Israel’s ongoing assault on Palestinian territories 12/8/2024

                                           Israel’s ongoing assault on Palestinian territories

 Israel’s ongoing assault on Palestinian territories since October of last year has devastated Gaza, leaving tens of thousands dead and over 100,000 others wounded, many with life-altering injuries. In fact, the United Nations reported this week that Gaza now has the highest per-capita rate of child amputees in the world, with many children enduring surgery without anesthesia.

One powerful example of the human cost of this war is the story of 13-year-old Leyan Abu al-Atta, whose leg was amputated following an Israeli airstrike on her home in Deir al-Balah last December. The journey of Leyan and her family is captured in the new documentary All That Remains by Al Jazeera’s Fault Lines. In the film, director Rhana Natour describes Leyan’s harrowing ordeal, explaining that although Leyan’s family managed to raise awareness and secure a medical evacuation, it was too late to save her leg. As Natour notes, “For every Leyan who is able to leave Gaza, there are hundreds, if not thousands, who are not able to leave.”
Despite the family’s efforts, Leyan’s injury was severe. After gangrene set in, doctors had no choice but to amputate her leg in Cairo to save her life. The documentary not only follows Leyan’s recovery, but also provides a window into the deep emotional toll the conflict has had on her family. Leyan’s mother had to make the heartbreaking decision to leave behind her other children and her husband, who remains in Gaza, in order to save her daughter’s life. The film captures the painful separation, while also highlighting Leyan’s incredible resilience and determination.
Dr. Ghassan Abu-Sittah, a renowned surgeon who worked in Gaza with Doctors Without Borders, provides chilling insight into the scale of amputations in the region. He describes how, due to delays in treatment, many children’s wounds became infected, leading to amputations that were necessary to save their lives. Dr. Abu-Sittah also emphasizes the long-term challenges faced by these children, who require multiple surgeries and prosthetics as their bodies grow.
The film paints a grim picture of the daily trauma faced by children in Gaza, but it also offers a glimmer of hope. Leyan’s story is one of survival, but it also raises critical questions about the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. As Natour’s documentary poignantly shows, while some children like Leyan are fortunate enough to escape the worst of the conflict, many others are not so lucky. In a time when the suffering of Palestinian civilians is too often ignored or downplayed, All That Remains stands as a powerful reminder of the human cost of this ongoing war funded by a constant flow of weapons from the United States.
For more go to: https://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/

A Call for Stronger Leadership on Foreign Policy 12/7/2024

                                      A Call for Stronger Leadership on Foreign Policy

As President Biden nears the final weeks of his term, I’ve been reflecting on how he can best use his remaining influence and political capital to advance American interests on the world stage. When he first took office, I had high hopes for his leadership. However, to my disappointment, I believe he has fallen short in several critical areas of international relations.
There have been a number of historic lapses in Biden’s foreign policy, from the growing atrocities in Sudan to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. But perhaps most troubling is the war in Gaza, which has been perpetuated with American weaponry. This conflict has become an albatross around Biden’s neck, and it is time for him to reevaluate his approach.
Sudan, which is arguably the world’s worst humanitarian crisis right now, is a glaring example of Biden’s inaction. The United States is partnered with the United Arab Emirates, which has been supplying weapons to some of the most brutal militias in Sudan—militias responsible for mass murder, rape, and famine. Despite the gravity of the situation, Biden has remained publicly silent about the UAE’s role. By speaking out, Biden could raise the costs of the UAE’s actions and encourage a more constructive role from them in resolving the crisis.
In Gaza, the situation is equally dire. It’s time for Biden to follow American law, which prohibits the shipment of offensive weapons to any country impeding the flow of humanitarian aid. Israel’s actions are blocking the flow of aid, worsening the suffering of civilians. Yet, despite his decades-long rhetoric on morality in foreign policy, Biden has continued to send weapons to Israel, contributing to a conflict that has already killed over 40,000 ( a gross undercount) people, with UNICEF calling Gaza “the worst place to be a child” in the world today.
The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for war crimes and crimes against humanity, but Biden has used American influence in the UN to shield Netanyahu’s government. By continuing to supply weapons and protecting Netanyahu at the international level, Biden has, in effect, allowed this violence to continue unchecked.
President Biden has been outmaneuvered by Netanyahu, and the only way to get his attention again is by using leverage—specifically, withholding offensive weapons. Other presidents have done this in the past, but Biden has been notably weak on this front.
Biden still has a chance to end his presidency on a more principled note by enforcing American law, pressing for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza, and prioritizing the recovery of Israeli hostages rather than continuing to fuel the conflict.
The last four years under Biden have been disappointing. This is President Biden’s chance, albeit belated, to begin correcting course and leaving a legacy that reflects both strength and moral clarity in foreign policy.

