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By Quds News Network

Gaza (Quds News Network)- Pregnant women in Gaza are enduring dire conditions as the humanitarian crisis intensifies, with escalating shortages of essential supplies and the onset of harsh winter weather.

According to a recent report from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), around 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza are particularly vulnerable amid the ongoing Israeli assault, with critical shortages of food, water, shelter, and sanitation.

The report highlights the deteriorating living conditions in the enclave, where heavy rains, rising sea tides, and freezing temperatures are exacerbating already severe shortages of basic necessities.

Water and sanitation systems are collapsing, and sewage is accumulating in the streets, worsening hygiene and increasing the spread of infectious diseases. As a result, women and girls in Gaza are increasingly suffering from reproductive and urinary tract infections, largely due to a lack of sanitary products and poor hygiene conditions.

The UNFPA reports that 72 percent of women are unable to access menstrual hygiene supplies, further contributing to the already unbearable situation.

The agency also warns of rapidly escalating food insecurity and malnutrition, with around 345,000 people across Gaza facing famine-like conditions. Among those suffering, 38,000 adolescent girls and 8,000 pregnant women are particularly at risk.

The assault has led to a rise in maternal deaths, miscarriages, preterm births, and low-birth-weight infants, as the healthcare system in Gaza teeters on the brink of collapse due to the relentless bombardment by Israeli forces.

The UNFPA report reveals that 84 percent of healthcare facilities in Gaza have been destroyed, leaving only 17 out of 36 hospitals partially operational.

In northern Gaza, where Israel imposed a siege starting on October 5, the Kamal Adwan Hospital—the last major medical facility providing maternal and newborn care—has been besieged by the Israeli army. This has left pregnant women struggling to access critical medical services, and many newborns have died due to a lack of incubators, electricity, and essential medical supplies.

Jawaher, a displaced woman who fled northern Gaza, shared her painful experience with the UNFPA: “I was not ready for childbirth. We are very tired,” she said, recounting how she was in labor for two days while searching for shelter before finally reaching al-Sahaba Hospital to give birth.

The situation has made safe pregnancies and deliveries almost impossible.

The continuous Israeli airstrikes have destroyed much of Gaza’s infrastructure, including medical facilities, making it increasingly difficult for women to receive the care they need during pregnancy and childbirth.

The humanitarian crisis has also displaced thousands of families, including Adla, who fled the northern region of Jabalia. “We have no mattress, no food, no clothes—nothing,” she told the agency. “We fled the airstrikes as we were.”

Since the start of Israel’s assault on Gaza on October 7, 2023, over 44,800 people have been killed, and more than 106,000 wounded, with women and children making up the majority of the casualties. According to the UN, around 70 percent of those who have died are women and children.

16 December 2024

Source: countercurrents.org

Part of the Stop Gaza Genocide toolkit

Modeled after anti-apartheid organizing in South Africa, boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) has proven to be an effective economic pressure strategy for human rights.

In 2005, 170 Palestinian civil society organizations issued a historic, rights-based call for BDS to the international community, targeting Israel and institutions complicit in its oppression against the Palestinian people. USCPR endorsed the Palestinian call for BDS shortly after it was issued in 2005.

Amid the ongoing genocide which began in October 2023, BDS tactics have remained a critical stepping stone in the long-haul fight for justice and liberation. USCPR’s north star remains our #StopArmingIsrael demand—including sanctions to end U.S. military funding to Israel once and for all. Boycott and divestment efforts targeting companies complicit or directly fueling Israel’s violence help build toward that goal.

Divestment campaigns are happening at college campuses, local city councils, churches, and beyond, and have already won hundreds of victories in the U.S. alone. USCPR Youth Fellows have led many divestment campaigns, playing a role in victories such as ending Pitzer College’s apartheid Israel study abroad program. Here’s a list of BDS victories nationwide.

See the BDS graphic below for a list of complicit companies to boycott and divest from, including Chevron, Elbit Systems, Intel, HP, McDonald’s, and more. Also make sure to boycott Coca-Cola.

To go into more depth, you can also review AFSC’s list of companies profiting from the Gaza genocide and full divestment list.

Boycott this holiday season

Disrupt the death machine. Refuse to buy from companies that profit off genocide, like HP, Ahava, SodaStream, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Chevron gas stations, especially during this holiday spending season. Raise awareness by flyering, stickering, or protesting during high traffic times outside of shopping malls, gas stations, and locations where products are sold. See this Mask Off Maersk flyer from Palestinian Youth Movement as an example.

Think creatively about how you spend (and don’t spend) during this season. Instead of shopping at big box stores, consider how you can support small businesses, create your own gifts, or reuse and recycle items. You can also forego gift giving in favor of donating toward mutual aid efforts for Palestinian people living through genocide in Gaza.

BDS Spotlight: Boycott Chevron

The BDS National Committee has issued a call to boycott and divest from the fossil fuel giant Chevron, including boycotting and picketing the thousands of Chevron, Texaco, and Caltex gas stations worldwide. Chevron extracts gas from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, generating billions of dollars for apartheid Israel, depriving Palestinians of their right to their own natural resources, and fueling genocide and environmental devastation.

Find ways you can take action the weekend of January 31 — February 2 in the Chevron BDS campaign gas station toolkit, from approaching gas station owners to holding a march or car caravan in your community. You can also print flyers, signs, and stickers, or order Boycott Chevron stickers.

Pledge to boycott Chevron now.

Community Divestment webinar series

Learn how to organize your own divestment campaign in through USCPR’s #StopArmingIsrael Community Divestment webinar series. Watch all three webinars below:

• “My city council refuses to divest, what next?”
• “Building a People’s Arms Embargo: How to divest from weapons companies profiting from Gaza genocide”
• “Break the Bonds: How communities are divesting from Israel bonds”

Run a city divestment campaign

USCPR’s City Council Organizing Toolkit, which helped spur 200+ local ceasefire resolutions, has now been updated to focus on divestment campaigns. Divestment is a key strategy because it’s tangible: It moves dollars away from weapons companies and complicit corporations that fuel genocide, making the war machine increasingly less profitable. Use this guide to organize for a divestment resolution at your local city council. Demand that your city withdraws investments from corporations complicit in genocide and apartheid.

Find city divestment campaign resources in this toolkit.

Research the Genocide Gentry and other local connections

The Genocide Gentry are members of the ruling class who hold prestigious positions at cultural and educational institutions despite their connections to the war machine amidst an ongoing genocide. What cultural and educational institutions in your community have ties to weapons companies? Research local connections to target in your organizing. You can use this research to build out or support a divestment campaign. Check out the new Genocide Gentry map from Adalah Justice Project, LittleSis, and ACRE.

You can also look into which weapons manufacturers and other genocide profiteers are doing business in your neighborhood. See this Mapping Genocide Suppliers Project made by a decentralized collective.

Do your research with this divestment tool

Palestinian rights supporters have been asking how they can scan their own investments or the portfolios of their universities, municipalities, unions, churches, businesses, and other institutions to check if they’re invested in companies profiting from Israel’s brutal military occupation and genocide against the Palestinan people. This information can be a crucial first step in launching a divestment campaign in response to the Palestinian call for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS).

Use this divestment tool at investigate.afsc.org, and see this divestment list.

BDS Spotlight: Mask Off Maersk

Maersk is one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies, directly responsible for transporting weapons for genocide. Palestinian Youth Movement has launched the Mask Off Maersk campaign to pressure Maersk to cut ties with Israel and end its complicity. As PYM writes on the Mask Off Maersk site, “Without Maersk, Israel would not have the weapons to commit its genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.” Disrupt the weapons pipeline and genocide machine by targeting war profiteers like Maersk. You can organize your own phone blockade to jam the lines, or flyer and poster during high traffic times and areas.

Take action with the Mask Off Maersk campaign now.

Sanction Israel Now

The “S” in BDS stands for sanctions: a form of economic pressure placed on a nation, in this case specifically to end complicity in Israel’s ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people. Countries have a legal obligation under international law to immediately sanction and stop arming Israel, as the International Court of Justice has advised. In September 2024, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for imposing sanctions on Israel.

Stop arming Israel now. The U.S. is the biggest funder, weapons supplier, and enabler of the Israeli military. An immediate arms embargo is necessary to cut off the endless supply of U.S. weapons and military funding, which Israel is using to mass murder Palestinian families.

Demand an arms embargo now.

Raise awareness about BDS

Print out BDS stickers to spread around your neighborhood. Find designs here from @GentleSuns, and find Boycott Chevron stickers here. These also look great on flyers for wheatpasting or signs for BDS protests. Learn more about wheatpasting in this printable zine from @GentleSuns.

19 December 2024

Source: uscpr.org

By Jeffrey D. Sachs

In the famous lines of Tacitus, Roman historian, “To ravage, to slaughter, to usurp under false titles, they call empire; and where they make a desert, they call it peace.”

In our age, it is Israel and the U.S. that make a desert and call it peace.

The story is simple. In stark violation of international law, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ministers claim the right to rule over seven million Palestinian Arabs. When Israel’s occupation of Palestinian lands leads to militant resistance, Israel labels the resistance “terrorism” and calls on the U.S. to overthrow the Middle East governments that back the “terrorists.” The U.S., under the sway of the Israel Lobby, goes to war on Israel’s behalf.

