Opinion: Middle East Conflict

I haven't written much for a while out of pure apathy. The situation in the middle east has not been improving instead only more innocents have been killed. I know at least one of the two people I know are out of Lebanon, but yet more die. This is a tragedy, to call it anything less would be false.

What angers me most is that the different sides are shown as if they are equal. Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel are by no means equal and should not be compared as such. Israel is one of the most powerful military powers in the world. It is one of the select club of nuclear powers and, they are backed up the most powerful country the United States. Israel kills many more Palestinian and Lebanese civilians then could be even fathomed by the other side. Israel is a militaristic apartheid state, to call it anything else would be false. That it clings that its merely defending itself and that it clings to the Jewish religion is a farce and a disgrace. Murdering civilians is not defence, using apartheid on a people is not defence, annexing others territory is not defence. It is a war state.

Ottawa: Thousands Protest Israel

After looking at a picture of the rally, I must say it was much larger then I stated earlier today. Perhaps 2000 people or more showed up. It was the convergence of the Lebanese community, the Palestinian community, the Anti-War community, and organized labour. Lebanese, Palestinian, Canadian, and CUPE flags flapped in the air. Where there were not flags there were plackards and banners to cover the rest of the way. The protestors circled the Parliament hill path with chants such as "What do we want? Cease-fire! When do we want it? Now!", "Shame Shame USA", "Stop the Killing, Stop the Crime, In Lebanon and Palestine", "End the Occupations Now!" and, "Mr. Harper when you hide; You let Canadians Die".One of the most powerful speakers was the Vice-President of the Canadian Labour Congress. Labour has come out against what Israel is doing, as well as what Canada is doing in Afghanistan. CUPE Ontario has even joined a growing campaign of divestment and boycott of Israel. The current aggression has only increased Labour in their support of the Palestinian and Lebanese people. The last speaker who was a Muslim Lebanese faith leader who tied in that what is going on in Afghanistan is not peacekeeping and bridged the gap between the conflicts. Even two Members of Parliament joined the protest Meili Faille and Richard Nadeau of the Bloc Quebecois.

Similar protests were held all over the world, but Canadian protests included Montreal, Toronto, London, Winnipeg, Vancouver and fourteen more across the country. Internationally there were many protests including in the United States and in Israel itself. Tel-Aviv for example had over 2500 demonstrators. The world is once again saying no to war.

Image from YaYaCanada

Ottawa: Children provide hope during a Protest against such brutal murder

Well I got back from the protest condeming what Israel is doing in Lebanon and Palestine as well as our government's response to it. I'd say there were around 1200 - 1500 people who came out, but its always hard to judge numbers. As one of the speakers talked about the over 100 innocent children already killed I felt myself on the verge of tears. As people should know I adore children, and would go out of my way to defend them. However, children can give great joy as well and as I stood at the top of the stands (that were set up for the sound and light show) holding the TROOPS OUT NOW! banner which rests in my room, I was surrounded by children on either side of me, behind me and below me. Despite the odd accidental bump to the head by a flag they were playing with, they made me smile greatly and showed me the innocence of hope in the face of such murder and insanity.

I'm going to write more and hopefully be able to get pictures, on this later.

Opinion: Lebanon and Gaza recent attacks

The current offensive by Israel is anything but justified by the capture of their soldiers. In both Lebanon and Gaza they are murdering hundreds of innocent civilians, not to mention the complete destruction of infrastructure. What is almost as disgusting is the blatant blind support of Israel. Israel is an apartheid state and an militaristic power with little respect for life.

Despite that criticism of Israel results in those people being denounced as anti-semetic or 'a self hating Jew'. Zionism is not a religious ideology it is an expansionist racist ideology which tries to crush dissent to its crimes. Jews or Israelis are not the problem, as many Jews speak out about the barbarity of the Israeli government. But, those who do speak out and work for peace are marginalized and told that they are not supporting what they are. A religion whose main tenants include, "Thou Shall Not Kill", "Thou Shall Not Steal", and "Thou shall not covet your neighbor's house..." goes directly against a militaristic, expansionist and, racist policies of the government of Israel.

For the first time I know people in the warzone. I already opposed war and occupation, but knowing two people who are currently in Lebanon only reinforces that fact. Over the weekend there have been protests in many cities against the continued aggression of Israel and the blanket support by countries like the United States and Canada. As this aggression continues resistance will only grow stronger.