I've watched the unfolding events over the last few weeks in the Middle East with a growing sense of dispair. It's the one region in the world that seems intent on self-destructing itself, time and time again.
The sad thing is that some of the Western Media, especially in the USA seems to be very one-sided in reporting issues and events that occur. Most of you know many reasons for this. A strong Israel-lobby, trade and military sales that help both country's economies and ties that stretch back a number of years.
Some of you will know my views on Israel and it's Government. Just to clear up any confusion first and so you can know my 'bias' before you read the rest of this. I believe the Israel Government is blood-thirsty, uncaring about civilian deaths and very, very in breach of international human right laws, the Geneva convention and so on.
Most of you will have seen that the United Nations and other international bodies such as the EU have condemned the latest offensive by Israel, some have gone as far as saying that such attacks breach the Geneva convention or are collective punishment. I agree.
Just in case, here are some links from the BBC showing either acts of terrorism by Israel or Governments / institutions accusing Israel of terrorism / illegal acts:
Israel damages Foreign Ministry - Collective Punishment and targeting infrastructure (July 2006)
Israeli human rights groups accuse the Government of collective punishment (July 2006)
United Nations warns of Humanitarian Disaster caused by Israel (July 2006)
United Nations Human Rights Council says Israel violating Geneva Convention (July 2006)
All of these articles as well as many more can be found around the internet and on the TV press, this is not the BBC being bias, it is rather that they are some of the best reporters and coverage in the Middle East.
It saddens and makes me so angry what Israel is doing in the region. The stories above are just a small sliver of their blood-thirsty cake. We already know about the power-station they blew up, the bridges and infrastructure they target on a regular basis, their indiscriminate shelling of open land (and beaches) that cause such huge civilian life.
Israel justifies this by saying that the terrorist attacks against them are trying to destroy them. It's such a blatent lie, the terrorists can never destroy them, and Israel can never destroy the Terrorists. But every bomb that kills Arab / non-Israeli children will just breed a new generation of terrorists. Every time Israel withholds legal monies, destroys infrastructure or kills children it creates hate.
Now Israel is invading Lebanon. They have destroyed or highly damaged the only international airport, apparently because it provides supplies to the militants on the border. Any sane person can see that's rubbish, they're just trying to put pressure on the coalition Government in Lebanon.
Even there though, Israel's blood-thirst is revealed. Hezbollah has ONE government cabinet post, yet Israel has said "It holds Lebanon's Government responsible" for the recent capture of two further soldiers.... This is such a lie as usual. Israel should hold itself responsible for their capture, by provoking militant groups and civilians alike it becomes easier and easier every day for them to justify renewed attacks on Israeli targets.
What to do
1) Write to your local MP or member of congress / Senate, inform them that they should be putting pressure on the Government or directly to stop the bloodshed and force Israel to withdraw to it's own land.
2) Write letters to the Israeli Embassy denouncing their war-crimes and urging them to return to their land and accept a cease-fire and USA or EU led round-table talks on the future of the crisis.
3) Sign Internet petitions that exist demanding that Israel halt agression in the Middle East and provide funds to rebuild the infrastructure it has destroyed in countries in the Middle East.
4) Write to your Government and demand that it makes a statement condemning the Israeli offensive, include links and sources that show Israel's blood-thirsty actions (such as those above) or use quotes the BBC has gathered, eg "We will turn the clock back twenty years in Lebanon" (Israeli General) to show how little they care for Civilians etc.
5) On a given day, demonstrate outside the local Israeli embassy against their policies.
It's time to make a stand and do what we can. In our hearts most of us know that 'Peace Walls', Collective Punishment, targeting civilians and so on is not right and that it should stop. We also know that Israel likes to try and make itself out to be the victim of some massive terrorism campaign. The truth is far less impressive. Death from terrorism have fallen, a cease-fire was in-place before Israel broke it and the vast majority of Israeli' Civilians live in peace and safety far from either the Occupied territories, the Gaza Strip etc. They are far out of range of home-made rockets etc. They're mostly safe.
On the other hand, Palestinian and Arab civilians live in daily fear of helicopter gunships, shelling, smart-missiles, attack-drones and Israeli soldiers who murder and shoot Civilians and then get away with it.
Let's make a stand and do something. An internet petition first?
Israel supporters, you have your own threads, enjoy those. All the sources and statements above can be backed up with links to websites, journals, the Economist etc. Ask me to quote more sources and I'll just know you're doing it to be aggrevating on purpose. This truth is more than you can ever give with your bias, your claims of "Defence" and every other lie.
Israel murders schoolchild (Oct 2004)
United Nations condemns repeated murders of schoolchildren by Israeli weapons fire (Sept 2004)
