My roommate and I have just had a long conversation, probably the longest we have had since we started living together. We talked about Israel & Palestine, an issue we have both run away from because of the complexities it presents. After spending three hours in a class on International Humanitarian law, discussing occupation and civilian protection.
I am continually drawn to Israel and Palestine issues as I read more about it, I do not know what the best solution is, yet I also do not believe that Israel will ever yield to a two state solution, if at all they did which is improbable, it would take another 100 or so year for Palestinians to be included into that constitution or to have any adequate rights. Right now my mind goes to the children and impoverished people struggling to live in a strip, the congestion and dire conditions- I think the best option today is resettlement. As 'Palestinian refugees", UNRWA could emphasize resettling 'Palestinian refugees' to states in the world that can take them. The actions on both sides have become too irrational, my roommate believes that the longer a conflict takes, the more irrational and unthought the actions. The wall for one thing, is creating pockets of Palestinian settlements; with the aim of isolation. This is itself is a clear depiction of a humanitarian conflict, where International Humanitarian law should apply, it is in a sense weakening the forces of the state of Palestine and rendering them weak and unable to exercise any form of resistance.
Yet Israel claims this is not an occupation; basing this argument on the Geneva convention that states, 'that a conflict can only exist when the two parties are higher contracting parties to the convention (b)when the territory of conflict belongs to a higher contracting part.' Israel claims it is the Contracting party in the conflict, therefore this is not an occupation but an administered territory. The ICJ has recently refuted this claim and urged Israel not to use such political claims and exercise law as it is.
Am not sure why am going on at this point, the day is almost done and am awed at how much saga is going on in the world, I want to rest and smile, yet the world is in such a mess. But heh, this is not my business. I might as well accept things the way they are, embrace it and do the best I can, being the best I can be. After all I have gotten to live in a time such as this where the numbers all correspond it's 10.10. 10.
Skyped with my precious sisters, Phoebe & Carol, we reminisced on growing up in Uganda and the amazing childhood ryhmes we sang and played palmsies (this is my concoction) to (amina-mina, Oranges & lemons, Oh little playmate, and the list goes on! Feeling very nostalgic today....
