Darkness Towards Peace
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10:51 am, January 5th, 2024 - 39 comments
Categories: Deep stuff, International, israel, Palestine, uncategorized, war -
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Can Israel lose a moral battle in Gaza and yet still win?
It gives one pause that there is an increasing risk that the Gaza war will expand. The assassination of the Hamas military leader Saleh al-Arouri in Beiruit has a particularly tough dual moment. It may start to restructure Hamas management into an entity more likely to get around a table. It may at the same time open up a serious fight with Hezbollah who are based in Lebanon.
The United States has responded to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by Houthis with a clear warning not to do it again.
Yesterday Iran sent a warship to the Red Sea.
So this is increasingly looking like a war in the Middle East that will escalate into multiple fronts.
Each a step down into hot hell.
The inability of Hamas to find enough remaining kidnapped victims to make it worth the while of Israel to sustain the ceasefire was yet another step down into the moral morass Hamas has formed for Israel from its initial attack in October. Israel has been forced into one of its coldest calculations: continue attacking despite the likely death of its remaining Hamas-kidnapped citizens.
So Israel resumed its violence.
Israel’s resumption of attack on Hamas inside Gaza has ensured Israel has rapidly lost international sympathy across much of the world, in particular its remaining staunch defenders in the EU and US. It now seems to sustain little support outside them.
When the IDF bombing is done and the rage is ignited in another generation of young people, Israel will be brought to the same moral plane as all the Arab countries around it. This may well be seen as a moral victory by Hamas against Israel.
But this moral victory won’t be the strategic win Hamas seek.
There will come a point at which Israel believes it has done sufficient to permanently minimise Hamas.
Then Israel will hunt down Hamas leaders outside Israel, in Qatar, Turkey and Lebanon, “even if it takes years” according to Israel’s Head of Shin Bet. Which is what we saw in Beiruit I’d suggest.
Say all of that retribution is done.
Say, as a result, Israel then exists on the same moral plane as the autocrats and torturers who lead all the states around Israel, is that a strategic victory for Hamas and for all those who oppose the existence of Israel?
On the contrary.
The Arab world, unlike every other time in the 20th century, is not united against Israel. On the eve of October 7th, each Arab state had an individual relationship with Israel.
Egypt and Jordan signed peace deals decades ago, and they are holding.
The UAE normalised diplomatic relations with Israel, and that still holds.
Qatar kept its relationship with Israel informal while also hosting Hamas, and has been critical in negotiating stoppages to war and prisoner exchanges.
Saudi Arabia paused its normalisation of relationships with Israel, but on November 8th it was still “on the table”.
It is glaring that no Arab country is at maximum joining militarily on the side of Hamas or even at minimum offering to take vast numbers of Palestinian refugees. Most of them did multiple times in the previous wars.
Not a single country that has signed a peace treaty or normalised diplomatic relations with Israel has rescinded that basic relationship despite all Israel has done. All of Israel’s neighbours have massively oppressed internal minorities just like Israel: Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria all routinely oppress and torture any opponent and have done so for decades. They have taught Israel so well.
The Arab countries have left the Gazan Palestinians to their fate. They are certainly united in their condemnation of Israel’s actions. But nothing more.
The boots-on-the-ground people in Gaza actually helping people rather than bombing them are aid workers from across the world. Compare that to the direct assistance of the EU particularly Poland to the people of Ukraine.
This do-minimum approach to Gaza tells me that those Arab countries know that that the only countries that can solve any problem in the Middle East are Middle East countries. Israel will become as immune from any UN resolution as any other country in the Middle East.
The lowering of Israel to the same moral status as any other local torturing tyrant is, darkly, an advantage to Israel.
Qatar will continue to take this lead. Qatar’s actions show that they have diplomatic skill that all respect and abide by. Qatar has about the same human rights benchmark as most other Arabian states.
The military defeat of Hamas by Israel is trumped by the moral defeat by Hamas of Israel. And yet …
… it achieves for Israel two broader things: firstly it brings Israel permanently into regional moral equivalence and hence regional acceptance. That is certainly the diplomatic behaviour of all regional state actors so far.
Having done that, Israel turns that solid advantage to enduring regional peace by eradicating Hamas for all of them.
