‘For unto us a child is born’ : A baby, who found warm shelter in a stable, and whose birth Christians around the world have been celebrating over the last few days. In that same land, over the last few days, four babies have frozen to death because there was no shelter just make-shift tents, against the freezing temperatures of winter in Gaza.
This is not war. This is not self defence. This is the deliberate and calculated extermination of a people and their culture. This is a genocide.
UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Edouard Beigbeder said:
“In the final days of the year, there seems to be no end in sight to the deadly threats to children in Gaza. Over the past three days, at least eleven children have reportedly been killed in attacks. Now, we are also witnessing children dying from the cold and a lack of adequate shelter.”
Israel’s military target journalists, medical personnel, children and tented shelters. Erasing a people and those who can bear witness to these war crimes.
Kamal Adwan Hospital in North Gaza was hit and dozens of people, including health workers, were killed. Staff, patients and their companions were forced out of the hospital as Israeli soldiers stormed in arresting some and causing even more damage to the hospital. People lie buried under the rubble.
UN teams continue to face systematic denials of humanitarian access to North Gaza. Just today, another attempt by the UN to reach besieged parts of North Gaza governorate was denied by the Israeli authorities. Since early October, most UN-coordinated attempts to access these areas have been denied. The few exceptions have faced significant impediments, which often prevent teams from accomplishing the work they set out to do. OCHA
Writing in an article ‘ If the EU won’t stop Israel’s genocide in Gaza, member states must go it alone‘ on December 20, 2024, Eve Geddie, Director of Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office stated:
“In the absence of united action at EU level, individual member states have a duty to act on their own to uphold their obligations to prevent genocide and avoid being complicit in it. “
And she continued:
” Israel is committing these acts with the intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza. Israel is committing genocide. We also found that not only is the genocide in Gaza the most documented in history, but the EU and many of its member states are failing to prevent it. Moreover, some member states risk becoming complicit in Israel’s genocide by continuing to transfer arms to the country.
“All signs of genocide are flashing red
“Amnesty International’s report ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza is the culmination of nine months of meticulous research and spans 296 pages. During our investigation, we interviewed 212 people, conducted extensive fieldwork and analyzed a wide range of visual and digital evidence, including satellite imagery. Crucially, we also analysed evidence of Israel’s intent, before concluding that Israel has committed — and is continuing to commit — genocide in Gaza.”
And she concluded the article “In the pages of history, two groups of politicians will be remembered: those who remained silent in the face of Gaza’s genocide — and those who rose up to stop it.”
Today, Saturday 28th December, islanders in Orkney will again gather in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The Orcadians have been holding a vigil every Saturday between 1 and 2pm outside St Magnus Cathedral, Broad Street, Kirkwall, since October 2023. They continue to call for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid. They are often joined by visitors to the islands who wish to share with them their hopes for peace in Gaza.
And today, at the vigil, my thoughts will linger on those innocent babies and the grief of their mothers at the loss of ones whose lives had barely begun.
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and oh,
The difference to me!
Lucy (ii) William Wordsworth
Mike Robertson has filmed the vigils in Orkney for The Orkney News. They form an important archive of the local peace campaign and support for the People of Palestine.
Fiona Grahame