This is an obvious question of the day:
Are you in favour of a ceasefire in Gaza?
- Yes (88%, 596 Votes)
- I can’t see one happening right now and so do not know how to answer (6%, 39 Votes)
- A humanitarian pause will do me (4%, 29 Votes)
- No (2%, 14 Votes)
Total Voters: 678
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While I’ve voted ‘Yes’ – I am in favour of a cease-fire (at least in principle) – I’ve no idea how realistic that hope is, given that cease-fires have some sort of conditions attached, which may or may not be acceptable (to any or all of the parties) or realistic.
Yes ceasefire. But some how all parties need to talk to find a solution which involves giving freedoms to Palestinians which others have in the Middle East.
It’s sad to see Labour (and others) arguing over this. Frankly, “ceasefire” or “pause” – I don’t care…. if the fighting stops for just a day that is a start. If a “pause” is more likely to accepted by belligerents then I would try for that.
For the avoidance of doubt, that does not imply any position on the rights/wrongs of this dreadful conflict.
That such a conflict is now being mobilised as part of a Culture War is a disgrace to all concerned.
I have many thoughts on this and I find it difficult to put them all into words.
1. I do not understand the distinction of “humanitarian pause” and “ceasefire”. If that’s not in the form of a cessation of firing, I don’t see how it can be considered humanitarian. You can’t have one without the other. It feels to me like politicised wordplay.
2. This conflict has been going on so long, it’s likely that even if a global community push achieves a ceasefire or a pause, any stop in the fighting will probably be a temporary whatever you call it.
3. Since this conflict began long ago, for many in the region (israelis living in fear, palestinians living under apartheid, terrorists and state actors across the region imparting violence on civilians) the pauses between overt fighting aren’t very “humanitarian” to begin with.
There isn’t a practical difference between a ceasefire and a humanitarian pause. Either will have to be negotiated and what actually matters is the terms of the agreement. From the point of international diplomacy there is a point in government agencies pushing for a cessation of violence under whatever name it is deemed to fall. However an opposition party, like the Labour Party, should have no qualms about straightforwardly calling for a ceasefire.
There is a massive difference
One assumes resumption of hostilities
The other does not.
There is are important differences, for example, a ceasefire requires a negotiated agreement whereas a pause does not. Israel can choose to implement pauses unilaterally whenever it likes.
And then resume again, at will. Which means it’s just an opportunity to regroup in other words.
I’m struck by the fact there has never really been a ceasefire in this troubled part of the world and troubled that Steven Pinker tells me that the world is getting ‘less violent’?
Really?
My view is that the nature and scale of violence has changed – he does not to me it seems take into account economic of environmental violence nor does he seem to see the smaller scale drip/drop violence in the world that is too often under reported – whether settler violence in Israel or elsewhere.
Pinker’s rosey view of the world just adds to my cognitive dissonance to be honest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hz8UYocgPdM
It is very clear that if SF wins in Ireland, that the Israeli ambassador will be sent packing and Ireland will bring economic sanctions against Israel. This stands in stark contrast to the position in England. But I guess 800 years of oppression sensitises people to the oppression of others. it would seem that on this subject, only opposition irish politicians are talking any sense whatsoever. in both the irish parliament and the European Parliament.
I heard the speech – it was very good
The best chant I heard at the demo tonight outside parliament was, “No ceasefire! No vote!”
Pleased to see that some labour MPs found their consciences.
For anyone interested in how (or whether) their MP voted.
https://votes.parliament.uk/votes/commons/division/1666
Suggestion for question of the day Richard; Is Keir Starmer working undercover for the Tories by sabotaging his own chance of winning a general election?
Apologies Richard, my previous comment was in the wrong thread, and should have been under “Labour cares more about fighting SNP…”. Please feel free to delete or move.
I think it will be read…