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

[HeidiInTheBigCity]

Tonight, as Gaza has gone dark, tonight, as Gazan civilians have lost that lifeline that used to be "publishing their cries for help to the Internet, as they were literally dying", tonight, as even that option has ceased to exist!

I STAND WITH CIVILIANS!

Not with Hamas!
NOT with the ultra-far-right Israeli government - out for revenge!

Tonight, I STAND WITH CIVILIANS, as innocent men, women and children are dying, collectively punished, for the crime of having been born in the wrong place, at the wrong time!

Tonight, I STAND WITH CIVILIANS, as the families of Israeli hostages watch helplessly, as their missing loved ones are bombed into oblivion, and their own PM has not even bothered to meet with them! Because, once again, revenge has won! Violence has won! Barbarism has won! Death has won!

Tonight, I stand with my friend, a Palestinian-born [what he does for a living] currently getting drunk at a bar in [not where you'd expect] - because he cannot stand watching anymore! We cried together on the phone - it felt nice to know there was someone else out there - but it also felt supremely disempowered and helpless! Tonight, I stand with men, women, boys, girls ... just people, people who want to live!

Tonight, as I recall how utterly terrified I used to be when I, myself, became an accidental witness to the assault on [Palestinian city], some 20 years ago now! I also recall the good times: I recall standing on the rooftop of the [name] family's home, watching flares in the sky, deliberately pretending they were just very bright stars, kissing, and dancing with my fiancé. Snuggling up to him under the wide open sky, as we ignored the sound of shooting in the background, as we just wanted to ... live a little! ... under circumstances that didn't leave much room for living. For life! Knowing we would learn about names of people we knew and the fact that they had been killed while we had been trying to ... just live a little ... as the following day would break!

Tonight, I stand with civilians, realising that this particular, comparatively "fluffy" version of war - a version, make no mistake, that has left me deeply traumatised for life, bittersweet memories aside! - this is just NOT AN OPTION for Gazans tonight!

Tonight, I CRY FOR CIVILIANS! Especially, but not only, for civilians in Gaza!

We have GOT TO DO better!

Note: yes, I have censored a number of data points - because that is how afraid I am! I am not willing to potentially expose people I consider friends, family even, unnecessarily as I, frankly helplessly, post to the so-called Internet, pleading for their lives or, at the very least: sympathy!

UK abstained. Terrible.

We have a long and shitty history of that.

Why on earth would any country abstain about a truce.

What have we got against a truce?

To not piss off the Yanks.

I know! Worse is USA voted against

Thank God. But can they put the genie back in the bottle? The images are terrifying and I dread to think what if anything or anyone will be found when light returns.

Good question. I'm not actually sure as its not legally binding but says it holds moral weight. Israel also voted against so not sure what will happen

Why would UK abstain??
Probably due to a mixture of being spineless and wanting to keep a useful friend in the region on side.

Its a strong message to both sides

For all of the reasons previously listed and because our esteemed leaders are amoral.

Probably to keep Israel on side and prevent riots on the streets of England.

Jeremy Corbyn: "Please, we need a ceasefire, now"

What he means is that he'd prefer Israel to cease to exist - because that's what a ceasefire could easily mean

But then, with his known views and chosen associates, that's what I'd expect him to want

I don't know if you can zoom in on this pic but it shows how all the different members voted

Abstaining is in itself quite a strong message considering to be honest.

Can see on here how everyone voted

https://twitter.com/UN_News_Centre/status/1717992371906839005?t=6IbZcXMeea63fWRP8Fm1fw&s=19

My heart bleeds for all the innocent civilians who will die tonight through no fault of their own. Innocent men, women and children; innocent aid workers; innocent reporters and so many more.

My heart also goes out to those who were kidnapped on Oct 7th who will never return home because common sense has not prevailed…. Only stupid, ignorant thoughts of revenge.

I feel so sick when I think that we have stood back and freely allowed this to happen. So disappointed.

It's sickening that countries look away while 1000s die so they can keep countries onside etc etc... I don't have enough knowledge about the history of it and I don't want war in our streets but the world cannot and should not just be looking the other way surely...

Interesting to see who abstained etc

Abstention by the UK might feel wrong but it’s a pretty strong message. A few days ago I honestly think they would have voted against. Same with other Israeli allies.

UK abstained WTF !!!

Management summary:

• Everything that was clear from the get-go, for anyone who follows the UN (because: geopolitics, again, this is meant to be a space for shared mourning and humanity, so I shan't go into a lengthy essay thereupon)
• WTAF Austria???!!!

I’m ashamed to be British right now 😢

There’s quite a few in that camp that would be similar to us. Germany, Aus, Canada and so on

In the list

Abstaining is a break from normal support too though. It's certainly NOT supporting Israel and the US which won't go unnoticed. It's not insignificant. It's definitely diplomatic speak going on with an abstention and not supporting Israel's position. DO NOT underestimate it's significance.

But yes, not pissing off the yanks will be part of it.

Apparently 50% of Israelis think that there should be a pause for humanitarian aid too. Which given the massacre isnt insignificant. There is HUGE pressure from this within Israel.