Designation: applied to Israel as Hamas

Hypothetical news reporter Ifit Wereso reports on the recent announcement by the global peace movement PRMAZ on how it will refer to Israel in future commentary and dialogue.

Since the October 7 flare up in the decades long war between Israel and Hamas, the BBC has found itself compelled to mention that Hamas is designated by many western governments as terrorist.

Speaking yesterday in an interview with the BBC’s Jeremy Bowen, a spokesperson for the Peace and Reconciliation Movement Against Zionism (PRMAZ), consisting of Jews, Palestinians and their supporters, said the organisation will in future refer to Israel as “Israel, designated by human rights organisation as practising apartheid and persecution against Palestinians”.

Inconceivable: The Palestinian Struggle Against Overwhelming Odds

What drives the Palestinians to confront such overwhelming might? Is it insanity, evil, or is there a reason we all can identify with as humans who seek fairness and justice for ourselves?

To quote Haaretz (Biden’s Israel Visit Reveals Inconvenient Truths about Shift in U.S.-Israel Relationship):

“Israel is a rich country with supposedly a strong military, highly advanced technologies, the most modern fighting platforms, self-proclaimed state-of-the-art intelligence, superior cyberwarfare capabilities, precise munitions, a huge defence budget and a $3.8 billion annual U.S. military grant.”

And in the recent war of October 2023 between Israel and Hamas, the article notes that:

“An American president, a Zionist by his own admission, is coming to Israel,” and that this follows sending of “the Carrier Strike Force USS Gerald R. Ford, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier, a 2,000-strong U.S. Marines rapid response force, and airlifting munitions.”

How is it even conceivable that the Palestinians should go up against such a force? Why? How? What could possibly drive a people, who possess only guns and meagre, makeshift rockets, to confront such massive and sophisticated power as that of Israel, and behind it an even more massive power in the form of the United States?

We must opt for one of several conclusions:

Palestinians:

  • are insane
  • evil
  • are in a righteous struggle for survival against oppression. They have no option but either to fight or be pushed out of their land, to be replaced.

If we opt for either of the first two, or perhaps a happy combination of both (evil and insane), then we must explain why it is that the Palestinians are so? What makes them that way? What makes them fight for no reason that would bring them gain and only destruction? It would seem they are fighting without an objective other than to… fight… because… they are evil and insane. Even the most obstinately illogical among us would struggle to convince themselves that this is why Palestinians fight Israel.

Given that Israel is on record as violating human rights, and of illegally occupying territory recognised by the United Nations and every country in the world as Palestinian territory, it seems the Palestinians are fighting not because they are mad and bad, but for a reason.

As to the tactics employed in the Palestinian struggle against Israeli occupation and oppression, this is a different matter and of course open to debate. We may disagree and indeed condemn some of the actions, in particular the attack by Hamas on October 7. However, this neither compromises nor detracts from the central issue, this being legitimate resistance to the decades-long violation of human rights by Israel, as well as Israel’s own by now well documented barbarity and war crimes against Palestinians. As UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has now clearly stated of the October 7 attacks, they “did not happen in a vacuum”. After unequivocally condemning the attacks by Hamas, Guterres acknowledges that

“It is important to also recognize the attacks by Hamas did not happen in a vacuum.

The Palestinian people have been subjected to 56 years of suffocating occupation.

They have seen their land steadily devoured by settlements and plagued by violence; their economy stifled; their people displaced and their homes demolished. Their hopes for a political solution to their plight have been vanishing.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres speaking at the Security Council meeting on the Middle East regarding the October 7 attacks

To claim that the attacks happened unprovoked would require us to believe that Palestinians indeed fight for no reason other than they are mad or bad. This idea is absurd, so absurd in fact, that if the Secretary General of the United Nations had not stated that the attacks must be seen in the wider context of Israeli aggression, he himself would look quite absurd and without credit.

Therefore, as the former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has said, we should not be interested in extracting condemnations of Hamas’s actions as being atrocities, but in an investigation into the reason for why they occurred, and into why all the killing – now, and for the past 120 years – has occurred, and how it can be stopped. If that inquiry leads to a judgement of right and wrong, and of who is right or wrong, then that is another matter.

At this stage we should not be interested in that. We should only be concerned with understanding how those young men ended up doing something as depraved as killing other young people at a rave, instead of joining them in their celebrations. What marks them out as being so nefariously, specially, evil?

Jews were once, and still are by anti-Semites, vilified as being particularly evil above and beyond the norm for humanity. Their evil lay beyond that which can be explained in normal human terms, it lay within them, as part of their unique nature as Jews. That is anti-Semitism, in a rather ugly nutshell.

