"Even diplomatic resistance is forbidden?"

 

SYRIA in the aftermath of an earthquake is targeted by Israel, the latter bombing a residential area in Damascus and killing 15 people. IN THE AFTERMATH OF AN EARTHQUAKE. Where is the international condemnation?

Instead of the censure we could have expected had it been any other nation, we have Israeli cheerleaders, the USA, exerting influence to have a UNSC draft resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlement activity dropped.

Reuters news agency said today (Monday) that the United Arab Emirates, which had drafted the resolution along with Palestinian Authority officials, had informed the UNSC that the resolution and the vote would be dropped. Other reports have cited diplomatic sources saying the PA agreed to drop pursuit of the vote amid pressure from the US government, which included promises of a financial aid package and a temporary suspension of announcements on new Israeli settlement units and Palestinian home demolitions.

Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti spoke to Al Jazeera, saying that a decision by the PA to withdraw the vote “goes against the Palestinian national struggle” and called on the PA not to approve withdrawing the resolution.

“We reject equating between two sides – one that is an aggressor and an occupier, and the other that is living under occupation and apartheid. Some are saying we need to focus on diplomatic and political resistance, so why has the decision been withdrawn? Even diplomatic resistance is forbidden? Even resistance based on international law?”

While the US, who, let’s not forget, send billions of dollars in aid to Israel every year, has criticised (because criticism will really make the Israeli government sit up and take notice) Israel’s decision to expand illegal settlements, it has also expressed reservations against a push for the UN to denounce the move. Remember, about 700,000 Israeli settlers live in illegal settlements across occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. 700,000 living illegally while local people are turfed out of their homes, and people in the UK are worried about a few thousand refugees just wanting to live alongside us.

Worldwide there is pretty much silence on Israeli aggression and human rights violations so it was a pleasure to see Israel's deputy director general for Africa, Sharon Bar-li, be escorted out of the African Union assembly over the weekend in the Ethiopian capital Addis. Israel was granted observer status in 2021 and this has caused deep concern among members. The Palestinian Authority has repeatedly urged African leaders to withdraw Israel’s AU accreditation, denouncing its “apartheid regime.” A debate on this was due to be held and then cancelled and now a committee has been set up to give its recommendations.

Irish MEP Mick Wallace repeatedly speaks out in support of Palestine, asking why other countries are silent. On Sunday he tweeted: “Why are Mainstream Media so silent about the War Crimes carried out by the Apartheid State of #Israel against the people of Syria? Israel behaves like a Terrorist State against the #Palestinians and #Syria - Why are the #EU ok with this? Why are so many MEP’s ok with this?”

Well, indeed. Why are so many politicians throughout the West silent on this when they are vocal on Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

Ireland is of course a longtime supporter of Palestine and the Palestinian struggle. It was the first member of the European community to recognise the PLO in 1980. Although still officially supporting the two-state solution, Ireland has seen leaders from across the political spectrum criticising Israel’s settlement policy, breaches of human rights, and undermining of the peace process.

Top Irish football club,Bohemian FC, last week released a new football kit to raise awareness of human rights violations in Palestine by Israel, and to raise funds for children in Tulkarm refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

Of course Jeremy Corbyn was a vociferous champion of the Palestinian cause, which is why the whole establishment worked against him so he could never be in a position to actually help them

But these are lone voices crying out in support of Palestinians, trying to be heard against the weight of much of the West which appears to care little about the systematic oppression of these people.

Shame on Western governments. Shame on them all.