarding the issue of whether or not there is an issue of “dispute” between SA and Iz in ICJ case and other aspects of the case, see thorough discussion at “Connections Podcast Episode 88 with Norm Finkelstein.
After all Australia has said sorry and is doing the painful steps to reconciliation for its own colonial sins of genocide, stolen generations and destroying culture .
Posted by: Hankster | Jan 15 2024 8:21 utc | 153
Tearful sorry and and the empty ‘voice’ referendum that did not pass are feel good for the woke allowing the cultural genocide to continue. Go to any town in central and northern Australia. The aboriginal people in many places where it could be returned have lost their land and with that their social structure collapses. The young resort to booze and drugs and petty theft to aquire them making many towns unlivable. These are areas where most of the land is large pastoral leases with all landmarks marking boundaries ect intact which the government could buy back and hand over in perpetuity. A massive effort is required to pull these people out of their ongoing social and cultural destruction which will never happen.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 9:11 utc | 158
peterAU1@):47
Thanks. It does save time and energy. Psychic, that is.
Posted by: aristodemos | Jan 15 2024 9:23 utc | 159
Posted by: liveload | Jan 14 2024 17:12 utc | 35 Thank you for this list. I have my doubts about the 7,000 under rubble figure. It must be much higher because it’s been at that level for several weeks. They probability have no reduced ability to keep track of everything.
Posted by: robin | Jan 14 2024 19:01 utc | 60 “Rafah border crossing and, particularly, the reason for the long delays. It would appear that Israeli agents are in fact present on the Egyptian side, thoroughly checking each and every Gaza bound container”
Yes. This is a fact. Israel is removing a lot of stuff from the aid as well claiming “Hamas might use it”: anasthetics, tent poles, water filters, other medical supplies. Sadism beyond all bounds.
Red Cross seems to be an Israel controlled entity. They put out a statement sharing concerns for the Israeli hostages after 100 days. Not a word for Palestinians. They never go to visit Palestinian hostages being tortured to death in Israeli prisons. NEVER. They claim Israel won’t let them …and that’s it.
“Two members of the telecommunications company’s crew were martyred on Saturday in an Israeli shelling that targeted the crew in Khan Yunis during a coordinated mission through the International Committee of the Red Cross, raising the number of martyrs among the communications crew to 13 since the beginning of the Israeli aggression on Gaza 100 days ago.”
Is Red Cross accidentally leaking targeting info for assassinations to Israel? Did any non-Arab, non Muslim accompany this crew and get kileld by Israel?
It’s not beyond the realm of the imagination considering the obvious bias they’ve shown so far.
The reason Israelis are so paranoid and psychopathic is a) they’ve bought into their own lies and b) they believe they are superior and not morally accountable to anyone for killing, torturing and coming up with ever more horrifying ways to treat Palestinians.
Nobody questions that the Jews were discriminated against, taken to camps and faced harsh conditions as well as being horribly killed. Yet specific details of the H story have changed so many times over 75 years it’s hard to keep track. Prisoner recollections of being in the same camp at the same time often contain contradictory details.
Israelis have bought into the most embellished and unverified version of events.
Firstly they exaggerate their own suffering. Secondly they only focus on their own suffering. As a population (reflected in their corporate and social media and public statements by leaders), they appear incapable of compassion towards those who in their eyes are “lesser non-human beings”.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 10:28 utc | 160
The guy to thank is Philip Roddis of Steel City Scribbling- a great blogger and photographer.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 4:48 utc | 137
=======================
thanks for the info about Steel City Scribbling.
I was wondering. Which Steel City?
In the USA I think Pittsburgh, Pa., is called Steel City.
Posted by: Jane | Jan 15 2024 10:47 utc | 161
BDS
@ Posted by: Jonathan W | Jan 15 2024 7:21 utc | 149
Agree with your opinion about politics and sports bodies – especially since sports bodies are usually interlinked with major Money and Geopolitical soft power structures. They are nepotism and corruption writ large.
What got the Apartheid South Africa irked was that the Anglo imperial aristos who were tied in with its ruling settler elites and the elite sports – Rugby and Cricket. This was particularly evident to the anti apartheid rebels WITHIN SA who perceived that the ruling aristos didn’t care what the world thought as long as they could enjoy their English Aristo tours.
