By Iqbal Jassat
“Israel is an illegitimate creation, born of the unholy union between racism and colonialism…” is the strongly held view of Miko Peled.
Being no stranger to solidarity activism for Palestine, Peled’s “pedigree” as a former member of Israel’s Special Forces and author of “The General’s Son”, is what distinguishes his anti-Zionist stance.
Having met him in Johannesburg during his travel here to participate in “Israel Apartheid Week”, I was not surprised that
Peled is considered by many to be one of the clearest voices calling for justice in Palestine.
I mention him because his advocacy for the collapse of the apartheid regime has not been heeded by the war criminals heading it. Instead, they have intensified their brutal policies of occupation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, in ways that outstrip fascism and Nazism.
This week the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has yet again convened to hold Israel accountable for a series of horrendous crimes in violation of numerous human rights conventions.
As its public hearings are live-streamed across the globe, we are once again reminded of the unbearable pain, suffering and inhumane hardship inflicted on millions of Palestinians.
Peled will remind us as indeed many anti-Zionist Jews like him courageously do, that “Gaza’s resilience shines through unimaginable hardship — but justice, freedom, and humanity cannot wait.”
Attorney Blinne Ní Ghralaigh is one of a number of legal eagles who presented the case of Israel’s systemic violations at the ICJ.
The background to the current hearing is that on December 19, the UNGA voted for requesting the ICJ to issue an Advisory Opinion on “the obligations of Israel in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, other international organizations and third States” (Res 79/232).
It stressed on Israel’s ban on UNRWA, the Palestinian refugee relief agency, and asked in summary:
“What are the obligations of Israel, as an occupying Power and as a member of the United Nations, in relation to the presence and activities of the United Nations, including its agencies and bodies, other international organizations and third States, in and in relation to the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including to ensure and facilitate the unhindered provision of urgently needed supplies essential to the survival of the Palestinian civilian population as well as of basic services and humanitarian and development assistance, for the benefit of the Palestinian civilian population, and in support of the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination?”
Though the current hearing is not part of South Africa’s Genocide case, nor of the Advisory Opinion where the Court’s ruling found Israeli occupation to be entirely illegal, it is connected.
Based on various summaries by commentators we learn that Ní Ghrálaigh “provides, in her presentation, the wide encompassing view of Israel’s violations that stem back from its inception, and addresses the matter of genocide as deeply related to the question at hand.”
The pundits remind us of perhaps the most significant aspect of what’s at play at the Hague:
“Israel is now being examined as a whole, not only for its act vis-a-vis Palestinians, but also vis-a-vis the entire international community as represented by the UN.
“The record is devastating – and seen in whole, demonstrates a rogue state that has been allowed to destroy and address with contempt, yet with impunity, the very international bodies that were meant to secure world peace in the wake of WW2.”
True to form in keeping with its denialism, the apartheid regime’s racist foreign minister Gideon Saar slammed the ICJ.
In his typical arrogant stance, and utterly unmindful or uncaring of the fact that people are not fooled by his antics, he accused the court of leading a “systematic persecution and delegitimisation” of Israel.
Along with his team of zealots of him two are wanted by the ICC for war crimes, Saar’s leading role as the architect of using starvation as a weapon of war, is likely to result in him joining the list as global pariahs – with no place to hide.
I have no doubt that Peled’s optimistic prediction will come true:
“Zionism will fall & be remembered as vile, racist, and monstrously violent.
“The memories of brave Palestinians who were sacrificed will be in our hearts forever.”
Iqbal Jassat
Executive Member
Media Review Network
Johannesburg
South Africa
