Israel-Palestine Weekly Update

17th November 2023

A building in Southern Gaza after an Israeli air strike.

The conflict in the Middle East which began on October 7th is so important that I can no longer deal with it tangentially as part of the Ukraine Update. I simply can’t write about Ukraine but not write about Palestine. Expanding my coverage on the Ukraine Update would make it too long. So, I have therefore decided to provide a weekly Update on Israel-Palestine which may be useful to those who don’t have the time (or inclination) to keep up to date on a daily basis. It may be difficult for me to find sufficient time to do this but I will try. It will take me some time to get this Update organised so bear with me please. I should say that I have no idea how much you people out there need to know by way of background therefore some of what I will now say may not be news to you. I have more than 500 subscribers now and an average of more than two thousand weekly views, so I know very little about my audience. If there are issues that are not clear to you, especially with regard to the background of the conflict, please ask.

The focal point of this conflict is without doubt the Gaza strip which the Israelis have invaded in order to find and destroy HAMAS and free the hostages it has taken (or this is the reason Israel is providing for the invasion). In doing so, thousands of civilians have been killed, hundreds of thousands have been displaced and thousands of buildings (some say 45% of all buildings in Gaza City) have been destroyed, including hospitals schools and Mosques. Judging by the scale of the destruction, the sledgehammer being used to crack this peanut appears to want to destroy the people of Gaza and the very fabric of their communities. Indeed, some people believe that Genocide in Gaza is intended by the Israelis. The Israeli killings will ensure the future growth of Hamas rather than its demise as young people, especially, will want to avenge a dead father, brother, sister or mother. The fact that the right wing Israeli government has the hubristic arrogance, the moral bankruptcy and the exceptionalism to feel so immune from sanction that it feels free to commit such atrocities is a sign of the decadence of a failing empire. An empire at the height of its strength and exuberance would never allow this rabid tail to wag the dog - if indeed that is what is happening.

This disorientation on the part of the US and its allies could be a sign that the middle east conflict came as a surprise to everyone apart from HAMAS. I find it difficult to see anything positive accruing to Western interests from this conflict (though arms manufacturers may benefit against national interests). And I don’t think Russia, Iran, the Gulf States or China want this conflict either - yet it may bring anti-Western forces together in speeding up the creation of the Multi-Polar World Order. As I said as soon as it began, nothing will divide Western opinion more that the long ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine and this is proving to be the case. And it is possible that some group or state believes its interests can be served by fomenting division in this way. Could the West have manipulated the Gaza conflict in order to serve its interests? Did the US want another war to make up for and distract from its defeat in Ukraine? Could Netanyahu have allowed this to happen in order to save his political skin? Is the US using the conflict to undermine the harmony that was beginning to develop between Arab/Muslim countries and to disrupt the emerging multi-polar world order? I have no idea, but if you would like some thoughtful and well informed speculation on this issue I would recommend that you explore Brian Berletic’s New Atlas Channel (here’s a link to his latest vid).

In all this chaos, the UN has been shown to be no more than a toothless lackey of the US. Thus far, some Arab/Muslim nations have been unreserved in rhetoric but all have been constrained in terms of action, which is sensible. They will now seek to use the West’s institutions (e.g. UN, ICC) to defeat it - which has a certain poetry of which Putin would approve (as a Judo enthusiast). The West’s institutions must be consistent in order to retain any semblance of credibility (which they are fast losing). So the ICC, for example, will find the case against Netanyahu much more substantive and popular than that against Putin. If they dismiss requests to condemn the Israeli leader then the game is up imv. If the UN, backed by the vast majority of the World, cannot achieve a ‘truce’ in Palestine/Israel then many countries could abandon it. ‘What’s it for?’, they will ask. People can be persuaded to see a clothed emperor for only so long after it has become much too obvious that he is naked. Israel’s terrorist nature will not escape attention, scrutiny or judgement for much longer nor will that of its North American mentor - but that’s the optimist in me being hopeful.

