Simona V. Yagenova; Palestina ensangrentada


Simona V. Yagenova

La tierra se estrecha para nosotros. Nos hacina en el último pasaje y nos despojamos de nuestros miembros para pasar. La tierra nos exprime. ¡Ah, si fuéramos su trigo para morir y renacer! ¡Ah, si fuera nuestra madre para apiadarse de nosotros! ¡Ah, si fuéramos imágenes de rocas que nuestro sueño portara cual espejos! Hemos visto los rostros de los que matará el último de nosotros en la última defensa del alma. Hemos llorado el cumpleaños de sus hijos. Y hemos visto los rostros de los que arrojarán a nuestros hijos por las ventanas de este último espacio. Espejos que pulirá nuestra estrella. ¿Adónde iremos después de las últimas fronteras? ¿Dónde volarán los pájaros después del último cielo? ¿Dónde dormirán las plantas después del último aire? Escribiremos nuestros nombres con vapor teñido de carmesí, cortaremos la mano al canto para que lo complete nuestra carne. Aquí moriremos. Aquí, en el último pasaje. Aquí o ahí... nuestra sangre plantará sus olivos. Mahmud Darwich,poeta palestino



El grito de indignación de millones de habitantes de nuestro planeta ante el genocidio cometido contra el pueblo palestino en Gaza, se estrella contra el muro de impunidad de un sistema mundo, controlado por el capital transnacional, los poderes imperiales y un Estado Paria, que  violenta de manera sistémica las normas internacionales en materia de derechos humanos.

El indiscriminado bombardeo contra la franja de Gaza, el territorio con mayor densidad poblacional del mundo, justificado discursivamente con la repetitiva y falaz excusa de autodefensa, revela una agresiva escalada cuya única finalidad es el asesinato en masa, la destrucción de todo aquello que es parte consustancial de la resistencia política,  religiosa y material del pueblo palestino, y de lo que se erige en defensa de la vida, sean estos hospitales, refugios de la UNRWA o ambulancias.

Los desgarradores gritos de las madres, niños y hombres palestinos surgidos desde el más profundo dolor, rabia e indignación son el testimonio de un digno pueblo que ha resistido la ocupación, al permanente despojo de su territorio y a la violencia fascista impuesta por el Estado de Israel.

El cinismo y complicidad de la comunidad internacional, cuyo accionar se diluye en vacías e hipócritas declaraciones, dejan la mano libre para que continúen asesinado y destruyendo. Romper relaciones diplomáticas, promover el boicot, desinversión y embargo acompañado de la persecución jurídica que garantice que los responsables terminen en la Corte Penal Internacional son las únicas acciones que permitirían una eventual paz para el pueblo palestino.

La nueva agresión se realiza en un momento histórico en que el accionar destructivo del capital se explaya, se profundiza y se extiende. Los operativos imperiales en Iraq, Afganistán, Libia, Siria han devastado estos territorios que son disputados por empresas transnacionales, ejércitos de mercenarios subcontratados, y provocado violencia desenfrenada entre grupos locales, que financiados o apoyados desde el exterior, siembran el terror y el caos. Se trata de la destrucción y del despojo, los pilares fundamentales sobre los cuales se asienta el modelo de acumulación. Este es el futuro que espera a la humanidad y a nuestra patria grande, sino se avance con pasos gigantescos en la construcción de un orden mundial distinto.

Mientras tanto, Palestina se desangra. Mientras tanto se destruye la vida. Mientras tanto, se masacra a los niños y niñas. Mientras tanto, se destruyen las mezquitas. Mientras tanto se destruyen hospitales y escuelas. Mientras tanto, se quiere exterminar a las heroicas mujeres, defensoras y reproductoras de la vida, de la cultura y de la resistencia.

La agresión contra el pueblo de Palestina es una agresión contra la humanidad. Si no somos capaces de responder de manera individual y colectiva a este drama, somos co-responsables de un lúgubre futuro, donde prevalecerá la muerte y destrucción.

Si, Mahmud Darwich tiene tanta razón. La tierra se estrecha para nosotros. Nos lo está arrebatando un sistema de poder perverso que duerme la conciencia, que mercantiliza la vida, la madre naturaleza y se nutre de la muerte de vidas inocentes.

¡PROHIBIDO OLVIDAR!



Nombres de palestinos/as asesinados, listado al que deben añadirse 1000 nombres más.

Mohammed Shaaban, 24,; Amjad Shaaban; Khader al-Bashiliki, 45;Rashad Yassin, 27,  Nusseirat refugee camp;Mohammed Ayman Ashour, 15,  Khan Younis.Riad Mohammed Kawareh, 50, Khan Younis Bakr Mohammed Judeh, 22,Khan Younis.Ammar Mohammed Judeh, 26, Khan Younis.Hussein Yousef Kawareh, 13, Khan Younis.Mohammed Ibrahim Kawareh, 50,  Khan Younis. Mohammed Aahed Habib, 22, Gaza.Ahmed Moussa Habib, 16,  Gaza; Saqr Ayesh al-Ajuli, 22,  Jabalia. Ahmed Nael Mahdi, 16, Gaza. Basil Salem Kawareh, 10,  Khan Younis. Hafez Mohammed Hamad, 30,  Beit Hanoun.Ibrahim Mohammed Hamad, 26,  Beit Hanoun.Mahdi Mohammed Hamad, 46,  Beit Hanoun. Fawziya Khalil Hamad, 62, Beit Hanoun. Dunya Mahdi Hamad, 16,  Beit Hanoun.Suha Hamad, 25,  Beit Hanoun.Suleiman Salman Abu Sowaween, 22, Deir al-Balah Siraj Ayad Abdelal, 8,  Khan Younis. Abdel Hadi Jumaa al-Sufi, 24, Gaza.Rashid al-Kafarneh, 30,  Beit Hanoun.Nayfeh Farajallah, 80, Gaza.Abdel Nasser Abu Kweik, 60,  Beit Hanoun.Khaled Abu Kweik, 31,  Beit Hanoun.Mohammed Arif, 13,  Gaza.Mohammed Malake, 1½,  Gaza. Hanaa Malake, 27, Gaza. Hatem Abu Salem, Gaza.Mohammed Khaled al-Nimre, 22,  Gaza.Sahar Hamdan al-Masri, 40, Beit Hanoun. Mohammed Ibrahim al-Masri, 14, Beit Hanoun Mohammed Khalaf al-Nawasra, 4, al-Maghazi. Nidal Khalaf al-Nawasra, 5, al-Maghazi Aicha Najm, 20, al-Maghazi. Salah Awad al-Nawasra, 6, al-Maghazi. Mahmoud Nahed al-Nawasra, Gaza. Amal Yousef Abdel Ghafour, 27, Khan Younis. Raneem Judeh Abdel Ghafour, 1½, Khan Younis. Ibrahim Daoud al-Balaawi, 24, Rafah.Abdel Rahman Jamal al-Zamli, 22, Rafah. Ibrahim Ahmed Abdeen, 42, Rafah.Mustafa Abu Murr, 20, Rafah.Khaled Abu Murr, 23, Rafah.Mazen Faraj al-Jarba, 30, Deir al-Balah. Marwan Isleem, 27,  Deir al-Balah.Hani Saleh Hamad, 57, Beit Hanoun.Ibrahim Hamad, 20, Beit Hanoun Salima Hassan Maslam al-Arja, 60, Gaza.Mariam Atiah Mohammed al-Arja, 11,  GazaHamid Shihab, 37,Gaza. Ibrahim Khalil Qanan, 24,Khan Younis.Mohammed Khalil Qanan, 26,  Khan Younis.Suleiman al-Astal, 55,  Khan Younis.Hamdi Badie Sawali, 33, Khan Younis Mohammed al-Akkad, 24, Khan Younis.Ahmed Sawali, 28,  Khan Younis.Raed Shalat, 37,  Gaza.Mahmoud Lutfi al-Hajj,Khan Younis.Asmaa Mahmoud al-Hajj, 22, Khan Younis.Tarik Saad al-Hajj, 18,  Khan Younis.Saad Mahmoud al-Hajj, 17,  Khan Younis Najlaa Mahmoud al-Hajj, 29,Khan Younis. Fatima al-Hajj, 12,  Khan Younis.Omar al-Hajj, 20,  Khan Younis.Basima Abdel Fattah al-Hajj, 57,Khan Younis.Ahmed Salim al-Astal, 24,Khan Younis.Moussa Mohammed al-Astal, 50,  Khan Younis.Raed al-Zawarea, 33,Khan Younis. Bahaa Abu al-Leil, 35,  Gaza.Salem Qandil, 27, , Gaza. Amer al-Fayyoumi, 30,Gaza. Abdallah Ramadan Abu Ghazal, 5,Beit Hanoun. Islamel Hassan Abu Jamaa, 19,  Khan Younis. Mohammed Ehsan Farwane, 18,  Khan Younis.Mahmoud Talee Wallud, 26, Jabalia. Hazem Ibrahim Baaloushe, 30, Jabalia. Udai Rafik al-Sultan, 27, abalia. Hassan Awda Abu Jamaa, 75, Khan Younis. Yasmin Mohammed al-Mutwak, 4,  Beit Hanoun. Ahmed Zaher Hamdan, 24,Beit Hanoun. Mohammed Kamal al-Kahlout, 25, Jabalia. Sami Andan Shaldan, 25, Gaza,Jumaa Atiah Shallouf, 25,Rafah.Bassam Abdel Rahman Khattab, 6,  Deir al-Balah. Abdellah Mustafa Abu Mahrouk, 22, Deir al-Balah. Anas Rizk Abu al-Qas, 33, Gaza Nour Marwan al-Najdi, 10,  Rafah. Mohammed Mounir Ashour, 26, Rafah.Ghalia Deeb Jaber Ghanem, 57, Rafah. Wissam Abdel Razek Hassan Ghannam, 31, Rafah. Mahmoud Razek Hassan Ghannam, 28,  Rafah Kifah Shahadeh Deeb Ghannam, 33, Rafah. Raed Hani Abu Hani, 31,  Rafah.Shahraman Ismaeil Abu al-Qas, 42, Al-Breij. Mazen Mustafa Aslan, 63,  Al-Breij. Mohammed Rabih Abu Humeidan, 65,  northern Gaza. Shahd al-Qreinawi, 7, Al-Breij. Abdel Halim Abdel Moeti, 54,  Gaza. Hussein al-Mamlouk, 47, Gaza.Saber Sukkar, 80, Gaza.Nasser Mohammed Sammame, 49,  Gaza.Rami Abu Musaed, 23,  Deir al-Balah.Mohammed al-Sumeiri, 24, Deir al-Balah.Husam Eddine al-Razayne, 39, Jabalia.Anas Youssef Qandil, 17,  Jabalia. Abdel Rahim Saleh al-Khatib, 38, abalia. Youssef Mohammed Qandil, 33,Jabalia.Mohammed Idris Abu Sanena, 20,  Jabalia.Hala Weshahi, 31, Jabalia. Suha Abu Saada, 38, Jabalia.Ali Nabil Basal, 32, Gaza. Mohammed Bassem al-Halabi, 28, Gaza, y más y más…..