The fall of Syria this week is the culmination of the Israel-U.S. campaign against Syria that goes back to 1996 with Netanyahu’s arrival to office as Prime Minister. The Israel-U.S. war on Syria escalated in 2011 and 2012, when Barack Obama covertly tasked the CIA with the overthrow of the Syrian Government in Operation Timber Sycamore. That effort finally came to “fruition” this week, after more than 300,000 deaths in the Syrian war since 2011.

Syria’s fall came swiftly because of more than a decade of crushing economic sanctions, the burdens of war, the U.S. seizure of Syria’s oil, Russia’s priorities regarding the conflict in Ukraine, and most immediately, Israel’s attacks on Hezbollah, which was the key military backstop to the Syrian Government. No doubt Assad often misplayed his own hand and faced severe internal discontent, but his regime was targeted for collapse for decades by the U.S. and Israel.

Since 2011, the Israel-U.S. perpetual war on Syria, including bombing, jihadists, economic sanctions, U.S. seizure of Syria’s oil fields, and more, has sunk the Syrian people into misery.

Before the U.S.-Israel campaign to overthrow Assad began in earnest in 2011, Syria was a functioning, growing middle-income country. In January 2009, the IMF Executive Board had this to say:

Executive Directors welcomed Syria’s strong macroeconomic performance in recent years, as manifested in the rapid non-oil GDP growth, comfortable level of foreign reserves, and low and declining government debt. This performance reflected both robust regional demand and the authorities’ reform efforts to shift toward a more market- based economy.

Since 2011, the Israel-U.S. perpetual war on Syria, including bombing, jihadists, economic sanctions, U.S. seizure of Syria’s oil fields, and more, has sunk the Syrian people into misery.

In the immediate two days following the collapse of the government, Israel conducted about 480 strikes across Syria, and completely destroyed the Syrian fleet in Latakia. Pursuing his expansionist agenda, Prime Minister Netanyahu illegally claimed control over the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights and declared that the Golan Heights will be a part of the State of Israel “for eternity.”

Netanyahu’s ambition to transform the region through war, which dates back almost three decades, is playing out in front of our eyes. In a press conference on December 9th, the Israeli prime minister boasted of an “absolute victory,” justifying the on-going genocide in Gaza and escalating violence throughout the region:

I ask you, just think, if we had acceded to those who told us time and again: ‘”The war must be stopped”– we would not have entered Rafah, we would not have seized the Philadelphia Corridor, we would not have eliminated Sinwar, we would not have surprised our enemies in Lebanon and the entire world in a daring operation-stratagem, we would not have eliminated Nasrallah, we would not have destroyed Hezbollah’s underground network, and we would not have exposed Iran’s weakness. The operations that we have carried out since the beginning of the war are dismantling the axis brick by brick.

The long history of Israel’s campaign to overthrow the Syrian Government is not widely understood, yet the documentary record is clear. Israel’s war on Syria began with U.S. and Israeli neoconservatives in 1996, who fashioned a “Clean Break” strategy for the Middle East for Netanyahu as he came to office. The core of the “clean break” strategy called for the Israel (and the US) to reject “land for peace,” the idea that Israel would withdraw from the occupied Palestinian lands in return for peace. Instead, Israel would retain the occupied Palestinian lands, rule over the Palestinian people in an Apartheid state, step-by-step ethnically cleanse the state, and enforce so-called “peace for peace” by overthrowing neighboring governments that resisted Israel’s land claims.

The long history of Israel’s campaign to overthrow the Syrian Government is not widely understood, yet the documentary record is clear.

The Clean Break strategy asserts, “Our claim to the land—to which we have clung for hope for 2000 years—is legitimate and noble,” and goes on to state, “Syria challenges Israel on Lebanese soil. An effective approach, and one with which American can sympathize, would be if Israel seized the strategic initiative along its northern borders by engaging Hizballah, Syria, and Iran, as the principal agents of aggression in Lebanon…”

In his 1996 book Fighting Terrorism, Netanyahu set out the new strategy. Israel would not fight the terrorists; it would fight the states that support the terrorists. More accurately, it would get the US to do Israel’s fighting for it. As he elaborated in 2001:

The first and most crucial thing to understand is this: There is no international terrorism without the support of sovereign states.… Take away all this state support, and the entire scaffolding of international terrorism will collapse into dust.

Netanyahu’s strategy was integrated into U.S. foreign policy. Taking out Syria was always a key part of the plan. This was confirmed to General Wesley Clark after 9/11. He was told, during a visit at the Pentagon, that “we’re going to attack and destroy the governments in seven countries in five years—we’re going to start with Iraq, and then we’re going to move to Syria, Lebanon, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Iran.” Iraq would be first, then Syria, and the rest. (Netanyahu’s campaign for the Iraq War is spelled out in detail in Dennis Fritz’s new book, Deadly Betrayal. The role of the Israel Lobby is spelled out in Ilan Pappé’s new book, Lobbying for Zionism on Both Sides of the Atlantic). The insurgency that hit U.S. troops in Iraq set back the five-year timeline, but did not change the basic strategy.

The U.S. has by now led or sponsored wars against Iraq (invasion in 2003), Lebanon (U.S. funding and arming Israel), Libya (NATO bombing in 2011), Syria (CIA operation during 2010’s), Sudan (supporting rebels to break Sudan apart in 2011), and Somalia (backing Ethiopia’s invasion in 2006). A prospective U.S. war with Iran, ardently sought by Israel, is still pending.

Strange as it might seem, the CIA has repeatedly backed Islamist Jihadists to fight these wars, and jihadists have just toppled the Syrian regime. The CIA, after all, helped to create al-Qaeda in the first place by training, arming, and financing the Mujahideen in Afghanistan from the late 1970s onward. Yes, Osama bin Laden later turned on the U.S., but his movement was a U.S. creation all the same. Ironically, as Seymour Hersh confirms, it was Assad’s intelligence that “tipped off the U.S. to an impending Al Qaeda bombing attack on the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.”

Operation Timber Sycamore was a billion-dollar CIA covert program launched by Obama to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. The CIA funded, trained, and provided intelligence to radical and extreme Islamist groups. The CIA effort also involved a “rat line” to run weapons from Libya (attacked by NATO in 2011) to the jihadists in Syria. In 2014, Seymour Hersh described the operation in his piece “The Red Line and the Rat Line”:

“A highly classified annex to the report, not made public, described a secret agreement reached in early 2012 between the Obama and Erdoğan administrations. It pertained to the rat line. By the terms of the agreement, funding came from Turkey, as well as Saudi Arabia and Qatar; the CIA, with the support of MI6, was responsible for getting arms from Gaddafi’s arsenals into Syria.”

Soon after the launch of Timber Sycamore, in March 2013, at a joint conference by President Obama and Prime Minister Netanyahu at the White House, Obama said: “With respect to Syria, the United States continues to work with allies and friends and the Syrian opposition to hasten the end of Assad’s rule.”

To the U.S.-Israeli Zionist mentality, a call for negotiation by an adversary is taken as a sign of weakness of the adversary. Those who call for negotiations on the other side typically end up dead—murdered by Israel or U.S. assets. We’ve seen this play out recently in Lebanon. The Lebanese Foreign Minister confirmed that Hassan Nasrallah, Former Secretary-General of Hezbollah had agreed to a ceasefire with Israel days before his assassination. Hezbollah’s willingness to accept a peace agreement according to the Arab-Islamic world’s wishes of a two-state solution is long-standing. Similarly, instead of negotiating to end the war in Gaza, Israel assassinated Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran.

To the U.S.-Israeli Zionist mentality, a call for negotiation by an adversary is taken as a sign of weakness of the adversary.

Similarly in Syria, instead of allowing for a political solution to emerge, the U.S. opposed the peace process multiple times. In 2012, the UN had negotiated a peace agreement in Syria that was blocked by the Americans, who demanded that Assad must go on the first day of the peace agreement. The U.S. wanted regime change, not peace. In September 2024, Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly with a map of the Middle East divided between “Blessing” and “Curse,” with Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Iran as part of Netanyahu’s curse. The real curse is Israel’s path of mayhem and war, which has now engulfed Lebanon and Syria, with Netayahu’s fervent hope to draw the U.S. into war with Iran as well.

The U.S. and Israel are high-fiving that they have successfully wrecked yet another adversary of Israel and defender of the Palestinian cause, with Netanyahu claiming “credit for starting the historic process.” Most likely Syria will now succumb to continued war among the many armed protagonists, as has happened in the previous U.S.-Israeli regime-change operations.

In short, American interference, at the behest of Netanyahu’s Israel, has left the Middle East in ruins, with over a million dead and open wars raging in Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestine, and with Iran on the brink of a nuclear arsenal, being pushed against its own inclinations to this eventuality.

All this is in the service of a profoundly unjust cause: to deny Palestinians their political rights in the service of Zionist extremism based on the 7th century BCE Book of Joshua. Remarkably, according to that text—one relied on by Israel’s own religious zealots—the Israelites were not even the original inhabitants of the land. Rather, according the text, God instructs Joshua and his warriors to commit multiple genocides to conquer the land.

