I abhor the brutal and cruel campaign of murder and kidnapping waged by terrorist members of Hamas against the civilian population in Israel.
At the same time I feel sorry for the Palestinian population in Israel.
“Since 1967, the Israeli government has established a two-tiered legal and political system that provides comprehensive rights for Jewish Israeli settlers while imposing military rule and control on Palestinians without any basic protections or rights under international law. The Israeli government has also engaged in a regular practice of inhumane acts, as well as extrajudicial killings, torture, denial of fundamental human rights, arbitrary detention and collective punishment. The UN Human Rights Council-mandated Commission of Inquiry (CoI) on the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT), including East Jerusalem, and Israel concluded in June 2022 that continued occupation, as well as discrimination against Palestinians, are the key causes of recurrent instability and protraction of conflict in the region.” (Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect)
You may disagree which is fine by me but I am not alone as the recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the UK attest. To slightly digress, when Uncle George was Garter a mounted escort of the Household Cavalry was detailed to escort him, mounted, to some ceremonial duty. They were running a bit late and it was suggested they trotted to make up time. “Garter does not trot”, Uncle George stated with finality. Well, in the same vein, Christopher does not march. Just Stop Oil does not march; it vandalises anything it can lay its hands on. Here is what JSO did to Wellington Arch on Hyde Park Corner this week.
My token support for Palestinians takes a more practical form. I am buying eight sheep. Well, I am buying less than a leg of lamb as I am part of a lendwithcare syndicate.
“Sajida is 37 years old. She lives with her husband and four children in a town called Beit Ummren near Nablus.
Sajida and her husband are raising livestock for a living. She owns an area near her home, which is 100 square meters, where she keeps her livestock. They started this business seven years ago and they sell their dairy products to other households in the town. Her husband works as a construction worker in occupied Palestine. She estimates that her monthly income is around 600 dollars and plans to increase her income through buying an extra sheep. She would like to buy an additional eight sheep and each one costs around $550 and eight tons of feeds for 600 USD. She hopes that the new sheep will enable her to produce more dairy products and improve her income. The loan is repayable over 24 months.
This loan was pre-disbursed by our partner. Please be aware that given the current situation this loan is at greater risk of delay or default.” (lendwithcare)
I hope I am making an infinitesimally small contribution in a time of crisis in the region. I hope I am not making a futile gesture to signal my virtue and salve my conscience.
Christopher, you are not virtue-signalling, you are making a kind and helpful gesture at a time of crisis and great need. It may turn out ultimately to be futile, but that is not your fault. Many kind gestures end up being futile, but still the point of the gift is made when and where it is given, nonetheless. xxx