Katu Arkonada: Cumbre del G77+China: Hacia un nuevo orden contrahegemónico para vivir bien 0




La Cumbre del G77+China que finaliza en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, organizada por el Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia cuando se cumplen 50 años de su creación el 15 de junio de 1964, ha sido un éxito organizativo y político que sin ninguna duda va a suponer el relanzamiento de este grupo, el más grande al interior de las Naciones Unidas.

Son tres los principales indicadores que miden el éxito de un evento internacional de estas características: el poder de convocatoria, es decir, el número de altas autoridades y países que acuden a la misma; la declaración consensuada por la Cumbre así como el alcance político de la misma; y la logística y organización que hacen posible que todo el evento se desarrolle con normalidad. Si nos atenemos a las declaraciones realizadas por los propios presidentes, vicepresidentes y primeros ministros durante la plenaria, podemos afirmar sin ningún tipo de duda que la Cumbre del G77+China en Bolivia ha sido un éxito rotundo.

Por un lado, y en el aspecto más formal, la llegada a Bolivia de 13 presidentes, 4 primeros ministros, 5 vicepresidentes, 8 cancilleres o 31 embajadores antes las Naciones Unidas de los 4 continentes del Sur del mundo, hasta completar 104 países de los 133 que conforman el G77+China, supone un hito sin precedentes en la historia del G77+China que en América Latina solo es superado en asistencia de altas autoridades por la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas y la CELAC. Todo ello en medio de una excelente organización y coordinación interinstitucional entre el Gobierno boliviano, la Gobernación y la Alcaldía de Santa Cruz que fue elogiada por la mayor parte de países en sus intervenciones.

Declaración de Santa Cruz   

Pero si por algo va a ser recordada esta Cumbre del G77+China en su 50 aniversario es por la Declaración de Santa Cruz que apunta como nunca antes a cuestionar los paradigmas existentes en el mundo de las Relaciones Internacionales y construye un horizonte para esa nueva Geopolítica del Sur en la transición del mundo unipolar al mundo multipolar.

La Declaración de Santa Cruz tiene 242 puntos que han supuesto aproximadamente 90 horas de debate en 30 sesiones de trabajo en el marco de las Naciones Unidas, además de la plenaria de la Cumbre del G77+China, y está estructurada en 5 partes: una primera de contexto general; una segunda parte de contexto nacional; una tercera en la que se defiende la Cooperación Sur-Sur; una cuarta parte en la que se plantean los desafíos mundiales; y una quinta y última parte que desarrolla las necesidades particulares de los países en desarrollo en situaciones especiales.

La Declaración podemos analizarla en dos dimensiones diferenciadas pero complementarias. Una primera dimensión que apunta a la agenda formal-institucional y que tiene como objetivo aportar al debate de la Agenda Post-2015 y la construcción de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (ODS) que deben sustituir a los Objetivos del Milenio, y una segunda que apunta a la construcción de ese otro mundo posible, un mundo de soberanía para el Sur, libre de toda forma de colonialismo e imperialismo.

En la primera dimensión, la del debate post-2015, la Declaración de Santa Cruz destaca que los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible deberían abordar y centrarse prioritariamente en la integración de las tres dimensiones del desarrollo sostenible (económica, social y ambiental), regirse por el documento final de la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible, respetar todos los Principios de Río y tener en cuenta las diferentes circunstancias, capacidades y prioridades nacionales.

En esta dimensión se reconoce que la Tierra y sus ecosistemas son nuestro hogar y para alcanzar un justo equilibrio entre las necesidades económicas, sociales y ambientales de las generaciones presentes y futuras, es necesario promover la armonía con la naturaleza y la Madre Tierra. Se afirma que no existe un único modelo de democracia y se reafirma la necesidad de respetar debidamente la soberanía, la unidad y la integridad territorial y el derecho a la libre determinación, así como el rechazo de cualquier intento de desestabilizar los sistemas constitucionales y democráticos legítimamente establecidos por los pueblos.

Asimismo se defiende la soberanía de los pueblos sobre sus recursos naturales en interés del desarrollo nacional y como una forma de avanzar en la erradicación de la pobreza y la reducción de la desigualdad, además de para lograr el crecimiento económico y la creación de empleo, así como la universalización del agua potable y el saneamiento básico en cuanto a Derechos Humanos.

La segunda dimensión apunta al horizonte del G77+China para los próximos años en el marco de la reconfiguración geopolítica y el nuevo mundo multipolar. En esta dimensión se hace una apuesta firme por la Cooperación Sur-Sur como expresión de solidaridad entre los pueblos y países del Sur, basada en los principios del respeto a la soberanía, independencia, igualdad, no condicionalidad, no injerencia en los asuntos internos y el beneficio mutuo.

También, y desde una lectura de la crisis del capitalismo, se apuesta por una reforma de la estructura financiera internacional de manera que tengamos un sistema financiero y monetario que refleje las realidades del siglo XXI, incluido un sector financiero internacional debidamente reglamentado que reduzca y desestimule las inversiones especulativas, a fin de que se puedan movilizar los mercados de capital para alcanzar el desarrollo sostenible, y de que esos mercados desempeñen un papel constructivo en la agenda mundial para el desarrollo.

El horizonte antiimperialista y anticolonial también está presente y es de destacar la denuncia que se hace en la Declaración de Santa Cruz del bloqueo a Cuba, instando a que se ponga fin al embargo económico, comercial y financiero que sufre la Isla y que, además de ser unilateral y contrario a la Carta de las Naciones Unidas y al derecho internacional, causa grandes pérdidas materiales y daños económicos al pueblo cubano.