As darkness towards peace, figure that one out.
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- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...11 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...11 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...12 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...12 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...13 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...14 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...15 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...15 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...16 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...18 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...20 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...1 day ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...2 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...2 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...2 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...4 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...4 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...4 hours ago - NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...6 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...7 hours ago - The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...7 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...8 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...9 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...9 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...10 hours ago
- New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...10 hours ago
- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...10 hours ago
- 7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...11 hours ago
- Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...11 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...11 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...11 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...11 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...11 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...11 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...11 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...13 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...13 hours ago
- In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...14 hours ago
- ‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways
Ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa, the acclaimed British journalist, podcaster and documentarian talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about why people are still fascinated by the fringes. The last place I would expect to find Jon Ronson is relaxing in the countryside. The iconic British journalist and writer is best known ...14 hours ago - Kia kaha Lebanon: NZ media only tell half your story of struggle
The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution — for the fourth time — in Israel’s war on Gaza, while Hezbollah demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any deal with Israel. Amid the death and devastation, Joe Hendren reflects on his time in ...15 hours ago
- ‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews
The acclaimed New Zealand drama has just premiered on TV in the United Kingdom, and the five-star reviews are already flowing in. Six months after it was called a “blistering” “tour de force” by Australian critics, and nearly a year since The Spinoff declared it the best drama New Zealand ...15 hours ago
- Drugs are getting cheaper and easier to find in Aotearoa
New Zealanders are drinking and smoking less, but most other recreational drugs are becoming cheaper, more popular and more available, two new reports show. Two significant new surveys about drugs in Aotearoa were released this week, offering a rare insight into New Zealanders’ choice of substances, which ones are becoming ...15 hours ago
- COP29: ‘climate finance’ for the Pacific is mostly loans, saddling small island nations with mor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Ratuva, Director, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury Lenora Qereqeretabua, the deputy speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, at the COP29 climate summit. IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis, CC BY-SA As this year’s UN climate summit reaches its final stage of negotiations, Pacific ...15 hours ago
- Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed
The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but it’s also proof that bigger isn’t always better, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund. Contains minor spoilers for Wicked. There’s no doubt that Wicked is going to be huge. No other pop culture event this year, save from maybe Charli XCX’s Brat, has ...16 hours ago
- Dame Jacinda Ardern to be given United Nations leadership award
She will get the champion for global change award from the United Nations Foundation at a ceremony in New York tomorrow. ...17 hours ago
- NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand
Analysis: NZ is lifting what was supposed to be a permanent ban on live animal exports. But it’s not the lucrative industry it once was. The post NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand appeared first on Newsroom. ...17 hours ago - Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging
There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence, rather than a subcategory of psychological abuse, to bring it in line with the United Kingdom and Australia. Economic harm – restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, ...17 hours ago
- Downside Risks To Treasury’s Economic And Fiscal Forecasts
New Zealand is currently running a structural fiscal deficit, with expenditure exceeding revenue. Economic growth falling short of expectations has been making it harder for the Government to bring the books back into balance. ...18 hours ago
- Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities. Fixing this benefits everyone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordan Peter Anthony Pitt, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (Faculty of Science), University of Sydney An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous ...19 hours ago
- Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Cricket originated in England, but has been spread worldwide by British soldiers and settlers in the past few hundred years. It is now the second most popular sport in ...19 hours ago
- Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast Mladen Zivkovic/Shutterstock As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew ...19 hours ago
- Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Morgan Hughes, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma ...19 hours ago
- Overwhelmed by ever more clothing donations, charities are exporting the problem. Local governments ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yassie Samie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University anna.spoka/Shutterstock What happens to your clothes after you don’t want them any more? Chances are, you will donate them to op shops run by a charity organisation. There are more ...19 hours ago
- Friendly fire: a nuclear push by allies at COP29 poses a sticky problem for Albanese
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t see this coming. At the global COP29 climate talks in Baku, the Australian government was indirectly criticised by two allies, the United States and the ...19 hours ago
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Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology Julia Firak Stan’s new Christmas film Nugget is Dead is a colourful production that follows the rules of the seasonal genre film to a tee – with an Aussie ...19 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?
