Al Mayadeen – December 22, 2024
Day 443 in Gaza: 45,259 killed, 107,627 injured by 'Israel'
The death toll keeps mounting as "Israel" continues its relentless strikes on the Gaza Strip, particularly focusing on northern Gaza.
The Israeli occupation continues its genocidal war on Gaza for the 443rd day, committing multiple massacres and murdering dozens of Palestinians, the overwhelming majority of whom are women and children.
Over the past 24 hours, the Israeli occupation forces committed four massacres, killing 32 Palestinians and injuring 54 others.
While several victims were transported to the very few partially-operational hospitals across the enclave, many remain trapped beneath the rubble as rescue operations have been rendered near-impossible due to Israeli obstruction.
This raises the death toll in the Gaza Strip to 45,259 Palestinians killed and 107,627 injured since October 7, 2023.
Gaza's Kamal Adwan Hospital under 'unprecedented' direct attack
Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation is extensively bombing Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, causing severe damage to its departments, including the children's care department and the nursery, amid urgent pleas for help from medical staff in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in the Gaza Strip reported Saturday evening that the IOF are firing heavily at the gates of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, coinciding with artillery shelling in its vicinity.
Kamal Adwan Hospital Director, Hussam Abu Safiya, said, "The hospital was directly bombed with shells and fire, penetrating the walls and hitting several departments, including the children's and nursery departments, causing severe damage."
Abu Safiya added this was an "unprecedented attack" on the hospital and the doctors, who gathered in one place.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/day-443-in-gaza--45-259-killed--107-627-injured-by--israel
Al Mayadeen – December 22, 2024
Israel's Gaza attacks fueling Islamophobia across Europe
A report highlights the increasing anti-Muslim sentiment in European countries, especially after the Israeli war on Gaza broke out.
A new report released on Saturday highlights a concerning rise in Islamophobia across Europe, linked to "Israel's" ongoing aggression against the Gaza Strip.
The European Islamophobia Report 2023 analyzes anti-Muslim sentiment in 28 European nations, revealing that the escalation of violence in Gaza has significantly fueled Islamophobia.
The report covered key developments such as the recognition of International Day Against Islamophobia in European nations, the rise in anti-Muslim sentiment triggered by "Israel’s" genocide in Gaza, and the proliferation of disinformation about Muslims in the media and online platforms.
Islamophobia in France
In France, the report highlights the exacerbation of institutional racism, particularly following President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-"Israel" stance in the ongoing war.
Kawtar Najib, who authored the section on France, wrote that the governmentﾒs ban on headscarves in schools instilled fear among Muslim students and their families, contributing to the institutionalization of anti-Muslim sentiment.
Najib also cited the police killing of 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk in June 2023 and the failure to hold the officer accountable immediately, a situation that sparked protests and intensified fears within the Muslim community.
Anti-Muslim sentiment in Switzerland
Switzerland also experienced a rise in Islamophobia, with researcher Nadia Lahdili highlighting that anti-immigrant sentiment has played a significant role in driving this trend.
There were 1,058 reported Islamophobic incidents in 2023, which included instances of racial discrimination and attacks targeting Muslims.
Lahdili also shed light on the challenges faced by Muslim women, particularly those wearing headscarves, who often encounter discrimination at their workspaces that hinders their career progression.
Anti-Muslim rhetoric in Bosnia, Herzegovina
Hikmet Karcic from Sarajevo University warned of a rise in radical anti-Muslim rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina, particularly from Serbian nationalists. This rhetoric has fueled tensions, using hostile language to undermine Sarajevo's multicultural identity.
The report also noted the closure of several mosques and the construction of hotels on land originally designated for mosques, reflecting efforts to erase the country’s cultural heritage and intensify anti-Muslim sentiment.
Rising Islamophobia in Austria
Farid Hafez addressed the role of the United Arab Emirates in funding anti-Muslim groups in Austria, highlighting a rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric following the escalation of the Israeli attacks on Gaza.
The report also highlighted the suppression of protests against the genocide in Gaza, including Austria’s vote against a UN General Assembly resolution calling for a ceasefire. Additionally, schools in Austria held workshops on radicalization that, in some instances, promoted Islamophobic views.
The report emphasizes the troubling increase in Islamophobia across Europe, driven by political rhetoric, social media, and growing political polarization. It calls for more effective actions to address discrimination and safeguard Muslim communities throughout Europe.
Al Mayadeen – December 22, 2024
US fighter jet allegedly downed in 'friendly fire' over Red Sea
US CENTCOM claims that the fighter jet was mistakenly fired at by a missile cruiser deployed in the Red Sea.
