Palestine: Where is the parliamentary left?

At least there is a parliamentarian in Australia prepared to speak out:

Quote:

It all reminds me of an old story from the days of the Roman Empire. The Emperor Nero was upset that his prized lions were being distressed by Christians who ran away from them in the Colosseum. Nero ordered that at the next circus a Christian was to be buried up to his neck in the sand to make things easier for the lions. When the lions entered the ring, the biggest and meanest saw the hapless condemned, swaggered over and stood astride the Christian's head, roaring for approval from the crowd. At that moment, the Christian craned his neck and bit off the lion's testicles. The crowd was shocked. "Fight fair! Fight fair!" they yelled.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/getting-away-with-murder/2009/01/10/1231004352831.html?page=fullpage 

Left Turn wrote:

Don told the rally that Libby Davies did not attend because she was sick. [Untrue statement removed now that Left Turn has corrected his previous post.]

Um, she WAS sick.  And here's her public statement about Gaza.

You might want to think about how to work with the few allies you have, Left Turn.  Hint: repeating second-hand (and, as it turns out, untrue) rumours about them on a public forum probably isn't the best way to go about it.

Fair enough, Fidel. I apologize for that shot.

Don Davies spoke at the rally in Vancouver yesterday. He parroted the NDP position -- after telling one of the rally organisers that he would not blame Hamas for anything (did the NDP not allow him to give a better position?). Don was rightly booed, and as the crowd got increasingly angry, one of the MC's tried to cut him off -- she was worried someone would throw a shoe at him.

[Edited to remove untrue second-hand info about Libby Davies non-attendance at the rally]

Michelle wrote:

Left Turn wrote:

Don told the rally that Libby Davies did not attend because she was sick. [Edited to remove retracted statement]

Um, she WAS sick.  And here's her public statement about Gaza.

Well that is the best yet. Except that Gaza is not a state. One wonders if some copywriter was trying to avoid using anything associated with "occupation" while crafting that latter, as in "...government to uphold international law and work to stop this aggression by one state upon an occupied people."

Despite her best intentions, progressive people must be more clear about what is going on here. Condemning "all acts of violence" sounds very nice, but we must be clear on the fact that it is the occupation that is the root cause of the violence.

Too often "we" talk as if "the violence" is some kind of natural phenomena, or an act of god, not the expression of the material context of the oppression of Palestinian people.

But I guess that would amount to taking a side or something problematic like that. Libby makes a passing reference to UN resolutions regarding the "peace process", but fails also to mention resolution demanding and end to the occupation.

I think Libby realizes the bombing and the state-sponsored murder is the ultimate expression of insanity. She realizes that powerful and influential nations have, in the recent past, been mediators to cease fires and peace negotiations when two principal countries involved are beyond resolving to work together toward a solution or at least an agreement not to launch missiles on each others civilian populations. ie Russia and Georgia and autonomous state of Ossetia. The same doesnt seem to be true of the USA's frontline state Israel.

I didnt refer to Palestine as a country. Perhaps our penultimate stoogeocrats in Ottawa should be doing their jobs instead of hiding out at the Eagle's Nest at Tremblanc or wherever it is theyre holed up. Because this is a lot of stuff to be dumping onto the shoulders of one single MP of the fourth political party in stoogetown.

Cueball wrote:

Fidel wrote:

...in the recent past, been mediators to cease fires and peace negotiations when two principal countries involved are beyond resolving to work together toward a solution or at least an agreement not to launch missiles on each others civilian populations. ie Russia and Georgia and autonomous state of Ossetia. The same doesnt seem to be true of the USA's frontline state Israel.

You even go on to basically split the blame between "both" parties, finessing the fact that the it is not two countries fighting a war ("ie Georgia and Russia" sic), but one country imposing martial law on a people who are not its citizens.

I think there are some similarities between the disputed territories of both regions. The USSA and its frontline state don't want to recognize Palestinian territorial claims but were among the first countries to recognize Ossetia, and Kosovo, as sovereign states without any mediated input from either Moscow or Belgrade. Palestinians, though, have not had any such former superpower backing them up in this case. It's a very one-sided affair, and our stooges who are supposed to be at the helm in Ottawa and making use of established diplomatic lines of communication with all countries involved, took an early taxpayer-funded vacation several weeks ago.

Otoh, I think you are mistaken that I have equated Israel's methodic and high tech aerial bombing of Gaza with that of Hamas' striking back with WW II era Katyusha rockets and other dubya-md's amounting to Chinese fireworks.

