In the past, I’ve been told that my attention to detail when it comes to wording can be frustrating. By this point you’ve no doubt noticed that almost every day I’m referring to what’s happening in Gaza as a ‘genocide’ as opposed to a war. That I frequently describe the state of Israel as an ‘apartheid state’. Or that the military campaign currently unfolding in Gaza is a clear example of ‘ethnic cleansing’. This is an intentional choice, as it helps keep us from overlooking the gravity of what’s happening.
For example, the situation right now in Gaza is not a “war” between Hamas and Israel, it’s the literal definition of “genocide”. Beyond the absurd death toll (~25,000 people), there is endless evidence of Israeli forces targeting homes, hospitals, and universities, anything that preserves Palestinian life or culture. If there had been any reports of Hamas leaders being among the victims or if the resistance in Gaza were somehow sporadically invading parts of Israel, then perhaps we could point to some equivalency. But that’s not what’s happening.
I know it can be hard to separate truth from fiction, particularly when most US media is completely detached from reality. The fact is our government is arming the apartheid state, actively preventing a ceasefire, and openly serving as Israel’s chief political, rhetorical, and diplomatic supporter throughout their indiscriminate bombing of Gaza. As this article from The Guardian points out, the apartheid state has been playing by different rules this entire time. Internal documents from the US state department show that special mechanisms have been utilized to protect Israel from being held to US human rights laws.
“State department officials have in effect been able to circumvent the US law that is meant to prevent US complicity in human rights violations by foreign military units – the 1990s era Leahy law, named after the now retired Vermont senator Patrick Leahy – because, former officials say, extraordinary internal state department policies have been put in place that show extreme deference to the Israeli government. No such special arrangements exist for any other US ally.”
But make no mistake, UN health emergency experts have been called into Gaza and they are stating plainly that Palestinians are dying every single day because of the overwhelmed hospitals (the one’s that are still functioning), which obviously can’t handle the tens of thousands of people injured in Israel’s ongoing military attacks.
If we’re going to continue talking about Gaza (as we most certainly should), let’s be sure to employ the correct language and avoid minimizing the worst open violation of human rights in years.
Side Items
Trading Airstrikes: Airstrikes between Iran and Pakistan this week have killed at least 11 people, which is a significant escalation in the tense relations between the neighboring nations. Something to keep an eye on
Killer Cops Get Paid: 3 Washington state piglets who were somehow cleared of criminal charges in the murder of Manuel Ellis – a man who was shocked and beaten while he pleaded for breath – will each receive half a million dollars to leave the Tacoma Police Department. These guys are so bad at their job that they’re being paid 500 stacks to go away! If only there were a job that offered me the same opportunity without involving murder