International Court of Justice - South Africa Asks ICJ to Order Israel to Take Remedial Measures Following Its Actions in Gaza : Baquer Namazi
Editor's Note: You can watch the entire South African oral presentation by clicking here and Israel's oral response by clicking here.
Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC delivered an unbelievably powerful - condemning the Israeli state for the utter horror it. (From the video description.) has unleashed against Gaza. Here it is in fullgainst Gaza. Here it is in full
To be even handed I share Israel's defense.
Brave South African women take the lead in unmasking ICJ genocide
I join the vast number of people with conscience to pay homage to the admirable and brave initiative of South Africa. Power to these efforts.
Baquer
Adila Hassim SC began South Africa's case by giving details of what led to the genocidal allegations.
I join the vast number of people with conscience to pay homage to the admirable and brave initiative of South Africa. Power to these efforts.
Baquer
Adila Hassim SC began South Africa's case by giving details of what led to the genocidal allegations.
(From the video description.)
To be even handed I share Israel's defense.
Baquer
I believe that Madiba would be very proud of his belived South Africa taking the lead in promoting what is the essence of human rights...Bravo
ReplyDeleteI agree with Steve Woodhouse, it is indeed courageous of South Africa to take Israel to the ICJ risking the wrath of the US and other Western powers. That the occupied have the right to defend themselves is enshrined in law, however, the right of the occupier to defend themselves is not. Even so, Western political leaders incessantly emphasize Israel's right to defend themselves. ICJ now has a timely opportunity to provide clarity on this and if genocide is being committed.
ReplyDeleteThe reason for the increasingly irrational, and often unconditional, Israeli support in the West in general and in the US in particular needs to be revisited. That Israel has enjoyed this support for some 75 years is surprising to many observers considering the blood and treasure they have cost the US in particular. Israel has consistently repaid this loyalty and support by ignoring binding Security Council resolutions. Over these past 75 years, virtually all wars in the Middle East have had Israel as its root cause. If everyone in the US understood this their support for Israel would likely wane.
Israel gets upset whenever their outsized power and influence in the US is mentioned as a possible reason for its support. There are presently nine Jewish Senators in the US Senate. That makes the Jews overrepresented by a factor of four. On the other hand, African Americans a group that is six times larger have had less than nine Senators over the past 200 years. The Jewish community is even more overrepresented in finance and media, two very powerful industries. As most readers of this blog also read The Economist it may be interesting to reflect on how their reporting on Israel changed after the Agnelis and the Rotchilds bought the paper and installed a Jewish editor-in-chief some years back.
I trust we are all looking forward to the preliminary ruling of the ICJ that could call for an immediate halt to the war. Israel's reaction to the ruling will be most interesting.
While advocating for the Palestinian cause may be seen as a legitimate perspective, the underlying principles on which the author builds his arguments give rise to notable concerns.
DeleteThe United States is supposed to be a melting pot. It is disconcerting to note the author's focus on quantifying the Jewish representation, which detracts from the principle of unity. The United States, ideally, is a diverse amalgamation of cultures, and dwelling on specific ethnic or religious affiliations undermines the concept of inclusivity.
Regardless of the writer's nationality, it is inappropriate to gauge the influence of any group solely based on numbers. Such an approach is divisive and fails to recognize the rich diversity that makes the United States unique. The reference to the overrepresentation of Jews in various sectors, including finance and media, perpetuates stereotypes and fosters discord.
It is important to stress that the strength of the United States lies in its ability to embrace differences and foster a sense of unity among its citizens. Highlighting specific religious or ethnic groups' influence in a negative light contributes to a narrative that divides rather than unites.
Furthermore, insinuating a correlation between ownership changes in media outlets and shifts in reporting on Israel based on the religion of individuals involved oversimplifies complex dynamics. Such generalizations can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and detract from constructive dialogue.
Promoting unity and discouraging divisive perspectives should be upheld within the United Nations, and any attempt to perpetuate racial or ethnic divisions is contrary to the organization's principles. A staff member, or former staff member, adopting such an approach has no place in the UN system, which strives for global cooperation and understanding.
After all, numerous retired UN staff members, hailing from diverse nations, choose to reside in Western countries upon retirement. There must be a compelling reason behind this widespread trend. Most often it is for the freedom they have in the West and the concept of the melting pot.
Fully agree with Steve and Thomas
ReplyDeleteThanks for the anti-semitic tropes, Thomas. Read the Protocols of the Elders of Zion recently?
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa can't provide security, water or electricity to it's people. Clearly the right time to be prosecuting a case about genocide in the Hague... Suspect that this case has a lot more to do with Israel's prior relationship with the apartheid regime than any real moral concerns on behalf of a failed state.
