A few days ago, the UNRWA shared a photo on social media of the extent of destruction in Gaza with the simple caption, “There are no words.”
With all respect and deference to the UNRWA, whose work is undeniably critical, here are a few words that run through my head on the daily, as we continue to grapple with the most blatant and best-documented violation of human rights in modern memory.
For starters, there’s the ongoing and devastatingly intentional targeting of individuals affiliated with various universities and schools in Gaza; educators and educational records, teachers and students alike. These attacks are purposeful, and the word I’ve learned to describe them is scholasticide. Beyond the targeting of specific educators, there’s the larger and equally devious pattern of destroying educational institutions, leveling schools, universities and libraries, which I’ve learned is generally referred to as epistemicide or the killing of knowledge systems.
Then of course there’s the endless efforts of western leaders to play both sides of this genocide, simultaneously claiming to care about the wellbeing of Palestinians while also continuing to provide the means to kill them. Talking out of one side of their mouths about the importance of humanitarian aid while not using any part of their mouths to inform the apartheid state of Israel that it cannot continue to withhold it. Preaching about ‘values’ and ‘democracy’ while funding, defending, and justifying a genocide. This can only be accurately described as murderous chicanery.
The US could’ve chosen to send vital medical equipment to Gaza. Hell, if they wanted to, the cowards leading this country could initiate and enforce a ceasefire today. Instead they prioritize sending more bombs to the apartheid state. Now the US has threatened//promised to veto a new ceasefire resolution in Gaza before it’s even presented, preemptively destroying any hope for an end to the violence. Don’t ever forget the fact that these are intentional choices. One of the many consequences of these choices is that thousands of Palestinian children are needlessly having their limbs amputated due to a lack of adequate medical care. From a moral standpoint, Biden might as well be lining up these kids personally and cutting off their arms.
We’ve witnessed 135 days of repeated documentation and credible testimony of the execution of innocent young children in Gaza. A quite literally overwhelming amount of video evidence of unarmed children, women, and men being gunned down by soldiers in cold blood. Every person in Gaza is currently being starved, and nearly every person has already been displaced. What would you term this type of violence? This has been and continues to be a genocide. Say it, repeat it, recognize it, and don’t be confused.
Side Items
The Future of Journalism: This week, the biggest and most important trial relating to freedom of the press will be decided. You probably recall the name Julian Assange, the Australian journalist behind the infamous WikiLeaks incident back in 2010. Assange has been in a London prison for almost five years for exposing state criminality, and this week, judges will hear arguments in an application for leave to appeal that the Wikileaks founder should not be taken from the high-security Belmarsh prison where he’s been locked up to go face trial in the US. This country has been drooling at the prospect of punishing Assange, and a potential 175-year jail sentence is hanging over his head. He faces 18 criminal counts for his alleged role in obtaining and sharing classified documents that revealed the true depth of depravity of so many western leaders
Not Protecting, Definitely Not Serving: The NYPD unveiled their official dance team recently, prompting many to ask the necessary question, “Why the hell does a police department have a dance team?” An excellent question, particularly when considering how many services in NYC have had their budgets drained to give more money to the city’s bloated police department. It’s only a matter of time before we get footage of one of these dancing bozos pirouetting in the background of some casual police misconduct