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Posts tagged ‘Gaza’

Official UN Report – Israel War Crimes Confirmed.

An air strike by Israel on a UN school.

An air strike by Israel on a UN school.

The UN Human Rights Council report on the Israel-Gaza massacre war was released on the 15th of September 2009. A 575 page document (pdf) outlining the UN Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict. This investigation was led by Justice Richard Goldstone, former judge of the Constitutional Court of South Africa and former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

Now, I have not read all 575 pages in detail, merely skimmed through it. From what I read however there is no doubt in my mind that Israel are responsible for committing war crimes in the period from 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009.

I quote this from the report itself:

The operations were carefully planned in all their phases. Legal opinions and advice were given throughout the planning stages and at certain operational levels during the campaign. There were almost no mistakes made according to the Government of Israel. It is in these circumstances that the Mission concludes that what occurred in just over three weeks at the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009 was a deliberately disproportionate attack designed to punish,  humiliate and terrorize a civilian population, radically diminish its local economic capacity both to work and to provide for itself, and to force upon it an ever increasing sense of dependency and vulnerability. (Page 525).

Goldstone’s team looked in detail at 36 incidents during the war. The report found Israel to be in breach of the fourth Geneva Convention. It studied the deaths of 22 members of the Samouni family who, following instructions from Israeli soldiers, were sheltering in a house in Zeitoun, east of Gaza City. The house was then hit by Israeli fire.

There were 7 instances where civilians waving white flags were shot while leaving their homes. Direct attack on the al-Quds Hospital. The list goes on. Of course, the confirmation of the use of white phosphorus was also present in this report.

The video below, courtesy of The Guardian shows Richard Goldstone issuing his assessment of atrocities on both sides of the conflict:

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Now, Israel is of course refusing to accept these findings. Israel refused to co-operate with the inquiry, claiming that the investigation is biased against Israel. Goldstone himself is of course Jewish, and has strong links with Israel, there is no reason for him to be biased against Israel. Quoting Goldstone: “To accuse me of being anti-Israel is ridiculous.”

Mark Ragev, who some of you may be aware, I am not a fan of, was in this video. He called the UN Human Rights Council a Kangaroo Court, and is of course defending Israel. A Dr Robbie Sabel also featured in this video, a man I will be doing some research on. Seems pro Zionist to me anyway, also talking in defence of Israel.

Israel must think the world gullible to continue to deny being responsible of war crimes. As though repeatedly denying it will make this issue disappear. It’s time for Israel to face the music. I do hope that Israel is brought to justice.

I am interested to see how the international community will respond to the findings of this report, especially the United States of America and Great Britain. So, I wonder now, is America’s war on terror going to switch to Israel at any point, a nation that is responsible for causing terror, humiliation and committing war crimes in Palestine. Highly unlikely.

Gaza – 6 months on

Below is a video borrowed from The Guardian. Not much I can really write about it, just watch and gain your own opinions.

May Allah (God) help these people through such times. This is the devastation that Israel causes, it’s not a short-term problem that has come about as a result of that massacre, but  a problem that continues to cause loss of life. For anyone wishing to find out how to make donations for Palestine, I suggest Interpal, a charity organisation that we should all be more aware of, and one we have used in the past when raising money for Palestine.

Israel – Arms Embargo Petition

A while back, there was an e-petition carried out via the 10 Downing Street website. The petition stated the following:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to do everything in his power to impose an arms embargo on Israel in light of the recent Israeli offensive in the Gaza strip and to apply pressure on countries supplying Israel with arms that breach international agreements with the intention of restoring lasting peace to the region.

Submitted by Yusuf Ibrahim – Deadline to sign up by: 27 January 2009 – Signatures: 38,382

More details from petition creator

This petition recognises that the government has taken positive steps to tighten weapons exportation to Israel since 2005. However, only a complete arms embargo will send a clear message to Israel that this government will not accept the prolonged armed conflict which is aggravating existing tensions in the region. Additionally this will ensure that the government adheres to the UK Export Control Act of 2002 and the EU “consolidated criteria” governing the export of military equipment. Equally such a stance would set a precedent showing that this government is committed to establishing peace in the region. This precedent will have a far reaching impact in terms of marginalising the ideologies of radical extremist groups.

As you can see there were 38,382 signatures in total, one of which being mine. Earlier today, I got an email in my inbox, stating that there has been a response made to this petition. The response was as follows:

A recent Amnesty International report confirmed that Britain is not a major arms exporter to Israel and, as Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said to the Foreign Affairs Committee on 4 March, the UK regularly turns down arms requests from Israel.  Each export licence request is assessed on a case-by-case basis and conduct in recent conflicts is always taken into account.

We do not believe that the current situation in the Middle East would be improved by imposing an arms embargo on Israel.  Israel has the right to defend itself and faces real security threats.  However, we will not grant export licences where there is a clear risk that arms will be used for external aggression or internal repression.

