The Voice of Reason

Today, more than ever, we need to listen to "the voice of reason" - meaning we all need to act sensibly, logically & calmly in the chaotic, emotional & risky world we now all live in. We need to prioritise evidence, facts, and balanced judgement over panic, bias, or heated emotions. Each one of us needs to be prepared to speak out against the lies & rubbish that proliferates in the public realm today.

I listened to the news of the attack on the Washington Post journalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank. Video footage shows masked men beating and kicking the veteran conflict reporter, (she is 64),  as she lay on the ground. She said it went on for about 10 minutes. Settlers stole her passport, phone, wallet and equipment. There were witnesses as well as video. So Netenyahu cannot get away with saying the facts were "unclear". She was clearly marked as Press & is in hospital with multiple injuries.

Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinians across the occupied West Bank in a coordinated movement to disrupt the annual olive harvest in 8 villages, burning cars and trees and injuring Palestinians. The sustained attack on Heidi Levine shows just how extreme these settlers are. It also shows that the IDF & Israel's right wing politicians are not enforcing the rule of law. Where is the "voice of reason" from those who govern Israel? The treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank & Gaza is beyond any concept of reasonable.

Settler violence, using firearms, clubs & slingshots, has been going on in the West Bank for months in full view of Israeli military vehicles. The Israeli military fired tear gas at Palestinians when they picked up rocks to try to defend themselves. At least four Palestinians have been killed and more than 100 others injured over the past month. Thousands of trees have been damaged. This has been designated as "ethnic cleansing" including by the UK government. Other journalists have been attacked too.  

Where is the "voice of reason" in all this? 

The 3 year Israeli Palestinian war started after the dreadful events of October 7th 2023. But in truth it has been on & off ever since the 1947 partition. It is difficult to understand how human beings on both sides can behave with such total disregard for the lives & freedom of others. We have international organisations, the United Nations for example, with 193 member states. They supposedly stand for maintaining international peace & security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid & promoting sustainable development. 

 

They have failed on all fronts time & again. While Countries like Russia, China & America have vetos the U N will never be able to be the "voice of reason" & fulfil their supposed aims. 

It is completely depressing. The bullies are winning. They need to be confronted. Reason will not prevail if we all stay quiet.