Friends + Interlocutors,

A new day, another massacre in Gaza. These are not accidents. No bombs gone astray or mistakes. Listen to the excuses and explanations of the IDF. Just routine business. “Numerous steps were taken to mitigate the risk of harming civilians, including the use of precise munitions, aerial surveillance, and intelligence information.” Of course. 

Most of all, listen to Washington which is providing the ammo and diplomatic support for the slaughter. The U.S. National Security Council is, “deeply concerned” about the reports of civilian casualties and was asking Israel for “further details”.  Oh, sure. Another dodge, a throw-away. As if the NSC and the Pentagon do not know exactly what is going on.

As for the U.S. President himself, an enthusiastic self-proclaimed Zionist, no word as yet. What can the hapless, out-of-it Joe Biden say? This is all happening thanks to his largesse in providing the bombs and ammo. He is the ultimate enabler. 

At this point, what can he do? It’s an election year, don’t forget, and his party needs contributions from Israel’s many anything-goes supporters. Some of these donors have very deep pockets and own both political parties to make sure anything goes.

As for happy-go-lucky Kamala Harris, another meaningless throw-away: “Israel has a responsibility to avoid civilian deaths, and she called for a ceasefire and hostage deal between the two sides, Reuters reported.” That reminds me of Washington “Liberals” who at this late date routinely advocate a two-state solution “to be negotiated between the parties.” Sounds great, right? 

The problem is (1) the two-state solution is long gone, say, twenty plus years ago, entirely thanks to Washington’s inaction and pandering by both U.S.political parties to whatever Tel Aviv wanted, and (2) negotiations are not reasonable when one side has all the power and is militarily occupying the other side. 

There would need to be an even-handed interlocutor between the parties, but the U.S. is joined at the hip with Israel and for all intents and purposes is a puppet state. Netanyahoo’s recent gaslighting, grandstanding visit to Washington proved that for anybody who had doubts.

Evidently, the plan in Washington is to continue to pretend to be an innocent, helpless bystander as Netanyahoo and his associates carry out mass murder using American bombs, American diplomatic cover and American dollars. Gaza is a free-fire zone. And neither Washington, London, Paris or Berlin are going to do anything about it. 

That has been the game plan from the beginning. The powers-that-be see no reason to change it. Netanyahoo’s pal Donald Trump has not offered an alternative. 

Patrick

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