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| A picture taken from southern Israel on the border with the Gaza Strip showing smoke billowing over the Palestinian territory during an Israeli bombardment on Friday. - AFP PIC |
LETTERS: I have only one message for United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Cameron regarding Britain's decision to join her closest ally, the United States, to attack the Houthis because of the group's declared intent to defend Palestinians by attacking ships in the Red Sea.
It is this — Britain should instead take action against Israel for the Zionist regime's brutality and oppression against the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.
I'm not supporting the Yemeni rebels nor the UK, but Cameron's point about the Houthis attacking all ships is lame.
Does it mean he would be okay with it if the Houthis limit their attacks to only Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea? Even if that is done, will the UK, US and their supporters cease attacking Yemen and address the real issue of Israeli occupation?
Cameron may describe the Houthis actions in solidarity with the Palestinians as "nonsense", but what Gazans have had to endure at the hands of a brutal occupier did not just begin in the last few months, it has been more than seven decades.
The world is demanding that Israel stop massacring Palestinians, no doubt encouraged by the West which keeps saying that Israel has the right to self defence.
It is Israel which has been attacking "all" Palestinians, including in the West Bank which is not ruled by Hamas. The number of deaths in Gaza is nearing 25,000, more than half of them children, women and the elderly.
In the West Bank, Israeli troops and settlers have killed more than 360 people since Oct 7, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The move by South Africa to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is having an impact, with many describing South Africa's presentation of the case as solid, while Israel's presentation looked weak.
Indonesia and Slovenia are said to be preparing to pursue another case against Israel at the ICJ over the violations of the rights of Palestinians, specifically seeking an advisory opinion on Israel's control of and policies on the occupied Palestinian territory.
There has also been talk about taking certain leaders to justice for supporting Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza and being complicit in the bloodbath.
It is no surprise why some Western politicians have suddenly switched their tone to urge for a permanent ceasefire and, in the case of United States President Joe Biden, he is now not ruling out a two-state solution.
The world will not be easily fooled by mere words and a change in narrative.
A recent AFP report is an example. The heading was "Israel bombards Gaza's south as leaders discuss post-war future" and it started with this paragraph: "Israel ratcheted up its attacks in the south of the Gaza Strip on Saturday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden discussed differences over a post-war future for Palestinians that have suggested a rift between the two allies."
The rift can mean Netanyahu wants to continue the killing as it will ensure his long-term stay as prime minister, while Biden wants the violence to stop as there is an increasing demand by Americans for a ceasefire, including from members of his Democratic party.
While people may understand the need for safety in the Red Sea, the West should address the main cause — genocide in Gaza and Israeli occupation. Until then, all their words are meaningless and dishonest.
People will see clearly that what they are really doing is protecting Israel.
WAN AHMAD HUSSEIN
Bangi, Selangor
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
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https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/letters/2024/01/1004925/west-not-addressing-root-cause-palestinian-conflict
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