And so if we reject any human, socio-geo-political based explanation of how come these young men became so depraved and barbaric, then we must accept they are somehow particularly evil above and beyond the norm for humanity. If in plain sight of the overwhelming evidence we claim that there is nothing in their lives that could possibly drive them to such barbarity, then we must accept Palestinians as somehow genetically hard wired for evil. That it lies within them as part of their irredeemable nature. That is the only conclusion if we refuse to believe what our eyes and the evidence shows. Is anyone prepared to declare them as such?

If not, then we need to acknowledge what Mr Guterres has said and begin to ask questions.

Unveiling the Parallels: A Reflection on Western Democracies and the Nazi Regime of 1933-1945

Let us for a moment put aside our sympathies with what happened to Israelis and is happening to Palestinians after the start of the October War of 2023. Let us just marvel at it.

What is now happening before our eyes to Palestinians as they are dehumanised, massacred and, if Israel were to fully have its way, also ethnically cleansed, is fascinating. Yet again, in our modern generations and self-proclaimed democracies, we get an idea of what it meant to be a German under the Nazi Regime of 1933 to 1945.

Like the Germans of the Nazi Era, throughout the Western World many do not just see, they permit. They did so for Iraq and Afghanistan, now they do so for Palestine. And like the Germans of the Nazi Era, many do so because they have been led to believe it is right.

A day must come when those who permit and condone will realise the horror of where they are. They have been ensnared, tangled in a web of lies, misinformation, and in many cases openly expressed hatred and dehumanisation, yet made to see themselves as free, compassionate, moral, and upright.

But waiting for this realization will not do. We must act. We must engage in conversations that challenge beliefs, whilst also seeking understanding and empathy even in the face of deeply rooted conflicts. Support organizations promoting peace, dialogue, and humanitarian aid in the region. Educate others about the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fostering awareness and empathy.

Support media outlets that provide balanced perspectives, encouraging informed discussions. Embrace diversity and reject stereotypes, fostering an environment where dialogue can thrive.

People can break from the web of disinformation, and only then can they truly be the champions of freedom and justice they believe themselves to be.

Words of Conflict: Unraveling Rhetoric in the Israeli-Palestinian Struggle

A few days after the raid by Hamas on 7 October, which left 1400 Israeli civilians and military dead, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel was fighting human animals, and further declared Israel would deny Palestinian people electricity, food, water and fuel as it continues its bombardment of Gaza. As the Huffpost put it: “While it appears that Gallant was specifically referring to Hamas fighters in that comment, the rest of the minister’s remarks called for further oppression of all people in Gaza by denying them basic human needs.” (Israeli Defense Minister Announces Siege On Gaza To Fight ‘Human Animal’).

As we listen to the narrative of fighting “human animals” in Gaza, over in the West Bank, under the cover of war, Palestinians are being ethnically cleansed, as commented in an Haaretz editorial (Palestinian Expulsion Amid the Fog of War, reproduced below). The editorial mentions that “58 Palestinians were killed in the past week. According to the security establishment, about 10 of them were shot to death by settlers.”

Gaza itself is an open prison routinely bombed by Israel, and was formerly occupied and settled by Israelis until 2005. It was subsequently abandoned by Israel to avoid the costly business of having to directly oppress 2 million Palestinians to gain a relatively small piece of land.

If the Western media were more balanced and fair in reporting, it would foster a wider understanding of what has led to all this terrible violence. If Hamas has become savage then it is surely because Palestinians have been and are being savaged. This cycle of violence has endured since decades past, and it will endure for decades more unless Israel is compelled to abide by international law and end its occupation and dispossession of Palestinians. That is the root cause and it must be addressed.

Haaretz’s lead editorial Oct 17, 2023 1:11 am IDT, as published in the Hebrew and English newspapers in Israel.

Palestinian Expulsion Amid the Fog of War

What to the sane majority in Israel is the greatest catastrophe in its history, is to the settlers an opportunity to chase Palestinians from their land and take it over. Hagar Shezaf exposed (Haaretz, Oct. 15,) that a wave of flight has begun since the outbreak of the war, by Palestinians belonging to shepherd communities in the West Bank, due to settler violence.

In some cases the locales have been completely depopulated, and in others some of the families have left, or women and children have been evacuated. The residents report threats by settlers, at times armed, ordering them to leave. This is not an isolated incident, but a broad campaign, taking place under the auspices of the government of the right-wing and the settlers, and that now, under cover of the war, has gained immense momentum. According to the UN’s office for humanitarian aid coordination report published in September, 1,105 shepherds – some 12.5 percent of this population – have left their homes in the West Bank over the past year.

