We’re here today, like we’ve been here for the last 16 weeks, to keep vigil. We’re here to bear witness.
Day 116 of Israel’s genocidal assault on Gaza. More than 33,000 dead, including those still buried under the rubble, and 65,000 wounded.
This past weekend, 12 Israeli cabinet members played a prominent role in a conference calling for resettlement of Gaza, including a map with the reestablishment of 15 Jewish settlements and 6 new ones in Gaza. The conference title: “Settlement Brings Security and Victory.” And not a peep from the US.
And not a peep from religious leaders either. Typical for US churches: Christian nationalism on the Right. Christian impotence on the Left.
Our friend, UK Jewish journalist, Robert Cohen, this past Saturday on International Holocaust Day, put it like this:
‘Never Again’ must mean more than a slogan for western liberal democracies to feel good. about themselves. ‘Never Again’ must mean ‘no’ to state sanctioned racism; ‘no’ to ethnic nationalism; and ‘no’ to genocide – no matter who is carrying it out.
There needs to be an honest reckoning with the violence and victims of Zionism, an honest reckoning not only by Jews, but by Western nations which have used support for Israel as an excuse to facing up to their own histories of antisemitism and racism. Never Again’ must mean Never Again for Anyone, Anywhere.
For those of us who have spent our lives saying, “Never again!”, we witnessed the bitter irony of Israel accused of genocide under the same laws originally written by a Jewish man after the holocaust to make sure that it would happen “Never again.”
The International Court of Justice calls what Israel’s doing “genocide,” and Biden says that’s not enough to change US policy. Why? Because Israel told him to.
The International Court of Justice told the world that Israel must stop committing genocide in Gaza; in the next 24 hours, Israel killed and injured almost 500 Palestinian civilians. And what does Biden do? The next day he cut off funding to the UN Agency’ that provides humanitarian aid to Gaza. Why? Because Israel told him to.
Christopher Hedges, on assignment in Gaza wrote: “Children have been shot in other conflicts I’ve covered. But never before have I watched as soldiers enticed children like mice into a trap and murdered them for sport.” And what does Biden do? He sends them more weapons. Why? Because Israel told him to.
So let’s just be clear about this: If you’re Israel and you kill 33,000 Palestinians in four months, Biden will send you billions of dollars, the most sophisticated weapons, and cover for you, defend you, and lie for you. If you’re Yemen and kill no one, and block shipping to stop genocide, Biden will drop scores of bombs on you. And why? Because Israel told him to.
This is not merely US complicity. It’s US criminality funding a (fellow) racist, coloinial regime. I saw the sign: “You know what also died in Gaza? The myth of Western humanity.” But Biden doesn’t care.
According to a recent poll, more than one in three Americans believe Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. But Biden doesn’t care.
The US, the so-called “enlightened West” has lost all its credibility. Please, Joe, no more talk about human rights. We see through you. US hypocrisy. US double standards. Theh US, Israel’s lap dog. I say to Joe, “In November, we’ll remember.”
Our humanity is being tested. Our morality is being tested. And Biden fails the test. The US fails the test.
Our voices are needed more than ever. We must make them listen. We’re not going anywhere. We’re here to stay. We’ll be here next Tuesday, too, from 5:00-6:00. We plan to be here for the duration.
From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.