The Israel-Palestine conflict can be seen as a test for the Unipolar World Order: one which it is doomed by history to fail. I believe that chance has also played its part in creating a situation in which a rather incompetent and accident prone West is sinking into an abyss of its own creation. As I have said before, I think this is due to the West losing its grip on reality. In consequence, the danger of this conflict escalating to involve other middle eastern countries and become a regional affair are enormous. Many people are speaking out against the Israeli attack on civilians in Gaza but frustratingly no one has the will or the power to stop it. And unless it stops, Gaza could face outbreaks of disease and famine, as well as Israeli bombs, according to James Tweedie on Sputnik.

Can I say that my criticisms in this Update are directed at States and the individuals representing them. They are not directed at anyone based on their nationality, race, religion or culture. As a philosopher, I view such criticisms as fallacious.

The Conflict

The above map provides a snapshot of the situation on the ground at end of November 12th. Note that the Palestinian have suffered casualties more than five times greater than those of the Israelis. I have no idea who is winning and who is losing here and I’m not that interested really: I just want it to stop because many civilians are dying. But I will be reporting on the fighting as I am regarding Ukraine. The Israelis have said that this could be a long war but hopefully outside factors will shorten it.

According to Rybar, this was the situation around Gaza on November 12th:

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) ground operation in the Gaza Strip (on the border with Egypt) continues. The main battles are taking place in the al-Shati refugee camp, as well as in the vicinity of al-Shifa, al-Nasr and Rantisi hospitals. In addition, today the Israelis published footage from the Square of the Unknown Soldier in the west of the capital of the enclave, which also confirms the successful advance of the IDF.

By the 14th November, the Israelis had surrounded Gaza City and occupied the Parliament building. But now they are faced with making their way through a dense urban environment in order to clear out the Hamas combatants. The Israelis continue to attack population centres in the south of the Gaza strip.

Here is a more detailed map of Gaza at the end of November 15th - courtesy of Rybar:

Away from Gaza, fighting is also taking place within Palestine, on the border with Lebanon against Hezbollah in the north, on the west bank and in the Golan Heights. The fighting between Hezbollah and the Israelis has increased over the week, according to some reports.

Here is an excellent 3 minute long sitrep for those who have access to Telegram. Apologies to those who don’t have Telegram. On the 14th November, the Israelis announced the military collapse of Hamas in North Gaza yet the latter is still fighting.

Al Shifa Hospital

The Al Shifa hospital has been surrounded by the Israelis because, they claim, Hamas is using tunnels underneath the hospital for military purposes. Hamas denies this¹ but even if it were true this would not justify Israeli actions there - including cutting off electricity supplies which has killed patients in intensive care.

Appeal From Doctor in Gaza (read at London Protest march 11th November 2023)

We medical staff want to live, but we can't even survive until morning. We don't want to be killed here, just for remaining committed to our medical profession, please get the Red Cross, the ICC, your states, etc. to help us.

The doctor reading this appeal at the demo could not hold back her tears. Hippocrates would have been proud of such people.

On the 13th November, according to Al Jazeera, six premature babies and nine other patients in intensive care died due to electricity shortages. At this point, there were 1,500 patients, 1,500 staff and 7,000 displaced people in the hospital complex. The Israelis are saying that they are letting people leave the hospital while some of those inside say they are being pinned down by Israeli sniper fire or have been attacked by airstrikes when trying to leave, according to Sputnik.

According to Josep Borrell 20 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza are not working while some have been destroyed completely. TeleSur reported that the hospital is unable to bury decomposing bodies, which could cause diseases.

The Palestinian Health Minister has said that 198 medical staff have been killed by the Israelis while 55 ambulances have been destroyed.

On the 15th November, according to Tass the Israelis continued their attacks on the west wing of the hospital and were blowing up inner walls and doors to get at Hamas. The electricity and internet were turned off by the Israelis prior to the attacks. Hamas has insisted that it does not have a command post in the hospital and that no hostages have been held there. Under the current circumstances it is impossible to know the truth.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has condemned the attack, pointing out that hospitals are not battlegrounds. The WHO has lost contact with medical professionals within Gaza.

