Several high-profile shadow ministers, from the British Labour party, including Jess Philips, resigned this week.
Philips told news outlets: “I have to use my voice to try and wherever possible, move a dial. And look, I think this dial will move. I think that it won’t be too long before the US and the UK feel that the military action is achieving nothing.”
Honorable as resignations may be, in circumstances such as these (the issue in question was that Philips disagrees on Labour not backing a proposed ceasefire in Gaza) it’s gut-wrenching that 7 weeks have now past since the conflict of October 7th snowballed into the humanitarian crisis that we’ve woken up to each morning since, and yet many UK politicians are still not formally supporting a ceasefire.
Philips thinks “it won’t be too long” before that could change. How long is too long though, under the current circumstances in which those in Gaza find themselves today?
How is it possible or feasible, how is it acceptable or justifiable, that some of the world’s most powerful political figures are still towing a line that is allowing for the daily slaying of innocent people in Gaza?
What is the figure of deaths that will finally tip the scales here? Over 1,200 Israelis and over 11,200 Gazans have been killed since Oct 7th.
So, over 12,000 people, who were alive 42 days ago, have so far been killed in this conflict. In Gaza, those killed are leaving behind extended family members, too scared and under threat themselves to mourn lost ones, let alone preside over their burial.
12,000 lives. 12,000 lives, in 7 weeks. And UK politicians are justifying things to continue. Further bloodshed. I’m ashamed, as a British citizen. I cannot find any other words to describe the rancid loathing I feel for those currently in charge.
I’ve read a lot over the past weeks. I spent a lot of time in Israel some years ago and have worked in Gaza and the West Bank more recently. Like many commentators since October 7th, I don’t want to try and unpack and debate historical arguments. I want innocent people to stop fearing for their lives.
Perhaps the Israelis knew the attack was coming, and allowed it, in order to fuel their response – I have heard this said. Perhaps Hamas knew that, too, and were therefore further inspired in their mission, knowing that much of the region would then oppose Israel’s military intervention – I have also heard this said.
Whether both of these things could be true, or are true, neither side deserves the benefit of the doubt when it comes to killing innocent people. Both sides would be culpable of slaughter under cross-examination.
Today, in Gaza, the UN is talking of the very real scenario of mass starvation. We have known about the lack of usable unsalinated water in Gaza, for over a decade. We have been told about the frequent electricity shedding. About the border controls. The constant surveillance of Gazans. We are all familiar with the moniker of Gaza being “the world’s largest open-air prison”. And, we’ve sat back, and allowed it to continue that way.
These past weeks we’ve read about the cutting off of all water, all electricity, and all mobile networks to Gaza. Politicians continue to pontificate but are unable to force a ceasefire. Still now.
What will it take?
“This is not the carpet bombing, this is a different thing,” he mumbles, with all the gravitas of a gross waxwork, “they’re also bringing in incubators, they’re bringing in other means to help people in the hospital…this is a different story than I believe was occurring before with indiscriminate bombing. The IDF [Israeli Defense Force] acknowledges they have an obligation to use as much caution as they can going after targets.”
Acknowledging one’s “obligation to use as much caution as they can,” having already killed over 11,200 people in 7 weeks, is one of the most ludicrous statements I’ve heard Biden offer during his current tenure as Leader of the Free World. His playlist is a strong one, too, so this is going down on his Greatest Hits List.
Biden has refuted the 11,200 killed figure, also. He doesn’t trust the source. Like, that’s where we should be spending time, debating specifically how many innocent people have been killed.
Numbers, games, pompous, political, egotistical point scoring. When does it stop? When will people in power attribute equal value to the lives of everyone? Who decides who is more or less valuable to society?
What does ‘acknowledging an obligation’ even mean, Joe Biden?
It means nothing. It changes nothing. If anything, the more asinine waffle that drips out of Biden’s quivering lips, the more Hamas will be incentivized to continue their cause, the more the Israelis will feel emboldened to retaliate, and the more today’s ‘12,000 killed’ figure will grow and grow.
What a piece of work these “leaders” are. The fetid egos of so many of those in power, and their cowardice, stinks. They are not serious people.
I hope the public marches continue, I hope people keep writing, campaigning, and speaking out.
definitelymaybe 