United Nations Corrupt Justice/Criminal Arms

"The State of Israel is committed to continue fighting to return its hostages and promise the security of its citizens -- wherever and whenever necessary -- including in Rafah."

"We will continue operating in accordance with international law wherever we might operate, while safe-guarding to the best extent possible the civilian population."

"Not because of the ICJ, but because of who we are and the values we stand for."

Benny Gantz, Israeli war cabinet member 

Troops of the Nahal Brigade operate in eastern Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, in a handout image published May 22, 2024. (Israel Defense Forces)

 

There is no arm of the United Nations which has not been permeated with a solid antipathy toward the State of Israel. The entire mission of the United Nations; equality, peace and security for all,  has been perverted for decades with the steady infiltration of cadres of UN authorities and employees of the institution that harbour an ingrained message of antisemitic rejection, one that singles Israel out in every conceivable way to use it as the proverbial whipping-boy for all that may be wrong anywhere in the world; yet seldom in Israel.

In the direct wake of the International Criminal Court condemning Israel for its incursion into Gaza for the express purpose of routing and defeating its terrorist government in direct response to the Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel that left 1,200 Israelis, mostly citizens dead, the Palestinian terrorists having taken body cam videos of devastatingly savage and psychologically sadistic rapes and accompanying mutilations, where infants, children, the elderly and infirm were all slaughtered, a second censure from the International Court of Justice followed.

 

There is no nation on Earth, self-respecting and committed to the defence of its population, that would not respond to the brutality, the depths of depravity committed and the horrors of invaders murdering their people as Israel has done. The terrorist group Hamas has refused to surrender any of the 135 hostages of the original 250 it had captured and brought back to Gaza. Maintaining them in the countless tunnels that honeycomb the Gaza Strip, they are abused and used as human shields knowing how Israel values the lives of all its citizens.

 

Israel's sworn intention to destroy the Palestinian terrorist ability to continue their barbaric attacks on its people includes not only the destruction of the stockpiled weapons in the possession of the terror groups, but their operatives as well. It is the least that any other country would designate their ultimate goal. Yet ostensible collegial Western countries choose to chastise Israel for placing the lives of Palestinian citizens at risk, even while the Israel Defense Forces take precautions no other military would undertake in similar circumstances.

 

That the International Court of Justice's order that Israel halt its military offensive immediately, in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, it has no capacity to enforce the order and Israel will not accept the court's jurisdiction. Yet both the courts' judicial and prejudicial interventions slamming Israel and supporting the Palestinian 'cause' prejudice unjustly Israel's flagging global reputation. 

"The International Court of Justice's decision opens up the possibility for relief, but only if governments use their leverage, including through arms embargoes and targeted sanctions, to press Israel to urgently enforce the court's measures."

Balkees Jarrah, associate international justice director, Human Rights Watch

 

"[Fears the court expressed earlier this year about an operation in Rafah have] materialized. [Israel must] immediately halt its military offensive [in the city and anything else that might result in conditions that could cause the] physical destruction in whole or in  part [of Palestinians there]."

Nawaf Salam, ICJ president

Two weeks ago, Israel began disseminating evacuation orders as military operations began on the city's edge. The IDF says an estimated million Palestinians have since left the immediate area as Israeli forces press deeper within. Rafah is considered the last and ultimate stronghold of Hamas, where four of its divisions are sheltering, and it is there as well that Israel expects the bulk of the Israeli hostages may be found.  

Judges arrive at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule on South Africa's request on a Rafah and wider Gaza war ceasefire, in The Hague, on May 24, 2024 (Nick Gammon / AFP)

Omicron? Take a Deep Breath and Carry On -- With Boosters

"[Within weeks Omicron will dominate in more countries of the region], pushing already stretched health systems further to the brink."

Hans Kluge, European head, World Health Organization

"It [large public event restrictions following Christmas] will also mean unfortunately that large scale Hogmanay [traditional Scottish New Year events] celebrations, including that planned here in our capital city [Edinburgh], will not proceed."

Nicola Sturgeon, first minister, Scotland

"Even if measures [in response to the Omicron variant] are introduced immediately, there may not be time to fully ascertain whether they are sufficient before decisions are needed on further action."

"The situation could develop quickly over the coming weeks and decision-makers may need to act while there is still a high level of uncertainty including considering the potential need for stringent response measures."

Sage COVID advisory committee, United Kingdom

 

"The honest truth is that the booster programme, which I think will work, is not going to work soon enough if there is a big wave here soon. It takes time to get them into people and it takes time for them to make an immune response."

"We need to buy time. If in three weeks it’s died out, then fine, we can all relax, but right now is the time when you could prevent there being a big wave. The more people can work from home now the better, until we are more definite about what’s going to happen."

Adam Finn,  professor of paediatrics, University of Bristol, member of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, U.K.

Bipartisan members of the U.S. House and Senate hold a moment of silence for 800,000 American lives lost to COVID-19 on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. (J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press)

 

Israel is set to become the first country in the world to provide fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine to people over age 60, in reaction to national concerns over the viral spread of the Omicron variant. A fourth dose was recommended by the country's Health Ministry, the decision welcomed by the government, with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett saying it was "great news that will help us overcome the Omicron wave that is spreading around the world."

"My message is -- don't waste time, go get vaccinated", the Israeli prime minister urged the population. The Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba spoke of a notice that a 60 year-old man had died weeks after being admitted to the coronavirus ward. A patient that suffered from a variety of COVID-unrelated serious illnesses. "His morbidity stemmed mainly from pre-existing sicknesses and not from respiratory inspection arising from the coronavirus", the hospital clarified. Nonetheless, initial news of the death had attributed it to Omicron, while it turned out Delta was the culprit.

Similarly the Texas Department of State Health in the United States also reported at roughly the same time, the first Omicron death to have taken place, in Harris County. A conservative commentator with a huge following had tweeted the man was fully vaccinated and had in fact also received a booster shot. 

 

Evidently not: "The death reported this afternoon was of a man between the ages of 50-60 years old who was unvaccinated and had been infected with COVID-19 previously. The individual was at higher risk of severe complications from COVID-19 due to his unvaccinated status and his underlying health conditions", came the corrected update from Harris County Public Health.

 

Germany, Scotland, Ireland, the Netherlands and South Korea have reimposed partial or full lockdowns along with other modes of social distancing measures recently, among many other countries experiencing a swift incursion of the Omicron variant. Nightclubs and bars have been ordered to close in Portugal, people told to work from home. 

 

In Italy a COVID state of emergency has been extended to March 31, the government ruling that all EU member-country visitors must have a test taken before arrival, requirements reflected for many non-EU countries. In France,  tightening controls for travellers from Britain are being contemplated, despite that visitors must show a negative test less than 48 hours old, currently.

 

People line up for their booster dose outside a COVID-19 vaccination centre in south London on Tuesday. (Hannah McKay/Reuters)