Is Israel committing war crimes against the Palestinians in Gaza?
Remember when this happened? It wasn’t long ago:
Jewish Israeli Defence Minister described Palestinians in Gaza as ‘human animals,’ and is denying them food, water and electricity while raining down bombs on civilians and mosques.
Why aren't British politicians and Jewish representatives in the UK condemning this war crime? pic.twitter.com/SOBR8TqEmn— Ragged Trousered Philanderer (@RaggedTP) October 9, 2023
Bad move.
UN Secretary General warns Israel it must conduct military action in accordance with humanitarian law & protect civilians. Why is it so hard for the UK government and others to say the same? If we can’t abide by the UN and international law then what exactly are we fighting for? https://t.co/K912BUms6W
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) October 10, 2023
It’s a Geneva Convention law: nobody may be punished for an offence they have not personally committed and collective punishment is prohibited, as are pillages and the taking of hostages.
Palestinians are being held collectively responsible for the actions of Hamas. Collective punishment is illegal under the Geneva convention.
When it comes to the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli state & the ‘West’, international law apparently doesn’t apply! https://t.co/at0SWyIF6C pic.twitter.com/iYkYNMbaAb
— Phil Gould 🇵🇸🖕🥁 (@bongosaloon) October 10, 2023
So: international law demands that civilians must not be harmed (certainly not deliberately).
This may come as a surprise to the European Union! And, indeed to this King’s Counsel, Jeremy Brier, who doesn’t seem to know the law as well as he should.
Also to the UK’s Foreign Secretary, who went on the record to say that he backs these war crimes that are clear violations of the Geneva Convention:
UK Foreign Secretary backing clear violations of Geneva Conventions here. Yes: war crimes.
If we had a functioning media, this would be front-page news. If we had a functioning political system, he would have to resign.
We have neither. https://t.co/QfgHF1UTt1
— Matt Kennard (@kennardmatt) October 10, 2023
Sadly I must question whether the claim of an atrocity in a kibbutz near Gaza is an attempt to throw attention away from this.
I’m going to leave the last word – this time – to someone who experienced collective punishment as a person of Japanese ethnicity living in the United States during World War II, and went on to perform in a TV phenomenon that envisioned people of all colours, creeds and cultures living together in peace:
The Israeli government has cut off food, water, and fuel to 2 million people inside Gaza. Collective punishment is not only contrary to international law, it is inhumane and illogical. How will this deescalate the violence rather than radicalize many more? It is madness.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 9, 2023
So to the question in the headline.
Not all people in Gaza are members of Hamas, and should not be punished for what Hamas has done. That much is clear, especially considering the fact that fully half of the population – a million people – are children.
But the Israeli government has declared that it is attacking everybody in Gaza indiscriminately, describing the population as “human animals”.
Is Israel committing war crimes, then?
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Remember the nazis constantly claimed that jewish women, children and men were ‘non-human’ as were disabled women, children and men. Also not forgetting anyone who opposed the Nazi regime. This is what fascists and dictators always do – they ‘other’ certain groups in order to justify their war crimes!
Israeli military and their fascist government leaders are committing war crimes just as Hammas are so two wrongs do not make a right! But as usual ‘righteous hypocritical fascist tories claim they are ‘right’ in supporting fascist zionist Israel.
George Takei is correct – ‘The Israeli government has cut off food, water, and fuel to 2 million people inside Gaza. Collective punishment is not only contrary to international law, it is inhumane and illogical. How will this deescalate the violence rather than radicalize many more? It is madness.’
Indeed it is Zionist madness and will ensure this war escalates and more defenceless women, children and men will be murdered because some men believe it is their absolute right to steal other groups’ lands and then systematically bomb them to oblivion!
James Cleverley must resign because he is Foreign Secretary not a ‘voice piece’ for promoting war mongering!
Your position is absolutely right.
Let us not forget the ‘babies removed from incubators’ lie that enabled Gulf War I in 1990/1991.
It got massive coverage despite not being verified at all.
I saw Cleverly on the news at six (BBC) tonight (11 October) and he was asked about aid for Israel and humanitarian aid for Gaza. He refused to comment on what he was going to do, saying he was about to discuss this with the Israelis BUT, quite tellingly, he said something like (I have to paraphrase) that ‘Israel has the right to take action within the norms of war/humanitarian law’ or something.
The outcry has been large and from sources around the world who are NOT known for being anti-Jewish or even anti-Israeli. I feel this IS having some impact but the worst of the war crimes are happening before the rest of the world can even get its pants on, as usual.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult for Israel to get away with war crimes due to the internet and the widespread use of smart phones and drones. I think that Israel might resort to Chinese tactics of shutting down internet access and closing off phone access ie jamming. Of course we WOULD still find out but by then it would be too late..