Similar posición respecto de la situación neocolonial en las Malvinas donde se reconoce el perjuicio a la Argentina y se insta a encontrar una salida pacífica a la disputa por la soberanía sobre las islas. También se hace una defensa del pueblo palestino y una condena de la ocupación militar israelí, no solo del territorio palestino ocupado (incluyendo Jerusalén), sino también del Golán sirio y territorios del Líbano, reivindicando las fronteras de 1967.

Es importante destacar el desarrollo que se hace en la documento final de la Cumbre del G77+China de propuestas en torno a la biodiversidad, los bosques, la desertificación, los océanos, y especialmente el cambio climático. La Declaración afirma que el cambio climático pone en peligro no solo las perspectivas de desarrollo de los países en desarrollo y su logro del desarrollo sostenible, sino también la propia existencia y supervivencia de los países y las sociedades.

El Vivir Bien como aporte boliviano    

La Cumbre celebrada en Bolivia en el 50 aniversario del Grupo de los 77 tenía como lema principal “Por un nuevo orden mundial para Vivir Bien”; y el Vivir Bien en cuanto a experiencia de Bolivia para el mundo estuvo presente en muchos de los discursos de los líderes del bloque, destacando el discurso inaugural del propio Secretario General de Naciones Unidas Ban Ki-moon que defendió el Vivir Bien y el desarrollo en equilibrio con la Madre Tierra como aportes bolivianos a la construcción de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible.


En el documento final de la Cumbre además se incorpora durante varios párrafos una defensa de los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, instando a trabajar en pro de la realización de los mismos sobre sus tierras, recursos naturales, identidad y cultura. En la Declaración se complementan los derechos colectivos con los derechos de la Madre Tierra y todo ello para lograr el desarrollo sostenible y el Vivir Bien en los países en desarrollo.


Bolivia también ha incorporado en la Declaración los principios andinos del ama suwa (no seas ladrón), ama llulla (no seas mentiroso) y ama qhilla (no seas perezoso), principios que, de conformidad con todos los derechos humanos y las libertades fundamentales, contribuyen a los esfuerzos para prevenir y combatir la corrupción.


Asimismo, a iniciativa de Bolivia los Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno del G77+China reconocen en el documento final de la Cumbre el masticado (akulliku o chacchado) de la hoja de coca como una manifestación cultural ancestral de los pueblos de la región andina que debe ser respetada por la comunidad internacional.
Una enmienda al documento propuesta por el Presidente Evo, a la que habrá que dar seguimiento e impulso en los próximos meses tanto desde los movimientos sociales como desde los gobiernos del Sur, es la creación de un “Instituto de Descolonización y Cooperación Sur-Sur” con sede en Bolivia en el marco de una alianza económica, científica, tecnológica y cultural entre los países del G77+China para posibilitar una real y definitiva independencia del Sur.

G77+China en Bolivia, el triunfo de la Diplomacia delos Pueblos

La inauguración oficial de la Cumbre del G77+China estuvo antecedida por un encuentro multitudinario entre los movimientos sociales bolivianos y una buena parte de los presidentes de izquierda de América Latina como Raúl Castro, Nicolás Maduro, Rafael Correa o Salvador Sánchez Cerén, además de personalidades como Rigoberta Menchu o el propio Ban Ki-moon, todos ellos encabezados por el propio Evo Morales. Baño de pueblo antes de la ceremonia protocolar que simboliza perfectamente el nuevo paradigma boliviano de Relaciones Internacionales llamado Diplomacia de los Pueblos.
En ese encuentro en el Estadio Tahuichi Aguilera de Santa Cruz, Rafael Correa advertía de los peligros de la restauración conservadora, y en contraposición defendía la unidad de los gobiernos progresistas. Un buen ejemplo de ello es la resolución de apoyo a Venezuela, propuesta en plenaria por el Presidente Evo, ante la agresión imperialista que sufre la revolución bolivariana.
En ese encuentro con los movimientos sociales el Presidente Evo afirmó que si continua la agresión imperialista contra la revolución bolivariana, Venezuela y América Latina serán un segundo Vietnam para los Unidos. Afirmación que nos recuerda el “Crear dos, tres, muchos Viet Nam”, el famoso mensaje a la Tricontinental del Che Guevara mientras se encontraba practicando la lucha internacionalista en tierras bolivianas.


Dando una vuelta de tuerca a estas ideas, podemos afirmar que para frenar la restauración conservadora y seguir profundizando en la liberación del Sur, necesitamos dos, tres, muchos Evos, Maduros, Correas…que de la mano de sus pueblos sigan los pasos de los Chávez, Bolívar, Martí, Sandino, Farabundo Martí, Allende, Ho Chi Minh, Lumumba, Sankara y tantos otros líderes del Sur que dieron su vida por la liberación de sus pueblos.


En definitiva, y como síntesis de la Cumbre del G77+China y la Declaración de Santa Cruz, podemos afirmar que no puede darse una total erradicación de la pobreza y superación irreversible de la desigualdad, si esta no va de la mano de la liberación económica y política de los pueblos en el marco del Vivir Bien y el respecto a los Derechos de la Madre Tierra, bajo el horizonte de la Cooperación Sur-Sur y la Diplomacia de los Pueblos.

Ana Esther Ceceña: Gaza

Israel, Palestina: Cómo empezó todo

“Si eres neutral ante situaciones de injusticia, has elegido el lado del opresor” (Desmond Tutu)


Gaza

 Gran parte de los palestinos de Gaza son refugiados, expulsados o descendientes de los expulsados en 1948 a través de lo que constituyó, según historiadores israelíes como Ilan Pappé, una limpieza étnica, con el objetivo de levantar un Estado de mayoría judía. Incluso el historiador israelí sionista Benny Morris, ha escrito que “con la suficiente perspectiva resulta evidente que lo que se produjo en Palestina en 1948 fue una suerte de limpieza étnica perpetrada por los judíos en las zonas árabes”.

 Los palestinos de Gaza viven hacinados, castigados, limitados. Israel controla qué productos y personas acceden a la Franja y prohíbe la entrada de materiales fundamentales. Practica un castigo colectivo.

 Esto, lo que está pasando en Gaza, se inició hace 66 años, cuando se optó por una concepción de Israel como un Estado judío con mayoría judía. Para mantener esa mayoría Israel practica la ocupación, aparta y discrimina a los palestinos y, de vez en cuando, lleva a cabo operaciones militares que matan a cientos o miles y provocan el desplazamiento de miles más.
Para mantener la mayoría judía...

 El Estado israelí, para ser fiel a su autodefinición -Estado judío- excluye el concepto de ciudadanía universal. Si aceptara como ciudadanos a los palestinos de Gaza y Cisjordania -territorios que controla u ocupa- su concepción como Estado judío estaría en peligro, ya que la población judía dejaría de ser la mayoritaria.
 La elevada natalidad entre los palestinos es una de las preocupaciones principales de Israel. Lo llaman la cuestión demográfica. Ya hoy los judíos dentro de la llamada Línea Verde -las fronteras de antes del 67- conforman el 70% de la población, y se calcula que dentro de veinte años podrían ser el 50%.

 Israel se opone a la creación de un Estado palestino pero también se niega a conceder derechos plenos y ciudadanía a los palestinos de Gaza y Cisjordania, porque si lo hiciera, estaría renunciando a su carácter judío como Estado. Es decir, a lo que algunos historiadores y politólogos llaman etnocracia.

 Como subrayaba el israelí Sergio Yahni, integrante del Alternative Information Center, en una conversación que mantuvimos en Jerusalén:

 “Israel solo puede ser un Estado judío si mantiene la supremacía demográfica o legal de la población judía, pero para ello tiene o que llevar a cabo una nueva limpieza étnica, como la de 1948, o practicar la segregación étnica legalizada, es decir, el apartheid. Mientras Israel no asuma una verdadera transformación democrática, no viviremos en paz y seguirá la represión”. ("El hombre mojado no teme la lluvia", Ed.Debate, 2009).

 --
 Ana Esther Ceceña
 Observatorio Latinoamericano de Geopolítica
 Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas, UNAM
 (52 55) 5623 0100 extensión 42418
www.geopolitica.ws

Mahmud Darwich: Nuestra Patria


Dedicado a las niñas, niños, mujeres asesinados por el ejército israelí de ocupación. 





PARA NUESTRA PATRIA

Para nuestra patria,

Próxima a la palabra divina,

Un techo de nubes.

Para nuestra patria,

Lejana de las cualidades del nombre,

Un mapa de ausencia.

Para nuestra patria,

Pequeña cual grano de sésamo,

Un horizonte celeste... y un abismo oculto.

