Time and time again, the human rights attorney Noura Erakat writes, we see evidence of the law’s assumed insignificance in the dispossession of Palestinians.
The sociopaths who run things are unimpressed by our cleverness, our word games, our tightly reasoned arguments and close readings of texts, unmoved by facts, logic, evidence or morality, as long as they have force on their side, as long as the cops and army will shoot when ordered to do so.
It's like trying to reason with a schoolyard bully. Truly, this never grows old:
"A WOLF, meeting with a lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea, which should justify to the lamb himself, his right to eat him.
He then addressed him: Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me.
Indeed, bleated the lamb in a mournful tone of voice: I was not then born.
Then said the wolf: You feed in my pasture.
No, good sir, replied the lamb: I have not yet tasted grass.
Again said the wolf: You drink of my well.
No, exclaimed the lamb: I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me.
Upon which the wolf seized him and ate him up, saying: Well! I won't remain supper-less, even though you refute every one of my imputations.
Moral: The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be unjust."
American (small ‘d’) democracy prevailed in the Civil War — however this fast coming war will be a Wealth/Inequality War — which effectively will recognize America, as it exists now having turned its power into the first Global Empire on this basis of this recognition:
Another wise old owl who threw out words altogether, went into Action, broke out of prison (with help), prefers rats to cats (most do), opened hearts and found FREEDOM! Don't know if this will open:
The Zionist lobby has made it their life mission to strangle Human Rights Legislation (across the globe) in its crib, opting instead to push the 'Rules Based International System,' which is shorthand for 'the US & friends are exempt; everyone else follows the Law'
This can only end with violent confrontations, as people denied basic rights (security, self-determination, safety, etc.) will turn more to weapons & munitions, rather than corrupted courts.
I have read Noura's book I highly recommend it! Thank you Noura you and the many other educated spokesman are the future leaders of a Palestinian State. Well spoken Palestinian's like Noura are rarely shown on CNN. MNSBC, Morning Joe or any of the big three ABC, CBS, ABC Lets hope Israel doesn't finish off the 2nd Nakba before these voices are heard and believed by the American public!
On Thursday, the court in the Northern District of California ruled that there was no civil action that could be brought under the genocide convention due to the "political question" doctrine. The State Department told the judge that the US had brought the Genocide convention into US law through the criminal statutes. The relevant statute is 18 U.S. Code § 1091. Unless we want to believe that Congress passed a law that could not be enforced, which is not an interpretation normally favored, then there must be a way to enforce it. Let's find that way. Is it your local community? Could your city, county or state's law enforcement take steps to enforce this statute? Could they arrest Blinken, Biden, Kirby, et al, should the step foot in that jurisdiciton? Could Chicago? Could the people make citizens arrests? Could that be encorporated into actions going forward? I don't know, but I really want to find out.
No it's not too late. It's never too late. I'm so impressed by this body of work Noura Erakat has brought out. It is not just the "facts" in his-story books, but connecting the dots, bringing meaning and life to those assembled facts with fresh eyes and passionate caring and honesty in the face of the genocide we witness daily. I do not think legally, but I understand a little better now the mechanisms/machinations through which this brutal colonial agenda moves forward, legitimizing itself. Which means many others who read her book, at varying levels of power and influence, will be touched and motivated as well. There is strength in numbers, and one by one, ten by ten, a hundred by a hundred and on and on is how knowledge, the potential evolution of beneficial laws and true justice and solidarity grow that has the power to overcome and stop this beast.
It has happened before and can happen again and the number of people bearing witness, even to these "legal" obscenities, while staying firmly rooted in the heart with what is ethically and morally right in solidarity with those being harmed - the Palestinians, Gazans, Yeminis - are far more powerful than we can imagine. And not to forget the Greater Laws - of the natural world, our Earth and the morning and evening star, the rivers, plants, polar bears, glaciers, wolves and sheep and owls and pussycats and olive trees are always completely aligned with all who faithfully serve life on Earth, in small or large ways. Why else are we here?
To counteract the malicious acts of our governments, we the people must step up into the breech they have caused by stopping funding for UNRWA, by going to https://www.unrwausa.org/donate and giving as generously as you can. Please also make a strong statement that if our government won't act on behalf of humanity, we well.