Once the South African campaigners in SA had recognised that, they encouraged the public in Britain to protest against such sports events, and the message got through to the audience here that South Africa shouldn’t be involved in our sport and we shouldn’t send our teams there I don’t mind grass roots contacts and games – such as individuals who go there. But not official contact.
It got further complicated in the 80’s with the fascist Thatcher regime which had tried to boycott the Russian Olympics with USA and other satraps, when some of our athletes went there anyway. And later when she retaliated with bringing a South African white athlete to a following Olympics with a sudden citizenship – that didn’t end well for all involved especially the white Athlete a young girl thrown into the spotlight. Through no fault of her own.
the Boycott regime got its teeth going through the 80’s as many unrelated individuals , unions and student groups (where I got involved) got active. Letting grannies know that the Cape brand grapes and apples were from such a racist country and they ought to not buy them. A direct campaign outside shops made an instant difference. Telling bank users outside Barclays branches, about their illegal contact and business and the alternative was to transfer their accounts to the bank across the street did the same
As soon as you can involve the granny shopping for herself , the school kids will work on the parents etc and threaten the reputation of the multinational corporates – they spend an awful lot on branding and advertising – it is game over.
All done without Internet. Just lapel badges and some leaflets. And people.
That’s why the illegal apartheid entity in the Levant and its partners in crime the Collective Wastes Aristos came down so hard and fast against BDS – they don’t want a repeat of the successful campaign against the Apartheid South Africa – which is why South Africa’s case is so potent. And why the ICJ will have buried itself for its response to the current case.
It is why such illegal laws against BDS that are fascist. No politician should be elected in the US or anywhere that supports that criminalisation of Free Speech and Thought.
Slowly slowly the pressure must build and then all of a sudden the dam will burst.
Hope that makes sense.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 15 2024 10:56 utc | 162
Voting with one’s wallet is powerful.
Searchable database of products and brands
https://www.boycotzionism.com/
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 11:16 utc | 163
@ Posted by: Jane | Jan 15 2024 10:47 utc | 161
That’s Sheffield. England. The original Sheffield Steel producer. It has 7 hills. And a university that has produced musicians such as Pulp. Other luminaries too.
It produced the devious Liberal Democrat who sold out the students with his coalition with Cameron after the Blairites. Gave us austerity that led to a rise in xenophobia and anti immigration and BrexShit. He got rewarded by a very well paid job with FaceButt or some such doing his deepstate work on keeping down the masses having stitched the students of Britain up with debts that he promise would be cancelled.
It’s a devious City too. The 7 hills get slippery in winter ice. Many a agitprop, security service controlled group has originated and gathered its undercover young spooks there – going back to the late 70’s at least. Mr Roddis is situated in that academia circle with his never bending Marxism , a pleasant guy who I have had some interaction with. But I have massive difference with any such Marxism ‘schools’ as I have oft repeated here.
Still they used to make the best cutlery. Never broke never went rusty.
Posted by: DunGroanin | Jan 15 2024 11:30 utc | 164
A massive effort is required to pull these people out of their ongoing social and cultural destruction which will never happen.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Jan 15 2024 9:11 utc | 158
Whether in Canada or Australia, these indigenous cultures had a low environmental impact lifestyle for thousands of years. The industrial revolution ethos is to extract as much as fast as possible while blabbering about climate change to distract from what is happening.
A way of living that has evolved over thousands of years and then faces a couple of centuries of repression and then a few decades of welfare crumbs is never going to be a solution.
Unless there is a genuine desire to underwhat what was done. Not in a woke, superficial way but by really comparing economic models in various countries.
In the Russian far east or in China there are many, many other indigenous groups that comfortably stradde both worlds. So there are models which allow for that.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 11:38 utc | 165
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/us-to-send-1500-troops-to-syria-and-iraq
Iraq steps up actions and a plan to tell US soldiers to get the hell out of Iraq…US responds by sending more troops to fight “ISIS”.
Do people still believe this “religious terror” nonsense that started in September 2001?
