Over the years I have been equally distressed by the unquestioning support governments of the UK[1] and USA for what amounts to regular breaches of human rights and international law by Israel. I know there is a long history in the Middle East and the UK doesn’t exactly stand out as a shining example of how to do things correctly.

One thing which continually surprises me is the deliberate cruelty of the Israeli state to Gaza and the West bank which constitutes an international crime and this doesn’t include the murders on unarmed people including children which were committed in Gaza in the last armed invasion. Its not surprising if they build little rockets and fire them over the border when you keep them in what amounts to a large prison (Gaza) for years. Even the UN say that the ‘permitted’ imports are a quarter of what is required for a civilised life in the area. Theft of land and degrading treatment of the resident Arabs are only part of it. Jews have suffered persecution for hundreds of years in various countries and they know what it is like to be on the receiving end of such treatment. More shame on them for making others endure such things.

Then we have the Nuclear issue, Israel is a nuclear state with an estimated 200 warheads in the hands of an aggressive administration who appear to have tried to sell the technology to the Apartheid South African Government in the past. Yet there are no sanctions imposed on them, indeed the UK and USA finance the country and appear to give them whatever technology they want on generous terms. I get angry when I consider the treatment meted out to Iran on the nuclear issue who are trying to build up an industry. As far as I am concerned Iran is perfectly entitled to build such weapons up to and including the number that Israel has. Anyone wanting them to reduce their planned stockpile should enforce the same reductions on Israel! Anything else is both grossly unfair and unreasonable.

What should be done? Well, in the first case Israel should be treated in the same way as Apartheid South African, trade should be limited to essential food and medicines. All other commerce prohibited and all loans should be called in by the lenders. The leaders of Israel should be summoned to the international court (they probably won’t go) in the same way as other war criminals have been prosecuted in the past. Whilst this won’t immediately fix things it delivers an unmistakable message. Finally Lebanon, Gaza, West Bank and other states should have their international borders guaranteed and enforced by force by the international community.

This is the first time I’ve written about this situation. The killings on the Turkish ship in an attack which I regard as state sponsored piracy in International waters finally pushed me over the tipping point. Maybe the international reaction these events might finally bring real pressure on Israel, it certainly made me speak out for the first time. I suppose I’ll have my website attacked as a result of writing this.

Andy

[1] Yes I am British and frequently feel a mixture of shame and anger about our politicians from both main parties. Trade and commerce is important but you shouldn’t sacrifice your essential principles of right and wrong.