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William Bowles's avatar

As long as the 'collective West' supports, condones, finances and arms Israel's genocidal extermination of Palestinians and Palestine, no amount of legalese, votes, condemnation, call it what you will, will change a damn thing!

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

We are forcing our governments' hands but...it's happening so painfully slowly that many, many people are dying in the meantime. Our 'leaders' feel no urgency because they lack humanity.

William Bowles's avatar

Are we forcing them, even slowly? I see no signs aside from a begrudging recognition of 'some' starvation about which we hear the usual hand-wringing bullshit about the need for humanitarian aid, all of it, too little, too late. As long the MSM continues to hide, to censor the reality of what's happening in occupied Palestine, nothing will change because our populations really have no idea of the scale of the slaughter.

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

I think we are. If they had it there way, they'd do nothing at all and pretend it weren't happening. The things we've seen in the past year would have been unthinkable a year ago (things like Germany criticising Israel).

Of course things like that will not end the genocide but our leaders know they have to it soon or their political careers are over. For many like Keir Starmer, it's too late.

But the number of small positive steps I've seen from different countries signal something is coming and I don't think the toothpaste is going back in the tube. I remain hopeful there will be a free Palestine soon. Despite being extremely cynical re. the West.

If I didn't, I wouldn't be doing what I do.

William Bowles's avatar

I'm sorry but I don't agree. The noises made by some European powers are designed quell the murmurs of disquiet from our captive populations, largely about forced starvation but not two years deliberate slaughter of the innocents or change the fundamentals of USEuropean compliicity.

Graham Vincent's avatar

I just signed up here and I didn't know who you are, Deaglan. But I've read very little of your blog, and now I know who you are, and just saying these things will move something. If not a mountain, a bit of a mountain.

"If our deed has not been sufficient to win freedom, then our children will win it by a better deed." Pádraig Pearce, Irish barrister and political activist, 1879-1916.

Virma's avatar

I realize I’m dropping into your conversation a day late, and I apologize for that. Over the last few days I’ve been looking at Francesca Albanese’s report detailing the amount of wealth being generated for foreign corporations as a result of this “conflict”/slaughter was impressive, much like Mr. O’Mulrooney’s dissection of the Potato Famine indicated. Apparently pathological greed is a perfectly acceptable reason to condemn many thousands of trapped people to agonizing deaths. I can’t begin to convey to you the horror and contempt I feel toward the individuals who perpetuate this nightmare.

William Bowles's avatar

No need to apologize, this is a public discussion so anyone is welcome to participate.

Lee Rammelt's avatar

I am with you on this. As a

Citizen of the Netherlands (host of the tribunal… Crapperdicrap shame on us) I have been cracking everything… biting on it until teeth break and gums bleed… are Second World War guilt blinders, devilish economics and rampant Islamophobia enough to “explain” my country’s behavior? I am beyond livid. At the point of chaining myself to the gates of the Prime Ministers house (Schoof is next level shithead) and scream. But I am female and the government is on holiday so nobody is going to give a shit about a hysterically shrieking banshee. Also; I want a pact with fellow humans. That come what may we stick it out. Never surrender. Never be silenced.

Pat Brandwood's avatar

Placard holding people are being arrested for saying i oppose Genocide.

I wonder if : i support Genocide would be allowed to go free?

Will any newspaper print what you have written above?

How can you get it printed? It is all so true. I don't know how BBC newsreaders can live with their consciences as they report each delaying tactic solemnly.

Keep going. Even though we're all being marginalised by power and wealth.

Lee Rammelt's avatar

I think many people choose not to understand what’s going on out of fear or out of complacency. It’s easier to hold on to the old colonial, capitalist, religious and political structure… they are familiar and confused with “safe”. Anyone not going apeshit at the current state of affairs is either comfortably complicit or bat shit crazy.

D’en's avatar

I agree with everything you say

Except

When you say that only the dying are unaware

We hear from many in Gaza

That they know

They know

They know

They are fully aware

Fully aware

Yet they continue to write and try to continue to survive whilst knowing

Whilst being aware

Of this knowing

Every day

And every day

Not knowing if it might be

Their last day

Or the last fay of their children

Or their mother or father

Or siblings

Let us not say that they are the only who are unaware

🕊️🕊️🕊️

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

Thank you for your words. I am hopeful their day will come and they'll know peace and freedom soon.

Sol Sön's avatar

The recognition of Palestine is what Palestinians have for too long ad to wait for and is an essential step for to allow its independence.

https://mywisdom.substack.com/p/gaza-and-fall-of-the-cabal

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

Most countries do, it's just the Old Imperial Gang which doesn't

Sol Sön's avatar

Dear Deaglan, colonialism has nothing to do with empire.

Empire in other common formed in which is being used, is an oxymoron designed to blame something which in reality does not exist.

Perhaps the reason why we are being trained like dogs to use terminology which turns us into morons an able to distinguish or to point out the blame on those who are responsible, is because the biggest threat to cabal is the formation of a new empire which would unite all muslim nations under one flag and one law.

The countries which you refer as “the empire” which by fact have no emperor, are vassal state of the cabal.

Read my post and feel free to comment on it, intelligent conversations are always welcome

Shaniqua DuBois's avatar

Thank you for sharing the video of Ghasan Kanafani, what a legend, I never saw it

Dr.Who's avatar

The man never held a gun. All he did was write. But the few words he wrote were so powerful, the Zionists had to silence him with a car bomb that killed his niece too. He was 36.