Against this backdrop, the Arab-Islamic nations and indeed almost all of the world have repeatedly united in the call for a two-state solution and peace between Israel and Palestine.

Instead of the two-state solution, Israel and the U.S. have made a desert and called it peace.

Jeffrey D. Sachs is a University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University, where he directed The Earth Institute from 2002 until 2016.

12 December 2024

Source: commondreams.org

By Palestinian BDS National Committee (BNC)

As painful and devastating as the ongoing massacres are, the failure of Israel’s live-streamed genocide to force Palestinians to surrender, compounded with its fast growing worldwide isolation, is a sign that its 76-year-old regime of settler-colonialism and apartheid is shaking, and we are closer to liberation. With miraculous steadfastness and determination, the Palestinian people continue to fight for justice, liberation, and our inalienable rights.

The impact of the BDS movement in fighting state, corporate and institutional complicity with apartheid Israel has grown immensely in these times of carnage. Below is just a brief sample of over 100 BDS impacts in the second half of 2024. With our collective agency, your solidarity, our intersectional coalitions, we CAN and shall rise again. We must end this. Let’s end this!

1. BDS pressure to affect policy change – including by mainstreaming the analysis of Israel’s regime of settler-colonialism, apartheid and military occupation and the obligation to impose sanctions on it – has begun to show real impact:

In July 2024, over 30 UN human rights experts called on states to respect the ICJ ruling that Israel’s occupation is illegal by imposing sanctions and a military embargo on Israel.

In September, the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted for imposing sanctions on Israel for the first time in 42 years.

In November, 52 states called for a military embargo on Israel, an initiative later adopted by the joint summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.

Also in November, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, South Africa, Belize, among others, called for the reconstitution of the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid which has been a demand of the BDS movement since 2020.

In November, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights responded to BDS calls and adopted the first resolution on Palestine in 24 years calling on African states to  end complicity and ensure accountability.

2. In September, the Chairman of the Israeli Export Institute stated: “BDS and boycotts have changed Israel’s global trade landscape.” He added, “Economic boycotts and BDS organizations present major challenges, and in some countries, we are forced to operate under the radar.” Israel’s projected annual GDP growth rate for 2024 is 0%, according to leading credit rating agency S&P.

3. In response to Palestinian calls for the cessation of all energy transfers to Israel, the Colombian government in August issued a decree prohibiting the export of coal to Israel. Colombia was the largest exporter of coal to Israel.

4. The United Church of Canada, the second largest denomination across Canada, in November adopted BDS strategies in November, “rejecting Israel’s apartheid system.”

5. Complicit corporations are feeling the BDS heat more than ever, canceling or suspending projects that aid and benefit from apartheid Israel:

Chevron, a priority target of the BDS movement, halted a $429 million expansion of an Israeli-claimed fossil gas field amid Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and its brutal bombings in Lebanon, Syria and beyond.

Global sales of McDonald’s, a prime BDS target, “fell by 1.5% between July and September, the biggest decline in four years, more than twice the size forecast by analysts. It followed a 1% drop in the April to June period.” “McDonald’s has faced boycotts and protests over its perceived pro-Israeli stance and alleged financial ties to the country.”

Carrefour closed all branches in Jordan due to BDS pressure. Carrefour’s partner in most of the Arab World, the Majid Al Futtaim Group, reacted to BDS Jordan’s boycott pressure by ending all business with the French retailer in Jordan.

Following relentless BDS campaigns worldwide, the German company PUMA was forced to end its complicity with Israel’s apartheid regime and in its #GazaGenocide.

6. USS, the UK’s biggest private pension fund, divested over $100 million of Israeli assets, including Israel Bonds, following sustained pressure from its members and the academic union, UCU.

7. The academic boycott has continued to grow at an inspiring rate:

The American Association of University Professors reversed its long-held position against academic boycotts.

The National Tertiary Education Union, representing 27K university workers in Australia, voted to support the boycott of complicit Israeli universities.

Dozens of universities, academic associations and faculty unions took measures to end complicity in Israel’s Gaza genocide and underlying apartheid regime.

The American Sociological Association agreed to divest from weapons manufacturers following a proposal by Sociologists for Palestine.

The International Olympiad in Informatics voted by more than 67% not to recognize future Israeli delegations. The Italian Society for Middle East Studies voted by 96% to adopt the academic boycott.

8. Over 1,000 writers and publishing figures, including Sally Rooney, Rachel Kushner and Arundhati Roy, called in October for boycotting Israel’s complicit cultural institutions and pledged not to work with any publishers, festivals or publications “complicit in violating Palestinian rights.” A few weeks later, 5,000 more writers joined this cultural boycott initiative.

9. In August, the BDS movement discovered the MV Kathrin is traveling from Vietnam with 8 containers of explosives destined for use by Israel in its genocide against Palestinians. This #BlockTheBoat campaign, part of our global military embargo campaign, mobilized international solidarity groups from Malaysia to Slovenia and ensured significant delays for the shipment as for over two months the Kathrin was unable to dock anywhere. From Namibia and Angola to Montenegro and Malta, states refused to be complicit. The Kathrin eventually had to abandon the Portuguese flag. The inspiring efforts of UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese played an important role. This was just the beginning of a campaign that continues to target the maritime military and energy transfers to genocidal Israel.

11 December 2024

Source: bdsmovement.net

By Drago Bosnic and Prof Michel Chossudovsky

First published on December 13,  2024

We are featuring this video interview. with the option of sub-titles in the following languages: English, French, Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, Turkish and Russian

Video: The Destruction of Countries. Syria… 

with Drago Bosnic and  Michel Chossudovsky

Video English

MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY – DRAGO BOSNIĆ – THE DESTRUCTION OF COUNTRIES: SYRIA

With sub-titles

English on Rumble

Video Français

MICHEL CHOSSUDOVKSY – DRAGO BOSNIĆ – LA DESTRUCTION DES PAYS: LA SYRIE

sous-titres en français 

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Français sur Rumble:  

Français sur Lux Media: 

Français sur X 

X: https://x.com/i/status/1867088541261480332

.

Video Arabic  

sub-titles

ARABIC: ميشيل شوسودوفسكي – دراغو بوسنيتش – تدمير البلدان: سوريا

Video Español
sub-títulos

MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY – DRAGO BOSNIĆ – LA DESTRUCCIÓN DE LOS PAÍSES: SIRIA

Español sobre Rumble 

.

Farsi /Persian

sub-titles

PERSIAN: میشل چوسودوفسکی – دراگو بوسنیج – نابودی کشورها: سوریه

Farsi-Persian on Rumble

.

Russian

sub-titles

МИШЕЛЬ XОСУДОВСКИЙ – ДРАГО БОСНИЧ – РАЗРУШЕНИЕ СТРАН: СИРИЯ

Russian on Rumble 

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Turkish

sub-titles

MICHEL CHOSSUDOVSKY – DRAGO BOSNIĆ – ÜLKELERİN YOK EDİLMESİ: SURİYE

13 December 2024

Source: globalresearch.ca

By Paul Craig Roberts

The latest report is that Israel has carried out 480 air strikes on territory of the former Syria and Israeli troops are moving deeper into the country. Netanyahu claims credit for Syria’s overthrow which he said is “a historic day in the history of the Middle East.” It certainly opens up the Middle East to Greater Israel.

Israel said that Syria’s fall has isolated and weakened Iran’s position and now is the time for Israel to strike Iran’s  nuclear facilities. See this.

The NATO secretary-general has instructed NATO members to cut spending on social services and divert the money to military spending.  Security matters more than social welfare , said the secretary-general, and Europe must prepare to defend itself from aggressive Russia.  Of course, it is Russia that is failing to defend herself and her allies from the aggressive West.

The Russian foreign ministry again declared Ukrainian membership in NATO to be unacceptable, but Russia has given no indication of what it can do to block it.

President-elect Trump has criticized the Biden regime for the major escalation of firing missiles into Russia. But the policy of softening up Russia for negotiations is likely to continue under Trump. Now that the Russian, Iranian, and Chinese governments have demonstrated that they are unable to act even in their own interests, it will be difficult for Trump to slow the momentum toward wider war.

Russia is negotiating with HTS, the latest name for the terrorists used by the US and Israel to overthrow Syria, for the protection of the Russian military bases in Syria.  Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s deputy foreign minister, said the Russian forces will play an important role in the fight against terrorism.  Apparently, Bogdanov doesn’t realize that it is the terrorist regime from whom he is asking protection for Russians.  It seems that HTS is both the “Syrian democratic opposition” and “the terrorists.” In liberating Syria they were the democratic opposition. Now that they have Syria they are terrorists, Israel’s war with which covers Israel’s annexation of Syria into Greater Israel.

Peter Ford, the former British ambassador to Syria, said that the West intends a “master-client relationship” with those who “yesterday were al-Qaeda and ISIS,” but today are the Syrian democratic opposition.

“For Western powers, the optics of doing business with gangs and warlords designated as terrorist groups presents a problem. This can be got round, however, by pretending to have a ‘transition.’”