Most of the residents of Ein Shibli in the Jordan Valley have fled in recent days. According to the residents and Israeli activists accompanying them, a settler named Moshe Sharvit, who lives in a nearby outpost, gave them five hours to clear out. All the residents of Wadi a-Siq in the central West Bank did so. The community, numbering some 20 families, fled for their lives from where it lived due to repeated harassment by settlers. The 100 people who had remained fled on Thursday. “We didn’t leave, we escaped,” said one of the residents. “On Thursday they came and attacked us.”

Farasiya in the northern Jordan Valley also reported threats. A local resident said that five settlers came to them on Saturday night and told them that they must leave. “They were armed, and they hit children in the legs with their weapons,” he said. The residents say the Israeli police and civil administration don’t help them.

Not only expulsion is flourishing under the roar of guns in the south. The number of fatalities in the West Bank has also soared to an extraordinary degree. According to Palestinian Health Ministry data, 58 Palestinians were killed in the past week. According to the security establishment, about 10 of them were shot to death by settlers.

What is happening in the territories calls for military intervention and governmental attention. This time it isn’t “just” deepening the annexation and apartheid. Against the backdrop of the war in Gaza, the settlers’ crimes may push the Palestinians in the West Bank to violence, and bring about the opening of another front, which will make it difficult for the IDF to defend the country. The fact that the military and government allow these crimes to take place during wartime is itself a crime and a security failure. Unlike the failures that brought the current disaster upon Israel, this one can be stopped. The question is whether a government populated by settler representatives, who dream of Nakba 2.0 – or worse – is interested in, and capable of, enforcing limits upon these people.”

Israel’s Special Status Debunks the Claim of Unfair Criticism

After the attack by Hamas on 7 October, the ongoing violence has highlighted an undeniable reality: Israel can no longer argue that it is unfairly singled out for criticism. Throughout the years, it has consistently received special attention, robust support, and unwavering protection from Western nations. This was stunningly evident in the swift and unequivocal backing Israel received almost from the start of the war. The US has sent two carrier strike groups, Britain dispatched warships, and as of writing, the President of the United States is scheduled to visit Israel. The message is crystal clear: Israel is considered special.

Hence, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Israel receives particular critical attention, surpassing that of other nations accused of violations who receive only a fraction of the coverage and support that Israel gets, if at all. The criticism Israel claims is disproportionately directed at it is, in fact, proportional to the extensive attention and support it garners from the media and its political and military allies.

At least, this argument appears to be settled.

Wanted: Israeli and Palestinian Concert Pianists

One State Solution: Harmony, Peace, and Prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians, starting with Music

In advocating for the one-state solution as the only viable path to lasting peace, we emphasize that the fruits of peace far outweigh the fruits of war. The resources currently wasted on conflict can be redirected toward establishing a single, democratic state, creating a society where the dividends of unity, cooperation, and understanding are immeasurable.

Comprehensive political dialogue, negotiation, and diplomacy involving all relevant stakeholders are paramount in this pursuit. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict, deeply entrenched in historical, political, and social complexities, demands a transformative approach that embraces diversity and promotes shared values.

Our initiative seeks to bring together two concert pianists—one Israeli and one Palestinian—in a harmonious duet, symbolizing the peaceful coexistence that a unified state can offer. Beyond the symbolism, this collaboration exemplifies the potential for shared prosperity and cultural richness when people work together in peace.

By focusing on the one-state solution and fostering understanding between Israelis and Palestinians, we recognize that the resources squandered on conflict, both human and financial, can be harnessed to build a thriving society. The funds spent on military endeavors and divisions can be redirected to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development, ensuring a better future for all citizens. The dividends of such investments are not merely financial but extend to the social fabric of the nation—where tolerance, understanding, and acceptance flourish.

This initiative underscores that the pursuit of peace is not just a moral imperative but also an economically sound decision. Redirecting resources from conflict to nation-building efforts will not only pave the way for a harmonious society but also create opportunities for growth and development. By embracing the one-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians can transform their shared homeland into a beacon of coexistence, proving that the collective pursuit of peace yields far greater rewards than the divisive path of war.

Musical collaboration between Israelis and Palestinians is not novel, already pioneered by Jewish Argentinian pianist and composer Daniel Barenboim and the late Palestinian intellectual Edward Said. We simply need more of it, as it is such a powerful symbol of unity.

Let us invest in peace, nurture understanding, and together build a future where the melody of unity resonates far louder than the discord of division. Through genuine collaboration and shared commitment, the one-state solution can turn the vision of a harmonious society into a tangible reality, benefiting generations to come. Pianists with a passion for both musical and human harmony are encouraged to join us in this transformative endeavor, contributing to a future where the music of peace prevails.