More generally, the government is fully committed to the implementation of a two-state solution.  There must be a viable Palestinian state existing, in peace, alongside a secure Israel.  We have been clear that for this to be achieved Israel must not only cease all settlement activity, but also ease restrictions on the Gaza crossings for aid, trade goods and reconstruction materials, as well as flows of people.  As well as regularly raising these issues with Israel we have also pledged nearly £50million to help the people of Gaza.  This follows our pledge of December 2007 to provide up to £243million to assist the Palestinian Authority and people over three years.

We will continue to work with our international partners, including the new US Administration, to pursue vigorously a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East.

There’s a few things I’d like to make of this statement. Firstly, major or not, the fact is that Britain is providing arms to a nation that is commiting genocide and ethnic cleansing. A country that is killing countless innocent people, defenseless men, women and children. A country that continues building illegal settlements in Palestinian land, continues demolishing the homes of innocent people, a country that has made life for the Palestinians almost unbearable. A complete arms embargo is in order in my opinion and the opinion of at least another 38,381 people.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and faces real security threats.” – And the Palestinians do not have this right? Losing your home is not a threat? Losing your life is not a threat? Losing your children, parents and siblings is not a threat?

Now for my final point, I’m glad that it is recognised that a two-state solution is the answer. I’m glad it is also recognised that the illegal settlements must stop, however, I think it should go even further and settlements that have been built illegally be removed and the land given back to their rightful owners, the Palestinians. Recognition is one thing however, action is another.

So, in short, the petition was a failure, arms trade with Israel will continue, a pity.

National Demonstration 16 May – Remember Gaza – Free Palestine! – Update

A protester waves the Palestinian flag

A protester waves the Palestinian flag

So, the demonstration went well today, was a peaceful demonstration. As always a wide variety of people at the demonstration. The march lasted approximately an hour starting at 12:30 and arriving at Trafalgar Square at 13:30, and I think received a lot of attention in a busy London day. Very important points made by the speakers today, regarding the continuing oppression in Palestine, Avigdor Lieberman’s visit, and the current situation in Sri Lanka. I’ve uploaded a few photos of the event, enjoy!

American Folk Singer, forgot his name! American Folk Singer Outspoken Sister from Gaza George Galloway showing his support for Palestine LowKey reciting the poem tears for laughter LowKey reciting the poem tears for laughter LowKey reciting the poem tears for laughter LowKey performing his poem, Tears to Laughter.

Click through to see larger images.

National Demonstration 16 May – Remember Gaza – Free Palestine!

There is a national demonstration planned for Saturday 16th May, 2009. I will almost certainly be attending. I often get asked, why demonstrate? Then I get told it makes no difference whether you demonstrate or not. That is quite wrong in my opinion. Protests can offer a sense of clarity on an issue that was previously not so clear. Demonstrations attract media attention, it allows the opinions of like minded people to be expressed indirectly in the media. Repeated attention in the media about the crimes occurring in Palestine will bring in more supporters to our cause, with enough people the government will have no option but to intervene and make comments in order to retain public confidence.

So, with my reasons justified, on to the details of the demonstration:

Assembling 12noon in Malet Street WC1 London, Followed by Rally in Trafalgar Square. The map is shown below:

View Larger Map

To commemorate the Palestinian 1948 Nakba

Lowkey MC, Mecca 2 Medina, Jeremy Hardy and more will join speakers from Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem, along with Jeremy Corbyn MP, Martin Linton MP, George Galloway MP, Daud Abdullah – Deputy Gen Sec Muslim Council of Britain, Jean Lambert MEP, Jenny Tonge MEP, Manuel Hassassian – Palestinian General Delegate to the UK and speakers from PSC, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, CND, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Viva Palestina, Jews for Justice for Palestine, Lawyers for Palestinian Human Rights and others

Called by: Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

Supported by:

Action Palestine, Amos Trust, Arab Media Watch, Arab Women’s Association, Association of Palestinian Communities UK, Britain-Palestine Twinning Network, The Council for Arab-British Understanding, Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Christian Peacemaker Teams UK, Fire Brigades Union, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Friends of Lebanon, Friends of Birzeit University, Friends of Sabeel UK, The Green Party, Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions UK, Jewish Socialists’ Group, Jews for Justice for Palestinians, Labour Friends of Palestine, Liberation, Midlands Palestinian Community Association, Muslim Association of Britain, Muslim Council for Britain, NUS Black Students Campaign, Palestinian Forum in Britain, Respect, Pax Christi, Public and Commercial Services Union, Rail Maritime and Transport Union, UNISON, UNITE, Viva Palestina, War on Want, Zaytoun Ltd.

Download the leaflet here.

Leaflets are also available from the PSC office – please save the date and start organising transport now!

Details of coaches here!

They are looking for plenty of volunteers on the day, please contact us if you can help!

Please contact the PSC office for more information:

Tel:   020 7700 6192

Email: info@palestinecampaign.org

Web: www.palestinecampaign.org