I have been wondering where tiny Israel would find the manpower to occupy Syria, Lebanon, and Greater Israel.  It looks like they are going to use the Arabs themselves, the Shia to occupy the Sunni or vice versa.

Things change fast. It was only five days ago that Russian foreign minister Lavrov was warning of the HTS terrorists and declared Russia will oppose attempts by the militants to alter the situation on the ground in Syria. Clearly, the Russian foreign ministry had no idea that Syria was disintegrating while Lavrov was speaking. Now Syria is in the hands of the HTS terrorists/democratic opposition. The Astana agreement that Russia supported repeated the utter folly of the Minsk Agreement and destroyed Syria. Disdaining force, Russia called for “restraint.”  Russia and Iran restrained, but not their enemies, or is it their “partners”?

“We are absolutely convinced of the inadmissibility of using terrorists like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham to achieve geopolitical goals, as is happening now with the organization of this offensive from the Idlib de-escalation zone,” Lavrov explained during a session at the Doha Forum (source: Sputnik).

Perhaps Lavrov has forgot that the Idlib de-escalation zone is a produce of Russia’s Astana agreement.

 Iran’s leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, reports that Syria’s disappearance was orchestrated in the Zionist command rooms of the United States and the Israeli Zionist regime.  He did not explain why Iran stood aside and accepted the destruction of its ally and buffer and route to the resupply of Hezbollah, the only force preventing Israel’s occupation of Lebanon.

Were Syria’s allies, Iran and Russia, unaware of the plot?  Why did Khamenei join Putin in sitting on their butts while Washington and Israel overthrew their ally and handed them a dramatic strategic defeat.  Now all they can do is to complain.  But they never blame themselves. 

My conclusion has been that neither Russia nor Iran has an intelligence service. Iran relies on God, and the Russian government relies on a 19th century gentleman’s diplomacy that exists today only in the heads of Putin and Lavrov.  To such people it is important not to give offense, so they are incapable of acting. Strategic vision is far beyond their capability.  This makes them sitting ducks. However, John Helmer reports that Russian intelligence was fully aware of what was afoot, and Putin prevented the Russian military from defending Syria. See this.

John Helmer reporting from Moscow supports my conclusion that Putin’s unwillingness to use force has discredited Russia as the leader of an alternative world to the Western-dominated one:

Having opposed but obeyed Putin’s orders forbidding them to fire on Israeli aircraft attacking Syria, or on Turkish ground operations in and around Idlib, Moscow sources believe the General Staff have now told Putin much more than the refrain, he’s heard many times before, “We told you so”. This time the General Staff assessment of the invasion of Syria, refusal of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) to fight, and the replacement of the Assad regime in Damascus is that grave damage has been done to the protective alliances which Russia has been promoting in Africa, the Americas, China, and North Korea.

“We just have to accept that Iran and Russia have been comprehensively defeated in their non-fight, “a well-informed Moscow source says. “It is the worst defeat of Russia by the Turks in history. If Putin goes on now to make significant concessions in an Istanbul II negotiation with [President Donald] Trump, that will be the cherry on top of the Turkish halva. We are thinking this; no one is saying it. In the end, a defeat of Ukraine is all we care about. If Putin fails to deliver that, then he has a much bigger problem than the one he has just retreated from. Yes, this is a huge dishonour for us, but nothing is served by talking of it. Still, the situation can be redeemed in the Ukraine. This means the complete and comprehensive defeat of the enemy there.”

A non-Russian military source says the Russians he knows are “in denial. The Turks can now say we have them where we want them. This means the Israelis and the Americans can say the same. That means leverage above and beyond the Levant, in Africa, Asia and no less in Ukraine. What do the Russians have to offer their African or Asian friends now? Do they say — we’ll be there for you, of course, until the end – we mean your end. Of course, when the going gets tough, and potentially that means fighting the Americans or one of its proxy armies, the Russians now show they will blame their unwillingness to fight on their friends’ refusal to do what the Russians advise; their military incompetence; their corruption; or their racial inferiority compared to Russians.”

Amazing that Putin enables the neoconservatives’ discrediting of him.  With the Washington/Israeli victory in Syria, less attention will be paid to anything Putin says. See this.

In this very important statement, John Helmer describes Putin’s acceptance of the partition of Syria by Israel, Turkey, and Washington.

*

Paul Craig Roberts is a renowned author and academic, chairman of The Institute for Political Economy where this article was originally published.

13 December 2024

Source: globalresearch.ca

By V.A. Mohamad Ashrof

Abstract:

This paper challenges the assumption that Islam mandates a theocratic form of governance, arguing instead that a secular state aligns more closely with Quranic principles. By examining key themes in the Quran—such as freedom of choice and moral agency, pluralism and the recognition of human diversity, and a vision of justice that transcends religious boundaries—it demonstrates how secular governance upholds and amplifies these values. The analysis is enriched with historical examples and Quranic narratives, illustrating Islam’s inherent flexibility in matters of governance. Ultimately, this paper contends that a secular state serves as a robust framework for promoting justice, compassion, and human dignity, embodying the ethical and moral imperatives of the Quran in a diverse and pluralistic society.

1.Islam as a Universal Message

The Quran presents Islam as a universal and eternal message, preached by all prophets since the creation of the world (Q.42:13, 4:163-164). Consequently, all prophets throughout history are considered Muslims by definition in the Quran (Q.6:163; 7:143; 10:72, 10:84, 10:90; 27:31, 27:38, 27:42, 27:91; 39:12; 46:15 etc.).

The Quran guarantees equality and justice for all humans, regardless of their differences, unless a state of war is initiated against Muslims (see Q.9:1-6, 9:13, 49:13, 4:1, 60:8-9). Even in wartime, protection is guaranteed for those who seek it (Q.9:6). The concept of Jihad, often misunderstood as “sacred war,” was developed as a religious duty in the context of the Arab expansion after the Prophet’s death.

The Quran promotes a democratic system, encouraging participation of all citizens (Q.58:11). It advocates for the election of officials based on qualifications and principles of justice (Q.4:58). The Quran promises justice for everyone, regardless of their creed or ethnicity (Q.5:8). It acknowledges citizens’ rights to publicly petition against injustices committed by individuals or the government (Q.4:148). Furthermore, the Quran encourages the distribution of wealth, economic freedom, and social welfare (Q.2:215, 59:7).

2.Freedom of Choice

The Quran unequivocally affirms the principle of individual freedom in matters of faith and belief: “There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is distinct from the wrong.” (Q. 2:256) This verse rejects coercion in religion, underscoring the importance of voluntary belief and adherence. Compelling individuals to follow a particular interpretation of religious law contradicts this foundational principle.

“The truth is from your Lord, so whoever wills—let him believe; and whoever wills—let him disbelieve.” (Q.18:29) By affirming free will in matters of belief, the Quran emphasizes that faith must stem from personal conviction, not state-imposed mandates.

A secular state that protects religious freedom and does not impose a singular interpretation of Sharia aligns with this Quranic emphasis on non-coercion. Such a state creates an environment where individuals can fulfil their moral and spiritual responsibilities to God autonomously.

3.Coercion is Against the Spirit of Islam

Coercive enforcement of religious law undermines several key Quranic principles:

•        Moral Agency: The Quran envisions humans as moral agents accountable to God alone. Forced compliance to Sharia erodes personal accountability.

•        Justice and Mercy: The Quranic values of justice, compassion, and mercy are incompatible with authoritarian governance that suppresses dissent and diversity.

•        Historical Lessons: The abuse of coercive authority throughout history, including in the name of religion, demonstrates its potential to violate Quranic ideals.

Islam, as articulated in the Quran and exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad, is fundamentally a faith of conviction and choice, not compulsion. The essence of Islamic teaching emphasizes freedom of belief, individual accountability, and the inviolable autonomy of the human conscience. The Quran unequivocally declares, “There is no compulsion in religion” (Q.2:256)—a profound principle that underscores the incompatibility of coercion with the spirit of Islam.

The Quran affirms that belief is a matter of personal choice, one that cannot be enforced externally. It explicitly states:

“Whoever chooses to follow the right path does so for his own good. Say to whoever deviates from it, ‘I am only here to warn’” (Q.27:92).

This statement reflects the Quranic understanding that faith arises from sincere conviction, not from external pressure or coercion. Furthermore, the Quran addresses the Prophet Muhammad directly, reminding him that his role was to convey the message, not to compel belief:

“So remind, [O Muhammad]; you are only a reminder. You are not over them a controller” (Q.88:21-22).

This principle is reiterated in Quran 24:54, emphasizing that guidance and faith are ultimately matters between the individual and God. The Quran also acknowledges the inevitability of religious diversity, recognizing that differences in belief are a natural part of human existence:

“If your Lord had willed, all those on earth would have believed. Will you then compel people to become believers?” (Q.10:99).

This acknowledgment reinforces the idea that Islam does not seek to eliminate diversity through force but instead embraces it as part of the divine plan.

