Just for my record:
Well I have actually had an email from my present conservative MP. Struck dumb for a second, normally you get a very different reply. Like many people I have signed for a ceasefire in Gaza. Each day I see the terrible consequences of war and such organisations such as Amnesty, War on Want, Oxfam all pleading for the lives of others.
"Unfortunately, now the General Election has been called, Parliament is now prorogued and there are no longer any MP’s until after the General Election.
I can tell you however that despite this, the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, has (and continues to) been working tirelessly with colleagues from the Foreign Office to achieve the majority of the goals and aims you request. As a Country, we have absolutely no power to demand anything from either Hamas nor Israel but we continue to negotiate along with the USA and other major players to bring about a sustainable ceasefire and release of the hostages – two of which are British. This is often done through third party countries in region to bring pressure on both sides."
I know there are others who would put the blame squarely on one side or the other but it isn't that anymore, it is about hunger and death, and this has to stop. Quoting Nicholas Kristof on this in the New York Times.
2. All lives have equal value, and all children must be presumed innocent. So while there is no moral equivalence between Hamas and Israel, there is a moral equivalence between Israeli civilians and Palestinian civilians. If you champion the human rights of only Israelis or only Palestinians, you don’t actually care about human rights.
How to Think through the Moral tangle in Gaza
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I suspect that many conservatives will be glad to leave the present government, and that the above email reflects the handwashing relief of a difficult problem not faced.
Happy June, Thelma!
ReplyDeleteTime seems to whirl past Ellen, but the month of June is the loveliest of course, everything fresh and green. So I hope you also have a good June.
ReplyDeleteI am afraid that I have lost faith in them all. I would like to vote and will do so with a postal vote but I have lost faith in the lot of them. As I live in one of the top Tory strongholds with the present PM seeking re-election, I expect no change here. But if there was a change then hopefully I can die happy,
ReplyDeleteBe interesting to see how your part of the world will vote Pat, definitely less Tories I expect, even if they do get in. I just wonder if we will ever change the voting system to a more logical representation of the country.
DeleteI hear that a couple of far right Israeli leaders have threatened to pull down the coalition if Netanyahu agrees to the latest truce deal offered by Hamas. I have seen an architect's simulation for the redevelopment of Gaza after Hamas has been 'destroyed'. It is a shiny new Israeli city built on foreign investment and the revenue from all that oil and gas lying untapped in the region. It is now absolutely certain that they are willing to sacrifice the remaining hostages in order to destroy Palestine. Taking sides has never been the issue.
ReplyDeleteThat is a terrible picture you paint Tom. Considering that behind both sides religion stands, how can all that killing be sanctioned. The world doesn't sanction it, because it is immoral, the starvation and killing of children and innocent civilians. I sincerely hope that the people of Israel will rebel against their far right government and find a better conclusion for the future.
DeleteUnfortunately, throughout history religion has been a cause of terrible conflict, despite most religions proclaiming themselves as 'peaceful'.
DeleteAs Rachel in her blog has noted, there have been many actors involved and missteps taken over the course of the 20th century across the Palestinian lands, making any kind of resolution so difficult. The most that one can hope for is to reduce the hurt and suffering caused to innocents on all sides.
Rachel and Liam (Jeeves Hat) have covered the events with cool intelligence Will but the emotional trauma that people are living through now is left out of the conversation when you discuss the facts of history.
DeleteAs at the moment, we seem to draw near to some sort of answer, only for it to be taken away.
As for religion, it has been with us seemingly forever in some shape and form, it makes one ask the question why do we need it?
Interesting post Thelma, I share your views. Rory Stewart would have made a good prime minister. Far too intelligent and ethical to get elected of course. Brexit! What a disaster. Janxx
ReplyDeleteIt is a bit damning Jan when someone can't be elected because they are ethical, but I like Rory Stewart as well.
ReplyDeleteI can't even comment on our politics right now. They are just disgraceful. I never thought I would see the day when people elected to office would stand before the people and repeat groundless conspiracy theories and blast each other with rude vulgarities.
ReplyDeleteWell Debby it is either education that has gone wrong or social media fueling the madness of everyone spilling their words out onto the world. And all we have learnt (sigh) is how stupid the human race can be at times. But it is not all bad and luckily we all die off in time.
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