My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad’s feelings are still my problem? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera My parents recently announced their separation. This in itself isn’t a problem. I’ve already gone through this once before in my early childhood, so ...19 hours ago
- New Zealand Drops In Global Ranking On Climate Action
If the government won’t hold polluters to account, then people will. People are increasingly taking to the streets and the courtrooms, putting their bodies on the line to shut down polluting industries. This will only escalate further unless New ...19 hours ago
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Pretty deep Ad. I would have to disagree with you about one aspect, I see no upside for Israel here.
It has already lost any vestige of morality it once may have had. And the atrocities here are terrible, especially given they have been supported by the US and the UK.
Israel may battle to an uneasy truce. One day someone will get their hands on a nuke and then it will be all on.
The world order MUST succeed here and subject Israel to sanctions. Otherwise our International Law system will have failed.
The organised rape of woman carried out by Hamas, shows Hamas to be devoid of any humanity.
Hamas is a representation of the oppressor.
The greatest act of violence against humanity is the rape of women. To despoil the giver of live is to deny the sanctity of life.
The oppressor will be exposed by his denial, then justification for the rape of women. He will not use the word, but it is implied. The rape of women is used as a threat, to those who would deny his will.
The oppressor will hide behind an ideology, an identity that “shows” to the world that he is virtuous. All along the desire to be the oppressor lies deep within his heart. It slowly festers until the oppressor is so devoid of humanity, he is forever lost.
How do you feel about what is happening in Gaza? Serious question.
There can be many oppressors at any given time, all vying to be seen as the one representative of what is right and moral.
What is happening in Gaza is in no way morally acceptable or truely justifiable. It cannot be allowed to happen without the world standing witness.
We dropped two atomic bombs on Japan. On each of those two occasions about 100,000 (give or take) instantly perished. At no time in human history either before, or after, those terrible events in August 1945, have so many human lives ceased to exist an instant.
We choose the path of what we believed at the time, to be the lessor of two evils. This does not lessen the enormity of the horror.
The only redeeming thing about what we did on that early morning of August 6th, 1945, is that we continue to be troubled by it. We continue to question it, and we continue to feel the shame of it. In doing so we retain what is left of our humanity. Perhaps the lesson is that to be human is to be an oppressor.
To justify the deliberate, organised, documented and glorified rape of women, can in no way be justified. To justify rape of women, is to align oneself with the oppressors, whoever they are.
Rape of women is used as a weapon by the oppressor. It is also used as a threat of what will happen to those who deny the oppressors will.
When the oppressor rapes women, he justifies his actions, he excuses his actions, he denies his actions. But in his heart he knows the truth, it festers within him until he has lost any semblance of humanity.
Those oppressors who have any true morality, would see the wrongness of their actions, and be troubled by them.
Clarification regarding the claims of rape by a single Israeli soldier and group of religious zealots who are themselves complicit in sexual assault and rape.
https://mondoweiss.net/2023/12/zaka-is-not-a-trustworthy-source-for-allegations-of-sexual-violence-on-october-7/
And:
https://www.workers.org/2024/01/75960/
With the most important statement from Speak Up.
The group Speak Up, “A feminist initiative to support victims of violence in all its forms,” states: “Exploiting women’s bodies and rape allegations as war propaganda carries profound and extensive implications, affecting not only the immediate conflict but also influencing global attitudes and perceptions about women. This approach undermines the credibility of legitimate cases of sexual violence.
“It may lead to skepticism and disbelief when survivors share their experiences, perpetuating a culture of silence and impunity. Additionally, it could provoke a global backlash against efforts to address gender-based violence and advocate for women’s rights, and it diminishes the credibility of international initiatives aimed at preventing and responding to sexual violence in conflict.” (speakupeg.com)
Like the holocaust, the systematic rape of women by Hamas, has been documented, and is beyond any doubt.
General Eisenhower ordered the recording and witnessing of the aftermath of the holocaust. He recognised the true nature of the atrocities, and knew that one day there would be those who would deny it.
Today not only do some groups deny or minimise the holocaust. Some people, and groups now are denying or minimising the rape of women by Hamas.
