Gaza has gone dark ... and I am very afraid!

I think Israel IS guilty of war crimes in Gaza. I think that trying to say differently at this point, undermines international laws on war. That in turn puts us all at greater risk.

The reality is these rules are only regarded as relevant to those who are signed up to them and regard them as worthwhile. The Russia and Syrian governments don't pretend to regard them as worthwhile.

Cluster munitions are another really good example of how this works in practice. There are a number of international declarations 'banning them' for war crimes related reasoning. However not everyone is signed up to these and the countries which haven't signed up to this are notable. There are 111 countries who are fully signed up to the treaty and another 12 who have agreed in principle but haven't ratified it. The US, Ukraine, Russia and Israel are NOT on the list. (The State of Palestine, somewhat ironically is). There are some other interesting omissions to the list: Finland, Latvia and Estonia. I don't think I need to do any research to work out why those last three aren't signed up to this particular treaty (I know that Finland refuses to ban landmines explicitly due to Russia).

Then there's the point about enforcement. Even if you DO break the international laws on war, what happens then? How are you held to account? The UN security council presents a massive geopolitical barrier to that: if you buddy up with one of the five permanent members (or you are one of the 5 members) as they can veto any 'difficult questions'. So you just make sure you are in a geo-political block. The only places that end up deemed a problem are the places without mates.

You end up with the issue of hypocrisy.

Why should others observe these laws if you don't and you just protect yourself with your political alliances?

Anyone who makes a big point about crimes against humanity and then decides they aren't convenient anymore because of a percieved (or actual) threat, is a risk to all humanity. The ultimate principle about crimes against humanity is that ALL humans should be protected by them. You don't get to pick and choose.

This is DEEPLY problematic for the state of Israel and its formation. And those who helped to form it.

That does not take away from the fact that Hamas clearly commited war crimes.

Anyone who believes in Human Rights should say this. Even if its really deeply uncomfortable to say. Even if it puts you at risk. Because not saying it, merely ends up being a justification in itself for more war crimes. It doesn't matter what you faith or political allegiance.

Why do I think Israel is engaging in war crimes?

1. rhetoric and stated aims
2. cynically asking civilians to do things which are impossible for many under the circumstances
3. the sudden media blackout so theres a lack of transparency
4. unwillingness to enable humanitarian aid

BUT where were are right now, requires careful handling to enable de-escalation too. And I don't think we can get there without governments being willing to be pragmatic about diplomacy and politics. Attaching labels to Israel's actions may be unhelpful and at odds with your goal - at this stage - if you are a government (Note: this may change at a later stage). Not so if you are an individual who is freer to make such statements.

Cos diplomacy.

We DO need to see and understand why governments (and political parties) may behave in ways we don't necessarily like on this and it doesn't mean that the position is going to stay like that indefinitely either.

Israel DOES have a right to defend itself. I don't think we can argue with that.

The problem is what constitutes 'defence' and what constitutes a war crime. I think the problem is this isn't as clear cut as it should be because of how assymetric warfare works and the recent history of it. I think Israel has crossed that line, but others are scared to say this, because of the implications for themselves. Nor does unilaterally declaring something a war crime actually stop it happening in real time. Labels of war crimes remain political devices not really laws which people are taken to trial for and held accountable for.

What we can't lose sight of, is the only thing that stops a war ultimately is complete victory or diplomacy. This ISN'T a war that can be won by complete victory because of the wider geo-politics. What stops it is diplomacy.

Constantly saying x can justify y because of z warcrime fundamentally misses this point.

So only Israel have the right to defend then ?

You’re delusional as I have been saying the same thing over and over

It is wrong
None of us should be advocating for more deaths on either side where civilians are caught up
CEASEFIRE is what we should all be advocating for

That’s the least of the vile names. All because I said Israel had a right to defend itself. Now they are gloating because israel is being attacked (again) and people who I may know and love could be killed.

jew hate really hasn’t gone away

you are taking pleasure out of israel getting bombed. How is israel being bombed me “being owned”. How horrifying that people think like that.

@duchiebun so anyone disagreeing with you is a bot?

I haven’t attacked any children though!

not agreeing with your misinformation about war crimes is nothing to do with compassion. I hate war. But israel must defend itself. To be honest in the long run getting rid of Hamas would be better for Gaza too.

Hate towards Israel isn’t compassion. Quite the opposite

The bots are here

Let's stop engaging with heartless bots and just keep the innocent civilians in our thoughts. It could have been us, but by virtue of place of birth. There isn't much else different.

@Heelenahandbasket aww bless you!

Defending itself!

This isn't defending itself, and thankfully not everyone is taken in despite what our governments would have us believe.

Imagine taking pleasure out of that. What an awful person you must be.

They haven’t bombed “the entire south” though. It’s much quieter than the north. And bombing isn’t a war crime. It’s a war and israel doesn’t have any more responsibility than any other country at war for an enemy territory’s civilians.

many civilians died during the bombing of Mosul to remove Isis. The uk took part in that. It’s awful- war is terrible. But demonising a country defending itself is unacceptable.