The life of the Prophet Muhammad offers practical examples of Islam’s stance against coercion. One notable incident, recorded in Sahih al-Bukhari (Volume 9, Book 92, Number 424), recounts a man who converted to Islam in Medina but later sought to revert to his previous faith. The Prophet did not impose any punishment on the man, allowing him to leave freely. This instance highlights the Prophet’s consistent adherence to the Quranic principle of no compulsion in matters of faith.

Additionally, the Quran references episodes of apostasy during the Medinan period. Some individuals vacillated between Islam and their former religions, yet no worldly punishment was prescribed for their actions. Instead, the Quran warns of severe consequences in the Hereafter, affirming that ultimate judgment lies with God:

“They will have a severe punishment because they lied” (Q.63:3).

Significantly, the Quran does not prescribe any earthly punishment for apostasy. Instead, it stresses that belief is a deeply personal matter, rooted in the inner conscience of the individual. As Abdulla Saeed and H. Saeed observes, classical Islamic legal interpretations that mandate capital punishment for apostasy diverge from the Quran’s emphasis on freedom of belief. These interpretations arose during a period when political and social contexts influenced legal developments, often conflating apostasy with treason or rebellion (Saeed, pp. 51–87).

The absence of prophetic precedent for punishing simple acts of apostasy further underscores Islam’s commitment to freedom of religion. If such a punishment had been integral to Islamic teaching, the Prophet’s practice would have provided clear evidence to support it. Instead, his actions consistently reflected a spirit of tolerance and respect for individual autonomy. (Saeed, pp. 82–83).

For instance, Abdulla Saeed and H. Saeed document a case in which a man who converted to Islam in Medina later decided to return to his former religion. The Prophet allowed the man to leave freely without imposing any punishment. (Saeed, p. 83).

This approach fosters understanding and mutual respect, affirming that faith thrives in an atmosphere of freedom, not fear. Coercion is antithetical to the spirit of Islam, which champions freedom of belief as a divine right and an essential element of human dignity. The Quranic injunction “There is no compulsion in religion” (Q.2:256) serves as a cornerstone of Islamic teaching, emphasizing that faith must arise from genuine conviction, not force. The life of the Prophet Muhammad and the Quranic narrative consistently uphold this principle, offering a timeless framework for promoting religious freedom and pluralism. By rejecting coercion and affirming the sanctity of individual choice, Islam presents a vision of faith that is both empowering and compassionate—a beacon for all who seek truth in an age of diversity.

4.Human Earthly Life as a Testing Ground

The Quran conceptualizes life as a testing ground for moral and spiritual growth:

“He Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.” (Q. 67:2)

“Every soul shall taste death. And We test you by evil and by good by way of trial.” (Q. 21:35)

These verses emphasize the importance of personal choice and accountability in navigating life’s trials. Coercive political authority, by imposing specific religious practices, undermines the individual’s moral agency and compromises the Quranic principle of accountability. Humans are expected to act out of genuine moral conviction, not due to external compulsion.

5.Pluralism and Respect for Diversity

Please refer to the commentary from a renowned Quran translation, which notes that the term “Mu’minun” (believers) in the Quran is not exclusive to Muslims. Rather, it encompasses the faithful of other religions as well:

“The verse Q.5:69 is nearly identical to 2:62; Compare this verse also to 22:17, where it is said that God will judge between those who believe, the Jews, the Sabeans, the Christians, and the Magians (or Zoroastrians, majus), on the Day of Resurrection. This present verse, however, situated as it is within a surah largely devoted to the People of the Book, and within a long section that discusses the People of the Book critically, represents one of the most important Quranic affirmations of the potential of those outside the Muslim community to achieve salvation. Although Jews, Christians, and Sabeans are mentioned specifically, the verse also refers more broadly to whosoever believes in God and the Last Day and works righteousness, thereby opening the possibility of salvation even beyond the Abrahamic faiths.” (Nasr, p.716-717)

The Quran acknowledges the diversity of human beliefs and underscores the importance of peaceful coexistence:

“To each of you We prescribed a law and a way. Had God willed, He would have made you one nation [united in faith].” (Q.5:48)

This verse suggests that diversity in religious expression is divinely ordained, encouraging cooperation and coexistence rather than uniformity or imposition.

“Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam.” (Q.17:70)

The universal honour accorded to humanity implies a shared dignity that transcends religious boundaries (see Q.30:30, 7:172).

A secular state that accommodates religious pluralism and protects the rights of all communities aligns with this Quranic vision of diversity and mutual respect.

6.Justice and Ethical Governance

The Quran strongly emphasizes justice as a core value of governance:

“Indeed, God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people to judge with justice.” (Q.4:58)

Justice is not confined to the Muslim community but applies universally to all people.

“Be just; that is nearer to righteousness.” (Q.5:8)

This verse underscores the moral imperative of justice, even in challenging circumstances.

A secular state, by upholding justice impartially and ensuring the rule of law for all its citizens regardless of their faith, better fulfils these Quranic ideals than a state that privileges one interpretation of Sharia law.

7.Historical Lessons and the Example of Prophet Joseph

The Quran provides examples of governance that underscore cooperation across religious and cultural divides:

“Joseph said, ‘Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian.’” (Q.12:55)

Prophet Joseph served in a government that was not based on his religious beliefs. His example illustrates the Quranic endorsement of ethical leadership within pluralistic and secular frameworks.

8.The Quranic Directives for a Democratic Polity

The Quran presents a vision for governance rooted in collective decision-making, justice, and accountability, offering a framework that resonates with the principles of democracy. These directives are like a compass, guiding societies toward a just and equitable political system. This paper explores Quranic teachings emphasizing consultation, representation, ethical leadership, justice, and social responsibility as the pillars of a democratic polity.

The Quran underscores the importance of mutual consultation (shura) in decision-making, laying the foundation for participatory governance (Q.3:159, 42:38).

The Quran unequivocally condemns corruption, likening it to a disease that eats away at the moral fabric of society (Q.2:188). Justice is the lifeblood of governance, without which society becomes a house built on sand. The Quran insists that fairness must be upheld even in the face of adversity (Q.5:8, 4:135). This directive is a clarion call to rise above personal grievances and ensure that justice, like a river, flows freely and unimpeded.

A Quranic democratic polity is designed to be a fertile ground for virtue and collective welfare:

“You are the best-suited community that has been raised up for the good of mankind. You shall enjoin the Right and discourage the Wrong.” (Q.3:110)

“Help one another in furthering virtue and God-consciousness, and do not help one another in furthering evil and enmity.” (Q.5:2).

This vision portrays society as a tapestry, where every thread contributes to the greater beauty and strength of the whole. Cooperation and mutual respect are the bricks and mortar of this structure. The Quran advises engaging with others with wisdom and diplomacy (Q.16:125). Such an approach ensures that disagreements become stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, transforming adversaries into allies, like turning foes into friends. The Quranic framework emphasizes that societal change begins at the individual level, much like the ripple effect caused by a single stone thrown into a pond (Q.13:11). This principle underscores that governance is a mirror reflecting the character and values of the people it serves. A just and flourishing society is like a garden that thrives when its citizens nurture it with ethical behaviour and collective responsibility. The Quran offers a timeless blueprint for a democratic polity, grounded in consultation, justice, ethical leadership, and collective responsibility. It envisions governance not as a throne but as a trust, where power is a tool to uplift the community, not a ladder for personal gain. By prohibiting corruption, advocating justice, and emphasizing moral accountability, the Quranic vision lays the foundation for a society where fairness, inclusivity, and human dignity shine like guiding stars. In essence, this framework serves as a torchbearer, illuminating the path toward a just and harmonious world.

9.The Pursuit of Human Excellence

The pursuit of human excellence is a timeless and universal endeavour, deeply rooted in the divine purpose outlined in the Quran. This sacred text underscores the significance of spiritual, moral, intellectual, and social development as key dimensions of a fulfilling life.

At the heart of this pursuit lies the spiritual connection between humanity and the Divine. The Quran invites individuals to draw closer to God through prayer, reflection, and righteous actions, emphasizing that worship extends beyond rituals to encompass a life aligned with divine guidance:

“I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Q.51:56).

“Establish prayer for My remembrance” (Q.20:14).

This spiritual dimension highlights the centrality of aligning one’s life with higher principles, fostering inner peace, and cultivating a sense of purpose.

Moral excellence is another pillar of human flourishing. The Quran calls for the embodiment of virtues such as honesty, justice, compassion, and forgiveness, urging individuals to build a righteous character and avoid harmful behaviours:

“Indeed, God commands you to render trusts to whom they are due and when you judge between people, to judge with justice” (Q.4:58).

“Speak to people with good words” (Q.2:83).

Through moral integrity, individuals contribute to the ethical foundation of a harmonious society.

Social responsibility is equally emphasized as a cornerstone of human excellence. The Quran advocates for justice, care for the vulnerable, and the promotion of unity within a diverse world:

“Cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression” (Q.5:2).

By fostering mutual respect and collaboration, humanity can work toward a just and equitable society.

The pursuit of intellectual excellence is also integral to the Quranic vision of human development. The Quran encourages knowledge, reflection, and critical thinking, recognizing these as vital tools for personal growth and societal progress:

“Read, in the name of your Lord who has created” (Q.96:1).

