Israeli crimes
Dear Sir,
What does Israel think of the United Nations? And of Human Rights Watch? Or of Gaza’s children? The answer is crystal clear. Israel does not think itself answerable to anyone. The prime reason is Israeli exceptionalism.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has already indicated that the Jewish state will not co-operate with a UN probe into Gaza oppression. He has lashed out at the UN Human Rights Council, accusing it of granting “legitimacy to terror organisations” like Hamas.
History knows that in 2008-09 Israel had dropped white phosphorus bombs on Gaza. It was an open violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention to use chemical weapons on civilian populations. Indeed there was no accountability for the conflict in 2008, in 2009, in 2012. In the Israeli aggression in 2008, 1,050 Palestinians were martyred. Then what happened? Nothing! Now history seems to repeat itself.
There is repeated destruction of Gaza; repeated parroting by Israel of its right to defend itself; repeated calls for enquiry. But Gaza is still waiting for justice.
There is no international institute to challenge or question the Israeli exceptionalism. The world must know now the facts about Zionism. It needs to know why superpowers are silent in face of Israel’s crimes. Israel’s exceptionalism is not only making the Middle East dangerous but also the entire world. Palestinian scholar Edward Said once said that “Israel is unique in the world for the excuses made on its behalf”.
Professor of economics at America’s Northeastern University, M Shahid Alam, in his book, Israeli Exceptionalism: the Destabilizing Logic of Zionism, has tried well to explore the subject. He writes that, “they (Zionists) would constantly remind the Jews that they are an ancient people, divinely favoured, uniquely talented, racially superior and undefeatable, who deserved more than any other people to make history as great nation. The Zionist would have to construct an ideology of Jewish Exceptionalism.”
Israeli Jewish philosopher Martin Buber says that “Israel is not another example of the species nation; it is the only example of the species Israel.”
Israel’s actions speak for themselves. Indeed this is pure racism; baseless and self-deceptive belief; unacceptable and fanatic concept. In this Israeli exceptionalism, what option is left for Palestinians and peace loving world?
Palestinian scholar Ramzy Baroud gives the correct answer in his article, “Palestinians need not apologise for resisting”: “In the case of Gaza, armed resistance has become the main language that can possibly be understood by Israel, as some of its officials and media are openly advocating genocide.”
Nasir Farooq
[email protected]
A tragic and sudden loss
Dear Sir,
The death of Oscar award-winning actor Robin Williams, the greatest comedian of his era, saddens millions of his fans around the world and is an irreparable loss to the entertainment industry. With his death, the world had lost one of its most beloved comedy artistes.
This is a tragic and sudden loss; he will be always remembered for his superb roles in Good Will Hunting, Mrs Doubtfire and Good Morning Vietnam.
It is unfortunate that in end he had to struggle with alcoholism and finally fall prey to depression, leading him to take his own life .
Williams won a Best Supporting Oscar for his role as Sean Maguire in 1997 drama Good Will Hunting. He leaves behind a void in the field of comedy that would be difficult to fill.
Ramesh G Jethwani
(Address supplied)