Para nuestra patria,

Pobre cual ala de perdiz,

Libros sagrados... y una herida en la identidad.

Para nuestra patria,

Con colinas cercadas y desgarradas,

Las emboscadas del nuevo pasado.

Para nuestra patria cautiva,

La libertad de morir consumida de amor.

Piedra preciosa en su noche sangrienta,

Nuestra patria resplandece a lo lejos

E ilumina su entorno...

Pero nosotros en ella


Nos ahogamos sin cesar.

Mahmud Darwich. La Niña, El Grito

Dedicado al pueblo palestino bajo ataque genocida. 





LA NIÑA / EL GRITO

En la playa hay una niña, la niña tiene familia

Y la familia una casa.

La casa tiene dos ventanas y una puerta...

En el mar, un acorazado se divierte cazando a los que caminan

Por la playa: cuatro, cinco, siete

Caen sobre la arena. La niña se salva por poco,

Gracias a una mano de niebla,

Una mano no divina que la ayuda. Grita: ¡Padre!

¡Padre! Levántate, regresemos: el mar no es como nosotros.

El padre, amortajado sobre su sombra, a merced de lo invisible,

No responde.

Sangre en las palmeras, sangre en las nubes.

La lleva en volandas la voz más alta y más lejana de

La playa. Grita en la noche desierta.

No hay eco en el eco.

Convierte el grito eterno en noticia

Rápida que deja de ser noticia cuando

Los aviones regresan para bombardear una casa

Con dos ventanas y una puerta.

Ramala, agosto del 2006.
 


ONUHuman Rights Council opens Special Session on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory






23 July 2014

Ginebra .- El Consejo de Derechos Humanos de la ONU adoptó una resolución que llama a la creación de una Comisión de Investigación independiente e internacional sobre posibles crímenes cometidos en la Franja de Gaza en el marco de la ofensiva israelí.Con 29 votos a favor (Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, México, Perú, Venezuela, Rusia, China, entre otros), un voto en contra (Estados Unidos) y 17 abstenciones (países de la Unión Europea, Japón, entre otros) fue adoptado el texto que llama a designar “urgentemente” una Comisión de Investigación sobre el deterioro la situación de derechos humanos en Palestina.

La comisión de expertos que será designada por el presidente del Consejo de Derechos Humanos deberá partir de inmediato a la región para investigar “todas” las violaciones al derecho humanitario internacional en los territorios palestinos ocupados, incluyendo Jerusalén oriental y en particular la Franja de Gaza.


The Human Rights Council this morning opened a Special Session on the human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem. 

The Special Session was called for by 22 Member States of the Council and 16 Observer States, said Ambassador Baudelaire Ndong Ella, the President of the Human Rights Council.

Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said since Israel had announced its military operation “Protective Edge” on 7 July, Gaza had been subjected to daily intensive bombardment from the air, land and sea, which had resulted in the deaths of more than 600 Palestinians, including at least 147 children and 74 women. As in the two previous crises in 2009 and 2012, it was innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip who suffered the most. Accountability was the first step towards ensuring that the cycle of human rights violations and impunity was brought to an end. A lasting peace could only begin with respect for human rights and human dignity on both sides, and ultimately, in the full realisation of the right to self-determination. 

Kyung-wha Kang, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, stated that at least 18 medical facilities, including five UNRWA health clinics, had been hit by airstrikes and shelling since the beginning of the fighting. The seven-year blockade had destroyed Gaza’s economy, with high unemployment rates and growing dependence on international assistance. The United Nations was feeding 67 per cent of the population. The international community and the parties to the conflict had to live up to their obligations. 

Lance Bartholomeusz, Director of Legal Affairs of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, said that by yesterday evening, 22 July, approximately 118,000 Palestinians had sought refuge in 77 UNRWA schools. That was about 6 per cent of the population of Gaza and double the peak in UNRWA shelters during the 2008 to 2009 conflict. The conflict had not spared UNRWA premises. 

Makarim Wibisono, Special Rapporteur for the situation of human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, speaking on behalf of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, said in addition to at least 599 Palestinians killed, the destruction of numerous houses had left several thousand families homeless. At the same time, the right of the Palestinian people to resist occupation could not justify the launching of thousands of rockets and mortars directed against Israeli civilians. 

Speaking as a concerned country, Israel criticized the convening of the Special Session as misguided, ill-conceived and counter-productive to efforts being made to end hostilities. Hamas was committing war crimes when it fired rockets and missiles indiscriminately at Israeli towns. The Council could regain its moral authority by unequivocally condemning Hamas and rejecting outright the one-sided resolution. 

Palestine, speaking as a concerned country, stated that the fundamental right to life of the Palestinians was severely endangered. Whole families were being killed, and journalists and medical teams were being targeted. A fact-finding mission should be established to look into human rights violations perpetrated by Israel, which should visit Gaza with the Special Procedures mandate holders. 

In the general debate, speakers called for the immediate halt of Israeli operations against civilians and civilian targets in Gaza, as well as for the end of rocket launchings into Israel by Hamas and other armed groups. It was stressed that the parties had to exercise maximum restraint with the view of avoiding civilian casualties and suffering of the civilian population. International humanitarian and human rights law ought to be respected. Many speakers expressed belief that peace in the Middle East could not be reached through violence, but only through comprehensive negotiations, and supported the ongoing diplomatic efforts by the United Nations Secretary-General. A number of speakers supported the proposal to establish an independent commission of inquiry into breaches of human rights and international humanitarian law, with the view of avoiding impunity and ensuring accountability. 

Speaking during this morning’s debate were representatives of Egypt, on behalf of Arab Group, Pakistan, on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Iran, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, Ethiopia, on behalf of African Group, Italy, on behalf of the European Union and other countries, Venezuela, Brazil, United States, Ireland, Indonesia, Russia, Algeria, United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Pakistan, Austria, Saudi Arabia, Maldives, Kuwait, Costa Rica, Philippines, Morocco, India, Mexico, Cuba, China, United Kingdom, Peru, South Africa, Germany, Japan, Chile, Republic of Korea, France, Viet Nam, Qatar, Turkey, and Egypt. 

The Council will next meet this afternoon at 3 p.m. to hear the rest of the statements by States and non-governmental organizations, and then take action on the proposed draft resolution before closing the Special Session. This is the twenty-first special session of the Human Rights Council. Documentation relating to the Special Session is available on the Human Rights Council webpage.

Opening Statements

BAUDELAIRE NDONG ELLA, President of the Human Rights Council, said that today’s Special Session of the Human Rights Council had been called for by 22 Member States of the Council and 16 Observer States. The Member States were Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Chile, China, Cuba, Gabon, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Maldives, Morocco, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela and Viet Nam. The Observer States were Afghanistan, Bahrain, Brunei Darussalam, Ecuador, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Qatar, Senegal, State of Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey and Yemen. 

NAVI PILLAY, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said since Israel announced its military operation “Protective Edge” on 7 July, Gaza had been subjected to daily intensive bombardment from the air, land and sea, employing well over 2,100 air strikes alone. The hostilities had resulted in the deaths of more than 600 Palestinians, including at least 147 children and 74 women. As in the two previous crises in 2009 and 2012, it was innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip, including children, women, the elderly and persons with disabilities, who suffered the most. According to preliminary United Nations figures, around 74 per cent of those killed so far were civilians, and thousands more had been injured. Hundreds of homes and other civilian buildings, such as schools, had been destroyed or severely damaged in Gaza, and more than 140,000 Palestinians had been displaced. Two Israeli civilians had also lost their lives and between 17 and 32 others had been reported injured as a result of rockets and other projectiles fired from Gaza, and 27 Israeli soldiers had been killed during military operations in Gaza. The indiscriminate firing by Hamas and other armed groups of more than 2,900 rockets and mortars from Gaza continued to endanger the lives of civilians in Israel, and Ms. Pillay once again condemned such indiscriminate attacks. It was unacceptable to locate military assets in densely populated areas or to launch attacks from such areas. However, international law was clear - the actions of one party did not absolve the other party of the need to respect its obligations under international law. 

