reflections
on people suddenly opposing a genocide they have constantly defended, aided and abetted.
This week, I am not writing about an article I’ve read, but rather a source of the unrelenting pain and anger that we are all feeling.
The situation in Gaza is critical. Mass starvation, violence, desperation. I don’t need to tell you how horrific it is, you’ve seen it on your screens and on the front pages of newspapers, even some of the right-wing ones.
The media coverage and how this devastation is discussed is exactly what I want to touch on. Why have usually unsympathetic pundits and politicians appeared as slightly more conciliatory to the plight of Palestine all of a sudden?
Blowhard Piers Morgan has questioned the humanity of the world in letting this happen. Arch-neoliberal Hillary Clinton has softly come out against starvation. Even wet ham Keir Starmer described the suffering in Gaza as “indefensible”. Other, perhaps surprising sources, have made some lukewarm noises.
Why has this turn, if we can call it that, happened? Because the situation on the ground in Palestine has changed so very drastically?
no
Because of self-interest.
At the time of writing, the genocide in Gaza has been going on for 21 months and of course, Israel’s systematic oppression and destruction of Palestinian identity and livelihood for many decades before.
Back on October 13, 2023, Israeli historian and genocide scholar Raz Segal described Israel’s assault on Gaza as “A Textbook Case of Genocide.”
Two days earlier, Keir Starmer had said on LBC radio that Israel “has the right” to withhold power and water from Gaza.
That’s how long this unjustified killing and torture of civilians in Gaza has gone on for. Starmer’s government has supported Israel’s actions since its invasion of the Gaza strip, for shame. So it’s laughable to take any of his newfound sympathy for the situation seriously.
The RAF has carried out more than 500 surveillance flights over Gaza since December 2023, and the UK has sent Israel thousands of military items, despite suspending some key arms export licences to the country in September 2024. These actions speak louder than any weasel words can. The same abject hypocrisy can be seen with Clinton.
Piers Morgan always proclaims fair journalistic standards, and has invited many pro-Palestinian guests on his talkshow. Yet his conduct since October 2023 has largely been hostile to anyone who questioned Israel’s assault, and he used the same, tired talking points as the western establishment to defend the bombardment of Gaza.
“one day, everyone will say they were against this”
As Israel’s justifications and actions become ever more unhinged, the writing is on the wall, even for supporters of their barbarity.
It’s cynical and self-serving for these ghouls to try to act as concerned humanitarians all of a sudden. These people are just covering their asses. The fact they not only allowed the genocide to get to this advanced stage, but provided material and diplomatic support for Israel, is completely sickening.
Article III of the Genocide Convention specifically criminalises “Complicity in genocide.” This could include so many US, UK and European politicians, as well as members of the media and other public figures, who defended the insanity and depravity of Israel. Don’t be fooled by retrospective rewrites of history, or too-little-too-late symbolic gestures like recognising Palestinian statehood.
These are people with power who used their position to promote this butchery. They can’t put out weak words almost two years into a genocidal campaign and think that will eradicate their collusion. The world is watching. The reckoning is coming. Justice and liberation for the Palestinian people can’t arrive soon enough.
~ Tommy
smirk of the week 😏
offbeat optics
Complaint upheld against Belgian ticket inspector who said ‘bonjour’ in Flanders
Belgium is a funny country. Yes, a bloody history of horrific colonial exploitation in the Congo (not so funny). But also it’s basically split into two countries, with two different dominant languages.
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