A war criminal is Donald Trump’s pick to head the Defense Department 11/25/2024

                       A war criminal is Donald Trump’s pick to head the Defense Department

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s controversial nominee for Defense Secretary, embodies a profound shift from early condemnation of war crimes to staunch defense of soldiers accused of them. As a young Army officer in Iraq in 2006, Hegseth unequivocally labeled atrocities such as the execution of prisoners and civilian shootings as indefensible. Yet, in later years, he portrayed convicted service members as heroes and decried the military’s prosecution of war crimes as a betrayal of its troops.
Hegseth’s controversial history extends beyond his military career. Allegations of sexual assault, concerns about extremist affiliations, and his polarizing views on military roles, including opposition to women in combat, have sparked bipartisan skepticism of his qualifications to lead the Defense Department. His tenure as a Fox News commentator amplified culture wars and war crime defenses, further politicizing his candidacy.
Whether his nomination proceeds or falters, Hegseth’s trajectory underscores the enduring consequences of America’s post-9/11 wars on those tasked with waging them.

Britain’s Delicate Balancing Act 11/25/2024

                                                           Britain’s Delicate Balancing Act

Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent visit to Paris, where he joined French President Emmanuel Macron for Armistice Day commemorations, marked an effort to rebuild Britain’s ties with Europe after Brexit. However, the geopolitical landscape has shifted dramatically with Donald Trump’s return to the U.S. presidency. Mr. Trump’s anti-EU stance and protectionist policies now pose a challenge to Mr. Starmer’s ambition to strengthen Britain’s trade and political relationships with Europe.
Britain faces a stark dilemma: deepening economic ties with Europe or maintaining its historically strong alliance with the United States. Trade negotiations with the EU offer opportunities to ease friction, such as aligning regulations and enhancing mobility for young people. Meanwhile, a free-trade agreement with the U.S. under Trump appears unlikely, given his preference for tariffs over new deals.
The stakes are high. The EU remains Britain’s largest trading partner, accounting for 42% of exports and 52% of imports. Re-engaging with Europe could recover economic growth lost post-Brexit and fortify shared security goals, especially as NATO faces uncertainty. However, yielding to Trump’s demands—such as relaxing standards for genetically modified imports—could alienate European partners and British consumers alike.
Britain’s balancing act is further complicated by Trump’s trade policies, which may pressure allies to adopt tariffs against China. As a result, Mr. Starmer must navigate a fraught landscape, balancing economic imperatives with geopolitical realities. Ultimately, Britain may face a hard choice between aligning more closely with Europe or the United States, each path carrying significant economic and political risks.