On the 16th November, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, head of the hospital told Al Jazeera:

A few hours ago one dialysis patient died and 4 are at imminent risk of death because no power for dialysis machines. Three premature babies died in recent days. Two injured persons died in recent hours due to lack of treatment. There is no water, fuel or electricity. Israel broke the main water line into the hospital. There is no purified water to make the special formula for the babies, so they are using ordinary water and some have become sick with diarrhea, infections, fever. There is no food. Children are starving and distressed. There is no medicine and the wounds of injured people are becoming horribly infected, some with maggots. Hospital administrators tried to send a delegation to the occupation forces to ask for food, fuel, medicine and safe evacuation of the sick and injured but the Israelis refused to to talk to them. The hospital is besieged from all sides by tanks and bulldozers.

Reported by Ali Abudimah on Twitter. This is what Western politicians around the world are voting for including those in our own parliament in the UK - shame on you all!

Al Quds Hospital

This hospital in north Gaza has been under siege since November 5th and patients/staff are being evacuated. On the 15th, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society gave this statement:

It was a challenging and perilous day. Today, we managed to evacuate the patients, the wounded, their families, and the medical teams trapped in the Al-Quds Hospital, compelled by the tragic situation that had befallen the hospital. This comes after more than ten days of siege, during which medical and humanitarian supplies were prevented from reaching the hospital.

Patients are being moved to hospitals in the south of Gaza, according to Tass.

Al Jazeera provides a 30 minute documentary about the attacks on hospitals here.

Jabalia Regugee Camp

Many people have died following recent Israeli attacks on the refugee camp, as you may know. These attacks have continued and on the 17th November, 18 people were killed by air strikes - according to Al Jazeera.

Hostage Deal

Tass is reporting (14th November) that a hostage deal is being negotiated between Israel and Hamas. Over 100 Israeli women and children could be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. The deal has not been finalised, however. Here's an update on the deal from Al Jazeera.

SAS In Gaza?

The UK government has issued ‘D notices’ to prohibit news outlets in Britain from reporting on SAS operations in Gaza - according to the Socialist Worker newspaper. The SAS are currently stationed in Cyprus.

Hezbollah Red Line

A spokesman for Hezbollah has said that the organisation will not enter the war against Israel unless Hamas resistance in Gaza is quashed completely - according to RT. However, I have seen reports that Hezbollah is stepping up its attacks on Israeli positions so it is already fighting.

Egypt Blocks Iranian Aid

According to The Cradle, Egypt has blocked 60 tons of humanitarian aid from Iran at Israel’s request but I have no idea why.

Russians Evacuated from Gaza

Here’s what rescued Russians had to say about the hell they had left behind (short).

Operational Pause Gaza

On the 12th November and again on the 14th, the Israelis paused operations for four hours so that citizens from the north of Gaza could evacuate.

Mein Kampf Found On Dead Hamas Fighter

Israeli president Isaac Herzog claims that a copy of Mein Kampf was found on the body of a dead Hamas fighter in a children’s bedroom in Gaza. Herzog ‘reasoned’ that this discovery shows that children in Gaza are being taught how to hate Jews. Why do I find this hard to believe? This is simply another trope like the suicide vest mentioned above in connection with the hospital (see footnote). Both stories may be true for all I know but they sound like propaganda. Others have emerged since about weapons found underneath children’s beds and so on - attempting to justify their murder.

International Criminal Court (ICC) and Human Rights Watch (HRW)

Turkiye has submitted a complaint against Benjamin Netanyahu to the ICC for genocide in Gaza. HRW has also accused Israel of ‘war crimes’ in destroying hospitals and ambulances, according to RT. A spokesman said:

The Israeli government should immediately end unlawful attacks on hospitals, ambulances, and other civilian objects, as well as its total blockade of the Gaza Strip, which amounts to the war crime of collective punishment.

World Opinion

Tough Talking Americans

Donald J has said that the US will respond to anyone spilling a drop of American blood by spilling a gallon of theirs - according to RT. It’s not an eye for an eye any more, but a thousand eyes for just one. The Nazis thought the life of one of their own was worth one hundred of their enemies. This is the same sort of rhetoric. I must say that I am disappointed with some US political figures regarding their response to the middle east conflict. RFK jnr. has just come out and admitted that Israel is the US’s watchdog in the middle east - as if there’s nothing wrong with that. Brian Berletic talks about it here (30 minutes) while providing an update on the middle east conflict. Tulsi Gabbard has also come out with what sounds like pro-Israeli propaganda. She accuses Hamas of committing war crimes on October 7th, but completely ignores what the Israelis are doing in Gaza. She calls Hamas a terrorist organisation but has forgotten that she has called out Israel for acts of terrorism in the past. Jimmy Dore, who is as shocked as I am, recorded this debunking of her comments (21 mins long). Did you not know Tulsi, that the Israelis are killing a child in Gaza every ten minutes. I have found things to admire in all three of these people so I am very disappointed and even suspicious of them now. Rand Paul is the only US politician I know of who I could wholeheartedly support.