Civilians must not be targeted, the High Commissioner emphasized, saying it was imperative that Israel, Hamas and all Palestinian armed groups strictly abided by international humanitarian and human rights laws. Not abiding by these principles may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. The disregard for international humanitarian law and for the right to life was shockingly evident for all to see in the apparent targeting on 16 July of seven children playing on a Gaza beach. All seven were hit. Four of them, - aged between 9 and 11, from the same Bakr family - were killed. These children were clearly civilians taking no part in hostilities. The following day, three more children were killed and two others wounded, reportedly by a drone missile, in the Al-Sabra area of Gaza city while they were playing on the roof of their home as their parents prepared the daily Ramadan iftar meal. These are only a few of the cases in which a total of 147 children have been killed in Gaza over the past 16 days. They had a right to life just like children in any other country. Their killings raise concerns about respect for the principles of distinction, proportionality and precautions in attack. Israeli children, and their parents and other civilians, also had a right to live without the constant fear that a rocket fired from Gaza may land on their houses or their schools, killing or injuring them. Ms. Pillay called for each of those incidents to be properly and independently investigated. She also warned that the current situation in Gaza overshadowed the backdrop of heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem and expressed concern about a significant rise in incitement to violence against Palestinians, including through social media. Only those responsible for criminal acts could legitimately be punished, she said, individuals should not be subject to collective penalties. 

Israel held obligations as an Occupying Power, and both Palestinians and Israelis deserved better than a life of chronic insecurity and recurring escalation in hostilities, said Ms. Pillay, hoping that the parties would respond positively to the visit of the Secretary-General to the region and his call for an immediate ceasefire. Accountability was the first step towards ensuring that the cycle of human rights violations and impunity was brought to an end. A lasting peace could only begin with respect for human rights and human dignity on both sides, and ultimately, in the full realisation of the right to self-determination. All the dead and maimed civilians should weigh heavily on all consciences, said Ms. Pillay, as all efforts to protect them had been abject failures. More powerful entities, such as the Security Council, and individual States with serious leverage over the parties to this dreadful and interminable conflict, must do far more than they had done so far to bring the conflict to an end once and for all. 

KYUNG-WHA KANG, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said that since 7 July, over 599 Palestinians had been killed in the Gaza Strip and another 3,504 had been injured following the launch of the Israeli military operation “Protective Edge”. In Gaza, over 73 per cent of the killed were civilians, one third of whom were children. Houses had been bombed with people in them, burying entire families under the rubble. Half of the population of the Gaza neighbourhood of Shujaiya had fled their homes amidst heavy Israeli military bombardment over the previous weekend. At least 18 medical facilities, including five UNRWA health clinics, had been hit by airstrikes and shelling since the beginning of the fighting. The seven-year blockade had destroyed Gaza’s economy, with high unemployment rates and growing dependence on international assistance. The United Nations was feeding 67 per cent of the population. The already poor infrastructure had been severely affected by the current round of conflict. It was necessary to emphasize that the crisis in Gaza had the potential to ignite further violence. Humanitarian agencies had to be given safe and unimpeded access to those in need, for which pauses in fighting were needed, while attacks on medical facilities and staff ought to stop. The international community and the parties to the conflict had to live up to their obligations. 

LANCE BARTHOLOMEUSZ, Acting Director of Legal Affairs, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA), said UNRWA was deeply alarmed and affected by the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and the devastating human and physical toll it was taking on civilians, including Palestine refugees. Far too many lives were being lost and the traumas resulting from the military operations would mark the population for years to come. Among ordinary Palestinians there was a profound crisis of confidence in the ability of international law and international mechanisms to protect civilians, and to prevent and address violations of international law. Because of military operations, and because over 40 per cent of Gaza’s territory was affected by Israel evacuation warnings or declarations of “no-go zones”, thousands of people continued to flee to shelters run by UNRWA and by partners. By yesterday evening, 22 July, approximately 118,000 Palestinians had sought refuge in 77 UNRWA schools. That was about 6 per cent of the population of Gaza and double the peak in UNRWA shelters during the 2008 to 2009 conflict. 

The conflict had not spared UNRWA premises, 77 of which had been damaged by air raids and other fire, which was totally unacceptable. All parties to the conflict must respect at all times the neutrality and inviolability of UNRWA’s premises. The situation of the population of Gaza and of Palestine Refugees in Gaza had become completely unsustainable. Israel’s illegal blockade had deepened poverty levels and Gaza's aquifer would be entirely contaminated in the next three to four years making the Strip essentially unliveable. Today, these indicators paled in comparison to the intensity of the bombardments, fighting and the immediate fears for security and survival. While fully recognising that UNRWA's specific role was a humanitarian one, it asked all actors concerned how long would it take before it was recognised that only a political situation would end the cycle of violence for the lives of tens of thousands which were today at grave and imminent risk.

MAKARIM WIBISONO, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967, speaking on behalf of the Coordination Committee of the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council, expressed dismay at the deaths, injuries, displacement and devastation resulting from the ongoing hostilities. Since the beginning of the hostilities, courageous human rights defenders and organizations, working often at great risk to their safety, had been documenting and exposing some of the numerous violations. In addition to at least 599 Palestinians killed, the destruction of numerous houses had left several thousand families homeless. Israel’s bombings had caused further damage to essential life-support infrastructures. The latest military confrontation came on top of the long-standing illegal blockade imposed on Gaza, which had resulted in distressing levels of poverty. At the same time, the right of the Palestinian people to resist occupation could not justify the launching of thousands of rockets and mortars directed against Israeli civilians. Israel was urged to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian food, water, and medical and other vital assistance to all civilians and affected areas, and to end the illegal blockade. Egypt should ease the restrictions at the Rafah crossing and allow the entry of essential humanitarian assistance, while the international community ought to do all it could to foster an effective peace process. 

Statements by the Concerned Countries

EVIATAR MANOR, Permanent Representative of Israel, speaking as a concerned country, criticized the convening of the Special Session as misguided, ill-conceived and counter-productive to efforts being made to end the hostilities. With 2,000 rockets raining on Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Beer Sheva from above and murderous terrorist squads tunnelling into Israeli villages from below, what could life-seeking Israelis do but go out and defend themselves? Hamas began firing rockets on towns and villages immediately after it had abducted and killed three Israeli teenagers, and in the weeks that followed Israel restrained itself. But after 300 rockets a day were indiscriminately fired at Israeli civilians, Israel had no choice but to respond. Every country had the duty to defend itself and that principle was enshrined in international law, and any other country in the world would have done the same. Hamas was committing war crimes when it fired rockets and missiles indiscriminately at Israeli towns and villages, when it built tunnels from Gaza into Israel to attack villages and abduct and murder Israelis, and by firing 2,000 rockets - which were 2,000 war crimes. Israel would destroy Hamas’s military infrastructure, but Gaza civilians were not Israel’s enemies. In line with international law requirements, Israel’s military targeted only Hamas military targets. Israel deeply regretted any civilian losses caused by its operations and had already started investigations. Mr. Manor concluded that the Council could regain its moral authority by unequivocally condemning Hamas and rejecting outright the one-sided resolution. The Council could not stop Israel exercising its right to self-defence. 

RIAD MALKI, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Palestine, speaking as a concerned country, said that the Palestinian people had been suffering since 1948. For more than two weeks now, Palestinian civilians had been exposed to bombings, maritime and air strikes, as well as the ground invasion. The fundamental right to life of the Palestinians was severely endangered; Palestinian children playing on the beach had been killed by the occupying force. Whole families were being killed, and journalists and medical teams were being targeted. Since the beginning of the attacks, more than 630 Palestinian civilians had been killed. The infrastructure had been destroyed, including water supplies, roads and communication networks. The occupying force was targeting medical centres in Gaza, as well as Muslim and Christian places of worship. What Israel was doing in the Occupied Palestinian Territory was a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions; Israel was massively punishing 1.8 million citizens in Gaza. Israel had to be held accountable for its crimes; its impunity thus far had encouraged Israel to repeat its actions. How many martyrs had to die before Israel put an end to its actions? The international community had to shoulder its responsibilities and the Council had to act now so that Israel halted its operations immediately. A fact-finding mission should be established to look into human rights violations perpetrated by Israel, which should visit Gaza with the Special Procedures mandate holders. It was high time to put an end to the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian land. 

General Debate

Egypt, speaking on behalf of the Arab Group, expressed alarm over the brutal attack launched by the occupying power over the last month. Israel had besieged Gaza with sophisticated weapons, targeting homes and health institutions, causing large numbers of casualties, injuries and displacement. The Arab Group and others had requested this Special Session to make the international community aware of its responsibilities in light of the grave and wide-ranging human rights violations against the people of Gaza. The draft resolution called for an independent Commission of Inquiry into those violations. 