To participate, please contact us by registering to leave a comment.

UN Secretary General Finally Clearly and Distinctly Calls Out Israel

This is an extract from an address to the Security Council by United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on 5th October 2023, as reported by hypothetical news correspondent Elysia Imaginon.

“We should no longer indulge those who refuse to hold Israel to the same standards we apply to many other rogue countries. Continuously debating and presenting evidence of violations only validates their argument that there is a genuine debate to be had. The truth is, there is not. The human rights abuses, the blatant violations of international law, and the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians are undeniable and visible to all who care to see.

We can no longer turn a blind eye. We must now recognize that those who persist in their support for Israel, by engaging in deals and transactions with the country while refusing to impose necessary sanctions, are essentially endorsing apartheid. It is our collective responsibility to stand against such injustice and demand accountability.”

Hypothetical News

There is real news, fake news and now hypothetical news.

Hypothetical news is a “what-if” sort of news that presents a would-be reality were the facts to be different or the truth be told. It is distinct from fake news, in that it does not aim to deceive but to simply showcase arguments by presenting the counterfactual of reality. Hypothetical news ponders “what-if” scenarios that could happen but haven’t yet, or may never. Useful perhaps for making a point, whilst making clear it is only speculative.

Ethical Dilemmas at the Dinner Table: Exploring Wealth Inequality Through the Lens of the Trolley Problem

Here is an interesting analogy between the unequal sharing of food at a dinner and the trolley problem, highlighting the ethical dilemma of wealth inequality and exploitation.

Consider a grand dinner where representatives from all walks of life gather. When asked if it would be justifiable for someone to deny others the best foods, a unanimous consensus emerges: such an act would be ethically unacceptable. This unanimous rejection mirrors the moral intuition behind the reluctance to push the fat man off the bridge to stop the trolley. It highlights our shared understanding that using someone merely as a means to an end is fundamentally wrong.

Now, shift our focus to a different scenario. Imagine a society where a select few accumulate vast wealth by underpaying and exploiting their workers. These capitalists enjoy the finest foods and luxuries, while their employees struggle to afford even basic necessities. Strangely, some individuals find this situation morally acceptable, akin to pulling a lever to drop the fat man onto the tracks (benefiting some, disadvantaging him) without physically touching him.

The subtlety lies in the indirect nature of the harm caused. Unlike the direct act of denying someone the best foods at the dinner table, the link between the exploitation of workers and the deprivation they face is obscured. This disconnect allows society to tolerate what would otherwise be deemed unacceptable. This ethical paradox challenges us to confront the underlying principles guiding our moral judgments. It urges us to question why we find some forms of harm acceptable when they are veiled in complexity, even though the fundamental violation of human dignity remains the same.”

The above was generated by ChatGPT 3.5 after giving it the following prompt:

“Construct a philosophical argument analogous to the trolley problem, using, as the ethical dilemma under examination, the unequal sharing of food at a dinner in place of pushing a fat man off a bridge. Following is my draft attempt. See if it works.

— In the first scenario representatives of all members of a society – from vagabonds to billionaires – are invited to a dinner. People are asked if it would be fair for anyone – by force or guile – to deny anyone else the best foods (such as the best wines and cuts of meat). The likely answer is no. It would be entirely unethical to act in that way at a dinner. And even if some people did not care about it being unethical, everyone would recognise it would be unacceptable and would refrain. This is akin to pushing the fat man off the bridge with your hands to stop the train. No one would do it.

In the second scenario, people are asked if it is fair for some individuals to be allowed to earn so much – by paying so little to those who work for them – so as to be able to afford the best foods etc., whilst those who work for them not only cannot afford the best foods but may not be able to afford to buy sufficient food, even of a poor quality. This is akin to the scenario of pulling a leaver to deliberately drop the fat man on to the track to stop the trolley, without having to physically touch him. Some people answer that they would do it, even though the fat man is being used as means to an end as in the first scenario, which most people would not condone. The fact that the enrichment of a few capitalist bosses from the poorly paid labour of their workers does not directly manifest in the deprivation of good food etc., from those workers permits us to accept what would otherwise be unacceptable should we be faced with it at the table.

— That’s the general gist of my argument. Does it work? Can you make a better try at it?”

What About the Others? Earthquakes and God’s Mercy

There has been another earthquake, this time in Morocco. So far, 2000 dead and certain to rise. On-the-scene reports and survivor testimonies lead the news. A frequent refrain, heard perhaps in the background or from a survivor, is thanks to god we were saved.

It may seem a little mean spirited to point it out, but what about the rest of them? Shouldn’t that be tacked onto the thanks sent heavenward? Thanks for saving me Lord, but what about the others?