We stand firmly against injustice in all its forms. Nothing can justify the current war crimes committed by Israel in occupied Palestine. Equally, nothing can excuse the continued support offered by other nations to this apartheid regime. If you believe in human rights, dignity, and justice, then we urge you to boycott this rogue state. Silence is complicity, do what’s right.
We, the undersigned, call upon the international community to take immediate and decisive action to halt the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.
Since October 2023 over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli Occupation Force, including over 17,000 children and over 100,000 wounded, with many in critical condition. While the vast majority of violence has taken place in Gaza,widespread atrocities are now escalating against Palestinians in the unlawfully occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem.
The world cannot remain silent in the face of such relentless attacks ,displacement and systematic violence perpetrated by Israel against the Palestinian people.
These violations of international law, human rights, and humanitarian norms by Israel in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank neccesitate urgent military protection for Palestinian civilians to safeguard against further harm.
We demand:
The immediate establishment of aninternational military force to protect Palestinian civilians.
Immediate cessation of all military actions by Israel against the civilian populations of Gaza, East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Enforcement of United Nations resolutions and international legal frameworks that recognize the rights of the Palestinian people to peace, security, and self-determination.
Accountability for those responsible for war crimes and violations of human rights.
We call on governments worldwide tostand against these atrocities and fulfill their moral and legal obligations toprotect the Palestinian people
As Christmas lights flicker across the world, illuminating trees in cozy living rooms and city squares, another kind of light dominates the skies of Gaza: the searing glare of American bombs. While carolers in the West sing of peace and goodwill, the people of Gaza, many of whom are Christians themselves, huddle in fear, mourning lives lost and futures stolen. It’s a bitter irony that the birthplace of Jesus—himself a Palestinian born under occupation—is now a stage for one of the most brutal and unrelenting sieges in modern history.
Jesus of Nazareth, often sanitized into a Westernized figure, was a man of the land known as Palestine. He lived under Roman occupation, preached liberation for the oppressed, and stood against tyranny—a legacy that should resonate deeply today. Yet, in a grotesque twist, the same Western nations that celebrate his life and message remain complicit in the ongoing Israeli occupation and slaughter of his people.
Consider the stark hypocrisy of governments like the United States and the United Kingdom, which, while decking their halls with messages of peace, funnel billions of dollars in military aid to Israel. These funds are used to perpetuate apartheid, flatten homes, and bomb hospitals—actions that even a first-century Jesus would have railed against. Politicians offer empty platitudes about “de-escalation” while actively fueling the fire, hiding behind the threadbare excuse of Israel’s “right to defend itself,” as though Gaza—a strip of occupied and long-sieged land deprived of basic human rights—is the aggressor in this unbalanced and sick equation.
Meanwhile, the so-called free press dutifully plays its part. Veteran media outlets, bastions of journalistic integrity (or so they claim), downplay the carnage with headlines that sanitize reality. Words like “clashes” are used to describe the bombardment of civilians. The death toll is presented as numbers, stripped of names, stories, and humanity. And when Palestinian voices manage to break through the noise, they are labeled as “extremists,” their grief politicized and their pain dismissed.
But the hypocrisy doesn’t end there. Western leaders who condemn Hamas with righteous indignation rarely spare a word for the children killed in Israeli airstrikes. Churches that teach the gospel of love turn a blind eye to the suffering of the very people whose land their Savior walked. The silence is deafening, and the complicity is glaring.
In Gaza, Christmas is not a season of joy but a reminder of loss. For the Palestinian Christians who remain, it is a time to mourn not only the absence of loved ones but also the erasure of their existence by a world that would rather not see them. And yet, amidst the rubble, the spirit of resistance endures. Just as Jesus stood firm against the empire of his time, Palestinians refuse to bow under the weight of oppression.
