Yasmin Alibhai-Brown: Why so little criticism of Israel's extremism?
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Thaer Halahleh wrote a letter to his wife, Shireen, from an Israeli jail in February: "My detention has been renewed seven times and they still haven't charged me. I can't take it any more." Then the 34-year-old began a hunger strike, as did Bilal Diab. That was 77 days ago. Both are Palestinians, fathers. Eight others have been on the same silent, self-wasting, wasted protest. Halahleh, Diab and others may well be dead by the time you read this.
Last Friday, Supreme Court judges in this hubristic democracy turned down an application from civil-rights groups to have the men moved to civilian hospitals. But the moralistic Chief Rabbi will not be on "Thought for the Day" expressing sorrow for the treatment of these prisoners. Ardent British Zionists will not be pressed to condemn those responsible for the state barbarism.
Western opinion-formers have been indifferent, in some cases knowingly so, about what is happening. No condemnations are heard around our Parliament. They say we must have freedom of speech, but that right is never evoked when it comes to Israel.
A large number of enlightened British Jews see the double standards and object to Israel's intransigence.
The detained Palestinians want their families to be able to visit without restrictions, decent medical treatment, not to be put into solitary confinement for years on end, to be taken to court and tried. How is that "terrorism"?
Israel is protected from censure partly because of fears that any criticism of its actions is potentially "anti-Semitic". Its governments do what they damned well want and claim perpetual exceptionality. Their darkest deeds are thus left unscrutinised.
This time though, it is suddenly dawning on some key people, among them the hapless Middle East saviour Tony Blair, that these "martyrs" could trigger another intifada. The UN and other bodies have intervened. They will all be rebuffed, so monstrous are the egos of the ultra-right-wing leadership. Blair is right to be fearful. Every time a hunger striker dies, even more inchoately angry young Muslim men will be radicalised and turn murderous. This is not making excuses for terrorists, it is just a reality check.
I truly want Israel to survive and thrive but it is becoming its own worst enemy.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments