(no subject)

Such a complicated Highlander dream. It was a horror movie in which a dozen young men were pitted against each other by an evil mastermind in some sort of series of tests, which if you screwed up you were horribly killed in some appropriate way. Methos and Duncan involved because female character (self? other? Amanda?) endangered, but she's taken the ammo out of their guns (!). Much crossing over during all of this with oops naked at the US family reunion ("I knew there was something I forgot!"). Blimey.

Human Rights, Israel, Gaza

Past time I did an update on Gaza. The fact is, I've bookmarked dozens of links - about the damage done in the recent conflict, the recent Israeli election, etc. Rather than spend all day spamming you with links, what I'd like to do here is focus on the issue that involved me in the first place: war crimes and violations of human rights before, during, and after Operation Cast Lead.

In recent days, Israeli newspapers have published the testimony of IDF soldiers of the wanton killing of non-combatants and other abuses. The UN has also reported evidence of the killing of civilians and their use of human shields, and Physicians for Human Rights Israel has called for an investigation into attacks on medics and denial of emergency medical care during the conflict.

I often see claims that international human rights groups criticise Israel while ignoring abuses by Palestinians. These claims are, well, lies. Amnesty International wants all participants held accountable, as do Human Rights Watch.

All of this is placing pressure on Israel to investigate the behaviour of its troops and officers. Israeli human rights group Yesh Din notes that the soldiers' testimonies were made public, no investigations had been started.

An editorial comment. I'm still new to this issue, but to me, the conflict seems to be powerfully fuelled by an attitude of "We're not talking to you, you're beyond the pale". Parties on all sides uninterested in ending the killing misuse the moral high ground as an excuse to dodge negotiation and compromise. I've got my fingers crossed that the change in the US administration may affect that unwillingness to talk.

(no subject)

*checks calendar* offs. I've just done that classic thing of thinking my period is due, and therefore attributing any blueness or grumpiness to PMS.