This Christmas, as you hang your stockings and sip your mulled wine, spare a thought for Gaza. Spare a thought for a land where the message of “peace on Earth” is drowned out by the hum of drones and the roar of explosions. Spare a thought for the hypocrisy that allows this to continue, year after year, in the birthplace of the Prince of Peace.
And if your conscience stirs, do something. Speak out. Write to your representatives. Boycott companies complicit in the occupation. Because Christmas isn’t just about celebrating the birth of Jesus—it’s about honoring his legacy of justice, compassion, and resistance to tyranny. And there is no better way to do that than by standing with Palestine.
The Irish taoiseach, Simon Harris, said on X: “This is a deeply regrettable decision from the Netanyahu government. I utterly reject the assertion that Ireland is anti-Israel. Ireland is pro-peace, pro-human rights and pro-international law.
“Ireland wants a two-state solution and for Israel and Palestine to live in peace and security. Ireland will always speak up for human rights and international law. Nothing will distract from that.”
Israel has not applied similar measures to other countries, including Egypt, Spain, and Mexico, that joined the petition.
The announcement came as the death toll of Palestinians in Gaza approached 45,000 in the war that began with Hamas’s 7 October attack into Israel last year. Dozens of deaths were reported in Israeli strikes on the coastal territory on Sunday.
Announcing the decision to close the embassy, Sa’ar said: “It should be noted that in the past, Israel’s ambassador to Dublin was recalled following Ireland’s unilateral decision to recognise a ‘Palestinian state’.”
He said the decision to close the embassy had been prompted by Ireland’s announcement of its support for South Africa’s legal action against Israel in the ICJ, accusing Israel of ‘genocide’.”
“The antisemitic actions and rhetoric that Ireland is taking against Israel are based on delegitimisation and demonisation of the Jewish state and on double standards,” said Sa’ar.
“Ireland has crossed all red lines in its relationship with Israel. Israel will invest its resources in promoting bilateral relations with the countries of the world according to priorities that are also derived from the attitude of the various countries towards it.
“There are countries that are interested in strengthening their ties with Israel and do not yet have an Israeli embassy,” Sa’ar continued, adding that Israel planned to open a new embassy in Moldova, which is seen as being more friendly to Israel.
“We will adjust the Israeli diplomatic structure of our missions while giving weight, among other of things, to the approach and actions of the various countries towards Israel in the political arena,” he said.
Relations between Ireland and Israel have long been strained because of Ireland’s stance on Palestine.
In November, Harris said the country’s authorities would detain his Israeli counterpart, Benjamin Netanyahu, if he travelled to Ireland, after the international criminal court issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu.
Israel has submitted an appeal against the arrest warrants issued by the ICC for Netanyahu and the former defence minister Yoav Gallant, Army Radio reported on Sunday.
On 21 November, the ICC issued warrants for the two, citing grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant had committed the war crime of starvation and crimes against humanity such as murder and persecution.
The move to close the embassy follows last week’s statement by Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste (Ireland’s second most senior elected official) and minister for foreign affairs, that he had secured government approval for Ireland to intervene in South Africa’s ICJ case against Israel under the genocide convention.
“There has been a collective punishment of the Palestinian people through the intent and impact of military actions of Israel in Gaza, leaving 44,000 dead and millions of civilians displaced,” said Martin.
“By legally intervening in South Africa’s case, Ireland will be asking the ICJ to broaden its interpretation of what constitutes the commission of genocide by a state.
“We are concerned that a very narrow interpretation of what constitutes genocide leads to a culture of impunity in which the protection of civilians is minimised.
“Ireland’s view of the convention is broader and prioritises the protection of civilian life – as a committed supporter of the convention, the government will promote that interpretation in its intervention in this case.”
Israeli forces continued to pound northern Gaza on Sunday, with one airstrike on the Khalil Aweida school in the town of Beit Hanoun killing at least 15 people, according to nearby Kamal Adwan hospital, where casualties were taken.
In Gaza City, at least 17 people, including six women and five children, were killed in three airstrikes that hit houses sheltering displaced people, according to Al-Ahli hospital.
