I’d just like to acknowledge that South Africa wouldn’t have such a strong case without the work of the journalists, both alive and martyred, on the ground in Gaza supplying the world with firsthand information about the genocide and that they deserve thanks for it.
from al jazeera's live coverage of the first ICJ hearing
from al jazeeras live reporting of the first ICJ hearing, 11 Jan 2024
UPDATE: Tune in to the International Court of Justice tomorrow, January 11, 2024, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. CET on UNWebTV. Don't look away. — (Access South Africa's 84-page case here)
Jan 5, 2024 - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres' Letter on the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2712 (Nov. 15, 2023), per the request of UN Security Council Resolution 2712 (Dec. 22, 2023)
"In closing, based on information received to date, and consistent with my previous updates to this Council, resolution 2712 (2023) is far from being implemented and progress remains woefully insufficient." "After more than 80 days of intense fighting, the people of Gaza have reached a breaking point of deprivation and despair. This must end. We need civilians and the life-sustaining infrastructure they rely on to be protected. We need the remaining hostages to be released immediately and unconditionally. We need consistent, safe humanitarian access, at scale."
Please read every word. Don't look away.
“I’m not aware of any kind of formal assessment being done by the United States government to analyze the compliance with international law by our partner Israel,” he said. “We have not seen anything that would convince us that we need to take a different approach in terms of trying to help Israel defend itself.” — John Kirby, U.S. National Security Council spokesperson
Israel has killed over 22k Palestinians in nearly three months, 12k of whom were CHILDREN. This is not defense, this is not justice, this is an affront to international law.
Source: UNICEF
Palestinians in Gaza are being decimated at this very moment, with weapons supplied unconditionally by the United States. ISRAEL MUST STOP THE CARNAGE. THE U.S./BIDEN ADMIN MUST STOP THE COMPLICITY. DON'T LOOK AWAY.
*IMPORTANT REPORTING* A Times Investigation Tracked Israel’s Use of One of Its Most Destructive Bombs in South Gaza
(Source: New York Times | Last Updated Dec. 22, 2023) During the first six weeks of the war in Gaza, Israel routinely used one of its biggest and most destructive bombs in areas it designated safe for civilians, according to an analysis of visual evidence by The New York Times
Here's a clip for easy access, but please WATCH the FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE with no paywall * Warning: Graphic Content* Ultimately, the investigation identified 208 craters in satellite imagery and drone footage. ... the findings reveal that 2,000-pound bombs posed a pervasive threat to civilians seeking safety across south Gaza. Reporting By Robin Stein, Haley Willis, Ishaan Jhaveri, Danielle Miller, Aaron Byrd and Natalie Reneau
This is not defense, this is not justice, this is an affront to international humanitarian law. Stop the carnage.
The international community must do more than merely profess the defense of human rights; it must also ensure compliance in practice. DON'T LOOK AWAY. KEEP UP PUBLIC PRESSURE. PUSH FOR PEACE.
Following its application to the ICJ, South Africa's presidency said in a statement that the country was obliged "to prevent genocide from occurring". "South Africa is gravely concerned with the plight of civilians caught in the present Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip due to the indiscriminate use of force and forcible removal of inhabitants," it said. >> Access the full case here.
TODAY (Jan 3, 2024) — U.S. White House National Security Council Spokesman John Kirby Calls South Africa's Suit "Meritless, Counterproductive, and Completely Without Basis in Fact" (Source: C-SPAN, PBS)
The White House's response is blatant gaslighting and displays a callous disregard for human life.
DON'T LOOK AWAY. Read the full case/evidence for yourself. PUSH FOR PEACE.
Dec. 12, 2023: Biden describes Israel's military conduct as "indiscriminate bombing" (Source: Associated Press) Dec. 21, 2023: NYT Investigation confirms Israel "routinely" bombs "areas it designated safe for civilians" (Source: NYT)
Dec. 29, 2023: Despite the well-documented war crimes against Palestinians and the humanitarian catastrophe inflicted by Israel ... *the US sends more weapons*
(Source: Associated Press)
This is not defense, this is not justice, this is an affront to international law. Palestinians are being decimated at this very moment. ISRAEL MUST STOP THE CARNAGE. THE U.S. MUST STOP THE COMPLICITY. I haven't seen Palestinians or Gaza trending on Tumblr for the past several days — we can't lose momentum. DON'T LOOK AWAY. KEEP UP PUBLIC PRESSURE. PUSH FOR PEACE.
