Outside interference and power politics have wreaked havoc in the Middle East and for that, in various ways, we all bear responsibility. Whatever their shortcomings, the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council present platforms for debate and reform based upon international law.
Israel’s supporters are directing spiteful and ridiculous accusations of ‘anti-Semitism’ towards Britain’s Labour Party Leader, Jeremy Corbyn
New Zealand’s Representative at the Security Council said in his speech that Israel and the Palestinians should make compromises. That implies that the Palestinian people, under the duress of merciless military Occupation, should make even greater concessions to Israel to help it legitimise its violations of international humanitarian law.
The arrogant militarism of Western leaders has been revealed anew with the publishing of the long-awaited Chilcot Report.
At 1:30am, 9 June 2016, three Palestinian fishermen in two small boats came to the end of an exhausting 13-hour fishing trip. As they began their return to port an Israeli Navy gunboat approached, hurling abuse from a loudhailer before opening fire on them and wounding a fisherman, Rajab Khaled Abu Riela. The warship then rammed one of the fishing boats.
United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 recognises the Palestinian people’s inalienable right of return. Today there are over five million Palestinian refugees eligible for UNRWA protection.
On 4 May, the eve of this year’s Holocaust Remembrance Day, Israeli Deputy Chief of Staff, Maj. Gen. Yair Golan, delivered a public address at the Massuah Institute for Holocaust Studies, comparing the political situation in Israel and the events that led to the ending of the Weimar Republic and the Nazi takeover of power.