Aside the degree of puppetness of Biden on a scale from 0 to 100, the issue is that all the shadowy players in the background in the Empire are going to try and hang on no matter at whatever cost.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 11:44 utc | 166
The censor has struck at Larry Johnson’s site SONAR21.
All the Israel and Gaza posts and comments have disappeared.
Draw your own conclusions.
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Jan 15 2024 12:07 utc | 167
Draw your own conclusions.
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Jan 15 2024 12:07 utc | 167
well, yeah, if one can read English or French.
South Africa v. Israel, oral argument transcripts, therein lists of South Africa and Israel representatives by name and their official capacities
• Verbatim record 2024/1 (South Africa, 85 pp)
• Verbatim record 2024/2 (Israel, 75 pp)
Or one can carry on crying over missing 2-minute video clips “analyzed” by a favorite “social media” guru.
Posted by: sln2002 | Jan 15 2024 13:43 utc | 168
Meditation #9
The blackout of coverage of the South African presentation of their genocide case in the Western MSM is a further supporting data point of my assertion some months ago on these forums that the entire Western MSM is an extension of the Anglo-Zionist military-industrial complex and an integrated arm of the US Military. This is not hyperbole.
This can be understood in terms of it’s behaviour in the domain of information warfare:
– The Western MSM actively suppresses narratives and information which may potentially yield military or political advantage to “the enemy”.
– The Western MSM actively amplifies, enhances and distributes narratives and versions of information which could be construed to provide political and military “cover” to Western militaries during operations against “the enemy”.
Conclusion: The widely held informal perception that the Western MSM is “not quite trustworthy” is an understatement. The reality is precisely that the Western MSM wages direct information warfare on it’s viewers – they are it’s intended targets and victims.
To consume Western MSM content is literally to subject oneself to a sophisticated, channeled psycho-neural attack.
Posted by: Arch Bungle | Jan 15 2024 14:06 utc | 169
Guess what? Amalek in Arabic is 3Amaliqa… and that is a name already taken by a UAE-backed Yemeni group.
Maybe the US/UK are going to find some old banner to fight their latest crusade
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/yemen-giants-brigades-uae-backed-who
Posted by: Minaa | Jan 15 2024 14:09 utc | 170
Voltaire
‘If you want to know who rules over you, just look for who you are not allowed to criticise”
Conclusion
The entire West dances to Israel’s tune.
Posted by: CitizenSmith | Jan 15 2024 14:41 utc | 171
Those looking for Israeli/Gaza posts at sonat21.com, click the browse button top right, the site articles are there.
Posted by: Morongobill | Jan 15 2024 14:45 utc | 172
Nothing like a mushroom cloud over an oil refinery first thing the morning….wonder what’ll cook off next.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 15 2024 15:17 utc | 173
pq@165….not fair to in anyway to compare the plight of NA First Nations treatment at the ‘bloody’ hands of the English and EU squatters, with how Far East Indigenous cultures developed. Perhaps you can direct me to the historical records that show how the Chinese and Russians systematically tried to destroy that way of life. Not comparable, in fact, a slight to North American Native sons and daughters who suffered greatly.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 15 2024 15:25 utc | 174
Just when you thought that the Collective West/Waste couldn’t get more insane with its Zionism, Germany steps up and says, “hold my beer.”
The German state of Saxony-Anhalt now officially requires that all applicants for citizenship pledge in writing “that they recognize Israel’s right to exist and condemn any efforts directed against the existence of the State of Israel.”
German state: Citizenship applicants must support Israel
https://www.dw.com/en/german-state-citizenship-applicants-must-support-israel/a-67651248#:~:text=The%20state%20of%20Saxony%2DAnhalt,states%20should%20take%20similar%20steps.
Who says that Jews are not God’s Chosen People?
Opposing the Jewish apartheid settler state is a Thought Crime of the highest order!
Posted by: ak74 | Jan 15 2024 15:31 utc | 175
My mostly uninformed understanding of this issue, the technicality raised by the Izzies, is that because they the Izzies did not submit a response to SA’s plaint, there is technically no dispute, implying, arguing (disingenuously) therefore case for dismissal.