“Are those who know equal to those who know not?” (Q.39:9).

This call to intellectual curiosity empowers individuals to seek truth, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the world.

By striving for excellence in these interconnected dimensions, individuals fulfil their divine purpose and advance the collective well-being of society. The Quran offers a comprehensive framework for human flourishing, urging humanity to seek spiritual enlightenment, moral integrity, social harmony, and intellectual growth. Through this holistic approach, the pursuit of human excellence becomes a pathway to personal fulfilment and a better world for all.

10.The Olympics of Righteousness

The Quran beautifully emphasizes the importance of competing in good deeds, urging individuals to run the race of life with purpose and virtue. This noble endeavour, likened to the “Olympics of Righteousness,” represents a lifelong pursuit of moral and spiritual excellence. Just as athletes dedicate themselves to achieving glory in the arena, believers are called to strive tirelessly for goodness, leaving behind a legacy that shines like a beacon for others.

The Quran explicitly encourages this spiritual competition in several verses. In Q.2:148, it proclaims:

“For each [religious following] is a direction toward which it faces. So compete with one another in good deeds.”

Here, the imagery is clear: the path to righteousness is like a racecourse, where participants, regardless of their starting line or background, aim for the finish line of virtue. The emphasis is not on mere participation but on striving to excel, to be the best version of oneself.

Similarly, Q.5:48 echoes this sentiment:

“So compete with one another in good deeds.”

This verse is a clarion call, urging believers to rise above complacency and mediocrity. It encourages them to sharpen their moral compass, like a skilled artisan honing their craft, and to judge their actions by the yardstick of divine guidance.

The rewards for this moral marathon are unparalleled. In Q.6:160, the Quran assures:

“Whoever comes [on the Day of Judgement] with a good deed will have ten times the like thereof [to his credit], and whoever comes with an evil deed will not be recompensed except the like thereof; and they will not be wronged.”

This verse paints a vivid picture of a just and generous divine economy, where good deeds multiply like seeds sown in fertile soil, yielding a bountiful harvest of blessings. Conversely, evil deeds are weighed justly, ensuring no soul is treated unfairly.

The “Olympics of Righteousness” encourages individuals to take the high road, rise above pettiness, and put their best foot forward in the journey of life. It calls for a commitment to moral and spiritual growth as steadfast as a lighthouse guiding ships through stormy seas. By embracing this ethos, believers can cultivate an unshakable dedication to excellence, reaping rewards both in this world and the Hereafter.

This metaphor of spiritual competition also reflects the Quranic values of perseverance, teamwork, and humility. Like runners passing the baton in a relay, individuals are reminded of their collective responsibility to uplift society. The pursuit of righteousness is not a solitary endeavour but a shared mission, where every act of goodness adds a stitch to the rich tapestry of human decency.

The “Olympics of Righteousness” invites each of us to aim for the gold standard of virtue, turning every challenge into a stepping stone and every good deed into a sparkling gem in the treasure chest of life. It is a race worth running—a journey that transforms the soul and leaves an indelible mark on the world.

11.Responding to Negativity with Positivity

The Quran provides guidance on how to interact with those who may be hostile or dismissive of the divine message. These verses encourage believers to respond with patience, wisdom, and kindness, even in the face of adversity:

The Quran advises believers to disregard the insults and mockery of those who reject the truth: “Do not obey the rejecters and the hypocrites, and ignore their insults, and put your trust in God; for God suffices as an advocate” (Q.33:48).

The Quran encourages believers to engage in constructive dialogue, even with those who disagree: “Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best” (Q.16:125).

When faced with negativity, believers are encouraged to respond with kindness and forgiveness: “Take to pardoning, and order with what is good, and leave alone the ignorant ones” (Q. 7:199).

If necessary, believers are advised to disengage from those who persist in negativity: “When you hear the revelations of God being rejected and mocked, then do not sit with them until they move on to a different narrative…” (Q.4:140).

The Quran emphasizes the importance of discerning between constructive and destructive discourse: “Those who listen to what is said, then follow the best of it; those are the ones God has guided, and are the men of understanding” (Q.39:18).

The Quran contains multiple examples of the messengers being ridiculed (Q.13:32, 15:11, 21:41), including prophet Muhammad (Q.16:101, 25:4, 17:47, 25:8, 37:36), of God and the Quran being mocked (21:5, 38:7, 25:5, 7:180) but there is not one instance of allowing violence or a punishment for such an act.

By following these guidelines, believers can navigate challenging social situations with grace and wisdom, promoting understanding, tolerance, and peace.

12.Fostering a Just and Pluralistic Society

The Quranic emphasis on freedom of belief, individual accountability, justice, and pluralism suggests that a secular state—where no single religious interpretation is imposed—is more aligned with its teachings than an Islamic theocracy. This alignment is rooted in the Quranic values of respecting individual autonomy, promoting justice and fairness, and acknowledging the diversity of human experiences and beliefs.

Such a secular state ensures that individuals can exercise their moral and spiritual responsibilities freely, fosters mutual respect among diverse communities, and upholds justice as a universal value. By separating religion from the state, a secular framework creates space for diverse perspectives and beliefs to coexist, promoting a culture of tolerance, empathy, and understanding. This, in turn, fosters a more just and harmonious society, where individuals can thrive and reach their full potential.

Rather than diminishing the role of religion, a secular framework amplifies the Quranic vision of a society built on compassion, equity, and human dignity. By recognizing the importance of individual freedom and autonomy, a secular state creates an environment where individuals can engage with their faith more meaningfully, without fear of coercion or persecution. Ultimately, this alignment with Quranic teachings promotes a more authentic and vibrant expression of faith, one that is grounded in individual conviction and a deep sense of moral responsibility.

Bibliography

Abdulla Saeed and H. Saeed, Freedom of Religion, Apostasy, and Islam, London: Ashgate, 2004

Seyyed Hossein Nasr (Editor), The Study Quran: A New Translation and Commentary, New York: HarperOne, 2015

V.A. Mohamad Ashrof is an independent Indian scholar of Islamic humanism.

10 December 2024

Source: countercurrents.org

By Ellen Isaacs

Assad is now in Moscow, and an Islamist coalition has taken over all the major Syrian cities. The great powers, Russia and Iran, which had propped up the Syrian state since 2011, were no longer in a position to do so. For the moment, Israel, the US and their allies are happy.

What the result will be – a government run by as yet uncertain parties or just chaos – remains unknown. But it does not seem that a system run by and in the interests of ordinary Syrian workers will prevail as there is no organized left in Syria now.

What we do know is that an Islamist group, Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS), is the main faction in control in the capital Damascus after taking several other cities in rapid succession. HTS began as part of ISIS in 2012, and then split to join Al Qaeda a year later. In 2017 they severed that relationship and partnered with several smaller Islamist groups. A number of smaller Islamist groups also joined with HTS to form the National Front for Liberation (NFL) since 2018. The far northwest of Syria is controlled by the Kurds, a group that also has members in Turkey and Iraq and hopes to establish its own state.¹ Some speculate that HTS had support from Turkey, as evidenced by their sophisticated weaponry and display of the Turkish flag, and Turkey welcomed the opportunity both to rid itself of the three million Syrian refuges living within its borders and to attack the Kurds.²

The rebels have been preparing their offensive for at least a year, but the recent weakening of Assad’s allies Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, because of the conflicts with Israel and Ukraine, gave them their opening. Russia had been the main prop for Assad in order to maintain control of its naval base on Syria’s Mediterranean coast and a military air base. But in this conflict they provided only a few weak sorties, while the Syrian army of underpaid conscripts collapsed quickly.³

Israel had long learned to live with Assad, while keeping control of the Golan Heights on the Syrian border which it captured in 1967. They have had a nonaggression agreement with Syria since 1974, the Separation of Forces Agreement. As the Syrian army abandoned the border buffer zone today, Israel sent in its troops.⁴ They also bombed a chemical weapons storage and missile sites to keep these weapons out of the hands of the insurgents.  There is some evidence that Israel coordinated some planning with Turkey in support of the coup.²

The US and its Western and Mideast allies – Jordan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, even Turkey – have been involved since 2013 in a successful alliance to defeat ISIS after it began seizing Syrian territory. Trump tried to withdraw all American troops during his first term, but was prevented from doing so by adversaries at home. The US kept about 900 troops in the area, that continued to fight remnants of ISIS and Iran-backed militias. Neither Biden or Trump wants to get involved in a major conflict, ⁵ but on Dec 8 the US carried out a series of large air strikes on ISIS bases in northern Syria.⁶

China has had a relationship with Syria since the start of the civil war. It has interests in the ports of Tartus ad Ltakia, which are key to its Belt and Road trade initiatives with Greece, Israel and Lebanon. They also want to avoid Uygur rebels in China’s west forming any alliances with jihadists in Syria.⁷ Since 2019, China was Syria’s chief economic partner, with Syria exporting soap and oils and China sending machines and fabrics.⁸ They certainly are not happy to see their major allies of Russia and Iran lose influence in the area.

Is There a Syrian Workers’ Movement?