You put your ideology, identity, belief or faith, ahead of you being able to address the fact that Hamas committed organised acts of rape against women.
[lprent: If you want to be taken seriously and not treated as some kind of idiot parrot, you need to respond to the comment you are replying to. The comment that you replied to did not deny or confirm that. Instead it pointed out links that queried the number of incidences of the behaviour you are decrying and examples of similar deliberate rape behaviour by Israelis against Palestinians. ]
The inability to recognise, and to attempt to minimise or deny the rape of women by Hamas, shows you to be an oppressor, if not now, you will be should you become part of the ruling establishment.
Those who are true oppressors will always reveal themselves, they cannot help it.
True oppressors live amongst us all, they are across the political spectrum.
Someone who is a true liberator, will recognise the evil that lies within all of us, irrespective of our beliefs. A true liberator will condemn acts of evil, even when they are made by his allies.
During the second world war, there were people who openly questioned the morality of the relentless bombing of Nazi German cities. The people were not silenced by the authorities. They understood the horror that they were unleashing.
[lprent: When replying to a comment, you should reply with something that is actually related to the comment. In your response I can see absolutely nothing in your comment does address anything that was in Cinder’s comment. It sounds like the meanderings of parrot repeating your previous comments. Robust debate means that you need to deal with the points raised by others.
Instead you meander off into complete unrelated topics while avoiding dealing with the rebuttal. There is a limited tolerance on this site to a cowardly avoidance of debate. ]
Zionists, Israeli supremacists and other Islamophobes are very hot on this. What happened on October 7 has been subject to a sustained information campaign out of Israel and through its proxies all over the world.
It's really hard to know the full extent of what went on. I certainly wouldn't trust the word of the IDF or the Israeli government.
No doubt it was a dreadful incident, but war is war.
“No doubt it was a dreadful incident, but war is war”
Do I take from this that you consider the rape of women, while “dreadful” is an accepted part of war?
Or does it depend on who is committing the rape, and who is the victim?
The organised and sanctioned acts of rape as a tactic of war are without doubt considered to be a war crime.
If war is war, and the Israelis are fighting against a regime that uses the organised and systematic rape of women. Then surely the Israelis are duty bound to do what they can to destroy Hamas. Just like we did to Germany to rid ourselves of the Nazi regime.
When it comes to rape, It should never be an issue of who was the rapist and who was the victim, before we pass judgment on the act. Rape is rape. Rape used as a weapon of war is abhorrent no matter what side we are on.
War is war, does not cut it.
What is the point of replacing one tyrant with another?
For a person to be able to willingly rape women as a weapon of war, or to order and organise it to happen, they must be so bereft of even the slightest amount of humanity, they could never be considered to be a part of a just and decent society.
People want peace, but it must be a just peace. There must be limits on what we do to achieve this. Unless we intend to become tyrants ourselves.
I do not for one minute believe that you find rape of women in any way acceptable as a weapon of war. You can support a free Palestine, and condemn the rape of woman by Hamas, otherwise you and Hamas are no better than Israel.
[Fix the typo in your email address and read Lprent’s Mod note for you – Incognito]
Mod note
See my mod note.
Compared to the systematic and ongoing rapes in Israeli prisons over decades? The beatings resulting in death of unarmed prisoners by guards. The english version of haaretz article referred to is here (paywalled).
I'd point out that as far as I am aware, no prison guards ever have been prosecuted for these acts of brutality. The only thing you ever see, like the now routine brutalities and war crimes by IDF is to note that they are 'aware' of the claims.
You appear to have a curiously selective morality., and what appears to be a profound level of ignorance.
Yep it is not binary. It is not a case of one side bad one side good. And asking us to focus on one series of events that may or may not have happened and totally ignore atrocities on the other side is weird.
Hah hah, what a joke.
Every human being on earth sees the crimes of you zionist butchers. Time is ticking. The zionist entity will not last much longer than apartheid South Africa, your only ally, did.
I have just read your comments from yesterday and have added in some snips of my own.
Have you thought about toning down the personal attacks and arguing first principles instead? You will find this is more effective.
A complex composition there Ad.
What has 88 keys: 52 white and 36 black? Piano. What 8-letter word has one letter in it? Envelope. What is the password when the requirement is at least 8 characters, including caps, a number and a symbol? SnowWhite&the7dwarves.