But Ossetia was attacked by aerial bombardment and innocent civilians killed. And there was at least a half-hearted international effort to mediate a ceasefire.

Where is Canada's equivalent of Nick Sarkozy today? Mont Tremblanc and doing apres-ski beerskis? Where in the world are our half-assed elected stooges when they're needed?

 The most useful thing anyone in Parliament could do would be to endorse the boycott, divest and sanctions campaign.

blake 3:17 said:

Quote:

The most useful thing anyone in Parliament could do would be to endorse the boycott, divest and sanctions campaign.

I agree but not likely to happen. Very few politicians in this country even have the courage to show up at demonstrations. 

The other two party leaders? The Bloc doesn't exist any more?

Yes, I know the Bloc has been dismal as well.

lagatta wrote:

The other two party leaders? The Bloc doesn't exist any more? Yes, I know the Bloc has been dismal as well.

We have to be careful with mentioning the Bloc. Even though Bloc MP's were all democratically elected by Canadians - and even though the Harpers were ready to align with the Bloc and NDP against the Liberals in '04 - ReformaTories are telling Canadians that the Bloc are part of some sort of traitorous coalition today. This is coming from the coalition of Reform Party retreads, rightwing Liberals, and Mike Harris refugees in Ontariario.

I think the Palestinians of Gaza would appreciate someone actually stepping in and helping them right now. They've stood alone against Israeli blitzkrieg for a number of days, and words must ring hollow for them at this point. They'll be needing actual help in this particular time of need. This is a complete failure of the international community to intervene for the sake of peace and a people's basic human right to exist.

"..being totally ignorant of the fact that Gaza is an occupied territory and not a state"

The same holds true for all of Israel.  Why would the international community interfere now when it facilitated the present day situation with its support for an illegitimate state to begin with?

When peace arrives the Palestinians will be expected to be grateful to Israel and its Western benefactors for removing them from their lands and finally procurring a settlement whereby they can live under economic and military domination on a scrap of land allowed them by a powerful neighbour.

Western governments bombed Serbia for less. So why not give Israel equal treatment for a sixty year history of countinuous attrocities and crimes against humanity?

"a Northern Puerto Rico run by colonial administrators who took an early vacation several weeks ago because they're afraid to show up for work. "

No kidding, but has it ever been anything more?

The NDP are supposed to go on record as making political statements on how another country is supposed to govern themselves - and bascially amounting to political interference in Israeli-Palestinian affairs. And I think they've had enough political interference from the USSA over the years to warrant more from Canada's fourth political party.

This is a UN matter like it most often is. The NDP is trying to democratize our little Northern Puerto Rico. The UN needs democratizing, too, but that's another matter that merits input from a real government in Ottawa, if we had one. We dont. We have Steve the rabid lap poodle with a DO NOT DISTURB sign over his dog house for good doggies. Steve's working on a bone right now in fact. He and Iggy will earn  pats on their heads and belly rubs more than likely.

Just admit that this another one of your politically motivated attacks on Canada's fourth party, again, and nothing whatsoever to do with personal concern for Palestinians suffering the consequences, and we'll call it like it is.

CUPE can do whatever it wants. They dont have seats in the House of Commons.  CUPE is not a political party representing millions of voters or participating in Canadian politics in the national capital.

Cueball wrote:

Yes. My attack is "politically" motivated. It does not appear that the NDP is either political, or motivated.

The NDP made a winning statement on this international incident - an incident that needs to be dealt with at a UN level. And no one's home in Ottawa as per usual to even deal with it like federal governments normally do.

Steve the lap poodle isnt very motivated right now at all. He doesnt even want to show up for work and tend to this U.S.-related problem in the Middle East unfolding today. Apparently our leader who majored in economics is studying up on macroeconomics and Keynesian stimulus 101.

Ottawa is traditionally a compliant colonial outpost manned by stoogeocrats who rarely say shit to the US or any of its client states, even when they have a mouthful.

And it looks like Iggy understands where the bear shit in the buckwheat, too, with parroting Harper's own words to the effect that Israel has "a right to defend itself" Talk about getting shit all over their moustaches. Well nothing's new here, that's for sure.

According to this, the NDP is rife with anti-Israeli elements. So which is it?

Canada votes alone for Israel

We're the only one of 47 nations on UN rights panel to refuse to condemn military offensive in Gaza

Quote:

NDP MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) criticized Ottawa's "muted" reaction to this latest offensive. He said Canada should be taking a "robust" role to deliver aid to civilians and monitor any ceasefire.

