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.