I'm with Lord Peter Hain on this one.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/jan/02/west-colluding-in-terrible-failure-in-gaza-warns-peter-hain
There can realistically be only one possible solution to this and that is a negotiated peace. Such a solution will require a negotiation facilitated by someone both parties can trust and will entail both contestants being willing to give and to receive.
Kevin and I were students together at Vic in the 60's. He wrote this just last month.
Great to see Tui Motu quoted.
I'm not so sure "Western" policy is the issue. Plenty of EU positions and US diplomatic work have been admirable if you go back to Oslo and Camp David in multiple sessions.
It's the Arabian countries that need to step up, and some really are diplomatically as never before, the UAE and Qatar in particular. The US and EU are far weaker influences now.
Thank you Advantage for your article. I totally agree with you about Hamas success in pushing Israel into an awful moral decision. As an aside – if I hear another ignorant yelling of the ' from the river to the sea' my scream will be loud. Some people have no knowledge of where the slogan originated.
I don't think 'from the river to the sea' is a call for the destruction of Israel. Those who believe it is have bought into Israeli propaganda.
It is however a call for a free state of Palestine, or what is left of it. Hardly controversial.
During the ceasefire and exchange of hostages-for-prisoners (there are a lot of prisoners) at the end of November, I got my hopes up that ‘Kill first’ was giving way to thinking, but it was not to be. IDF munitions have now killed ~1% of the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip since Hamas’ unconscionable 7th October attack – who knows what motivates Hamas.
https://www.globalr2p.org/countries/israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/
Might Israel’s Occupied Territories be considered ‘new’, and Palestinians living there ‘weak’?
Maintaining order, and achieving a modest standard of living for all human passengers on spaceship Earth, will be a challenge, ‘going forward’. Stay safe.
Weasel column of the year so far award goes to…
What a defeatist, weak, unnecessary position from ADVANTAGE given the thousands of dead women and children and much of Gaza flattened. The response to this is not punditry and pontificating–it is direct action. Support local and international solidarity efforts to put pressure on the Israeli butchers and their US sponsors.
https://bdsmovement.net
+100 Tiger
I disagree. Ad's post is a reflection of current International discourse between nations. It sucks. If what he thinks will happen happens it is a condemnation of the current system and shows that current International law is broken. But it is not a weasel column
You friendly reminder that Ad / Advantage has (in my opinion) previously mislead their audience in the following manner.
In their post on the 21st of November 2023 titled "Terror, human shields, and de-legitimising Israel"
https://thestandard.org.nz/terror-human-shields-and-delegitmising-israel/
In that post Ad used a hyperlink (the text in blue) which was worded in the following manner:
""Since at least 2014 the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), whose sole mission is to provide relief to for Palestinians, has repeatedly found stores of Hamas rockets hidden in tunnels beneath its schools."
Examination of the statement from the UNRWA which can be seen here:
https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/unrwa-condemns-placement-rockets-second-time-one-its-schools
gives us the following facts:
"he Secretary-General released a summary of the BOI report on 27 April 2015 (S/2015/286). The summary indicates that the items found were not rockets; the Board concluded that it was highly likely that a Palestinian armed group might have used the premises to hide weapons but was unable to confirm with certainty what type of weapon might have been hidden at the school.
This is now the 4th time I have raised my concerns regarding this and I have never received any reply or explanation for why the wording of the hyperlink was factually incorrect. I believe that the wording was deliberately and intentionally misleading as it lies far beyond the scope of an honest mistake or typo.
There is already far too much misinformation and disinformation surrounding the atrocities committed by Hamas and Israel and we all need to push back against any perpetuation of falsehoods whether they relate to current or historic events .
I stand with Alexei Sayle and Wilf!
You can go through all the footnotes in this one if you like, but it's been going on for over a decade.
https://stratcomcoe.org/cuploads/pfiles/hamas_human_shields.pdf
Hamas leadership don't dispute it.
https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-hamas-civilians-human-shields
The truth is honestly barely interesting in a terrorist war. The objectives of a massive terrorist attack by a non-state actor against a much larger force is a common playbook no matter who it is, and it goes like this:
– Increase profile, membership, allies, and funding
– Shame the larger power when they retaliate, and
– Degrade the standing of your enemy
All of this is pretty effective done well, as seen in the IRA in Northern Ireland, the ANC in South Africa, FARC in Colombia, and many more.