After the 1967 War, leftist political parties formed in the defeated nations. In Syria, there were many Marxist discussion circles in universities and unions, even the army. The League of Communist Action was founded in 1976 and the Labor Communist Party in 1981

From the beginning these groups were repressed and were driven out of existence by the 90s. Some activity re-emerged in the early 2000s, but mainly by individuals or small groups. After the 2011 uprisings no independent left group emerged. Some progressives even formed an alliance with conservatives like the Muslim Brotherhood to oppose the Assad regime.⁹ If there are any tiny groups or individuals now who wish to fight for workers’ power with a class perspective, we do not know.

Who to Support?

It is very tempting to pick sides as conflicts rage around the world, to have someone to root for and support. If a group of workers is being persecuted and killed, as in Palestine, of course we support those being attacked. However, many so-called leftists think one must not look upon any leadership opposed to the US with a critical eye. Thus Hamas, an Islamist group that has not treated Gazans well and has led them to slaughter, is even lionized.

If a bad guy like Assad is overthrown, it is tempting to greet the victors with enthusiasm, before we know their program or which imperialists may be behind them. If we recognize the imperialist rulers of the US as the main evil in the world today, it is easy to just declare that all who oppose them are our friends. Many even supported Assad on this basis. It seems too complex and maybe not kind to disparage not only the world’s imperialist rulers but the leaders of groups and nations who are against them.

But it really is not that difficult to see our way clear if we keep in mind that the fundamental conflict in the world, everywhere in the world, is class conflict. No matter what nation we are considering, no matter if that nation is colonized or a colonizer, it is divided into classes and the working class is suffering. The suffering is always greater in oppressed nations, but it is certainly not absent in wealthy ones. In the US, the world’s wealthiest country, over 11 % of the population lives in poverty and over 600,000 are homeless. When imperialist nations go to war, it is the poorest workers who are asked to fight and die in their name. Meanwhile, civilians are killed in the hundreds of thousands in colonized nations, whose rulers are often in league with imperialists.

Thus our task is to build a class conscious anti-capitalist movement wherever we are, whether in an imperialist country or an oppressed one. We must build a movement that unites workers across race and nationality, in order to fight for a communist world. And to do that we must investigate and acknowledge the mistakes at previous attempts in the Soviet Union and China. We must learn that intermediate steps like socialism, that maintain wage and privilege differentials and private property, and that nationalism and making compromises with liberals are fatal. We can do better. We must if we are going to survive in this world now heading towards World War 3 and climate disaster.

Ellen Isaacs is a retired physician, anti-racist and anti-capitalist activist and co-editor of multiracialunity.org. She can be reached at eisaacs66@gmail.com

1.   https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/2/hayat-tahrir-al-sham-and-the-other-syrian-opposition-groups-in-aleppo

2.   https://www.stimson.org/2024/what-turkey-hopes-to-gain-from-the-hts-offensive-in-syria/

3.   https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/world/middleeast/syria-opposition-forces-domination.html

4.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rAVMUoZWa0

5.   https://www.cfr.org/global-conflict-tracker/conflict/conflict-syria

6.   https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-b-52-f-15-a-10-massive-airstrikes-isis-syria/

7.   https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3289737/chinas-middle-east-strategy-falters-aleppo-falls-rebel-forces

8.   https://mepei.com/the-relationship-between-china-and-syria-in-the-context-of-bri/

9.   https://syriauntold.com/2020/10/30/syrias-labor-communist-party-a-rich-political-history-2/

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10 December 2024

Source: countercurrents.org

By Bharat Dogra

Syria is a country where several famous civilizations flourished and diverse communities learnt to co-exist peacefully. However the history of Syria from 2011 to 2024 is a very tragic chapter in the history of this country. For the greater part of this period this country has been in the middle of civil war conditions, and still there is no assurance that the civil war has ended– even though the predominant aim of rebel groups to oust the Assad regime has been achieved, other flash points can emerge.

It has been estimated that in a population of nearly 25 million people almost half the total number of people have been displaced externally and internally for varying periods in the course of this civil war while around half a million people have perished, possibly more if indirect impacts are also added.

There was local resistance against violations of human rights and resentment that the Assad family had ruled for too long over several decades. Then there were a lot of foreign interventions on both sides.

Predictably those by the west were covered up as interventions for saving democracy and human rights, but keeping in view the enormous costs in terms of human life, this also looks like a case of a country getting destroyed on a large-scale in the course of many self-proclaimed efforts being made to save it. If democracy is to be protected, can’t safer, peaceful and transparent methods be found, so that the views of both sides are properly heard and understood, increasing the chances of peaceful solutions being found at an early stage, led by the United Nations?     Around 2011 there were several protests against the ruling regime led by President Bashar-al Assad. A diversity of rebel groups emerged. The USA, its allies and Turkey extended military and other help to certain sections of rebels. The USA arranged extensive military training for rebels. At one stage this was costing the CIA about a billion dollars a year, as reported by the Washington Post in 2015. The New York Times referred to this operation, called Operation Sycamore, as “one of the most comprehensive efforts to arm and train rebels since the agency’s (CIA’s) program arming the mujahedeens in Afghanistan during the 1980s” under operation Cyclone.

Turkey also extended extensive help to some rebel groups. The bigger rebel groups carved out certain areas under their control, helped by foreign powers who were also eager to get control of oil-rich areas. Soon it became clear that it is the sectarian militant groups which were emerging as the strongest groups with the most area and forces under their control. A lot of the arms given to the rebel groups in general by the US were also reaching these stronger sectarian groups in various ways.

Both USA and Israel shared a common aim with these sectarian militant groups—the ouster by one means or the other of the Assad regime which was seen to be firmly allied with Iran, Hezbollah and Russia, apart from being supportive towards the Palestinian cause. In fact but for the support provided by Russia, particularly in the form of air strikes, the Assad regime may have fallen several years back to US assisted rebel forces.

Among the various sectarian militant groups (there were also some non-sectarian ones) the HTS soon emerged as the most powerful. The roots of this group as well as its leader Jolani can be traced to the AQ and the Islamic State which were more clearly visible in its earlier version but in the later stage it combined with other groups to form HTS as a means of getting better support and recognition. However its ideological base and sectarian thinking have deeper roots and do not go away easily, although these may be played down for some time.

The attacks of these rebel groups, air attacks of Israel and the USA and the occasional military incursions of Turkey created immense problems for the regime as well as for people. In addition the USA and its close allies imposed very stringent and harmful sanctions on Syria. In 2022 the Special Rapporteur of the UNO Alena Douhan stated in her report after visiting Syria that these sanctions have devastating impacts on nearly all categories of human rights and the Syrian people have to stay in life-threatening conditions with severe shortages of drinking water, electricity, food and fuel. The report added that the sanctions “have eroded to the level of total extinction the purchasing power” of many people who “find themselves in a prolonged state of survival mode.”  This report stated quite clearly that maintaining “unilateral sanctions amid the current catastrophic and still-deteriorating situation in Syria may amount to crimes against humanity against all Syrian people.” This report called for “lifting long-lasting unilateral sanctions suffocating Syrian people.”

However the sanctions, the attacks and the mass distress of people continued. In recent times the Israeli air attacks increased, most particularly in the early days of November 2024.

Later in the month as soon as Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was reached, leading rebel groups launched their attack.

There have been reports that these attacks were not just welcomed by Israel but also received some help from Israel. Writing in Antiwar.com (December 2, 2024, report titled ‘Syrian Islamists court Israel with talk of peace deal), Jason Ditz pointed out,“ Former Israeli military intelligence officer Lt. Mordechai Kedar has added fuel to claims that Israel has ties with the Syrian Islamist fighters who have taken the city of Aleppo…Lt. Kedar says he is in constant touch with the Islamists and they do not consider Israel an enemy. Lt. Kedar said he received detailed list of required items from the Islamist forces to the Israeli government.”

If Israel helped the rebel forces in their attacks recently, then this would not have been the first time such help was extended. Former Israeli Army Chief Gabi Eisenkot admitted in 2019 that Israel had supplied weapons to the Syrian Islamists including the Nusra Front (which later became the HTS). In addition there have been reports of Israel extending medical and related help to the rebel groups.

Hence sections of the rebel groups clearly had the help, support and ‘go-ahead’ signals of not just Turkey but other powerful countries as well. Now that the Assad regime has been ousted, there is a situation of great uncertainty and also a fear that Israel which has emerged much stronger from these events may use the new situation to increase its aggression further and if some of the sectarian rebel groups also contribute to such an agenda, in return for strengthening their hold over some parts, this will be very tragic. Hence the forces of peace and h justice at world level should watch the emerging situation very carefully.

Syria’s events again reveal the dangers of opportunistic use of terrorism to suit the interests of powerful countries

Recent events in Syria have once again revealed the dangers of dealing with terrorism and terrorist groups in very opportunistic ways by powerful countries to suit their narrow interests at any point of time.