Pakistan, speaking on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, said the aggression with impunity taking place in Gaza was the continuation of systematic and gross human rights violations by the occupying power Israel, and its heinous crimes needed to be thoroughly investigated and perpetrators held accountable through the establishment of a commission of inquiry. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation also called for the resumption of the Conference of High Contracting Parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Iran, speaking on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement, condemned in the strongest terms the widespread systematic and gross violations by Israel of basic principles of international law. The Non-Aligned Movement was deeply disappointed by the failure of the Security Council to shoulder its responsibilities to bring an end to the unlawful Israeli aggression. An international commission of inquiry to investigate all violations with a view to ending impunity was necessary. 

Ethiopia, speaking on behalf of the African Group, deplored the recent conflict in the Gaza Strip and surrounding areas, and all forms of attacks on civilians and public infrastructure. Israel was called upon to end all forms of attacks against civilians and to end the illegal blockade against Palestinians. Attacks from Palestine against Israel should also cease. The international community should deploy additional measures to safeguard the well-being of the people of Palestine and support their struggle for self-determination. 

Italy, speaking on behalf of the European Union and other countries, condemned the loss of hundreds of civilian lives and called for an immediate cessation of the hostilities in Gaza. They welcomed and supported the efforts by regional partners, in particular Egypt. They strongly condemned the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas, and, while recognizing Israel’s right to defend itself, also underlined that Israel’s military operation must be proportionate and in line with international humanitarian law. 

Venezuela condemned the blatant violation of human rights and international humanitarian law by Israel’s political and military elite. Israel was seeking to exterminate the Palestinian people and to deprive them permanently of their historical legacy. Israel’s actions constituted a war crime and a crime against humanity. State terrorism had become a daily practice of the occupying power. Venezuela demanded that the brutal blockade against the Palestinian people be lifted immediately and that humanitarian aid be allowed in. 

Brazil strongly condemned the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, as well as the firing of rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel, and the placement of weapons in vacant schools. Israel could not neglect its responsibilities under international humanitarian law, namely to protect the Palestinian civilian population. The illegal Israeli occupation was the main cause of human rights violations in Palestine. An independent international commission of inquiry was needed. 

United States was working intensively with others to ensure a return to the November 2012 ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The United States demanded that Hamas immediately cease its rocket attacks against Israel, and supported Israel’s right to self-defense. At the same time it was concerned about the rising numbers of civilian casualties in Gaza. The United States was committed to the existence of Israel as a Jewish and a democratic State, and the creation of an independent Palestinian State. 

Ireland said it was appalled by the upsurge of violence in Gaza and especially the very high and unacceptable level of civilian casualties. It was clear that neither side was paying adequate regard to the cost of their actions on innocent civilians. It commended those working to bring about a ceasefire, especially Egypt. Ireland accepted Israel’s right to defend its people but said that right did not negate the rights of others. Ireland supported the conduct of an appropriate investigation into breaches of international law. 

Indonesia was distressed by the gravity of the suffering of the Palestinian people and strongly condemned Israel’s indiscriminate and disproportionate military campaign against them. Israel may have the might but that did not necessarily make them right. Ignorance and lack of accountability for violations of international law would only reinforce the culture of impunity and lead to the recurrence of violence. Indonesia was also deeply disturbed that basic necessities were very hard to obtain, if not impossible. 

Russia was deeply disturbed about the worsening situation in the Gaza Strip, especially the suffering of innocent citizens, such as women and children. More than 600 Palestinians had been killed since the onset of fighting. At the same time, Russia was concerned about the shelling of Israeli civilian targets by fighters of Hamas and other groups. The existing situation was another proof of the futility of the status quo, while any solution had to be worked out together with Arab States. 

Algeria strongly condemned the immoral aggression by Israel against the unarmed and besieged Palestinian people before the eyes of the entire world. The scale of the systemic destruction of infrastructure and places of worship was shocking. The latest stage of Israel’s crime was taking place in front of the entire international community – how could the massacre and murder of the innocent be justifiable in the name of self-defence? Algeria hoped that the draft resolution would be adopted by consensus. 

United Arab Emirates condemned the flagrant violations of the rights of the Palestinian people by Israel, and its massacre in Gaza. It demanded that the occupying power immediately end its aggression and be held accountable for all loss of life, and that all parties support Egypt’s initiative for a ceasefire. The United Arab Emirates, in partnership with UNWRA, was providing urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza, and called on the international community to also provide support. 

Argentina expressed deep concern over the deterioration of the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories, which had killed hundreds of civilians including a significant number of children in what constituted a major tragedy which was moving the international community. The right to life and the right to physical integrity of people was being violated. The Council, together with the Security Council and the Secretary-General, must send a clear message that the hostilities and human rights violations must end. 

Pakistan supported a just, peaceful and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue through the creation of an independent, viable Palestinian State based on the pre-1967 borders. Israel’s brazen refusal to accept an equitable solution had been the root cause of the continuing spiral of violence and bloodshed in the region. The disproportionate collective punishment meted out to the Palestinian people amounted to genocide. Pakistan called for an immediate establishment of an independent commission of inquiry. 

Austria had repeatedly condemned the indiscriminate attacks by Hamas on civilian targets in Israel, but the Israeli military operations continued to inflict an unacceptable toll on Palestinian civilians. Civilians had to be protected, while medical workers and facilities had to be spared so that they could carry on their work. A continuous influx of humanitarian supplies to Gaza had to be ensured. The parties to the conflict were called upon to abide by all norms of international human rights and humanitarian law. 

Saudi Arabia said the Council was meeting as the Security Council failed to make a decision to rescue the Palestinian people in Gaza from attacks by the Israeli army. While it appreciated the courageous efforts of the High Commissioner, Israel continued to violate the human rights of the Palestinian people in actions that constituted war crimes. Saudi Arabia stood strongly with the Palestinian people and supported the Egyptian initiative to reach a ceasefire. 

Maldives said the Council should have taken more timely action on this issue. The atrocities committed by Israel violated every international law, including humanitarian law. It called on Israel to start protecting human life and dignity and immediately withdraw from the Gaza Strip. Israel claimed its actions were in self-defence – what danger did the four young boys playing on the Gaza beach pose to Israel? Time and again the world had continued to fail to take action over Palestine. 

Kuwait said tens of thousands of unarmed civilians had had to flee their homes and Israel’s killing machines. Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip was disproportionate and it impacted electricity, drinking water supplies and other basic services necessary for survival. Kuwait announced urgent assistance amounting to $10 million, and called for more urgent humanitarian aid for Gaza. The Council must live up to its responsibility to protect the rights of the Palestinian people against the might of the occupying power. 

Costa Rica, as an unarmed, peace-loving country, categorically condemned ongoing attacks against the civilian population, and called for dialogue and reconciliation. Costa Rica strongly called upon all parties to agree to a ceasefire. Costa Rica had condemned both Palestinian militant attacks on Israeli targets, but also the disproportionate use of military force by the Israeli forces in Gaza. Only the commitment of all parties dedicated to peace could bring about a lasting solution.

Philippines was gravely concerned that the escalation of violence, through disproportionate military operations by Israeli armed forces, as well as rockets attacks by Palestinian armed groups, constituted serious breaches of human rights norms. The Philippines called on the concerned parties to allow unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance, especially food and medicine. The Philippines reaffirmed its support to the implementation of a two-State solution. 

Morocco said that the Israeli operation had led to hundreds of deaths and significant material damage, and was strongly condemned by Morocco. The attack on Gaza was part of a series of organized attacks aimed at stopping any progress toward a just settlement of the Palestinian conflict. Israel had crossed moral red lines, as nothing could justify attacks on women and children or bombing ambulances. The Council ought to establish an independent fact-finding commission in order to ensure accountability for crimes committed. 

India expressed deep concern at the steep escalation of violence in Gaza, and supported all efforts for an immediate ceasefire. It was also concerned by the violence by non-State actors in the region which were obstacles to the peace process. The solution to the Palestine issue was a sovereign, independent, viable and united State of Palestine within recognized borders side-by-side and at peace with Israel, and with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

Mexico condemned the launching of rockets from Gaza to Israel and the use of violence in the Gaza Strip. Mexico was particularly concerned by reports of attacks against hospitals and civilian homes in Gaza, which were contrary to international law. Mexico said it would vote in favour of the draft resolution although it disagreed with the relevance of creating a fact-finding mission because it was unlikely to create the conditions required for the resumption of vital direct negotiations between Israel and Palestine. 