Posted by: suzan | Jan 15 2024 1:53 utc | 122
Failure to respond to allegations is a deemed denial of those allegations. It is not a fig leaf a court will allow.
Posted by: First Time Poster | Jan 15 2024 15:35 utc | 176
Iraq steps up actions and a plan to tell US soldiers to get the hell out of Iraq…US responds by sending more troops to fight “ISIS”.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 11:44 utc | 166
****************
It appears the US has run out of regular Army troops or something. According to the article at The Cradle that you linked to, they are sending 1500 guys from the New Jersey Army National Guard, not career military.
God, the US is like having a nest of chiggers in your house. They dig In deep, cause all kinds of rashes and pain, and then you can’t get rid of them.
Posted by: teri | Jan 15 2024 15:48 utc | 177
Re: German citizenship applicants loyalty oath to Israel
What happens if the ICJ eventually does judge the Israeli gov‘t to be guilty of genocide ?
The headline writes itself –
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 16:11 utc | 178
It’s a coin toss whether EU/NATO blows up first, or ME.
I see a UK/Russia war b4 2024 ends, even though Ukraine is finish, UK looking to expand and an Israeli invasion of coordinated Operatives b4 end of 2024 as well.
The U.S./UK idea of “de-esculation ” or “containing a widening war” translate too:
We bomb whomever we want and no one else is allowed to bomb us back, otherwise, that’s “escalation” .
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jan 15 2024 16:18 utc | 179
I would hope that, after the recent bombings, the Houthi blockade also applies to US/UK ships.
Posted by: Lysias | Jan 15 2024 16:30 utc | 180
You cannot but laugh with headlines like this in the UK SUN tabloid by a Professor of War: THE HOUTHIS MUST BE PUT BACK IN THEIR BOX … Love it. But there’s more. Michael opens with these words: ‘JUST like in World War Two, four RAF pilots flew directly over their targets and watched their bombs score direct hits before heading home’. Michael, remember, is a professor of war studies, then writes: ‘As and when they launch, we will have a better idea where their facilities are based. We will know where they are storing their missiles and where they are firing them from. And when they make their next move from those particular launch sites, it may be the last launch they ever make from that location.’ Maybe Michael has forgotten that the Saudis and USA have been trying for eight years to find where they fire from!!!!
Houthis MUST be tackled with force – they are holding the world to ransom https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/25345785/michael-clarke-tackle-houthis-with-force?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebarweb
Posted by: Geraint ap Iorwerth | Jan 15 2024 16:36 utc | 181
SA’s Gaza genocide case against “Israel” at the ICJ is quite different from trial in a civilian criminal court. It seems that the jews have been quite crafty in describing their mass murder campaign in Gaza as a war.
If the case was conducted in a criminal court, as a case of mass murder with SA as the informant, and there was proof of mass murder then the perp, or purps, would be in prison awaiting the outcome.
The ICJ case differs from a criminal trial in that although the perps are all known and identifiable, they are all free to continue the slaughter and are not available to be cross-examined by a, or the, prosecutor.
Given that the ICJ has no teeth, and the case is being selectively reported by the Western MSM, the chance of an outcome helpful to Gazans is somewhat less than zero.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 15 2024 16:40 utc | 182
pq@165….not fair to in anyway to compare the plight of NA First Nations treatment at the ‘bloody’ hands of the English and EU squatters, with how Far East Indigenous cultures developed.
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 15 2024 15:25 utc | 174
I agree. Perhaps I did not write my comment clearly enough but that was my point too.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 17:13 utc | 183
Hoarsewhisperer@182….it’s window dressing, dotted T’s, crossed I’s. It’s fluff for the record. Same as Russian protests at UNC, window dressing, recorded and noted for historical content, like an MP leading a debate on Covid to an empty House. Documented.
The teeth come from armed resistance, signed Papers cannot enforce reality, “no peace for me, rockets and drones for thee”….
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | Jan 15 2024 17:19 utc | 184
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/how-israeli-forces-trapped-and-killed-ravers-at-the-nova-festival
Yet more evidence that Israeli police and IOF killed most Israeli civilians. Especially at the rave where the Israelis killed died in crossfire or in cars trapped between Israali roadbloacks which received the full brunt of helicopter fire in order to stop them from potentially being taken back to Gaza.