The main rebel group which played the most leading role in ousting the Assad regime is HTS and its topmost leader is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. HTS is designated as a terrorist group by the USA and close allies. In its previous version HTS was known as the Nusra front, then led even more fiercely and violently by the same Jolani. At that time also it was designated a terrorist organization by the USA and close allies. More specifically Jolani was listed by the US State Department as a ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist’ and a reward of up to $10 million was offered to anyone willing to offer information leading to his capture. Surely in terms of the dangers posed by leading terrorists his ranking must have been very high for such a big reward to be offered for information leading to his capture. This was not surprising considering his important role earlier in Al Qaeda (AQ) and the Islamic State and he was sent to Syria as the topmost representative of the Islamic State.

However, at a certain stage, some commonality developed between him and western interests as both aimed for overthrowing the Assad regime as a high priority objective and the USA was spending a lot of money for military training and arms for these groups. It is at this stage that Jolani started re-inventing himself as a figure who could be more acceptable to western countries and for this it was important to distance himself from his AQ background. Hence the name of his organization was changed twice and there were mergers with other groups.

More recently as he emerged as the most powerful leader of the rebels groups who ousted the Assad regime, western think tanks and experts have been busy in presenting him in more moderate colors and then leading western media  have been publishing the selected views of these experts. The words ‘pragmatic radical’ or something similar to this are now more likely to be used to describe him, but there is hardly any solid grounds for reassuring that he  and his group are actually likely to opt for an agenda of peaceful coexistence for various religious and social groups.

The fast growing military strength of groups like HTS could not have taken place without active help from some countries willing to provide arms and funds. Of course Turkey has some rebel groups which it controls and arms, but it is not known if it has extended such help to HTS also. So from where has HTS been getting its arms, and how this could increase so significantly more recently? Is it merely a coincidence that the recent aggression by HTS started at almost the same time that the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire was reached? Why did Israel make a sudden increase in its air attacks on Syria just before this?

It appears that several recent events were linked in more ways than has been generally reported, and the military advance of HTS had significant backing from powerful forces which preferred to give the support silently. After all, it would have appeared very strange, and of course would have been illegal, if a terrorist, for information leading to whose capture there was a reward of $ 10 million, was helped openly.

However there are many lessons from history that supporting terror groups to achieve narrow short-term objectives creates many more problems later on. The most obvious example of this was seen in the context of the arming and training of the mujahedeens to fight against the Soviet army in Afghanistan. This led later to the proliferation of terror groups and their attacks in many parts of the world including in the USA and other western countries which are close allies of the USA.

Of course it will be really good if Jolani genuinely becomes a man committed to peace and plurality. This would be certainly welcomed. But the problem is that there is no real evidence of any such change at all and the sources from where he derives his power and following are far, far away from the path of peace and plurality.

Hence a lot of caution is advisable against the narrow vision based path of opportunistically using terror groups for narrow ends and ignoring the dangers inherent in such strategies.

The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now. His recent books include Planet in Peril, Protecting Earth for Children, Man over Machine and A Day in 2071.

Recent Events in Syria Seen from Perspective of Peace and Justice

There are several important aspects of recent events in Syria, but what is particularly important is to examine them from a perspective of peace and justice. Do these events take us a significant step forward on the path of peace and justice, or do these events take us backwards, or is the situation too uncertain just now to be able to say anything with certainty?

Those who have been opposed to the Assad regime in Syria have cited its human rights violations to argue that no tears need to be shed over its sudden and dramatic ouster. However these critics of the outgoing regime must face the wider question whether there are any prospects of the outgoing regime being replaced by anything better from the perspective of human rights. The situation is still evolving, but the main rebel group with its previous violent and sectarian record provides hardly any hope of any change for the better.

Whatever its other failures, the Assad regime had a well-established record of providing pluralist governance under which various communities with diverse faiths and cultures—Shias, Sunnis, Christians, others– could co-exist without discrimination and without being tormented on the basis of faith or sect. This cannot be said of the main rebel group HTS, with its Al-Qaeda (AQ) origins, which may have toned down its war cries recently to gain wider acceptability but its record speaks of being intolerant towards other faiths or sects, in particular for its hostility towards the Shias. The Christian minority in Syria, which includes descendants of some of the earliest Christians, is also most unlikely to feel safe for long under any future government that may be dominated by the HTS.

Due to the centrality of the Palestine issue in this region and the immense sufferings of the Palestinians in recent times, questions arise regarding the impact of the recent changes in Syria on the Palestinians. Clearly the situation of the Palestinians has weakened as the axis of resistance which has been providing support and solidarity to the Palestinian cause has been weakened.

Several reports have appeared regarding a relationship of cooperation and understanding between the Syrian rebel forces including the HTS and Israel. Rebel leaders interviewed on Israeli media have stated—we love Israel and we were never its enemies. Jason Ditz, editor of Antiwar.com has written recently on December 7, “Over the past several days it has been reported that HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani was keen to take over not only Syria but Lebanon as well, and had offered to allow Israel to open embassies in both Damascus and Beirut after they take these.”

While a big majority of the Palestinians are Sunni Muslims, it is in fact the predominantly Shia axis of resistance which has been in the frontlines of providing the most active help to the Palestinians and its weakening is a setback for the Palestinian resistance too, at least in the short-term. At the same time, the recent events have strengthened the position of Israel considerably.

The demise of the Assad regime has been welcomed by some stating that its human rights record was very bad. At the same time it should be stated that the human rights record of the leading rebel groups has also been terrible. The UN documented arbitrary detentions, executions of opponents and other human rights violations in HTS controlled areas while a report by Human Rights Watch has brought out the terrible human rights situation prevailing in the areas of the rebel groups controlled by Turkey.

While there is a lot of uncertainty regarding what kind of new government will emerge in Syria, there are no strong reasons to suggest that from a perspective of peace and justice it will be a better government compared to the ousted regime.

Some people may say that the end of civil war is always good and at least this should be celebrated. Of course end of any civil war is always good but the problem is that there is no indication just now that the Syrian civil war has ended. As a rebel group known for its record of sectarian violence is in the lead just now and various interests are competing for power and economic gains including control of oil resources, it remains to be seen whether civil war ends or continues or even extends beyond Syria.

The Kurds as minority groups have suffered a lot in the past and hence deserve sympathy. However to retain this sympathy they must also act in responsible ways. Is it possible if some of them are controlled by more powerful countries and follow their agenda? Turkey’s President Erdogan has already shown the extent of his hostility towards the Kurds and it remains to be seen how this hostility may clash with the USA in the context of the US- guided Kurd groups.

All in all, there is hardly any room for celebration just now. Of course the prisoners who have been freed certainly have cause to celebrate. The Sunnis who constitute a big majority of population in Syria can celebrate for their own narrow reasons of a minority Shia leadership regime being ousted after several decades. But beyond this, from a wider perspective of justice and peace, there is no reason yet to see recent events as a victory for the forces of peace and justice.

Bharat Dogra is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save Earth Now.

10 December 2024

Source: countercurrents.org

By Quds News Network

As Syrian rebels claimed victory over Damascus and Bashar al-Assad fled, Israel acted swiftly, moving forces into southern Syria and occupying strategic areas like Mount Hermon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement, citing the Syrian army’s withdrawal as justification.

Netanyahu described the situation as both a challenge and an opportunity, emphasizing Israel’s need to ‘secure’ the occupied Golan Heights. Israeli airstrikes targeted over 100 sites across Syria, including missile systems, weapons depots, and military research facilities. The strikes aim to prevent advanced weaponry, including chemical arms, from falling into the hands of the opposition, which Israel sees as potential threats.

The Military Dimension

The Israeli military has focused on areas like Daraa, Quneitra, and Damascus, hitting positions such as the Mazzeh military airport and storage facilities for long-range missiles. Military analysts argue that Israel’s actions aim to cripple Syria’s military infrastructure, ensuring these assets cannot be used against it in the future.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Colonel Hisham Mustafa of the Syrian National Authority revealed that Israeli tanks and airstrikes targeted areas near the “Bravo Line,” a UN-monitored buffer zone. He believes Israel is leveraging Syria’s chaos to neutralize threats while avoiding direct conflict with the rebel factions now governing the country.

Political Maneuvers

Israel’s strategy isn’t limited to military operations. Israel has engaged politically with groups like the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish US-backed group that controls parts in eastern Syria and is being fought by the rebels. This dialogue, according to Israeli officials, reflects concerns about the growing strength of opposition groups near its borders.

Analysts like Muhammad Alloush argue that Israel’s ultimate goal is to exploit Syria’s political vacuum to annex more territory and create a buffer against future threats. By acting during Syria’s transition, Israel hopes to solidify its security while avoiding backlash from the emerging government.

Responses from Syria and Other Countries

Syrian opposition forces, preoccupied with restoring order after Assad’s departure, have not responded militarily to Israeli strikes.

Internationally, Israel’s actions have drawn limited condemnation, partly due to its justification of targeting Iranian-aligned forces. However, critics argue that these moves are less about immediate threats and more about shaping Syria’s future geopolitical landscape.

As the situation evolves, Israel’s aggressive strategy may risk escalating tensions, further complicating Syria’s recovery and regional stability.

For now, Israel’s actions highlight its intent to secure strategic advantages amid Syria’s ongoing turmoil, but these moves come at a cost—deepening instability in an already fractured nation.

10 December 2024

Source: countercurrents.org