Thursday, November 16: Much Ado About Nothing
So Hamas wasn't hiding in tunnels under the hospital...now what?
Are you sitting down? I’d hate to knock anyone over with the shocking discovery that Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza isn’t actually a secret militant headquarters for Hamas.
Despite the apartheid state of Israel tweeting that they’d found “Hamas’ operational command center” in the hospital, what they actually “found” (or more likely planted) were ten rusted guns, a handful of grenades, and a few seemingly untouched copies of the Quran. Not exactly what they were claiming they’d find, but to make the lie more unbelievable, they claimed these guns were discovered hidden behind the MRI machine at the hospital. I’m no medical professional, but I’m told that MRI’s function as giant magnets, not exactly the kind of place a person would store weaponry.
Meanwhile, some western outlets are beginning the long walk back from their claims that Hamas had bombed the Palestinian hospital, saying that, “Evidence Points to Israeli Shells in Strikes on Gaza’s Largest Hospital”. But no lack of evidence was ever going to stop the US and western media outlets from parroting Israel’s lies. The problem isn’t that Israeli propaganda has become so embarrassingly bad, in many ways it’s always been bad, most of the western world just hasn’t paid attention. The real problem is that these transparently fabricated claims are echoed as credible information by so many Western politicians and journalists. It's a political choice, and it will never change.
Whether or not the hospital is actually a secret headquarters for Hamas (it isn’t) Israeli occupation forces raised their fascist flag over Al Shifa in Gaza yesterday. So congratulations on ‘conquering’ a hospital full of the sick, injured, and dead Palestinians I guess. Congrats on ‘conquering’ the premature babies on the cusp of death.
Bloodthirsty Israeli forces also began dropping leaflets yesterday warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, indicating a likely expansion of the ethnic cleansing campaign that’s destroyed most of northern Gaza. Of course, southern Gaza was the zone where most of the territory’s population initially fled to escape Israel’s bombardment and ground assault, but it was only a matter of time before the south was considered fair game. Now the question is, where exactly are these hundreds of thousands of Palestinians meant to flee? The borders are still closed, the water and electricity are still cut off, the bombs are still dropping, every day more people are being killed.
Also yesterday, The Guardian took down a “Letter to the American People” written by Osama Bin Laden due to people on TikTok discussing how he accurately blamed America for its role in the ethnic cleansing of Palestine by arming Israel. The document had been online for 20+ years. But those in power saw fit to remove it this week. Personally, I think Americans should know that the 9/11 attacks were directly related to US support for the apartheid state and US troops in Saudi Arabia. I consider it helpful context for deciding whether US “foreign policy” (read: imperialism) should change.
Across the country and around the world, direct action is being taken to force elected officials to call for a ceasefire. The animatronic skeleton serving as president will be visiting San Francisco today, so it’s only right that residents of the Bay Area shut down the Bay Bridge demanding a ceasefire. In Los Angeles, protesters shut down rush hour traffic calling for a ceasefire. In Washington DC, protesters shut down the democratic party headquarters, with police responding the only way they know how; with tear gas, pepper spray, and arrests for anyone brave enough to stand in their way.
The struggle continues, but don’t lose hope. Don’t ever feel pity for Palestinians, these are a proud people, with a long and storied history of fighting against oppression. Show them your support by reminding them that you stand with them, but don’t ever feel sorry for them. You and I are no one's savior. We are simply mutual partners in the ongoing pursuit of liberation. Act accordingly.
Side Items
Starbucks Strike: Thousands of Starbucks workers from around 200 unionized stores will go on strike today during the coffee conglomerate’s Red Cup Day. Baristas from ~30 stores across the country kicked off surprise walkouts yesterday, demanding the company bargain on important issues including staffing and scheduling. No coffee is worth crossing a picket line my friends
No More Nazi Police: A brand new policy recently adopted by Chicago’s civilian police oversight agency will ban Chicago police officers from participating in hate and extremist groups in the future. No word on whether or not Chicago’s police department itself is currently classified as a hate group or an extremist group, but perhaps someday soon
Walls Closing In On Scamtos: A house of representatives ethics panel found 'substantial evidence' of lawbreaking by New York’s George “Scam Queen” Santos. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the world caught on to his scammery, but I guess it was fun while it lasted