Cuba said the human right to life – the most important of human rights – was once again blatantly being violated in the occupied Palestinian territories by the military forces of Israel. The new practice of warning inhabitants to leave their homes before a bomb destroyed them was a farce and a blatant violation of international humanitarian law. The genocide against the Palestinian people must end and those responsible must be made to answer for their crimes. 

China viewed with deep pain and concern the ongoing Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians, which had caused a huge civilian death toll. China called upon all parties to respect human rights and international humanitarian law. It was most important to have a ceasefire at this moment, and halt the ground offensive and the launch of rockets. China urged all parties concerned to return to the negotiating table; a special envoy from China was in the region at the moment, engaged in intensive shuttle diplomacy. 

United Kingdom condemned the appalling attacks being carried out by Hamas and other militant attacks, and supported Israel’s right to take action to defend itself, but its use of force had to be proportionate. Both sides had to do their utmost to de-escalate the situation and alleviate the suffering. The British Government had increased its funding as the humanitarian situation worsened. The urgent priority was to bring the violence to an end, and in that regard the new Foreign Secretary was currently in the region. 

Peru had expressed on several opportunities its deep concern over the situation in the Middle East, especially over the indiscriminate use of force by Israel against Gaza. Any act, practice or method of terrorism had to be condemned at the same time. The civilian population had to be ensured medical attention, and humanitarian corridors ought to be secured. The civilian population was gravely suffering and did not have access to essential services, and it was high time for the international community to act now. 

South Africa said the Special Session was taking place at a critical juncture as the world witnessed the siege of the Gaza Strip and the disproportionate use of force by the Israeli Defence Forces, which must immediately cease the collective punishment of the Palestinians. South Africa equally condemned the firing of rockets by Hamas into Israel which put the lives of innocent civilians at risk. 

Germany strongly condemned the continued firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel by Hamas and was appalled by attempts by Hamas and other militants to use civilians of Gaza as human shields. Israel had the right to defend its population against those criminal and unjustifiable attacks, but in doing so it must act proportionately and ensure the protection of civilians at all times. 

Japan said despite efforts by the international community for a ceasefire it regretted that Palestinian militants did not accept the proposals, and urged all parties to refrain from excessive use of force to prevent civilian casualties. Following a humanitarian pause achieved through the mediation efforts of the United Nations on 17 July, it was essential that all parties continued cooperating with each other to realize unfettered humanitarian access in the affected area. 

Chile expressed its dismay at the use of force by Israel against densely populated areas in Gaza, as well as the launch of rockets by Hamas against Israeli civilian targets. Free access for humanitarian aid had to be secured to the suffering population. The blockade of Gaza had already resulted in adverse effects on the population for years. Chile welcomed the good offices of the Secretary-General and Egypt in trying to end the crisis. 

Republic of Korea was gravely concerned about the heavy casualties of innocent civilians of Palestine, who were forced to endure such unbearable suffering. The situation in the Gaza Strip had already been dire even before the onslaught of the current fighting. The Republic of Korea was also deeply concerned that various international efforts for a ceasefire had yet to produce an outcome. All parties were asked to exercise maximum restraint. 

France stated that the current balance was appalling, with more than 630 dead and more than 100,000 displaced Palestinians. It was not acceptable that a country be threatened by a rocket barrage, nor for a civilian population to be exposed to the harsh military response leading to numerous casualties. While Israel’s security had to be completely guaranteed, it was important for the Palestinian Authority to re-establish its control over the Gaza Strip, with the view of reunifying the Palestinian Territories. 

Viet Nam said the deaths of innocent civilians, especially women and children, in the occupied Palestinian territories was unacceptable. Viet Nam shared the international community’s deep concern, as expressed in the statement of the United Nations Secretary-General on 20 July. A ceasefire, not the continuation of violence, would help re-open peace talks and promote a safe and secure environment for the enjoyment of human rights by the peoples in the region. 

Qatar condemned in the strongest terms the killing of unarmed civilians by the occupying power Israel and the collective punishment of the Palestinians, which were crimes of war and crimes against humanity. Gaza was an open-air prison and the civilians had nowhere to flee. Qatar especially referred to the terrible massacre of the Shejaiya neighbourhood. It called for the blockade on Gaza to be lifted. 

Turkey said the Council should have reacted to the crisis much earlier. By continuing its massacres and other inhumane acts of collective punishment, Israel was only planting seeds of hatred in the region. Israel’s unacceptable attacks, with the tacit approval of the self-imposed human rights champions, had had devastating consequences not only for the innocent Palestinian civilians but also for human rights and humanitarian law developed over the last 150 years. 

Egypt condemned the recent Israeli attacks killing hundreds of Palestinians and injuring thousands. Israel, as the occupying power, should ensure that no excessive force was used and that the well-being of the Palestinians was guaranteed. The Egyptian initiative should be supported as a way of ending the suffering of the Palestinian people. Egypt had opened the Rafah border crossing from the early days of the Israeli intervention.

Guatemala:SISTEMA DE JUSTICIA, AMPARA AL CONSEJO MAYA SIPAKAPENSE ANTE LICENCIA MINERA “LOS CHOCOYOS”


23 de julio 2014


En conferencia de prensa el Consejo Maya Sipakapense dio a conocer la resolución de la Sala Tercera de la Corte de Apelaciones del Ramo Civil y Mercantil sobre un amparo interpuesto en contra de la licencia minera en territorio sipakapense denominada "Los Chocoyos", acción promovida por el Consejo Maya Sipakapense.

 El pasado 27 de marzo del presente año, la Sala Tercera de la Corte de Apelaciones del Ramo Civil y Mercantil, Constituida en el Tribunal de Amparo, de la ciudad de Guatemala resolvió otorgar amparo a favor del Consejo Maya Sipakapense, del pueblo de Sipacapa, contra la licencia de minería de metales “Los Chocoyos”, propiedad de la empresa Entre Mares de Guatemala, Sociedad Anónima.

Antecedentes: En el año 2012 el estado de Guatemala, a través del Ministerio de Energía y Minas, autorizó la licencia minera “Los Chocoyos”, con la intención de explotar minerales preciosos en la superficie otorgada. Tiempo después la empresa comienza a desarrollar trabajos en territorio Sipakapense, incluso utilizando tácticas disuasivas y coercitivas para su implementación.

Acción de amparo: Ante dicha autorización, el Consejo Maya Sipakapense (instancia maya Sipakapense referente para la defensa del territorio y la promoción de los derechos de pueblos indígenas en el municipio de Sipacapa), observando y conociendo los perjuicios sociales y, consecuencias ambientales que genera este tipo de industrias, así como el robo, saqueo y despojo de las cuales son víctimas las comunidades indígenas, disponen con fecha 11 de diciembre interponer recurso legal de amparo contra el Estado Guatemalteco por la licencia minera “los chocoyos”, argumentado la violación del derecho de Consulta regulada en el convenio 169 de la OIT. 

Resolución: Con fecha 27 de marzo del presente año, la instancia conocedora del caso, OTORGA EL AMPARO al Consejo Maya Sipakapense del municipio de Sipacapa,en contra del Director General de Minería. Tal como lo establece la resolución, el amparo se otorga la finalidad que sea respetado el derecho de consulta del pueblo Maya Sipakapense.



Valoraciones y Consecuencias de la resolución:



1.    El Estado de Guatemala reconoce la forma propia de organizarse de las comunidades indígenas, manifestado ahora, en el Consejo Maya Sipakapense, como instancia representativa para la defensa del territorio en Pueblo Maya Sipakapense;

2.    Toda actividad iniciada por la empresa minera en territorio Sipakapense debe suspenderse en tanto no sea respetado el derecho de consulta a pueblos indígenas regulado en el Convenio 169 de la -OIT-;

3.    El Ministerio de Energía y Minas debe tomar en cuenta el derecho de consulta que gozan los pueblos indígenas, antes de autorizar licencias mineras;

4.    Por ser una resolución dictada por un órgano judicial: tanto la municipalidad de Sipacapa; las autoridades departamentales (gobernación departamental); e, instancias de gobierno, deben simplemente, acatarla.


Consulta de 2005: Es de recordar que el pueblo Sipakapense ha desarrollado ya Consulta Comunitaria, ahora los resultados de aquel hecho histórico deben hacerse llegar al Ministerio de Energía y Minas y de esa cuenta cumplir con lo establecido en la resolución judicial.   