ReplyDeleteSouth Africa had more courage than any Arab country who « stand » with the Palestinians
ReplyDelete@ anonymous: Criticism of Israel is not antisemitic even if successive Israeli governments try to equate the two. Nor does calling for an end to the war in Gaza endorse the attack by Hamas on the 7th of October.
ReplyDeleteWhat is happening in Gaza is most upsetting and I am asking why this tragedy is not stopped. President Biden could do so with one phone call. So why doesn't he? That is the question that needs to be answered. I pointed at the strong lobby for the policies of Israel, that exists in the USA.
The ANC may not have forgotten Israel's cooperation with the Apartheid regime and perhaps it may have had some minor influence on their decision. Israel's cooperation with the racist regime in South Africa was a shameful period. If I remember correctly the cooperation even involved the development of nuclear weapons.
The insinuation that I broke the codes of conduct of international civil servants and spread disunity with what I wrote is a bit rich. I saw many codes blatantly broken during my 30 years with UNICEF. Some of the worst were committed by those abusing the organization for their political ends and the Zionist agenda.
The indisputable success of the Jewish community in the US particularly in politics, media, and finance is admirable. It is sad that the power that comes with this success is not used in the best interest of Israel itself and for finding a lasting and peaceful solution. A well-informed, benevolent Jewish community could help guide politics in Israel so that both Palestinians and Israelis would be able to live in peace. Further justifying the 75-year-old war will only ensure the continuation of death and destruction. If Palestinians will not be allowed to live in peace, neither will be the Israelis.
In the realm of international diplomacy, the United Nations serves as a bastion for fostering constructive dialogue, understanding, and collaboration. It is crucial for the UN staff to uphold these values, particularly when addressing complex geopolitical issues like the conflict in the Middle East. While criticisms of Israel are not inherently antisemitic, it is equally imperative to avoid making sweeping statements that oversimplify a deeply nuanced situation.
DeleteCritics argue that Israel often attempts to equate criticism with antisemitism, undermining legitimate concerns about its policies. However, responding with generalized statements against Israel can inadvertently perpetuate a counterproductive narrative. It is essential to differentiate between criticizing government actions and making sweeping statements about an entire nation or its people.
The recent events in Gaza have indeed sparked outrage and concern worldwide. The call for an end to the war is a valid and humane plea, irrespective of one's stance on the political complexities involved. However, attributing the conflict solely to one party, such as the insinuation of President Biden's influence, oversimplifies the intricate geopolitical dynamics at play.
Drawing attention to Israel's historical cooperation with the apartheid regime in South Africa is a legitimate point of discussion. It is essential to acknowledge past wrongs and learn from history. However, it is equally crucial to avoid framing this historical cooperation as a definitive reflection of the current geopolitical landscape.
Acknowledging the success of the Jewish community in the United States in politics, media, and finance is fair, but it is equally important not to conflate this success with a collective responsibility. Encouraging a well-informed and benevolent Jewish community to guide Israeli politics is a positive suggestion. Still, it should be framed as an invitation to contribute constructively rather than as a critique of their current engagement.
In a democratic society, it is inappropriate for an author to condemn a community solely based on their success. Such a stance echoes the troubling historical parallels witnessed in Nazi Germany, where discriminatory attitudes were fuelled by unfounded resentment towards successful communities. In the spirit of democratic values, authors should refrain from perpetuating stereotypes or unfairly targeting any group based on their achievements. Constructive dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than scapegoating success, should be encouraged to foster a harmonious and inclusive society.
Effective diplomacy requires a measured and rational approach, devoid of emotional rhetoric. United Nations staff members must refrain from engaging in impassioned diatribes against nations or peoples, especially from the comfort of their secure positions within safe havens. Diplomacy demands a level-headed and thoughtful discourse, where individuals focus on constructive dialogue rather than indulging in emotive outbursts that may hinder the pursuit of peaceful solutions.
In conclusion, fostering a nuanced and informed discourse is crucial when addressing complex geopolitical issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict. Making generalized statements, even in the face of legitimate concerns, risks oversimplifying the situation and hindering progress toward a lasting and peaceful resolution. The international community, including the United Nations, should strive for dialogue that promotes understanding and collaboration rather than perpetuating divisive narratives.
I just wish there were at least some small steps we could take to broaden awareness of the plight of children in Gaza among those who might be able to stem the tide of this disaster.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve. A letter to Jill Biden might help.
DeleteI think that is an excellent idea.
DeleteDo you think that Joe and Jill don’t know? They surely might have had a call from the UNICEF executive director of the eminent global agency for children, who happened to have worked for Biden herself. If not, we may have to conclude that any US nominated executive director cannot be fit for purpose.
DeleteUN Women reports that two Palestinian mothers have been killed by Israel every hour since October 7th. Is Jill Biden aware of that? I doubt it.
ReplyDelete