Some Israelis said that the Israeli police and IOF were firing at them “so they must have been Hamas in disguise”. I also saw an interview on Zionist Rebel News from Canada, an interview with a settler in which they said, “Hamas tried to pretend they were farm labourers from Thailand”…so we shot them.
There is zero evidence that Hamas was messing around dressing up in costumes. Why would they. How would a Palestinian buy pretend to be Thai or Cambodian?
A big Israeli newspaper is doing the investigation. In Hebrew.
I am pretty sure that by now every single person in Israel knows exactly what happened on Oct 7. Most civilians were killed by Israel. Hamas did not target civilians. Civilian hostages were taken which is wrong of course but it’s not clear if that was Hamas or freelancers who decided to join in. But Israel has about50 times as many Palestinian hostages and nobody ever complains about that.
Meanwhile, Israel is doing the big song and dance at ICJ, KNOWING FULL WELL that Hamas is not responsible for most of what they are alleging.
Really disgusting.
Posted by: pq | Jan 15 2024 17:23 utc | 185
Posted by: ak74 | Jan 15 2024 15:31 utc | 175 …..
Their masters are so far up their own ethnocentric, would-be enslaver arses as to pretend that they cannot understand why so many people, worldwide, detest them.
As for politicians who impose such regulations “traitors” is far too mild a description.
Posted by: Cynic | Jan 15 2024 17:27 utc | 186
“Sarah” Ashton Cirillo is the bloke who transitioned to being a woman and nazi worshipper in Ukraine. It has now transitioned back to being a guy, who was kicked out of Ukieland for being an embarrassment with bad hair. As far as I am aware she/he has not transitioned away from being a nazi-loving ^&*()).
Amusingly its twitter address has not transitioned and still is labelled Sarah.
Posted by: JulianJ | Jan 15 2024 17:47 utc | 187
@ JulianJ | Jan 15 2024 17:47 utc | 187
Hadn’t heard that Ashton-Cirillo had transitioned back into a man. Does this mean that her bodacious ta-tas are now polluting some landfill in Keeve?
Posted by: malenkov | Jan 15 2024 17:53 utc | 188
Posted by: Exile | Jan 15 2024 7:16 utc | 148
Thanks Exile. Looks like I’m terrible at estimating crowd size.
I knew it was a huge, dense crowd. Everyone was so friendly and peaceful. And extremely committed to Peace for Palestine.
Posted by: shocker | Jan 15 2024 17:57 utc | 189
If Israel can arrest a lot of Palestinians without charges and hold them indefinitely, what is wrong with Hamas taking Israeli citizens captive so that they can be exchanged for those Palestinian captives? Especially when Hamas, unlike Israel, treats its captives humanely.
Posted by: Lysias | Jan 15 2024 18:11 utc | 190
American container ship hit by missile in red sea.
Well done Yemen.
Time for the izzies to ceasefire in Palistine.
Posted by: Mark2 | Jan 15 2024 18:16 utc | 191
Steven Sackur of BBC Radio HardTalk is interviewing “the most unpopular journalist in “Israel”” right now. Gideon Levy is as angry about the government genocide as the jews are with him.
Worth a listen.
Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 15 2024 18:18 utc | 192
Inquiring minds would wonder if the US/UK etc presence in the Red Sea, actively engaging Ansara Allah has a planned negative impact on Egypt finance re severely reducing if not eliminating transit via the Suez. Egypt’s compliance with Israeli demand for complete closure of Rafah, putting that exit completely under Israeli control is essential to Netanyahu’s plan for complete and total insulation of Gaza from the rest of the world, indefinitely. This is a critical outcome issue which is at stake owing to Egypt now being affiliated with BRICS+ and eligible for funding and support from BRICS bank. Ansara Allah was clear that only Israel owned or Israel bound shipping would be interdicted. Now essentially the Red Sea is closed to all shipping. And the US Sec Defense appears to still be hospitalized? Was out of the loop re this decision? Would appreciate a considered opinion on this.
