Shame On the World

Well, here in the West, our Holiday seasons remains in full tilt, people shopping despite the recession, eagerly awaiting the end of 2008 and the dawning of 2009. In Palestine, the people have substantially less to celebrate. Hundreds have been slain within a 3 day stretch, as Israel pounds the most densely populated parcel of land in the world (Gaza Strip) without mercy or reprieve from their attck choppers. Happy Holidays from the world's foremost terrorist state. Oh yes, rockets have been launched from Gaza into Israeli settlements. No one mentions that the settlements are in fact illegal, land stolen by Israel from Palestine. No one ever mentions the illegal settlement issue, except of course the Palestinians. And when their voice goes unheard, and they turn to the use of force to try and assert their right to exist, they get blown into the last century.

I apologize if this entry seems chaotic and ranting, but wow I am angry. I am seething. And I am impotent.

I wish to hit on several key issues: 1) The excessive use of force. The international community reacted with predictable malaisse after the shocking attacks of Dec. 27th 2008. The UN condemned the attacks, stating that Israel, yet again, had used force in great excess to what was called for - and yet, following the condemnation, did nothing. No sanctions, no military intervention, NOTHING. Does anyone else recall the Iraqi bombardment in Kurdistan? The Un reacted swiftly and imposed crippling economic sanctions for more than a decade on Iraq, sanctions that lasted until the (also illegal) US war. Why then is Israel immune? As has been the case for the last 60 years, they act without fear of reprisal, and we allow them to do so. The blood of the 250 odd men, women, and children killed on Dec. 27th alone is on our hands directly.

2) The use of the word "Terrorist". It is interesting to listen to the semantics whenever our media deals with this conflict, even reputable news agencies like the CBC. Israel is targeting "Terrorist" leaders within Gaza, which is ruled by the "Terrorist" group Hamas, which "Ousted" the "Moderate" Fatah Party. Ousted? Well, I suppose that is one way to describe a democratic election, an election that the West endorsed, until it was realized that Hamas won. And why did the people of Palestine elect Hamas in a landslide victory? Simply put, they were tired of the entrenched corruption present within the Moderate Fatah party. Tired of their abuse of power, their treachery, and their impotence. So they elected another party. And now, as we do not like that party, we do not choose to recognize the legitamacy of Hamas as the elected party of the people of Palestine. Vote, but only for the people we tell you to vote for. Is Hamas violent? Yes. Are they terrorists? No. It is not terrorism to defend your home when all other avenues of discourse have been ignored or overruled. Leave a people with nothing and no other hope of bettering their situation, how do you expect them to behave? I will only be hit in the face so many times before I say "That is enough" and react with force of my own. When we dole out the word "terrorist" maybe we should consider the faction which killed 250 people. Palestinian rockets fired in reprisal claimed ONE victim on Dec. 27th, Israeli gunships claimed 250 - which group is responsible for creating an atmosphere of "Terror"?

3) Settlements. I have already touched on this issue. According to the UN division of Palestine, the Palestinians were granted 50% of the land. Now they exist on less than 21%, and more is taken everyday. Israel actively endorses and allows Jewish settlements to be created on land that belongs to Palestine. When Palestine objects they are ignored, and so the people are forced into these tiny enclaves which are ever shrinking to make room for further Israeli expansion. The attached map does all the arguing needed on this issue. The Palestinian population is greater than that of israel, and yet they live on 21% of the land. Enough said.

Israel has sworn that it will continue at all costs. A ground invasions seems imminent. It appears as though Israel is prepared to indulge in a Holocaust of its own. And we sit by and allow it to happen.