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[Blogs] Gaza: against 'whatabouttery'

2009-01-09T16:49:09-05:00

Even in small ways, we can all either be promoting the mutual empathy on which peace depends, or promoting the polarisation and demonisation which holds that back. Sunny Hundal at Liberal Conspiracy is promoting an excellent, modest initiative among the republic of blogs in response to the Gaza crisis, calling for 'an end to whataboutery' challenging outside voices who often seem to be more interested in exacerbating the conflict, on whatever 'side' of the conflict they might be.

An end to whataboutery

The tragic situation in Gaza is a very serious issue. But there is another place where a cessation of hostilities would do no harm - and could even help too. How about a cessation of ‘whatabouttery’ on the internet?

Yes, we mean you. If you can only see the humanity of one side and never the other, one side of the history, and one side of the suffering. If everything you say is to point the finger of blame at the baddies and exonerate the goodies. If you haven’t had a new point to make for five, ten or sixty years.

You are not part of the solution; you are part of the problem.

- if you are ordering pizza for the Israeli Defence Force,
- waving Hamas flags when you think you are demonstrating for peace,
- organising boycotts, blame and ostracism when peace depends on enemies talking to each other
- if you’re mindlessly quoting SWP press releases
- if you think that bombing the hell out of Gaza will bring peace
- if you think Hamas are just a bunch of valiant freedom fighters

Peace is difficult because it will come when Palestinians and Israelis recognise the essential truth - that their peace and security is mutually inter-dependent.

That’s difficult for those at the centre of the conflict. But what’s your excuse?

Ever stop and wonder if you’re making it worse? Well, you are

Why not think before you post? Why not give peace a chance instead of just cheering one side?

Whatabout taking a few weeks off?

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If you agree, please do
1. sign the thread at Liberal Conspiracy, or
2. support it here on LabourHome, or
3. please post the statement on your own blogs, either as it stands, or to express the argument in your own words.

[Blogs] Tory Activist Dresses up as Madeleine McCann at Party

2009-01-09T16:46:10-05:00

Madeline McCann's family has demanded a public apology after a Tory activist in the UK bragged about dressing up as the missing girl.

On his Facebook site, Matthew Lewis said his costume included a blonde wig, teddy bear and vial of fake blood. The McCann's spokesman says he'd been "offensive almost beyond belief".

Sometime I just despair with the Conservative party. How can they ever think they could be a responsible mature government when they have such idiots as their activists!

[Blogs] Do nothing Tories

2009-01-09T13:19:35-05:00

Labour are taking action to give real help to families and businesses now and for the future. By contrast, the Conservatives are the 'do nothing' party.

Click to and see our latest online advert.

David Cameron's economic policy

[Blogs] Progressive London Conference

2009-01-09T09:43:00-05:00

Progressive London, launched by Ken Livingstone, has already attracted a breadth of political support rarely, if ever, seen in London.

Speakers at the Progressive London conference this month include Harriet Harman, Tessa Jowell and David Lammy from the government; Susan Kramer and Mike Tuffrey from the Liberal Democrats, Labour MPs Jon Cruddas, Jeremy Corbyn, Dawn Butler and Karen Buck; Jenny Jones, Darren Johnson and Jean Lambert from the Greens; George Galloway from Respect as well as leading academics like Eric Hobsbawm and Doreen Massey and representatives of London's diverse communities.

The conference will tackle some of the most pressing questions facing Londoners - from the impending economic crisis, through transport and housing, to good community relations, the environment, young Londoners as well as an emergency discussion on the Middle East.

Ken Livingstone said:

"I am amazed at the sheer breadth of opinion Progressive London has been able to bring together to discuss the key problems facing London and Londoners.

"Obviously, there will be diverse views on different issues. That is to be welcomed. But the aim is, through open discussion over more than 20 sessions, to hammer out some of the areas where the progressive majority in London can unite to support social justice, promote progressive policies and win elections.

"This conference will be a turning point in progressive unity as we face the most serious economic challenges, with all of their social consequences seen in most of our life times."