Posted by: abierno | Jan 15 2024 18:22 utc | 193
“Palestine is a State under international law, satisfying recognized international law criteria for statehood, displaying and effectively exercising State authority over parts of the Palestinian territory and demonstrating capacity to enter into relations with other sovereign States and exercise treaty-making powers.” Mar 18, 2020 ICJ.
This earlier recognition is exactly what Israel wants to disappear. In time of enlarged and expanded BRICS, ASEAN and GCC all generally allied on the topic of Gaza genocide.
Posted by: abierno | Jan 15 2024 18:36 utc | 195
The extent to which opinion is turning-even in the fastness of the Metropolis- against Israel’s defence of the indefensible, is evident in this very scrupulously argued piece by Conor Gearty professor of human rights law at the LSE and a barrister at Matrix chambers
“…How do we square all these efforts at denial with the celebration by many in Israel at the death and destruction being visited on the population of Gaza, the pressure for the same kind of action to be taken in the West Bank, and the proud circulation by Israeli troops of selfies and videos from the scene to show to their families and friends? Describing the Palestinians as vermin to be removed or killed is hardly the language of denial, but many Israelis combine celebration with a denial that what’s happening is their fault. Denial in Israel is a means of keeping supporters abroad on message. We in the Global North need lies so that we can continue to see our support for Israeli action as morally possible.”
https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v46/n02/conor-gearty/short-cuts
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 18:39 utc | 196
“..What happens if the ICJ eventually does judge the Israeli gov‘t to be guilty of genocide ?”
Exile @178
Obviously they revoke the Citizenship of anyone supporting genocide- Germans are very sensitive about that.
Posted by: bevin | Jan 15 2024 18:43 utc | 197
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JJut6xVk0zM
Guitteres delivers UN CYA speech.
Initiates nothing. Contributes nothing.
Posted by: Trubind1 | Jan 15 2024 18:47 utc | 198
How Sharon “gave away” Gaza.
It is remarkable how successful Israel has been in deceiving the world about Israel-Gaza Separation.
For nearly twenty years the world media has been fed by the notion that Israel generously relinquished its occupation of Gaza and “gave it to the Palestinians to rule”.
It was Ariel Sharon’s stroke of genius to achieve Gaza separation against considerable domestic opposition to his plan for getting rid of what at the time was Israel’s biggest and costliest security headache: Nearly 100.000 Israeli soldiers provided security for tiny isolated populations of less than10.000 Israeli settlers, who were trying to survive among millions of Palestinian refugees in the Gaza Strip.
Many Israelis remember the difficulty of justifying, up till 2005, the deployment of a large contingent of IDF soldiers to protect the relatively tiny number of Israeli residents in Gaza — just 8,600 compared to a Palestinian population of 1.7 million at the time.
IDF evicted all residents, demolished all residential and administrative buildings. Evacuation of associated security personnel from the Gaza Strip was completed by September 12, 2005.
Gaza separation also conveniently divided the Palestinians in occupied territories and effectively put on ice the notion of creating an independent, sovereign state side by side with Israel.
To get a better understanding of the problem PM Sharon was facing prior to 2005 in Gaza, it is instructive to view present day security situation in the Palestinian town of Hebron, where illegal Jewish settlers have managed to implant themselves.
In H2 area of Hebron three times as many soldiers are on duty to protect some hundreds of Israelis.
There are roughly 2000 Israeli soldiers on duty in the H2 area of Hebron, where over 30.000 Palestinians have their homes.
Across the neighborhoods of the H2 area of Hebron – the 20 percent of the Palestinian city where some 700 Israelis live in illegal settlements and the Israeli military has full control – the streets are mostly empty of H2’s approximately 35,000 Palestinian residents.
Multiply by at least 20 the economic and military costs of providing security for Hebron settlers and imagine the difficult situation Sharon’s government was facing financially and security-wise to keep Gaza safe for less than 10.000 Jews living in Gaza.
Israelis have always taken away property from others. They have never given anything away.
Gaza was taken by force, not to be given away.
Posted by: Aren Haich | Jan 15 2024 20:03 utc | 200