An Israeli airstrike also hit the civil emergency centre in the Nuseirat market area in central Gaza, killing Ahmed Al-Louh, a video journalist for Al Jazeera TV, and five other people, medics and fellow journalists said.
Posted inNews from the apartheid|TaggedIreland|Comments Off on Israel to close Dublin embassy after Ireland supports ICJ genocide petition
A psychopathic society is one where empathy is systematically eroded, moral accountability is discarded, and violence and domination are celebrated as virtues. In such societies, the traits of psychopathy—lack of remorse, dehumanization of others, and ruthless pursuit of self-interest—are not just tolerated but institutionalized. When we reflect on the current state of global politics, few examples illustrate this phenomenon more clearly than the ongoing actions of the Israeli state.
Psychopathic societies thrive on collective delusion. They construct narratives that justify systemic oppression and normalize violence. In Israel, the dehumanization of Palestinians has been deeply ingrained, perpetuated by political rhetoric, media propaganda, and societal conditioning. From labeling entire communities as “terrorists” to reducing human lives in Gaza to mere collateral damage, the language of supremacy and disregard for human suffering has become a societal norm.
A defining characteristic of a psychopathic society is the ability to commit atrocities while simultaneously viewing oneself as the victim. In Israel, the narrative of self-defense is invoked to justify the indiscriminate killing of civilians, the bombing of homes, and the destruction of infrastructure in Gaza. This twisted justification is amplified by the media, where the victims are often portrayed as aggressors, and those committing the violence are cast as heroes or reluctant participants forced into action.
Psychopathic societies also reward and glorify violence. In Israel, far-right politicians openly call for genocidal policies, such as erasing Gaza or ethnically cleansing Palestinians, and are met with applause rather than condemnation. Soldiers who carry out brutal acts are celebrated, while those who speak out against the occupation are vilified. This normalization of cruelty is not just a feature of governance but is deeply embedded in the societal psyche.
What makes this even more alarming is the complicity of the global community. Psychopathic societies often rely on the silence, support, or indifference of others to sustain their actions. The Israeli state enjoys unwavering support from powerful allies, even as its policies towards Palestinians grow more extreme. This international backing reinforces the impunity with which it operates, further entrenching its psychopathic tendencies.
To call out psychopathic societies is not an act of hate; it is a call to restore humanity. It is a demand to recognize and reject systems that dehumanize, oppress, and destroy. Israel’s actions towards Palestinians are not just a political issue; they are a moral crisis that challenges the conscience of the world.
If we fail to confront and dismantle psychopathic societies, we risk normalizing their traits on a global scale. The question is not just about what is happening in Israel and Palestine but about what kind of world we are willing to accept. Silence in the face of injustice is not neutrality—it is complicity. The first step in countering a psychopathic society is to name it, expose its mechanisms, and demand accountability, no matter how powerful the perpetrators may be.
The time to act is now—before the world becomes a mirror of the very psychopathy we claim to abhor.
“We will look back and say, ‘Why did we not do more earlier?” Amnesty’s director tells Zeteo.
By PREM THAKKER, DEC 05, 2024
A young Palestinian man walks in the rubble following Israeli airstrikes on Khan Yunis, Gaza, on April 7, 2024. Photo by Ahmad Hasaballah/Getty Images
Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, Amnesty Internationalsaid for the first time on Wednesday, calling on countries, especially those with influence over Israel, such as the US and Germany, to take action to bring the violence to an end.
“The Palestinian people will not recover from this in our lifetimes as a people, and we’re failing to call it what it is,” Amnesty International executive director Paul O’Brien told Zeteo.
“I think there’s this misunderstanding that it’s impossible to watch a genocide unfolding before your eyes. But that is precisely what is happening, and I am convinced that we will look back in years to come and say, ‘Why did we not do more earlier?’” he added.