Instead, he said Canada is sitting on the "sideline," suggesting a pro-Israel viewpoint by the Conservative government was the reason for lack of outcry from Ottawa.

That is much better.

Not sure what he means by a "un-recognized Occupation", but that's probably just bad wording. At least the word is in there. Calls for an end to the bombardment, and notes the events of November 4th, where Israel broke the ceasefire. Much better overall.

Slumberjack wrote:

While it is nice to see the winds from the street belatedly filling the sails of individual NDP MPs, it would be nicer still to see those sentiments reflected through statements by the leader.  If the trend continues, I suppose we can eventually look forward to seeing some revised commentary.  Better late than never.  By the way, where is Jack Layton these days?

He certainly stayed away from the rallies against the Israeli assault on Gaza.  He has no problem going to CJPAC dinners though.

Maria Mourani (Bloc québécois - Public security, Children, Status of Women) has been known to take courageous positions in the past, e.g. on issues such as prostitution and the trafficking of women, racism, etc. At a time where most elected officials are remaining shamefully silent or being openly complicitous about the massacre in Gaza, she issued yesterday the following position, relayed here with her permission.

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Lettre ouverte Gaza : Israël devrait prendre l'initiative d'un cessez-le-feu Maria Mourani 12 janvier 2009

Le jeudi 8 janvier 2009, le Conseil de sécurité de l'ONU a adopté une résolution appelant à un cessez-le-feu immédiat à Gaza. Ce cessez-le-feu devrait conduire à un retrait total de l'armée israélienne, à un accès sans entrave aux transports de nourriture, de carburant et de médicaments et à un mécanisme visant à empêcher le trafic d'armes et de munitions vers le territoire palestinien de Gaza.

Encore une fois, le gouvernement israélien, qui est aux prises avec des problèmes de crédibilité importants avec un premier ministre au cours d'un scandale financier et une élection générale anticipée pour le 10 février, fait la sourde oreille et poursuit des actions militaires à Gaza où sont ciblés des écoles, des institutions de l'ONU et des hôpitaux. Des frappes inhumaines contre une grande majorité de civils, dont des enfants.

Il faut rappeler que les belligérants dans cette affaire ne sont pas égaux.

D'un côté, il y a un pays avec un parlement, une armée et un financement important qui occupe un territoire étranger et qui installe, périodiquement, des colonies illégales sans égard aux conventions internationales et aux résolutions de l'ONU.

De l'autre côté, il y a la population palestinienne de Gaza, en mode de survie depuis des années, parquée sur un territoire minuscule et dont la majorité des habitants sont des réfugiés expulsés illégalement de leurs terres. Une population qui subit depuis des décennies une politique violente de harcèlement et d'humiliation de la part d'un État qui exige de sa part de renoncer à la justice et à la dignité pour se voir imposer la paix des « vainqueurs ». Une population qui n'a pas une vie normale et qui est soumise à l'influence de l'extrémisme nourri par des années de misères et d'iniquités.

Ainsi, le gouvernement d'Israël, qui se trouve dans une position de force exceptionnelle, a le devoir de se contenir et de se discipliner. Ce gouvernement ne peut se comparer au début de gouvernance palestinienne que nous voyons poindre depuis quelques années. Dans un tel contexte, la responsabilité de l'initiative de la paix appartient d'abord à Israël.

D'un autre côté, nous nous devons de condamner le lancement de roquettes par certains Palestiniens parce qu'ils peuvent toucher des civils innocents. Ces actions militaires inutiles alimentent l'image de « terroriste » attribuée au peuple palestinien qui, dans les faits, est un peuple de « résistants » qui mérite notre admiration, notre compassion et notre soutien.

Quant à Israël, il devrait tout simplement respecter les nombreuses résolutions de l'ONU le concernant. Ce qui permettra à plus long terme, un règlement pacifique du conflit qui passe par la fin de l'occupation militaire israélienne et la fin des colonies en territoire occupé, un règlement satisfaisant pour toutes les parties tant de la question de l'annexion de Jérusalem-Est que celle des réfugiés, ainsi qu'un règlement global qui reconnaît à Israël le droit d'exister à l'intérieur de frontières sûres et reconnues tout en assurant la création d'un État palestinien indépendant, digne et viable.

Maria Mourani Députée d'Ahuntsic

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