It’s now over 2 years since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th of February 2022. A service was held at Edinburgh Castle in memory of those who have died during the conflict attended by the First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf. A wreath was laid at the ceremony which included Mr Andrii Kuslii, Consulate of Ukraine in Edinburgh and members of the Ukrainian communities living in Scotland.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said:
“On the second anniversary of Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine, I want to make it clear that the people of Scotland remain steadfast in support of the country and its brave citizens.
“Ukrainians are fighting for freedom, the rule of law, and the right of countries across Europe to coexist in peace and security.
“As we mourn the sacrifices of the Ukrainian people, we also look ahead positively, hoping for a day soon when Ukraine can live in peace as a free, sovereign, European nation.”
Concern is rising in Europe over the future funding support for the war in Ukraine from the US, already now committing billions to funding Israel in its bombardment of Gaza. The winners, of course, in the ongoing bombardment in Gaza are the arms manufacturers with a vast boost in sales.
Revenues from sales of arms and military services by the 100 largest companies in the industry totalled $597 billion in 2022, 3.5% less than 2021 in real terms, even as demand rose sharply, according to data released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), available at www.sipri.org. This was due to issues of labour and material supplies. The arms revenues of the seven companies in the United Kingdom listed in the Top 100 grew by 2.6 % to reach $41.8 billion, or 7 % of the total. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has come at the right time for arms manufacturers in terms of increased sales and orders.
The US supports Israel with the supply of military equipment, contributing $3bn annually in military aid. The US Senate has approved a bill committing $14bn to support Israel’s war on Gaza. Many other countries provide military support to Israel via arms sales. Some MPs in the UK Parliament have raised concerns about UK arms exports to Israel, citing a risk that they could be used to violate international humanitarian law.
Experts at the United Nations said that any transfer of weapons or ammunition to Israel that would be used in Gaza is likely to violate international humanitarian law and must cease immediately.
“All States must ‘ensure respect’ for international humanitarian law by parties to an armed conflict, as required by 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary international law.
“States must accordingly refrain from transferring any weapon or ammunition – or parts for them – if it is expected, given the facts or past patterns of behaviour, that they would be used to violate international law.”
“Such transfers are prohibited even if the exporting State does not intend the arms to be used in violation of the law – or does not know with certainty that they would be used in such a way – as long as there is a clear risk,” they said.
Islanders again gathered for a vigil in Orkney on Saturday 24th February calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a return of all hostages.
In the US, the Jewish Voice for Peace Every hosts Power Half-Hours for Gaza every day. On February 17th activists from the Palestinian Youth Movement and Jewish Voice for Peace unfurled banners reading ‘Let Gaza live” and “Ceasefire Now” at the NBA All-Star Game.
Thousands of Jews and allies, including rabbis and descendants of Holocaust survivors, shut down the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) headquarters in New York City on Thursday, protesting the organization’s involvement in U.S. politics that threatens to undermine democracy by funnelling millions of dollars into swaying members of Congress to oppose a ceasefire in Gaza.
Protesters with Jewish Voice for Peace shut down traffic outside of AIPAC’s headquarters while chanting “Let Gaza Live.” They held held massive cardboard letters that read “Dump AIPAC” and piled up red trash bags emblazoned with that same message in the street, next to a massive mural that said “AIPAC funds genocide.”
Sarah Koshar of Jewish Voice for Peace said:
“We refuse to let AIPAC speak in our name as Jews. As the number of Palestinians murdered by Israel eclipses 30,000, we call on our government to listen to the will of the people and reject AIPAC as the extremist warmongers they have always been.”
In Orkney, unless there is a ceasefire, islanders will again gather on the steps of St Magnus Cathedral on Saturday between 1 and 2pm.
Man is the only animal that deals in that atrocity of atrocities War’ – Mark Twain
Fiona Grahame