Violence and killings continue to be the normal foreign policy, at the drop of a hat, for UK citizens and politicians

Last night, rather than calling for an end to the Gazan slaughter, and insisting on a ceasefire by our side, the US/UK launched 26 air strikes on 16 locations in the Yemen where Houthi rebels have launched drone attacks on Israeli and Western shipping that is supporting Israel's war on Gaza.  Could we not have tried calling for a second ceasefire and hostage releases, first?

Our Christian and Civic leaders always give us a good preach and speech and our Faith preachers always draw a regular flock to hear weekly addresses.  In my own case, I have had 76 years of coming under the sound of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His teaching that He lived out so perfectly.  A charge of hypocrisy that can be levelled at me, certainly cannot have an accusing finger pointed at Him.  Yet, never a sermon on non-violence.  The nearest from saintly Les Hardwick saying that killing "is not the way" - once or twice.  But most preachers, from their guilty silence, support State violence without actually saying so!  One church leader actually asked me not to talk about the matter after I asked Barbara, during a brief conversation with someone else, if she wanted a free homeland for the Palestinians!

The Man for Others, who lived in the Occupied Holy Land, was noted for His silence over inciting rebellion against the Roman occupiers.  Quite the opposite to rebellion.  In times of occupation, He taught and practised non-violence always; told Peter, "put down your sword" and, in fact, doing good to those who hate you, praying for your persecutors and loving your enemies.  In times of peace, being such a good neighbour/citizen that you help lift up those who are down, suffering and oppressed.

Two thousand years on, in that same land in the heart of the Arab Middle East, we have a very different situation but, also similarities.

• The people of Israel are back.  Unfortunately, won by violence and killings and opportunism, unlike their very famous ancestor from Nazareth.  In addition, without the agreement of their regional Arab neighbours but certainly with the support of the US-led Western Powers who were responsible for both world wars and the six million killed in the Holocaust.  And the survivors, of course, wanted their own homeland.  With, possibly, Western guilt wanting to make recompense, letting them.
• This has led to 76 years of Israeli 'self-defence' used to justify their, sometimes, pre-emptive strikes against their neighbours - not quite the Good Samaritan approach.
• The original promise of three months of 'self-defence' attacks on Gaza has now been lengthened to over the months of this year.
• The displacement of the Palestinians and much injustice for them in 1948 and subsequently, is now leading to talk of another round of displacement to ensure Israeli security and defence, with peace and prosperity for them.  Neve mind for those troublesome, nuisance neighbours.
• The people of Israel were exiled in the first millennia BC.  The Palestinians two millennia later, first in 1948 and again, this year, if right-wing Israelis have their way.

The Charge of Genocide Intention

South Africa is asking the International Court of Justice at the Hague to rule on the matter.  From what I have seen, Israel never needs to think it or, to say it because killing seems to come so naturally to them.  23,000 or, 1% of the Gazan population is now slaughtered I heard on the 'Today' programme this morning.  Another 1%, perhaps with life-changing disabilities.  All due to immoral, unfair collective punishment that is not even done in schools now, as I saw as a boy.

Tim Weller                                                                 12 January 2023