Kamala’s Dirty Secret: White Phosphorus
Now’s the time for US Democrats to push Kamala Harris and push her really hard on a ceasefire in Gaza.
The same day that Harris called for a ceasefire, the US announced $3.5 billion in “military assistance” to Israel.
This week the US greenlighted another $20 billion in military aid to Israel which includes:
$18.8 billion for 50 F-15 fighter jets and equipment
$ 102.5 million in air to air missiles
$ 774 million for 33,000 tank cartridges
$ 61.1 million for 50,000 high explosive 120 mm mortar rounds
$ 583.1 million for tanks
At the same time, the US state department announced that over the last nine months the US has given $657 million in aid to support “vulnerable Palestinians” in Gaza and the West Bank. We all know that is a mere pittance. What good is giving some food packets and water to Palestinians when Israel is killing thousands month after month. This week Israel killed more than 100 Palestinians at prayer on Saturday. Israel’s missile hit a mother and her four day old twins, just home from the hospital in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza. The apartment was struck in the time it took for the new father to nip out to get the children’s birth certificates . Add to that, the tens of thousands more every month starving to death (despite the US’s generous “aid”), and all the victims trapped under buildings.
Kamala Harris’ weak cry for a ceasefire
How does all that sit with the Democratic party, and with Kamala Harris on the eve of the Democrats’ convention to crown her and her running mate. So far, in addition to telling us that “she is speaking” and her ability to manage crowds with a bit of humour — her cries for a ceasefire are little more than weak bleats.
Of course, Kamala must walk a fine line. She has to wave to the left, but be sure not to backhand the right and the fans of Israel in her party.
She doesn’t have to worry about any embarrassment or undermining from Canada. Canada is one of Israel’s “besties”. For instance, last week, our government refused Japan’s invitation to promote peace by commemorating the US’s savage bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Canada refused to attend because Israel was not invited. Note to Canada: Not inviting Israel was a good thing, not a bad thing. Israel is carrying on a genocidal war against Palestinians which is of particular concern to those in Nagasaki. Israel has no interest in peace or a ceasefire. Israel has had months to organize a prisoner exchange for the remaining Israeli hostages—and has not done anything about it since November. Dozens of hostages are being sacrificed because Israel cares more about decimating Palestinians. Today’s news is that Israel is holding more than 21,000 Palestinian prisoners since Oct. 7. – that is double Israel’s official number. Little wonder Japan didn’t put Israel on its “pro-peace” guest list.
Dropping poison gas on civilian populations is illegal.
How can Kamala excuse Israel’s continued use of the chemical weapon White Phosphorus against the Palestinians – in southern Lebanon, in the West Bank and in Gaza.
White Phosphorus (WP) has been used for over a decade by Israel, not just since Oct 7. Operation Cast Lead in 2008-9 Israel attacked civilians with WP.
In 2009, the Goldstone Report said that Israel fired WP shells over the UNRWA compound in Gaza City. It is dangerous because WP ignites with oxygen causing serious fires which kill livestock, crops, and destroy property and houses. WP adheres to skin, causing deep burns that penetrate the bone. It cannot be extinguished with water, and can re-ignite in the air.
On 15 Nov 2023, Israel launched 300 WP bombings on a densely populated area of Beit Lahia, Gaza. Between 7 Oct and 16 Nov. Israel shot more than 1000 WP strikes in total.
In the last ten months, Israel has shot WP bombs into 17 highly-populated municipalities southern Lebanon; many ended up sparking wildfires in at least 55 towns.
So far Kamala hasn’t said a word about WP being used by Israel. That is odd since the US is “home” to the world’s largest WP production and distribution facility founded by Pine Bluff Arsenal (a US military installation that stores chemical weapons), Bayer and Israel Chemical Ltd (now called the ICL Group). Though the US military identification numbers have been found on the WP artillery, the White House and the State Dept will not accept responsibility for manufacturing the weapons or for Israel’s unlawful conduct.
The US is supposed to uphold laws on weapons and weapons sales to Israel and other countries that violate international law. Dropping poison gas or WP on civilian populations is illegal.
So far, it’s the Democrats’ dirty secret.
Featured painting: Gassed, by John Singer Sargent (British, 1919). The painting shows the effects of a mustard gas attack during World War I.
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