Ruby's avatar

Shocking...

So even back then, the IOF were afraid of the pen. What a bunch of cowards.

Duncan Saunders's avatar

One of the many reasons I so value your writings and postings is that you introduce me to people and events that I need to know about! The video of Ghasan Kanafani is so powerful as his passion, humanity and intellect shines through. For those, like myself, who wish to know more, please read this long article from Mondoweiss: https://mondoweiss.net/2023/09/a-race-against-time-the-life-and-death-of-ghassan-kanafani/

D’en's avatar

Yes Kanafani’s responses are brilliant and he remains calm.

The journalist, an Australian, Richard Carleton,

asked ridiculous patronising questions. The interview was in 1970.

Kanafani was assassinated by the Mossad in 1972.

Duncan Saunders's avatar

Thank you for the additional information about the interview.

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

Isn't he such a character, a man of and before his time. Put the silly journo to shame.

Paul Seligman's avatar

I agree with everything Deaglan has written. It's supported by the official disclosure that Starmer discussed his moves with Netanyahu before announcing them in public.

But even if we put aside that argument for a moment, it is indisputable that announcing vague condemnations, verbal threats and diplomatic moves with no actual painful consequences is only going to make the extremists in Israel - which is the majority and the government - determined to expunge as many Palestinians from their land as quickly as possible, to mitigate any risk that the talk turns to real action.

This is not to say that Israel is pleased with Western leaders making condemnatory statements and allowing their media to be far more critical of Israel. They know that it risks delegitimizing their project in the eyes of more people. It's already opened up conversations with people and faith groups who were afraid, or reluctant, to have any discussion about Palestine.

But they'll definitely take it rather than face arms embargoes trade and economic sanctions and divestment.

Our role is to maximize this moment to bring as many people into the movement as we can, to perform whatever role they feel comfortable with, at the start of their journey to solidarity.

We sometimes forget that so many of our neighbours, frimdd and workmates have never been interested in international politics, have never joined a political party, have never taken part in a demonstration or protest, have never written to an elected representative.

And almost all of them have been indoctrinated by a lifetime of pro Israeli propaganda.

We must seize the moment to break them of their illusions, gently but firmly.

džič's avatar

Bravo, Deaglan. Thank you.

Sandra Tuttle's avatar

I agree with Deaglan. I thought the same when Biden was in office. In solidarity. SE USA.

Ruby's avatar

I totally agree with your assessment. Any entity which cares about Palestinians would be URGENTLY doing something to stop the genocide. However, key UN actors are leisurely pen-pushing and shuffling papers whilst Gaza burns and its people are subjected to the worst crimes possible.

Miriam Schiro's avatar

“These are all very carefully calibrated delays designed to give Israel maximum time to complete its ethnic cleansing whilst allowing Western leaders to claim they're 'working towards a solution'.”

Highly agree 💯

NellCrow's avatar

Thank you again Deaglan for your work.

For anyone interested in discovering more about Kanafani, there is a book from Pluto Press:

‘Ghassan Kanafani Selected Political Writings’

by Ghassan Kanafani

Edited by Louis Brehony and Tahrir Hamdi

Deaglan O'Mulrooney's avatar

Cheers, Nell! Good shout on the read.

Optiskeptic's avatar

You, and so many others, have made a powerful case that what is being done to the Palestinians is deliberate barbarism live streamed daily by the people carrying out the genocide. I am sickened that all 650 Members of Parliament and the 800 appointees in the Other Place keep a respectful silence like the three monkeys. Everything you say in your post convinces me that every single one of them is willingly complicit in a crime against humanity. If they all individually and collectively recognise Palestine tomorrow, that will be a start - but then they must made made to be held accountable. Or, they should be honest and state their open support for genocide... but tomorrow, not in four weeks!

Wandering Fool's avatar

I fear you’re right but I’m praying you’re wrong. I am truly sick of the West’s hypocrisy and flagrant double standards. And look what we’ve got running running these countries. Is there any real talent? America is a basket case politically and morally, run by a 34 times convicted Felon, in cahoots with Netanyahu, an indicted War Criminal, with an arrest warrant out for him issued by the ICC. What a ludicrous situation! The UK is little better; Starmer is a weak, lily livered zionist sympathiser. I agree with Lee Rammelt’s comment ‘I want a pact with fellow humans. That come what may we stick it out. Never surrender. Never be silenced.’ Well said Lee.

Joe Van Steenbergen's avatar

What is amazing to me is the level of control that Israel apparently has over basically all Western governments and officials. No other country in the world could commit these atrocities without the rest of the world condemning them outright. But not Israel. Their ability to craft and control the narrative is one of the greatest mysteries the world will one day have to unravel, maybe.

Keep in mind that the goal here is "Greater Israel," and if they haven't reached the point where the Ben Gurion Canal is ready or their beach front condos are not built, they will start more wars and grab more land until Greater Israel is achieved. Trouble is, no one can say where the limits of Greater Israel are, not even the Israelis.

KO0KO's avatar

"82% of Gaza's buildings will be rubble (we’re already at 65%) [containing the bodies of ?% of the population]. One in three children under two will be acutely malnourished and 100% of the population will have been homeless at least once." This is not a portion of a human entity called Palestine. This is Israel. It is the foundation on which Israel continues to exist and from which it could never extricate itself.