I have been active in civil society anti corruption struggles in my short life and heard the mantra over and over that transparency is a public good. This we cannot fault. The implication has always been that sunlight sheds light on the dark, where evil flourishes.
Some even go as far as to imply that to stop corruption one needs to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity through all sectors of society. But then they only work making transparent, sharing, liking on social media and so on, hoping that it will make those crooks pay for what they have done or are doing.
I will only mention but not fully discuss it here, is complexity or the true meaning of transparency in this epoch where information is a much used and abused commodity. Like it or not information, knowledge is widely applicable and impacting in our lives wherever we are whether we are the local community, the local club, or the United Nations. Let me talk briefly about the United Nations.
The USA abstains at the UNSC
The recent UN Security Council that adopted Resolution 2728 – which was tabled by its 10 non-permanent members (E-10) demanding a ceasefire in Gaza during Ramadan – may highlight the issue of transparency and accountability at the highest level. The UN Security Council was passed by a vote of 14 in favour to none against, with the United States being the only country abstaining. This was progress given the abuse of veto by permanent members on Council.
In theory, and by precedence, the Security Council has no limits on its powers, and its resolutions are binding on all UN members. In the past, the UN Security Council has imposed sanctions and also authorised or decided that a particular country should be invaded to bring about peace or something similar. These powers have often been abused and mis-used, but that is another discussion. What I want to focus on is the fact that the Netanyahu regime was unhappy that the US did not use their veto power.
Whether because of flak by Israel or its lobby group parties, the US interpretation of their vote was astounding. US ambassador to the UN Ms. Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution “non-binding”. But the decision was clear as daylight. Whilst unprecedented, it is a reflection of the times in which we are living. Transparency, it seems, may count for little… in the short term. Statements such as these permitted the Israeli regime to continue its ethnic cleansing and killing spree with impunity.
Enter the World Central Kitchen
Let us take another example. The case of the most celebrated victims who were callously killed in the Gaza Strip, where tens and thousands of Palestinians have been massacred over the last six months.
I am talking about the World Central Kitchen (WCK) seven aid workers who, according to CNN, were “killed in an Israeli military strike in Gaza on Monday”. The channel quoting favourably the WCK praised “their “beautiful souls,” as international condemnation over the incident grows”. CNN continued to provide the nationality of the victims, thus “dual US-Canada national, a Palestinian, three Brits, an Australian, and a Pole were killed when an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) strike hit a returning WCK convoy.”
To read and hear CNN use the words killed in two sentences and placing blame squarely where it belongs – to the IDF – was a surprise but welcomed. The report is/ was fundamentally accurate reporting something that is in short reply when reporting on Palestine.
I also loved the reporting of CNN and other media houses as they humanised the victims and had photos and short biographies of them, which reflected each of their personalities and humanity. How much more courage is required to report like that of all victims of tyranny in the same conflict zone?
The WCK and its founder Andres in various media accused Israel of “systematically” targeting the seven WCK aid workers: this was not a “bad luck situation where, ‘oops,’ we dropped the bomb in the wrong place.” The preparation for this trip was meticulous, before and during the operation. They coordinated with the IDF – yet these attacks took place, something that no democracy would do: “targeting civilians and humanitarians.”
This is European exceptionalism – I know that not all the victims are European but the project orientation and practices, as well as where the WCK are located and their politics, put them as a mainstream do-good NGO. They in turn have called for the governments of the US, Australia, Poland and the UK to back “an independent, third-party investigation” into the multiple strikes that killed their aid workers. The trucks in the convoy were specifically targeted as they were separated and not close to each other.
What are the take-aways from this?
Firstly, it is clear that some lives (and victims) are more important than others. It is important if the victims come from the Global North and are white. The obvious exception again is that of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh who was targeted and killed by an Israeli sniper in May 2022, although with little or ineffective US reaction.
Secondly, as argued above, whilst the CNN journalist in this case was courageous and honest, it was selective and often even CNN do not give Palestinians a fair and just coverage. CNN reports often lead with the views of the IDF or their supporters who usually try to muddy clear waters. Take their report of 8 March headlined IDF says troops fired at ‘suspects’ in deadly food aid incident but denies targeting convoy. The opening paragraph starts or develops on the denial of responsibility by the military. It reads: Israel’s military has said its investigation into the deadly humanitarian aid incident in Gaza last month found Israeli troops did not fire at the aid convoy, but at “a number of suspects” who approached and posed a threat to nearby forces, a conclusion swiftly rejected by Palestinian authorities.
Thirdly, I return to the World Central Kitchen who suffered losses of staff despite their founder having a controversial relationship / friendships with the world’s elites, including Biden and Netanyahu. This begs the question: why does accountability not follow what we all saw, heard, and read about?
I venture a guess. Israel is indispensable to the interests of the Americans in the region and they know it. Accountability requires power and or with conscience and both are in short supply. Thus accountability does not automatically follow. It is a matter of struggle still to be waged.
I do not believe there will be a public investigation for “the heroes of WCK,” because it will highlight the selective demand for accountability for Global North / whites, something that is denied to the Palestinians. This is the reason, I fear, why there will be no real public accountability for the killing of the aid workers, as they would be opening up the necessity to overcome the selective morality that governs world politics today. We have all seen this play out on live TV or our social media apps. If the seven deceased are deserving victims, I believe those who are being killed by snipers, bombs and other means – or those just waiting to die under the rubble – numbering some 33 000 may be more deserving victims.
- Neighbours-Apoem - March 21, 2025
- Right of Reply: Brenthurst commentators must back SA’s autonomy with conviction - March 13, 2025
- Ramadan Under the Rubble - March 6, 2025