Many thanks to Chris Hedges and Professor Erakat for this illuminating discussion.
As Professor Erakat said we must end the bloodshed. There must be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in order to comply with the ICJ ruling. Not with Palestinians suffering under oppressive conditions, but as a place where all live with peace and equality. It is time for Pope Francis to do more than talk. He must go to Gaza and make a stand for peace and freedom.
I just read that 500,000 Israelis moved permanently to the US in the past three months. So white settler colonization continues in the US at a higher rate. One aspect of this type of colonization is that the settlers plan to stay permanently. Americans who are white settler colonizers also invite more people to settle to ensure they have control over the area on which they settle. Native Americans are susceptible to this type of exploitation and invasion! I’m sorry that people do not realize how destructive this continuous abuse towards Indigenous communities and peoples.
Look it up! It was a legitimate news source, and there were many. I am stating that this is true, and my friend who is a PhD and an expert on white settler colonialism states the first thing is that white settlers believe they can invite other settlers in the area they are illegally settling on, including the lands still claimed by the 1868 Treaties with the Oceti Sakowin Bands —Teton Tribes. So basically, it’s encouraging other settlers. But then everyone is freaking out about the borders. These settlers are worse because they have been perpetrating violence in Israel against Palestinians, but Americans are tremendously worried about Mexicans at the borders, but no one stops the Israelis from coming in. To the tune of a half a million.
The only similar articles I found were a couple of months old and stated 470,000 Israelis total had left for ALL other countries total. I found a few other mentions of US/Israeli dual citizens returning to USA, but nobody claimed such a large number.
So, if you please? Do share whatever your source was. I HAVE tried looking.
I just watched you tube with John Berger's reading of Ghassan Kanafani's "Letter from Gaza". About his niece Nadia and leaving Gaza or staying. Watching the Genocide and Maiming of children before us today it is guaranteed to bring a tear and the true meaning of Samud!
America should not be conned by the likes of Victoria “ef the EU”, PNAC, Kagan Nuland — as she did in 2014 in ‘ginning-up’ the Ukrainian war — and may well have been ‘ginning up’ the Hamas Israeli, ‘ginned-up’ con artist war, which ‘we the American people’ are being drawn into by Israel.
Those 85 bombing attacks in the Middle East had better not have been against ‘civilian targets’, rather than clearly limited to only purely “military targets”, if “we the American people” don’t want to be drawn or dragged into the ICJ on the charge of Genocide.
This sneaky crap of “the deceit of War” against any ‘civilian targets’ will be a real killer if America is prosecuting Israel’s war more than our own!
Bad enough for America having been blemished by Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. etc. et. al. — as Joe should say “We’re the United States of America” and we’re not only the Greatest, Richest, and Powerful country in the World — but we won’t do Genocide at others request!
The sociopaths who run things are unimpressed by our cleverness, our word games, our tightly reasoned arguments and close readings of texts, unmoved by facts, logic, evidence or morality, as long as they have force on their side, as long as the cops and army will shoot when ordered to do so.
It's like trying to reason with a schoolyard bully. Truly, this never grows old:
"A WOLF, meeting with a lamb astray from the fold, resolved not to lay violent hands on him, but to find some plea, which should justify to the lamb himself, his right to eat him.
He then addressed him: Sirrah, last year you grossly insulted me.
Indeed, bleated the lamb in a mournful tone of voice: I was not then born.
Then said the wolf: You feed in my pasture.
No, good sir, replied the lamb: I have not yet tasted grass.
Again said the wolf: You drink of my well.
No, exclaimed the lamb: I never yet drank water, for as yet my mother's milk is both food and drink to me.
Upon which the wolf seized him and ate him up, saying: Well! I won't remain supper-less, even though you refute every one of my imputations.
Moral: The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and it is useless for the innocent to try by reasoning to get justice, when the oppressor intends to be unjust."
When the lamb sleeps with the lion, what shall the lion eat?
Surely the carrion of sweet surprise.
When the poor visit the manor,
What do the nobles see
Only their victims, expendable lives.