Sunday, Dec. 25, 2023 — Another day, another horrific massacre of innocent Palestinians by Israel. The US and the international community must force Israel to STOP the carnage, STOP the war crimes, STOP the depravity.
The world continues to watch as the rogue state of Israel inflicts unthinkable crimes against humanity. The complicity is sickening, the inaction despicable. Palestinians deserve better, we've failed them.
An Israeli airstrike on a refugee camp in central Gaza has killed at least 70 people, Palestinian health officials have said as they warned the toll was likely to rise and the strikes that began hours before midnight continued into Christmas Day. The Palestinian health ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qidra, said the death toll was likely to climb. “What is happening at the Maghazi camp is a massacre that is being committed on a crowded residential square,” he told Reuters.
U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday, calling it a long and private conversation a day after the Biden administration again shielded Israel in the diplomatic arena. On Friday, the U.N. Security Council adopted a watered-down resolution that calls for immediately speeding up aid deliveries to desperate civilians in Gaza, but not for a cease-fire. “I did not ask for a cease-fire,” Biden said of the call. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister “made clear that Israel would continue the war until achieving all its goals.”
CAIRO/JERUSALEM, Dec 24 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed on Sunday to fight deeper into Gaza after his troops endured one of the worst days of losses of their ground war, while militant group Islamic Jihad joined talks in Cairo, a sign diplomacy was still alive. ... The militant groups have so far said they will not discuss any release of hostages unless Israel ends its war in Gaza, while the Israelis say they are willing to discuss only a temporary pause in fighting.
DON'T LOOK AWAY. KEEP UP PUBLIC PRESSURE. PUSH FOR PEACE.
"for the record, not a single person is accepting "i don't know enough" as an excuse anymore. you know, we going on nearly 80 days, you've seen enough dead children, mutilated bodies, infographs with insane numbers, displaced people walking miles to another unsafe place. bodies under rubble. you've seen enough. you know enough forreal."
Kehlani, always ❤️🇵🇸
*IMPORTANT REPORTING* A Times Investigation Tracked Israel’s Use of One of Its Most Destructive Bombs in South Gaza
(Source: New York Times | Last Updated Dec. 22, 2023) During the first six weeks of the war in Gaza, Israel routinely used one of its biggest and most destructive bombs in areas it designated safe for civilians, according to an analysis of visual evidence by The New York Times
Here's a clip for easy access, but please WATCH the FULL VIDEO ON YOUTUBE with no paywall * Warning: Graphic Content* Ultimately, the investigation identified 208 craters in satellite imagery and drone footage. ... the findings reveal that 2,000-pound bombs posed a pervasive threat to civilians seeking safety across south Gaza. Reporting By Robin Stein, Haley Willis, Ishaan Jhaveri, Danielle Miller, Aaron Byrd and Natalie Reneau
This is not defense, this is not justice, this is an affront to international humanitarian law. Stop the carnage.
The international community must do more than merely profess the defense of human rights; it must also ensure compliance in practice. DON'T LOOK AWAY. KEEP UP PUBLIC PRESSURE. PUSH FOR PEACE.
The new DRAFT U.N. Resolution, set to be voted on today, calls for:
• ... “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses” in the fighting throughout Gaza and the opening of corridors inside the enclave “for a sufficient number of days to enable full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.” • U.N. Secretary General António Guterres to appoint a senior coordinator “with responsibility for facilitating, coordinating, monitoring, and verifying in Gaza, as appropriate, the humanitarian nature” of all assistance, and demands that “the parties to the conflict cooperate with the coordinator to fulfill their mandate without delay or obstruction.” • ... “immediate and unconditional” release of the hostages. It also demands that “all parties to the conflict comply with their obligations under international law ... including with regard to the conduct of hostilities and the protection of civilians and civilian objects.” • It reiterates the council’s “unwavering commitment” to a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians and “stresses the importance of unifying the Gaza Strip with the West Bank under the Palestinian Authority.” (12/22/23 | Source: WaPo)
Although the resolution's language was toned down, this is a sign of progress. While such measures are long overdue and should have been honored from the start, we must do everything possible to meet the urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza and relieve unfathomable suffering.
