The Assault on Gaza and a New Soluton

The recent assault on Gaza inspired by the killings of three Israeli teenagers in June of this year have led to a huge swell in support for the people of Gaza and Palestine from many sources in the West. An initial continuation of the BBC's pro Israeli stance has now weakened with some more balanced coverage coming from many Western media outlets.

Image from ICAHD illustrating Israeli
demolition of Palestinian homes

Since the beginning of the Israeli assault on the Gaza strip, 'Operation Protective Edge', the death toll in Gaza tops 200. The densely populated area has been constantly bombarded by airstrikes leaving many innocents dead, yet the idea of sanctions against Israel has not appeared as an option for Western allies. John Kerry has called only for ceasefire talks between both sides with Obama promoting Egypt as a power broker due to their new President being 'less conciliatory towards Hamas' than his predecessor. This seems a weak response to a conflict which has seen no Israeli deaths from Palestinian rocket attacks (CNN) compared to such large amounts of civilian casualties on the Palestinian side. Continued support for the Netanyahu government who promote such violent, indiscriminate responses to Palestinian revolt is both irresponsible and immoral. This is a government who continue to demolish Palestinian settlements and deny Palestinians human rights. (as articulated by the image on the right)

Since the formation of the Israeli state, its relationship with the Western powers who once colonised it, has been incredibly irresponsible on the West's part. After Britain abandoned its colonial post and Truman supported the creation of a Jewish state in the 1940s, the West has continually supported a state with a horrendous human rights record, displacing Palestinians and disallowing them basic civil rights, the UN dual state resolution (181) can be seen to have now failed - Israel is continually encroaching upon Palestinian settlements and now has effective sovereignty over the territory. This unilateral support continues up to this day - in the third presidential debate of 2012, both Obama and Romney committed to supporting Israel militarily and politically with no conditions given.

This support of a violent, irresponsible Israeli government has to stop now. With continued breaches of human rights in Gaza and the West Bank it is up to the international community to pressure leaders into finding a new solution. Should the West abandon its policy of support for Israel, promote a new solution for the territory of Palestine which promotes civil rights for all and a consensus based single government between Israelis and Palestinians. For the best of the people, and to move away from the dangerous policies the West creates for itself by allowing Zionism and Hamas' brand of Arab nationalism to be seen as the most viable means for leadership in the area, why not promote a single state solution? Why not promote human rights and a move away from the right wing rhetoric spouted by both sides in the last few weeks?

Does a single state offer a better solution for the people of
Palestine? Please leave your comments and thoughts in the section below.

The 12th Man: The Orange Order vs. The People

On the weekend that has been billed to be the most infamous Twelfth in years, possibly since Drumcree, the question still remains as to why the Orange Order seems to motivate such support in modern Ireland.

Robinson recently failed to condemn intimidation
 of a Nigerian man in East Belfast

The last 18 months have seen growing discontent amongst Unionist communities over issues such as flags, housing and dealing with the past - leading to several examples of racist attacks and protests over flags and symbols. Peter Robinson's reaction to this has been to run and hide from voters, fearing a backlash should he be seen to accept new reforms whilst doing little to prevent them.

In recent weeks with the growing publicity around the Parades Commission's decision to disallow the Ligoniel Bands to pass Ardoyne, Robinson has staunchly backed the Order in a judicial review of parading and backed a 'graduated response'. This is not a new tactic from the Unionist political class. 

A retreat to Orangeism and trust in the 'orange machine' has been a tactic used by Unionists as far back as Carson, whenever the Unionist political class feel under threat. After Home Rule the Order were used to destroy the labour movement, a movement helping both working class Catholics and Protestants, and promote sectarianism. These divide and conquer tactics have been typical ever since, Orange manipulation in a Protestant middle class dominated media corrupted the early civil rights movements and Housing Action Committees in Derry in the late 60s, claiming IRA involvement and motives of partition in what was really a workers and residents rights movement. 

The laughable 'Ulster Covenant' mock up at the press conference of Unionist leaders was a clear example of a retreat into Sectarian divisions and promotion of old jingoism. This clearly shows that promotion of the outdated and discriminatory values of the Order is Robinson's 'siege mentality' reaction to retain the Protestant vote. Sectarian carve ups in electoral politics have not been uncommon even in recent years and it is clear recent reluctance to crack down on extremist elements amongst Loyalist communities is due to a wish to retain what the DUP believe to be the 'core Protestant vote' and maintain their relevance as a party of conflict. 

We can only hope that in the coming weeks the reaction to whatever events occur on the Twelfth weekend, (at time of writing 3 people have been stabbed in Belfast on the 11th night) the reaction is stronger than the action from Orangeism, and the people can finally abandon old conservative Unionism and move on as a single community. The coming years of Tory austerity policy and hard times could see a return back to the Troubles of Northern Ireland, or it could finally see a United labour movement abandon old divisions and move on together. If that progress is to be made however, the outdated discriminatory politics of the Orange Order and those who follow it must be removed from the face of society. 

Do you agree? Post your views in the comments section below.