American (small ‘d’) democracy prevailed in the Civil War — however this fast coming war will be a Wealth/Inequality War — which effectively will recognize America, as it exists now having turned its power into the first Global Empire on this basis of this recognition:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Thg0Gtt7HsQ/US5J66UwrbI/AAAAAAAAALk/N8a6BsVSIE8/s1600/WealthDistribution.jpg
Sounds to me that Jonathan Mitchell might well have received his legal training at Trump Law School, eh???
Never talked with an owl. They hunt cats, at least the big ones do.
Another wise old owl who threw out words altogether, went into Action, broke out of prison (with help), prefers rats to cats (most do), opened hearts and found FREEDOM! Don't know if this will open:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/02/nyregion/flaco-outlaw-kakutani.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article
The Zionist lobby has made it their life mission to strangle Human Rights Legislation (across the globe) in its crib, opting instead to push the 'Rules Based International System,' which is shorthand for 'the US & friends are exempt; everyone else follows the Law'
This can only end with violent confrontations, as people denied basic rights (security, self-determination, safety, etc.) will turn more to weapons & munitions, rather than corrupted courts.
"Muh Rules Based International Order(R)" is simply a glorified game of Calvinball, overseen by a vengeful thug.
(For those interested)
If you wish to read (& listen!) to more of My commentary, here is my Main Stack:
https://thefallofthewest.substack.com
Thank You Kindly to everyone!
Wow
That's all I can say. Palestine must be freed of Israeli domination/persecution. NOW
I have read Noura's book I highly recommend it! Thank you Noura you and the many other educated spokesman are the future leaders of a Palestinian State. Well spoken Palestinian's like Noura are rarely shown on CNN. MNSBC, Morning Joe or any of the big three ABC, CBS, ABC Lets hope Israel doesn't finish off the 2nd Nakba before these voices are heard and believed by the American public!
On Thursday, the court in the Northern District of California ruled that there was no civil action that could be brought under the genocide convention due to the "political question" doctrine. The State Department told the judge that the US had brought the Genocide convention into US law through the criminal statutes. The relevant statute is 18 U.S. Code § 1091. Unless we want to believe that Congress passed a law that could not be enforced, which is not an interpretation normally favored, then there must be a way to enforce it. Let's find that way. Is it your local community? Could your city, county or state's law enforcement take steps to enforce this statute? Could they arrest Blinken, Biden, Kirby, et al, should the step foot in that jurisdiciton? Could Chicago? Could the people make citizens arrests? Could that be encorporated into actions going forward? I don't know, but I really want to find out.
Please share your thoughts.
No it's not too late. It's never too late. I'm so impressed by this body of work Noura Erakat has brought out. It is not just the "facts" in his-story books, but connecting the dots, bringing meaning and life to those assembled facts with fresh eyes and passionate caring and honesty in the face of the genocide we witness daily. I do not think legally, but I understand a little better now the mechanisms/machinations through which this brutal colonial agenda moves forward, legitimizing itself. Which means many others who read her book, at varying levels of power and influence, will be touched and motivated as well. There is strength in numbers, and one by one, ten by ten, a hundred by a hundred and on and on is how knowledge, the potential evolution of beneficial laws and true justice and solidarity grow that has the power to overcome and stop this beast.
It has happened before and can happen again and the number of people bearing witness, even to these "legal" obscenities, while staying firmly rooted in the heart with what is ethically and morally right in solidarity with those being harmed - the Palestinians, Gazans, Yeminis - are far more powerful than we can imagine. And not to forget the Greater Laws - of the natural world, our Earth and the morning and evening star, the rivers, plants, polar bears, glaciers, wolves and sheep and owls and pussycats and olive trees are always completely aligned with all who faithfully serve life on Earth, in small or large ways. Why else are we here?
“Palestine is the conscience of the world”---and is being strangled before our dull eyes 😱
To counteract the malicious acts of our governments, we the people must step up into the breech they have caused by stopping funding for UNRWA, by going to https://www.unrwausa.org/donate and giving as generously as you can. Please also make a strong statement that if our government won't act on behalf of humanity, we well.
Many thanks to Chris Hedges and Professor Erakat for this illuminating discussion.
