Friday, October 14, 2016

The Irony of the Veto



While listening to the news about Syria and all the devastation, I
thought it was ironic that France and its allies would condemn Russia
for using its veto right in the resolution submitted by France.

Maybe it is high time that the structure of the United Nations and
the power given to the five permanent members in the Security Council
should be reconsidered so that there is no double-standard in
sanctioning countries that violate International Law.

If anybody knows that feeling of frustration because of the veto
power it is us Palestinians.  We  have  been taking our case to the
United Nations ever since 1948 when we were dispossessed of our
country and our right to return.  Although we have never given up on
the  UN to redress the grave injustice inflicted upon us, we also
realize how impotent that body has been in implementing its
resolutions.

Over and above being  dispossessed of our  land, freedom, and right to
self –determination, we  have had to bear with  a military occupation
for almost fifty years.  And to add insult to injury,  every time a UN
resolution is presented  to sanction Israel for its violations
against a whole population living under a military occupation, the
American veto is there to salvage Israel.

So now,  Russia has given the Western countries a taste of their own
medicine.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Reflecting on the kidnapping of the human rights activists on the Zaytouna-Oliva.

Pro–Palestine female activists on board the Zaytouna–Oliva, pictured in September.

From past experience with other Freedom Flotillas sailing to Gaza, I am not certain whether those women  human rights activists were sure that they will be able to reach Gaza.  Yet their determination to challenge the blockade gave hope to the people of Gaza  that they are not being  abandoned and forgotten.  But when Israel can get away with blocking the arrival of the Zaytouna-Oliva on its peaceful mission and kidnapping the thirteen activists including some distinguished women without any compunction, then there is something very wrong with  the application of international law – a  law that has been hijacked by those in power whereby some get away with their violations, and others are sanctioned.  With every new election in the US and with every new appointment of a UN  Secretary General we continue to hope that Israel will stop being treated above the law - being  the spoiled  and  pampered child of the US. No wonder the world is in a mess, and my heart aches not only for the people of Gaza but for the people of Syria who are being sacrificed while their  country has become the battle field for the big powers.