More details on the conference including how to register online here: http://www.progressivelondon.org.uk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=88& Itemid=85

[Blogs] Europe's centre-left united over Gaza

2009-01-09T08:18:49-05:00

As President of the Party of European Socialists, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen has written to Ehud Barak, on behalf of Europe’s social democrats to express his dismay at the appalling loss of life from the “hugely disproportionate” Israeli military response, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a comprehensive political agreement between Israel and Palestine.

Our modest Fabian blog Next Left is a newcomer to the progressive blogosphere, but we have recruited an ex-Prime Minister to write regularly for us this year, in Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, who was Prime Minister of Denmark for eight years in the 1990s and who remains among the most significant voices in shaping the European social democratic agenda.

As President of the Party of European Socialists, Rasmussen reports that he has written to Ehud Barak - Leader of the Israeli Labour Party and Defence Minister - on behalf of Europe’s social democrats to express his dismay at the appalling loss of life from the “hugely disproportionate” Israeli military response, calling for an immediate ceasefire and a comprehensive political agreement between Israel and Palestine.

Europe’s mainstream social democratic and socialist parties have been strongly united in their approach to the current crisis - unequivocal opposition to the Israeli response and to Hamas’ attacks on Israeli citizens; strong support for an immediate ceasefire and for a comprehensive peace settlement.

This is clearly the correct and constructive approach, and so it is important to state that clearly, even if, given the difficulties in achieving it, it may perhaps seem too obvious, even banal. But less so if we recall that this is a different and much more unified position - within the European centre-left, between different European governments - than was the case even over the Lebanon crisis (to say nothing of Iraq).

This matters particularly as we approach a crucial opportunity to enormously narrow the gap between the mainstream European position and that of the incoming US administration. That has always been an essential foundation for outside diplomatic pressure to bring results for a peace settlement.

[Blogs] The ICRC speaks publicly

2009-01-08T20:47:29-05:00

It is extremely rare for the International Committee of the Red Cross to publicly criticise the governments it works with. It prefers to raise matters privately at high government levels to get them to make lower level staff tow the line.

But today the the ICRC Head of Mission in Jerusalem, Katrina Ritz, spoke publicly. It's at 05:15 in this Channel 4 News item. Just watch.

There is also a Channel 4 summary web news item on it here. In short:

And in unusually strong terms the International Red Cross today criticised Israel after finding four emaciated children among a group of corpses in a house just metres from an Israeli military position.

The ICRC chief in Gaza accused the Israelis of breaching international humanitarian law in what he called this "shocking incident".

In another media report ICRC Head of Mission Katrina Ritz said:

"Which was most shocking from our side is the army knew the civilians were there, and they didn’t assist them in any way, and they didn’t assist us even to evacuate these people"

The lack of assistance given by the Israeli Army is particularly sad, given the WW2 history. An Israeli Army position was nearby. I hope this is an isolated incident, not a general approach by the army to the humanitarian assistance required to be given by the Geneva Convention protocols.

This underlines the need for a ceasefire immediately, so injured civilians can be tended and children reunited with families.

Update: The ICRC Geneva news release on this adds the information that "Israeli soldiers posted at a military position some 80 meters away from this house ordered the [ICRC/PRCS] rescue team to leave the area which they refused to do." It says more wounded are sheltering in other nearby destroyed houses, but the IDF have not permitted access to these so far. Finally ICRC Geneva concludes:

"The ICRC believes that in this instance the Israeli military failed to meet its obligation under international humanitarian law to care for and evacuate the wounded. It considers the delay in allowing rescue services access unacceptable."

[Blogs] BUILD MORE PRISONS

2009-01-08T19:19:48-05:00

A vote winning idea
One of Gordon Brown’s ideas for helping this country to get back on it’s feet is a massive programme of public works and building.

Here’s a novel idea for you Gordon.

BUILD MORE PRISONS

Judges will once again be able to put criminals behind bars, where they belong, not roaming free to prey on the long suffering British public.

Then there will be no more need to release murderers and rapists early to rape and murder again.

Then, instead of giving serious criminals useless, toothless community service, they could all be locked up, because they can’t, rob, mug and assault us while they are in there can they?

I know it’s a revolutionary idea Gordon, but it just might work! It would also be a sure fire vote catcher.