Terceros interesados: Cabe mencionar la postura de la Procuraduría de Derechos Humanos, y del Ministerio Público en este caso, como terceros interesados, que dan un buen jalón de orejas al estado recordándole que previo a la autorización de este tipo de licencias, debe respetarse el derecho de consulta, regulado en el Convenio 169 de la OIT. Postura que acuerpa lo ya exigido por el Consejo Maya Sipakapense del municipio de Sipacapa, departamento de San Marcos.   


Consejo Maya Sipakapense.

 Consejo del Pueblo Maya –CPO-

El cínico cuento del Estado canalla de Israel que sus operativos están dirigidos contra Hamas

The Guardian,Richard Seymor



They hid at the El-Wafa hospital.


They hid at the Al-Aqsa hospital.


They hid at the beach, where children played football.


They hid at the yard of 75-year-old Muhammad Hamad.


They hid among the residential quarters of Shujaya.


They hid in the neighbourhoods of Zaytoun and Toffah.


They hid in Rafah and Khan Younis.


They hid in the home of the Qassan family.


They hid in the home of the poet, Othman Hussein.


They hid in the village of Khuzaa.


They hid in the thousands of houses damaged or destroyed.


They hid in 84 schools and 23 medical facilities.


They hid in a cafe, where Gazans were watching the World Cup.


They hid in the ambulances trying to retrieve the injured.


They hid themselves in 24 corpses, buried under rubble.


They hid themselves in a young woman in pink household slippers, sprawled on the pavement, taken down while fleeing.


They hid themselves in two brothers, eight and four, lying in the intensive burn care unit in Al-Shifa.


They hid themselves in the little boy whose parts were carried away by his father in a plastic shopping bag.


They hid themselves in the “incomparable chaos of bodies” arriving at Gaza hospitals.


They hid themselves in an elderly woman, lying in a pool of blood on a stone floor.


Hamas, they tell us, is cowardly and cynical.

Del holocausto nazi al sionista

Najib Abu-Warda 
Israel está cometiendo crímenes perseguidos por el Tribunal Penal Internacional. EEUU y la Unión Europea asisten a la matanza negociando ventas de armas
Un padre palestino saca a sus hijas del barrio de Shejaia, atacado por Israel FINBARR O'REILLY REUTERS
Hoy, 70 años después del holocausto nazi, Israel está cometiendo crímenes de genocidio contra los palestinos. La actual operación israelí Protective Edge (Borde protector), en la Franja de Gaza, está causando cientos de muertos, miles de heridos, y una destrucción total de infraestructuras . En Gaza, una ciudad sitiada, bloqueada y sometida a los ataques del ejército israelí por tierra, mar y aíre, como en toda Palestina, el gobierno y el ejército israelíes están cometiendo crímenes de genocidio, de guerra, de lesa humanidad, de agresión y de terrorismo de Estado. Crímenes todos ellos condenables en el derecho internacional y perseguidos por el Tribunal Penal Internacional.
La Operación Borde Protector es la actual de las numerosas que Israel lanzó contra Gaza. La última fue la llamada Pilar Defensivo, en noviembre 2012, que dejo centenares de muertos e heridos. Otra, anterior, fue la bautizada Plomo Fundido, a finales de 2008 y comienzos de 2009, en la que perdieron la vida más de 1.400 palestinos y cinco mil fueron heridos. Entre operación y operación, olas de ataques israelíes sobre Gaza segaban la vida de mucha gente y sometían la población a condiciones infrahumanas de vida.
Casi 70 años después de la partición de Palestina por la Resolución 181 de la ONU, haciendo posible la creación del Estado de Israel sobre una parte de Palestina, una Resolución calificable como incompatible con las competencias de las Naciones Unidas, ya que esta no tenía soberanía sobre Palestina y por tanto no podía decidir su partición, sin embargo, la decisión fue aprobada gracias al carácter colonial de las grandes potencias occidentales. Desde entonces, el nuevo Estado, Israel, sin fronteras definidas hasta hoy, sigue ocupando la totalidad del espacio palestino desde la guerra de 1967. Desde la guerra de los Seis Días, el Estado sionista, como potencia ocupante, ha continuado con acciones político-militares destinadas a la construcción de asentamientos en Cisjordania, el desplazamiento masivo de la población palestina, la construcción del Muro de Separación en Cisjordania y la anexión de Jerusalén Oriental, entre otras. Acciones, todas ellas, contrarias al derecho internacional, a los principios de las Naciones Unidas, y a la Convención de Ginebra.
Son 100 años desde de la Primera Guerra Mundial y la ocupación británica de Palestina, pero la lucha del pueblo palestino por su autodeterminación sigue activa. Una lucha que mantiene viva la cuestión y que en el 2012 llevó a la Asamblea General de la ONU a reconocer, por una abrumadora mayoría, a Palestina como Estado observador. De esta manera, la organización más representativa de la voluntad internacional reconoce la soberanía de los palestinos sobre el territorio ocupado por Israel desde 1967.
La resolución reafirma el derecho del pueblo palestino a "la autodeterminación e independencia a partir de las fronteras de 1967". Además, expresa la "urgente necesidad" de acelerar las negociaciones para un acuerdo de paz "justo, duradero e integral" basado en las resoluciones de la ONU, los principios de la Conferencia de Madrid y la Hoja de Ruta del Cuarteto que ayude a resolver los temas pendientes: "Jerusalén, refugiados, asentamientos, fronteras y seguridad". La Resolución da a los palestinos renovada legitimidad en su lucha contra la ocupación y llama la atención mundial sobre la urgente necesidad de poner fin a un problema que explica en gran medida el clima de violencia en Oriente Próximo.
Como señalo el presidente palestino ante la Asamblea General en su discurso del 29 de noviembre de 2012, al igual que hoy, se puede afirmar que "La agresión israelí contra nuestro pueblo en la franja de Gaza ha confirmado una vez más la necesidad urgente y apremiante de poner fin a la ocupación israelí y de que nuestro pueblo pueda alcanzar su libertad e independencia. Esta agresión también confirma la continuación por parte del Gobierno de Israel de su política de ocupación, fuerza bruta y guerra, que a su vez obliga a la comunidad internacional a asumir sus responsabilidades para con el pueblo palestino y la paz".
El estatuto de Palestina como Estado observador no proporciona derecho de voto en las Naciones Unidas, sin embargo, permite adherirse a los convenios y tratados internacionales depositados en la ONU, tales como las distintas Convenciones de protección de los derechos humanos. El Estado Palestino podrá acudir, por ejemplo, al Tribunal Internacional de Justicia para denunciar la ocupación israelí, a instituciones internacionales o a la Corte Penal Internacional (CPI) ante la que podría reclamar las presuntas violaciones israelíes al derecho internacional.
La respuesta israelí al reconocimiento del Estado palestino llegó a través de agresiones y ataques contra la franja. Algunos analistas explican la ofensiva contra Hamas por la debilidad del Gobierno israelí y la frágil coalición entre Netanyahu y Lieberman, buscando cada uno de ellos consolidar su propia imagen de halcones intransigentes. Sin embargo, la causa principal sigue siendo el mantenimiento de la ocupación y anexión de espacios palestinos. Además, el nuevo carácter jurídico del conflicto, Estado ocupando otro, que aumenta los niveles de aislamiento internacional de Israel como consecuencia del incremento de condenas por su política y su incumplimiento de resoluciones, normas y legislaciones internacionales. Otra de las razones de la agresión es la formación de un gobierno transitorio de unidad nacional para afrontar la ocupación como la causa del conflicto.
El tiempo, como factor importante en el proyecto sionista para transformar el Estado de Israel en una Nación israelí, necesita mantener el 'status quo' de ni guerra ni paz para mucho más tiempo. Sin embargo, mientras pasan los días, organizaciones internacionales como la ONU o la Liga Árabe, potencias mundiales como EEUU o la Unión Europea, potencias regionales como Egipto, Turquía o Arabia Saudí, asisten a los crímenes de agresión, de guerra, y de genocidio, negociando y renegociando sus intereses de petrodólares, de armas y de guerra.
Hoy, 70 años después del genocidio nazi contra los judíos, Israel, está cometiendo crímenes de guerra y de genocidio en Palestina, mientras la comunidad internacional es incapaz de tomar ninguna decisión y mucho menos de llevar a cabo ninguna acción. Sin embargo, por encima de todo y después de todo, el gobierno sionista olvida que a mayor ataque mayor reacción, y que el pueblo palestino se aferra al derecho de defenderse contra la agresión, la ocupación y el genocidio. Es cuestión de tiempo.
es profesor de Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad Complutense.

Fuente: Najeeb Abu Warda, El Mundo - España