DON'T STOP POSTING. KEEP UP THE PUBLIC PRESSURE. DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS.
Stay tuned for today's vote.
The vote was 13-0 in favor of the resolution, with the United States and Russia abstaining. At the insistence of the United States, the final version of the measure did not demand an immediate truce, omitting earlier language that would have insisted on the “urgent suspension of hostilities.” But it called for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors,” of unspecified timing and location, “to enable full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.” — (12/22/23 | Source: NYT) The language of the resolution calls for “urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” — (12/22/23 | Source: CNN) (AP)
Shame on the U.S. for abstaining, while simultaneously arming Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of civilians in Gaza. Israel and all parties must immediately honor and implement today's passed resolution.
This is progress but the work isn't done, we must continue to push for peace. DON'T LOOK AWAY. DON'T GIVE UP. STOP THE CARNAGE.
The vote was 13-0 in favor of the resolution, with the United States and Russia abstaining. At the insistence of the United States, the final version of the measure did not demand an immediate truce, omitting earlier language that would have insisted on the “urgent suspension of hostilities.” But it called for “urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors,” of unspecified timing and location, “to enable full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access.” — (12/22/23 | Source: NYT) The language of the resolution calls for “urgent steps to immediately allow safe and unhindered humanitarian access, and also for creating the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities.” — (12/22/23 | Source: CNN) (AP)
Shame on the U.S. for abstaining, while simultaneously arming Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of civilians in Gaza.
Israel and all parties must immediately honor and implement today's passed resolution.
This is progress but the work isn't done, we must continue to push for tangible peace. DON'T LOOK AWAY. DON'T GIVE UP. STOP THE CARNAGE.
the men and boys are innocent too.
we cry "the innocent women and children" to appeal to the masses, to try and force their sympathy, but the men and boys are innocent too.
I have seen sons crying out for their mothers, their fathers, their siblings. I have seen them break down at the loss of their families. I have seen them cling to their dead and grieve.
I have seen fathers cradle their dead children, seen them kiss their faces and hold their little hands. I have seen them faint with grief when asked to identify the dead. I have seen them carry their sons and daughters. I have seen them fasting to provide what little they can for their families.
I have seen men and boys digging through the rubble with just their bare hands, I have seen them comforting strangers, playing with children, rocking them, hushing them, even if the face of such imminent danger. I have seen them cry, seen them grieve, seen them break down into each other's arms, seen them be selfless, beyond selfless, becoming something I don't have a word for.
I have seen the men who are doctors refuse to leave their patients, even when they have no medicine or supplies to give them, even when they're threatened with bombings. I have seen fathers who have lost all their children pick orphans up into their arms and proclaim them their child so they are not alone. I have seen men and boys digging pets out of the rubble.
the men are innocent too. the men and boys are being hurt and killed too. the men and boys are grieving too. the men and boys are scared too. the men and boys are fighting to save their people too. the men and boys deserve to be fought for too.
NEW: CNN's Clarissa Ward witnessed the horror and humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza during a visit to a field hospital in Rafah operated by the United Arab Emirates. — [Dec. 14, 2023]
Absolutely heartbreaking. Watch the entire video. Don't look away. Spread the word.
If you feel shame, like myself, for not speaking up sooner about the atrocities against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, it's never too late. Use your voice to condemn violence against all innocent civilians and stand for peace. It matters.
The horrific attacks against Israeli civilians by Hamas on Oct. 7 were reprehensible. We mustn't lose empathy for those killed, as well as the hostages yet to be returned home safely. They must be released. Said injustices do not (and will never) condone the massive scale of Israel's indiscriminate bombardment of innocent civilians in Gaza. Full stop.
Let us learn from history's mistakes and may we not lose our collective humanity.
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