As Professor Erakat said we must end the bloodshed. There must be a permanent ceasefire in Gaza in order to comply with the ICJ ruling. Not with Palestinians suffering under oppressive conditions, but as a place where all live with peace and equality. It is time for Pope Francis to do more than talk. He must go to Gaza and make a stand for peace and freedom.
Please sign the petition and share widely.
https://chng.it/CRQ7qw4Gzn
Codepink:
https://www.codepink.org/cnngaza?utm_campaign=12_15_pali_update_alert_3&utm_medium=email&utm_source=codepink
Ceasefire Now
https://www.change.org/p/sign-and-share-this-urgent-petition-calling-for-a-cease
firenow-in-gaza-and-israel
These are a few small things we can do. If we can do more, let us do more.
It's time to abandon the Jewish 7-day week. How about 9 or 10-day week?
I just read that 500,000 Israelis moved permanently to the US in the past three months. So white settler colonization continues in the US at a higher rate. One aspect of this type of colonization is that the settlers plan to stay permanently. Americans who are white settler colonizers also invite more people to settle to ensure they have control over the area on which they settle. Native Americans are susceptible to this type of exploitation and invasion! I’m sorry that people do not realize how destructive this continuous abuse towards Indigenous communities and peoples.
@Nikster
Do please share links to your sources re: half a million Israelis emigrating to USA since October 7th?
Look it up! It was a legitimate news source, and there were many. I am stating that this is true, and my friend who is a PhD and an expert on white settler colonialism states the first thing is that white settlers believe they can invite other settlers in the area they are illegally settling on, including the lands still claimed by the 1868 Treaties with the Oceti Sakowin Bands —Teton Tribes. So basically, it’s encouraging other settlers. But then everyone is freaking out about the borders. These settlers are worse because they have been perpetrating violence in Israel against Palestinians, but Americans are tremendously worried about Mexicans at the borders, but no one stops the Israelis from coming in. To the tune of a half a million.
@Nikster
The only similar articles I found were a couple of months old and stated 470,000 Israelis total had left for ALL other countries total. I found a few other mentions of US/Israeli dual citizens returning to USA, but nobody claimed such a large number.
So, if you please? Do share whatever your source was. I HAVE tried looking.
I just watched you tube with John Berger's reading of Ghassan Kanafani's "Letter from Gaza". About his niece Nadia and leaving Gaza or staying. Watching the Genocide and Maiming of children before us today it is guaranteed to bring a tear and the true meaning of Samud!
MY AD-HOC, FOCUS GROUP-TESTED, and MOST FAVORABLE PROTEST/DEMONSTRATION SIGHS SIMPLY SAY:
LOVE
OVER
VIOLENT
EMPIRE
LIVE FREE
FROM
EMPIRE
OR DIE
AMUSING
OURSELVES
TO
DEATH
INEQUALITY
CAUSED BY
BILLIONAIRE
BASTARDS
NEGATIVE
EXTERNALITY
COST
LYING & LOOTING
POSITIVE
EXTERNALITY
PROFIT
FOR PEOPLE
DEMOCRATIC
SOCIALISM
vs.
CAPITALIST
CANCER
America should not be conned by the likes of Victoria “ef the EU”, PNAC, Kagan Nuland — as she did in 2014 in ‘ginning-up’ the Ukrainian war — and may well have been ‘ginning up’ the Hamas Israeli, ‘ginned-up’ con artist war, which ‘we the American people’ are being drawn into by Israel.
Those 85 bombing attacks in the Middle East had better not have been against ‘civilian targets’, rather than clearly limited to only purely “military targets”, if “we the American people” don’t want to be drawn or dragged into the ICJ on the charge of Genocide.
This sneaky crap of “the deceit of War” against any ‘civilian targets’ will be a real killer if America is prosecuting Israel’s war more than our own!
Bad enough for America having been blemished by Nam, Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. etc. et. al. — as Joe should say “We’re the United States of America” and we’re not only the Greatest, Richest, and Powerful country in the World — but we won’t do Genocide at others request!
Thank you Chris! highly impressive! Palestinians like Noura need to be heard more often!
NYT censors or destroys everything I write
It was a piece of cake! Come on! Almost a half million