Amnesty International reached its conclusion after examining Israel’s actions and statements over a nine-month period from Oct. 7, 2023, and early July and interviewing more than 200 people, including Palestinian victims of Israeli air strikes, displacement, and detention; local authorities in Gaza; and healthcare and aid workers.
“Here in Deir al-Balah, it’s like an apocalypse,” Mohammed, a 42-year-old father of three, was quoted by Amnesty as saying. “There is no room for you to pitch a tent; you have to set it up near the coast… You have to protect your children from insects, from the heat, and there is no clean water, no toilets, all while the bombing never stops. You feel like you are subhuman here.”
Loved ones and relatives mourn as the bodies of Palestinians killed in an Israeli attack are prepared for a funeral in Deir Al-Balah, Gaza, on June 18, 2024. Photo by Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images
Israel’s Claims Are ‘Not Credible’
Amnesty’s intensive 296-page report covers everything from airstrikes and aid sieges to agricultural decimation and destruction of cultural and religious sites. On multiple occasions, Amnesty notes, the organization shared its findings with Israeli authorities but received no substantive response.
The Israeli government has repeatedly balked at charges of genocide, claiming it takes great efforts to protect civilians while Hamas deliberately puts Palestinians in danger. The US has made similar defenses, and, when pressed, often defaults to its line that “Israel has a right to defend itself.”
Amnesty found such claims are “not credible,” saying that the presence of Hamas does not absolve Israel from its obligation to avoid indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks.
From “the clear pattern of causing intergenerational harm by dropping bombs on residential areas at night where children, infants, parents and grandparents are sleeping,” to “the constant forced movements of populations that are already traumatized by having been displaced and then attacking them once they have been moved,” O’Brien said it is “absolutely not the case” that Israel’s violence can be “understood exclusively as an attempt to defeat Hamas.”
Palestinians inspect the rubble after the Israeli army hit a UN school sheltering thousands of people in Gaza’s Nuseirat Refugee Camp on June 6, 2024. Photo by Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images
Amnesty reviewed 15 Israeli airstrikes between Oct. 7, 2023, and April 20, 2024, that killed and wounded hundreds of civilians and found no evidence that any of the strikes were directed at a military objective.
Humanitarian workers meanwhile told Amnesty that Israel repeatedly failed to support aid distribution – and at times targeted workers who had coordinated with Israel.
One worker told Amnesty their organization actually chose not to even try notifying the Israeli government of their movements, as Palestinian staff actually feared that would put them at a higher risk. “Of course, they don’t think it will stop Israel. On the contrary, it may make them more of a target.”
Citing such evidence, Amnesty said there is “sufficient basis” to conclude that Israel has committed several acts “with the specific intent to destroy Palestinians in Gaza” – a finding the human rights group said fits thelegal definition of genocide.
Unlike in many other cases of genocide, O’Brien noted, the expression of such intent in Israel has come from top officials. Of 102 dehumanizing and genocide-inciting statements from Israeli officials Amnesty identified over nine months, 22 were made by senior officials in charge of managing Israel’s violent campaign.
Last month, the International Criminal Courtissued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant for war crimes. An International Court of Justice case led by South Africa accusing Israel of genocide has had several nations — including Spain, Ireland, and Belgium — join. The ICJ has ordered Israel to prevent acts of genocide (which Israel has since continued to flout) while the case proceeds.
The Israeli military has killed at least 44,532 Palestinians, injured at least 105,538, and displaced an estimated 90% of people in Gaza since the war began. The death and injury toll is feared to be a drastic undercount due to decimated health and tracking capabilities, and thousands missing in the rubble.
With its conclusion, Amnesty International now joins an ever-burgeoning list of people and organizations who have found Israel to be committing acts of genocide against Palestinians.