Peaceniks

Emmanuel Macron has condemned Israel’s attack of civilians in Gaza and has called for a ceasefire. He is obviously worried about how his own Muslim and Jewish populations and the potential for clashes between them. Justin Trudeau, as if to demonstrate that he has a spark of humanity after the Truckers/Lockdown Debacle, condemned Israel for ‘killing babies’ and earned an immediate rebuke from Netanyahu. Lula Da Silva of Brazil has also criticised Israel for the pointless and unjustified killing of children in Gaza. Meanwhile in the US of A, 400 state department employees have signed an internal memo which accuses Joe Biden of ‘disinformation’ about Gaza, hiding the fact that genocide is being committed by the Israelis and refusing to deescalate the situation there.

UN ‘Third Committee’ - New York, Nov 10

The Third Committee, known as the “Commission on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Affairs” of the United Nations, today approved a resolution supporting the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination - according to Rymar.

The Palestinian News Agency “Wafa” reported that the resolution was approved with an overwhelming majority of 168 countries in favor, while 4 countries plus “Israel” were opposed and 9 countries abstained from voting. The resolution reaffirms the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to have their own independent State.

UN General Assembly Vote

The UNGA has voted 145-7 in favour of a resolution condemning illegal Israeli settlement building in Palestine. Of course Israel, Canada and the US voted against but so did Hungary. Moscow has criticised the US for vetoing UN Security Council resolutions that would have stopped the killing of civilians in Gaza.

UN Security Council Vote

A motion put forward by Malta and designed to help the children of Gaza was passed by the Security Council. The motion called for humanitarian pauses of ‘sufficient numbers of days’ to allow the safe evacuation of sick or injured children and their carers. The motion also allows for the search and discovery of missing children. Russia, the UK and the US abstained while all others voted in favour. This is fine as far as it goes but a truce is desperately needed.

UK Vote For Ceasefire Fails

The Scottish National Party tabled a motion for the UK government to urge a ceasefire in Gaza. Kier Starmer, leader of a Labour party divided on the issue, had warned his front benchers that they will be sacked if they vote for the ceasefire, according to The Mail. Shamefully, the vote did not pass but 56 Labour MPs voted for the ceasefire, including eight front benchers who then offered their resignations - according to Al Jazeera.

Demonstrations

Paris

Over 100,000 people marched in Paris against anti-Semitism which, it is claimed, has spiraled since the Israelis moved into Gaza. Given the problems with defining anti-Semitism, which is sometimes conflated with criticism of Israel, it is not clear how much of an increase there has actually been. But of course this is worrying. France hosts the third largest group of Jewish people in the world (500,000) behind Israel and the US.

Washington DC

Washington DC saw the largest pro-Israel march with 300,000 people attending including leaders of the Republican and Democrat parties. Demonstrators shouted ‘no ceasefire’. Israel’s President Isaac Herzog addressed the crowd via video link. Representing Christians for Israel, Pastor John Hagee said ‘Choose Israel or Hamas," and emphasized: "There is no middle ground in this conflict. You’re either for the Jewish people or you’re not." This sounds very much like George W Bush after 9/11. But of course there is a middle ground. Critics called it a ‘pro-war rally’. You can read more here.

On the 15th November, a Pro-Palestinian protest outside the Democratic Committee HQ in Washington turned violent as police clashed with protesters. Congress members were thought to be inside the building as protesters demanded a ceasefire in Gaza. One US official labelled the demo a ‘pro-terrorist’ and ‘anti-Israel’ which is how many are characterising marches for peace. But the demonstrators did not help their cause by being violent - if that is what actually happened. The HQ building was locked down out of concern for safety. You can read more here.