COP 29 11/25/2024

                                                          COP 29

The closing days of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, have been marked by growing outrage over insufficient climate financing commitments from the wealthiest nations. Despite a proposed $1.3 trillion annual target for climate finance by 2035, the draft agreement only requires $250 billion annually from rich countries. Climate justice activists and civil society groups protested, decrying the proposal as an insult to the Global South, which bears the brunt of the climate crisis.
Arnold Jason Del Rosario, a prominent activist, stated, "We are not demanding charity. We are demanding justice." Protesters echoed calls for "trillions, not billions" to address the scale of the crisis. Haneen Shaheen highlighted the historical exploitation of the Global South and called for reparative climate finance, saying, "It’s our money. You’ve taken it for hundreds of years. Pay up now!"
Activists also emphasized the need for public, grant-based financing rather than debt-inducing loans or private-sector schemes, which perpetuate inequality. Collin Rees of OCI warned against relying on the very corporations that fueled the crisis, demanding accountability and meaningful action.
This summit, branded the "Finance COP," highlights a glaring inequity: the world’s richest nations, who have profited from decades of industrial pollution, are offering far too little to the country's most vulnerable to climate change. As Rimsha Rehan passionately noted, “They owe us. We don’t owe them.”
COP29 must rise to this challenge. Anything less than bold, equitable, and grant-based climate finance will fail to address the urgent needs of our planet and its people.

For more go to: https://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) 2 11/24/2024

                                        The International Criminal Court's (ICC) 2

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) recent decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant marks a pivotal moment for justice and accountability. For Palestinians, who have endured decades of systematic oppression under Israel’s impunity, often bolstered by U.S. support, this decision offers rare hope.

The Palestinian ambassador to the U.K. called these warrants a vital step to restore the credibility of the rules-based international order. Yet, significant challenges remain. Neither Israel nor the U.S. are ICC signatories, limiting immediate enforcement. Despite this, several European nations have pledged to act if Netanyahu or Gallant enter their jurisdictions.
For families in Gaza, this decision is both a symbol of hope and a reminder of the dire need for urgent action. Gaza has witnessed one of the most documented but often denied genocides in modern history. The ICC’s move shines a light on the deliberate destruction and starvation of Palestinian society.
Justice for Palestinians requires more than symbolic arrests. It demands immediate steps to dismantle occupation, end apartheid policies, and address a worsening humanitarian crisis. While the ICC’s decision is welcome, the international community must prioritize ending the genocide and holding all responsible parties accountable.
This moment offers a chance for the world—and the U.S.—to show that it has not abandoned Gaza’s people. Their resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity deserves not only recognition but tangible support as they seek justice and survival.
I urge you to reconsider U.S. policy toward Israel, aligning it with principles of human rights and justice. Supporting accountability at the ICC and addressing the root causes of Palestinian suffering would demonstrate leadership and commitment to lasting peace.

International Criminal Court (ICC) 11/24/2024

                                     International Criminal Court (ICC)

The recent decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant marks a pivotal moment for Palestinians who have endured decades of systematic oppression. This step toward accountability is a rare source of hope and validation for Palestinians, who have long faced Israel's impunity, bolstered by unwavering U.S. support.

The Palestinian ambassador to the U.K. described the arrest warrants as a means to restore the credibility of the rules-based international order. However, significant obstacles remain. Neither Israel nor the United States are ICC signatories, limiting the immediate enforcement of these warrants. Nonetheless, some European nations have pledged to act if Netanyahu or Gallant enter their jurisdictions.
For families in Gaza, this decision is both a symbol of hope and a stark reminder of the urgent need for action. Gaza has borne witness to one of the most documented yet most denied genocides in modern history. This recognition by the ICC offers a glimmer of possibility for an end to the deliberate destruction and starvation of Palestinian society.
Palestinians understand that true justice requires more than arrest warrants. It demands tangible actions to dismantle occupation, end apartheid policies, and address the ongoing humanitarian crisis. While the ICC’s decision is a welcome step, the focus must remain on immediate efforts to end the genocide and ensure accountabilities for all responsible parties.
This decision offers a chance for the world to demonstrate that it has not forgotten Gaza and its people. Their resilience and hope deserve unwavering international support as they strive for justice and survival in the face of overwhelming adversity.
For more go to: https://callforsocialjustice.blogspot.com/