That is not an answer to my question.
Which is why you used misleading language?
Your reluctance to explain this imake me believe it is deliberately misleading and you thought no one would check you references.
Your first link is a PDF which doesn't even have an author and provides no evidence but cites other references. I'm not going to spend weeks chasing those given they may not even be accessible.
The Channel 4 article also provides no evidence of rockets in tunnels under schools.
So. once again, why did you use misleading language in your hyperlink?
In short, I believe you are not acting on good faith in regards to this.
This is important as we know that Israel are paying content creators, social media players and influencers to assist in their propaganda efforts.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/technology/israels-after-content-creators-offering-5000-sponsorship-dea
October 7 was a hostage taking mission. Israel began its offensive and paused for a hostage swap. Hamas retained some hostage assets. It's that simple. No need to look any deeper.
"At maximum" seems ridiculous when that unnamed country would be immediately destroyed with US ordinance. Arab counties, Jordan for instance, refuse to participate, aid and abet Israel's policy of cultural and literal genocide.
The countries that have participated in direct attacks against Israel since it was formed are: Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Soviet Union, Algeria, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia, most of them multiple times. Also half a dozen non-state armies. And that was when US influence in the area was at its highest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wars_involving_Israel
If people refuse to look deeply into the causes and conditions of war they are unlikely to figure out how to prevent it.
Yemens support and actions should be noted.
Which Yemen? Pretty hard to call it a functioning state with a single position.
To conflate the actions of the group called Houthi with Yemen is so wrong.
https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/87301
The Israeli plan for Gaza is to rule there as in the WB.
Some time back there had been a disengagement policy, which resulted in withdrawal of both settlements and the IDF from all of Gaza as well a plan for doing the same for areas of the WB. It was abandoned by Likud, they retained it for Gaza while using attacks from Gaza as an excuse for not continuing on the disengagement course for the WB (and instead to walk away from the Oslo Accords and have more and more fact on the ground settlements).
Hamas finally realised they had been used as a pawn to further Likud's agenda in the WB and so made the current order untenable.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67888794
It is consistent with Hamas becoming part of the PLO and the PA returning to Gaza. And future parliamentary and presidential elections. And also EU and USA pressure on Israel to this outcome and SA/UAE/Qatar funding of a Gaza rebuild, sans tunnels.
The comments from some Palestinian leaders about empowering Gazans to self government sans any IDF presence indicate two other factors – a fear of elections, and seeing the path to a Gaza de facto Palestinian state as a easier to realise than a two state peace (WG sovereign and independent and EG under "WP" and KGB/GRU occupation were separate for some time).
Japan was nuked twice though they were ready to surrender. [deleted]. Hamas were on a suicide mission, the last thing on their minds was there peckers. Gaza has been nuked the equivalent of two Hiroshimas. But we are obsessed with allegations of rape! The Israehellis killed heaps of their own for shielding Hamas fighters ( the Samson option ) with Apache attack helicopters.
[Please stick to one user name + e-mail here and revert to the one that you used here last time (https://thestandard.org.nz/critics-of-degrowth-economics-say-its-unworkable-but-from-an-ecologists-perspective-its-inevitable/#comment-1965273). As you’ve used a number of aliases here, from now on only that combination will be let through by the automated system and all others will be trashed automatically by the system. I’ll leave it to others to address the contents of your comment. Please acknowledge that you’ve read this note – Incognito]
[deleted because it’s too close to advocating violence. Read the site commenting Policy. If you want to comment again, we prefer people to make arguments that can be backed up with evidence – weka]
Mod note
did my edit I mess with your mod note?
Yup, it definitely did.
fixed it.
Weird, I've not seen that happen before. I think because you approved the post first, and then edited it, but I still had the Pending page open and edited it from there after you?
All good. I think jay11 will now realise that he attracted the attention of two mods and that he'll pay heed to both notes.
Good on South Africa for trying to broker a peace deal.