San Francisco

Thousands demonstrated in San Francisco before the start of the APEC summit on November 14th. The protesters, many of whom carried Palestinian flags, shouted ‘free Palestine’ and ‘Genocidal Joe, he must go’. The crowd called for a ceasefire but also demanded that the US spend money on internal poverty rather than funding disastrous wars - according to RT.

London

Up to 800,000 people marched for peace in Gaza on the 11th November. Suella Braverman, the UK Home Secretary has been sacked following comments she made about the anti-war march. She described people who attended the demo as ‘hate marchers’ and accused the police of pro-Palestinian bias. The fact that there were up to 800,000 people at that march means that the vast majority were just ordinary people who had a simple desire for the killing of innocent civilians to stop. I understand that Suella’s husband is not only Jewish but also a Zionist, so maybe she let her emotions get in the way of her professionalism.

Kerala, India

More than 50,000 protested in Kerala province in India on November 11th (the 19th anniversary of PLO leader Yasser Arafat’s death), describing Israel as a ‘terrorist state’. The protests were organised by civil rights activists, political and cultural groups from all parts of the political spectrum as well as Muslims - according to Al Jazeera.

Italian Dockers

Dockers in the Italian port of Genoa are blocking export of arms to Israel according to Slavyangrad.

There have also been pro-Palestinian protests in Ghana, Helsinki, Lebanon, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Columbia and Venezuela - according to Pan Africa (18 mins).

Boycotts

Some countries, including Indonesia and Turkiye, are calling for a boycott of companies such as Coca Cola, Starbucks, MacDonalds, Burger King, KFC, IBM and Nestle who have shown support for Israel - according to RT. The above fast food chains have seen their customers and profits decline already.

Support For Israel Declines in US - Poll

According to a recent poll in the US, 68% of people want Israel to stop fighting and negotiate with Hamas. Only 32% of people believe that the US should be supporting Israel - according to Zero Hedge.

Netanyahu - We’ll Keep Gaza

Netanyahu recently said that Israel will continue to control Gaza even after the war has finished in order to keep HAMAS out of the city. US officials asked him to clarify his statement and Netanyahu merely repeated it. But the Biden administration would clearly not be happy with an Israeli occupied Gaza and has said so - according to RT . The tail is wagging the dog again. In another statement the Israeli leader said that Israel is prepared to fight the whole world to stop HAMAS. He also warned that if Israel loses then Hamas will threaten America. But the opposite is true: i.e. if Hamas loses it will be more of a threat to the US.

Some Statements by the Protagonists

▪️Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi: “Islamic countries must arm the Palestinians to fight Israel if the fighting in the Gaza Strip does not stop.”

▪️Netanyahu addressed Arab leaders live: “I say to Arab leaders: if you want to protect your interests, you must do one thing: remain silent!”

▪️The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives promised to donate 2 million boxes of tuna to the residents of Gaza as a sign of support.

▪️Erdogan said that it is necessary to update the structure created after World War II. The system of permanent members and veto rights in the United Nations must be changed.

▪️Infants in Gaza are in critical condition due to the blockade. No electricity or oxygen. The head of the World Health Organization confirmed information about the grave state of affairs in the said hospital.

▪️International Committee of the Red Cross: “We call for the protection of civilians trapped in Gaza, whether they try to evacuate or remain where they are.”

▪️Yesterday, Egypt informed Iran that its aid arriving in Al-Arish would not be delivered to Gaza due to Israeli actions.

▪️In Denmark, Islamists held a rally with Al-Qaeda and Taliban flags.

Israeli Debt Spiraling

The war against the Palestinians has the potential to ruin Israel’s already weak economy according to its own Finance Ministry. Credit agencies are warning that Israel’s credit rating could be reduced to negative if the war continues - according to RT.

Death Toll Gaza - 16th November

At this point, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, 11,320 people have been killed in Gaza and disgracefully 4,650 of them were children.

That’s it for this week. I hope you will enjoy and appreciate the new Update.

1. On the 14th November Sputnik reported an IDF claim that a Hamas command and control centre (rather than tunnels) was found underneath the hospital. This contained armaments, suicide vests and evidence that hostages were kept there. I have no idea if this is true or not but it would not justify the mass killing of civilians at the hospital. According to Boris Rozhin, there is a bunker and tunnels underneath the hospital which were built by the Israelis when they occupied Gaza in 1983.