Israel/Palestine Thread

Michael Fakhri mentioned at the beginning of the summer that the UN could set up a peacekeeping force and enable the flow of aid into Gaza to help the starving civilians there and the general assembly can manoeuvre around the potential US veto if it so wished, in other words the important part of Chapter 7. There was also someone else, whose name escapes me, that mentioned something similar back in April.

Chapter 7 of the UN charter wouldn't be lost on anyone who works closely with or in the UN with regards to matters such as what we are seeing Israel doing to Palestine.

And I agree, Ireland and our President can be proud of their stance against the horror that has been unfolding in the region. Especially so in the face of the inevitable slander and lies that would come our way from the likes of Israel and its fellow travellers.

Given you seem to outright refuse to engage in substantive posts, it's not the Radio forum you're posting in, you really don't get to comment on any of this.

This hardly sounds promising - unlikely any of them would have the best interests of the people of Gaza in their hearts.

Mandates are usually given to a UN body that has been created by a resolution. unifil was created by a UN resolution, it was then given a mandate to carry out its work

So, what will this magical mandate actually do? Will it be given to unifil, to march over the border in to Israel and escort these trucks through? How will it work?

If it is so obvious, why hasn’t it been done yet? Any member state can draft a resolution, so why hasn’t it been done? Surely the President has enough political sway that he can get the Irish delegation at the UN to draft this? Although I would presume if you draft a resolution and create this “force” you would be expected to follow through and commit the troops required to ensure the mission is a success.

it could be called Shirley for all the difference it would make.

Honestly I am a "lefty" as it goes politically (so not attacking "da Left"…)

My reply wasn't necessarily directed at you.

However, there are always asinine comments bandied about the web every time Higgins opens his mouth regardless of the actual situation at hand. And in this particular situation he's been correct to point out what Israel has been doing. There are clowns who just continually want to have a go at the man irrespective of what he actually says or the events he's talking about.

Inconsistency comes in IMO, because the President is (judging by his comments) an opponent of idea of miltary force generally. Maybe there's different flavours of pacifism, but without someone possessing and wielding military power against genocidal regimes, countries that try and conquer/exterminate their neighbours etc, there can be no liberal interventionism (in support of "humanitarian operations"). This military power has to come from somewhere.

I see no inconsistencies. Being against war in general doesn't mean that you are against peacekeeping forces helping to facilitate humanitarian operations. Being pro peace doesn't eliminate the reality of military protection.

Probably my only "push back" against what he is saying is I think it is unrealistic. I would like to see it happen, but it is not going to.

All Higgins is illustrating here is that there are avenues that the UN can be exploring under the terms of their own charter. Whether that turns into something tangible is another story. But he's highlighting that the UN can be looking into something rather than sitting on their hands and doing nothing.

As has also been pointed out, he's criticised EU leaders for their "lethargic" response.

BBC reporting the news. Bastards

that’s very true. The BBC (like every other news outlet) is reporting on what the Israeli spokesperson said.
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-08-27/ty-article/israeli-army-tells-palestinians-in-gaza-city-to-evacuate-south-to-2-7-square-mile-area/00000198-ebcb-ded4-a19d-efeb0e680000

There's a good article in the Times of Israel by a writer named Mihran Kalaydjian warning that Israel risks rapidly heading into pariah state status over the recognition of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September issue.

He reckons the country could quickly see global boycotts and sanctions and nearly all 'allies' falling away over their refusal to recognise any form of Palestinian independence or autonomy.

Jake Sullivan is encouraging party members to vote for stopping weapons being sent to Israel. Obviously he slips in " since the ceasefire broke down in March " suggesting what went on for 18 months during his watch was not as bad. Maybe that was his view all along and was just doing his job, anyway encouraging to see a shift in tone from higher up officials.

Hopefully this big SCO / UN / Brics & Gulf states summit held in Tianjin this weekend can produce some real coordinated political action than just the same old statements these groupings normally do. Someone with a bit of strength needs to stand up at some point.

Israel bombed the hell out of Syria last night following the Syrians saying they won't join the Abraham accords. Even the head choppers are now seeing the light.

This is my issue with Higgins. He's generally anti-military but is now calling for military intervention. Where is that going to come from? Is he going to call for a recruitment drive in the Irish army? Is he going to call for an increase in defense spending so the soldiers and sailors can get decent pay and equipment? If not, he's a hypocrite.

Cluey, you need to read my post clearer, so I will summarise for you.
the BBC was accused of being biased for reporting that an Israeli spokesperson has announced that the “Evacuation of Gaza is Inevitable “. My point (and why I also shared a link to the Haraatz article reporting the same) is that the news channels can only report the news. In this case the news was the Israeli spokespersons statement.
whether or it that statement is accurate, crass, misleading or whatever isn’t up to the news to decide, they can’t put words into his mouth. They can folllow up with opinion pieces and background, but as far as breaking news goes, this is completely factual.
that’s why every major news network is reporting the same thing, from Israel to the US to the UK to India and Singapore.