These include:
• UN Special Rapporteurs
• Holocaust historian and author of “The United States and the Nazi Holocaust” Barry Trachtenberg
• Israeli-American Holocaust and genocide professor Omer Bartov
• Israeli Holocaust historian Amos Goldberg
• Co-founder of Human Rights Watch and Holocaust survivor Aryeh Neier
• The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security
The ICJP referred case studies of four charities, including Trinity College Cambridge and Jewish National Fund UK, to the UN
UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights Situation in the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese speaks at a press conference at a session of the UN Human Rights Council, Geneva, 27 March 2024 (AFP)
A number of British charities have been referred to the United Nations special rapporteur for the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, over allegedly “aiding and abetting international crimes against Palestinians”.
These include both the University of Cambridge’s Trinity College and Jewish National Fund UK, a charity which has former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as honorary patrons.
The International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), a UK-based rights group, announced on Monday that it had answered Albanese’s call for evidence ahead of a report to the UN Human Rights Council on “how the private sector has contributed to establishing and maintain Israel’s presence” in the occupied territories.
The ICJP said its submission explains the case studies of four charities, including Trinity College Cambridge and the UK arm of the Jewish National Fund.
Middle East Eye revealed in February that the prestigious Cambridge college, which is one of Britain’s wealthiest landowners, had $78,089 invested in Israel’s largest arms company, Elbit Systems, which produces 85 percent of the drones and land-based equipment used by the Israeli army.
MEE also reported that the college had millions of dollars invested in other companies arming, supporting and profiting from Israel’s war on Gaza.
On 7 May, the ICJP submitted a formal complaint to the Charity Commission requesting an investigation into Trinity’s investments. This followed the ICJP issuing two successive legal notices to the college in response to MEE’s initial report.
The latest development comes after Trinity was last week accused of “misleading” its students and others by failing to deny reports that it was divesting its investments in arms companies.
The ICJP has also referred the case of Jewish National Fund UK to the UN.
This follows the ICJP writing in August to Richard Hermer KC, the UK attorney general, urging him to revoke the organisation’s charitable status.
It has in the past been heavily criticised for its activities, which have included donating £1m to “Israel’s largest militia”.
In late November, MEE reported that the charity displays a map on its website including the occupied Golan Heights, West Bank and Gaza Strip as part of Israel.
Blair patron of charity that shows Gaza and West Bank as part of Israel
This contradicts the status of the territories under international law – and also contradicts the position of the British government, which recognises the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights as being under Israeli occupation.
ICJP Legal Officer Mira Naseer told MEE: “Sadly, there are countless examples of charities in the UK that are not acting according to charitable purposes.
“This includes colleges that invest in companies that are complicit in Israeli crimes and organisations that help perpetuate these crimes. They undermine the public’s trust in the charity sector altogether and the work of those who genuinely contribute to our society.”
She added: “Our submission to the call for input highlights cases from ICJP’s work, including Trinity College and JNF UK, as complicit third sector organisations.
“By shining a spotlight on third sector complicity, the UN Special Rapporteur has an opportunity to help fill the accountability gap that currently exists in the UK.”
The other charities the ICJP referred to the UN were UK Toremet, which has been accused of funding Israeli organisations that supply equipment to the Israeli military, and Achisomoch Aid Company, which the Charity Commission is investigating after an ICJP complaint earlier this year.
The company donated to an Israeli medical charity, Ezrat Achim, whose current activities include supplying what ICJP describes as “combat and tactical equipment” to Israeli soldiers.
In the face of immense challenges, Palestinians have demonstrated extraordinary ingenuity and creativity across various fields. From technology and medicine to art and culture, Palestinian innovations reflect a blend of resourcefulness, resilience, and an unyielding spirit.
Innovation Amid Adversity
The unique circumstances in Palestine have necessitated creative solutions to complex problems. Limited resources, restricted movement, and economic constraints have fueled a culture of innovation, where necessity becomes the mother of invention. Palestinian entrepreneurs, researchers, and artists have developed groundbreaking ideas that not only address local needs but also resonate globally.
Technology and Startups
Palestine’s burgeoning tech sector has become a hub of innovation. Cities like Ramallah and Gaza are home to startups working on cutting-edge projects, from app development to AI solutions. One notable example is Mashvisor, a Palestinian real estate analytics platform that helps investors make data-driven decisions.
Organizations like Gaza Sky Geeks, a tech hub based in Gaza, provide training, mentorship, and resources for young entrepreneurs. Despite the constraints of living in one of the most densely populated and blockaded areas in the world, these innovators are making their mark in the global tech ecosystem.
Agricultural Innovations
Palestinians have long been pioneers in sustainable agriculture. Traditional techniques, combined with modern approaches, have led to innovations in water-saving irrigation, organic farming, and crop resilience. For example, some Palestinian farmers are developing ways to grow crops in challenging conditions using minimal water resources, ensuring food security and sustainability.
Medicine and Science
Palestinian scientists and medical professionals have contributed significantly to global knowledge. In recent years, researchers at universities such as Birzeit University and Al-Quds University have published groundbreaking studies in fields ranging from cancer research to environmental science.
A standout example is Dr. Tarek Loubani, a Palestinian-Canadian physician who designed a low-cost stethoscope and 3D-printed medical tools to address shortages in Gaza’s healthcare system. His work exemplifies how Palestinian innovation meets critical needs with resourcefulness.
Arts and Culture
Palestinian artists and creatives are pushing boundaries in design, film, literature, and music. Organizations like Dar Jacir in Bethlehem serve as hubs for cultural production, fostering collaborations that span borders. Award-winning films like “Omar” and “The Present” have brought Palestinian stories to international audiences, blending innovative storytelling with powerful social messages.
Education and Empowerment
Palestinian educators and institutions are pioneering digital learning initiatives to overcome restrictions on physical access to schools. Programs like the UNRWA’s e-learning platform allow students in refugee camps to continue their education under difficult circumstances.
Additionally, coding bootcamps and STEM programs are empowering a new generation of innovators, particularly young women, who are breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
A Global Impact
Palestinian innovations are a testament to the strength and creativity of a people striving to build a better future. Despite adversity, Palestinians are making strides in technology, science, and the arts, proving that innovation knows no boundaries.
By supporting Palestinian initiatives—whether through investment, collaboration, or amplification of their stories—we can help ensure that their contributions continue to shine on the global stage.
Palestinian innovations are more than solutions; they are a declaration of hope, resilience, and the boundless potential of human creativity.
Born in Jericho, where the Jordan’s whispers flow, A child of exile, where the winds of sorrow blow. To Fawar’s camp he journeyed, with dreams in his eyes, Then to Aroub, near Bethlehem, beneath holy skies.
A teacher, a guide, with a heart steadfast, Through the halls of Aroub, his legacy cast. From chalk-streaked boards to a nation’s young minds, He sowed seeds of hope in the harshest of times.
An inspector by title, yet much more in deed, He served his community, meeting every need. For Palestine’s children, he fought to inspire, Kindling their voices, like sparks from a fire.
In the Intifada’s storm, when hunger drew near, He carried milk with courage, defying fear. For this, Negab’s cells held him six moons long, But his spirit emerged, unbroken, still strong.
A son, a brother, a father, a guide, When others faltered, he stood by their side. For his grandmother, mother, and father in pain, He gave of himself, again and again.
Selfless, he sacrificed dreams of his own, To nurture a nation, to rebuild the unknown. Through his children, he proved to the world’s eye, That Palestine endures; it will never die.
Now, engineers, teachers, doctors take their stand, A legacy woven by Abu Sami’s hand. He gave Palestine new blood, a voice, a will, To rise from the ashes, unbroken still.
A hero of peace, of the quiet, steadfast kind, A life of service, a noble, brilliant mind. Abu Sami’s name shall forever remain, Etched in the heart of this sacred terrain.
Though his body rests, his spirit roams free, In every olive branch, in every tree. For heroes like him, of this holy land’s plight, Shine as stars eternal, through the darkest night.