A US Navy F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down by friendly fire over the Red Sea, the US Central Command reported on Sunday.
Details of the incident indicate that the aircraft took off from the USS Harry S. Truman, operating in the Red Sea, and was "mistakenly fired at" by the USS Gettysburg, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, which was deployed into the Middle East one week ago.
One of the pilots flying the F/A-18 sustained minor injuries after both pilots ejected amid the incident.
Al-Houthi: CENTCOM not telling the truth
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, member of the Yemeni Supreme Council, said the "US Central Command will not reveal the true cause behind the downing of the American fighter jet."
In a statement given in light of the incident, the Yemeni official speculated that the reason why the US was concealing the truth was to prevent even further deterioration of morale among its forces in the Red Sea.
He further reiterated that Yemen's operations in support of Gaza will not cease regardless of the aggression on Yemen.
CENTCOM's claims
This comes after a violent explosion rocked the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Saturday evening, with reports of intensive fighter jet activity in the skies, according to Al Mayadeen's correspondent who confirmed that two airstrikes targeted Mount Attan, located south of the city.
CENTCOM published a statement on X announcing the aggression against Yemen. In the statement, CENTCOM claimed to have targeted Ansar Allah's "missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility."
In this context, CENTCOM insisted that the aircraft was mistakenly shot down and was not targeted by the Yemeni Armed Forces. Two US military officials further claimed that the fighter jet was not deployed in the aggression against Sanaa.
However, the earlier statement noted that CENTCOM forces "shot down multiple Houthi one way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (OWA UAV) and an anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) over the Red Sea," adding that the aggression "involved U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy assets, including F/A-18s."
Al Mayadeen – December 22, 2024
Israel not to release Barghouti, truce talks 'slow': Israeli media
Israeli media has reiterated the occupation's rejection of the release of Marwan Barghouti, noting that progress remains slow and complicated as mediated negotiations for a ceasefire continue.
Israeli newspaper Haaretz denied reports of "Israel" agreeing to the release of Palestinian prisoner Marwan Barghouti in any potential deal with the Hamas Resistance movement regarding the ongoing war on Gaza.
According to the newspaper, the Israeli occupation agreed to release around 200 Palestinian prisoners undergoing life sentences, but a main area of contention between both sides remains the identity of the prisoners.
The occupation has stated that al-Barghouthi and several other prisoners will not be released in a potential prisoner exchange deal, even if they were sent to Iran or Turkiye post-liberation, Haaretz stated, while Hamas rejected the proposition of exile.
Israeli Channel 12 reported on Saturday that "Israel" plans to present a list to ceasefire mediators outlining 70 to 100 "security prisoners" it will not release as part of any agreement with the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.
The report came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s statement that "Israel" will not include Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Palestinian leader from the first and second intifada (uprisings), in a potential captive deal.
Israeli officials also confirmed on Saturday evening that Barghouti will not be included in any deal.
Earlier, reports suggested that the release of Barghouti was a key point in the ongoing negotiations over the terms of the captive deal.
'Slow, complex' progress in negotiations
Meanwhile, Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom described the progress of mediated negotiations as "slow and complex."
In its report, Israel Hayom stated that Hamas called for the authorization for its members to leave the Gaza Strip through Egypt to receive medical treatment during the ceasefire, meaning that "tens would be able to leave with Israeli approval, something Tel Aviv does not desire."
The potential deal will be implemented in phases, starting with a humanitarian phase that includes the release of a few Israeli captives, mainly women and the elderly, as well as the bodies of the captives who have died in Gaza.
Hamas has also demanded that the Israeli occupation forces withdraw from the Netzarim and Philadelphi axes, but Israeli soldiers could be re-deployed in these areas.
At the same time, the families of the captives have been expressing their anger and fear of not seeing their loved ones as part of the deal. A high-ranking security source told Israel Hayom that the best option would be to reach a comprehensive deal, but negotiations could continue for several more months.
Therefore, the source noted that it would be better to accept what is currently available and hope for progress during the second phase of the deal.
Ayatollah Khamenei: Iran neither has nor needs proxy forces
Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has dismissed claims that Iran has been cut off from its “proxy forces” in the region, asserting that the Islamic Republic neither has nor needs such forces to achieve its objectives.
He made the remarks on Sunday during a meeting with a group of religious eulogists on the occasion of the birthday anniversary of Hazrat Fatemeh Zahra (SA), the beloved daughter of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Leader contended that the resistance fighters in Yemen, and groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and the Palestinian Hamas and Islamic Jihad, are fighting because of their faith.
“They (the enemies) consistently say that the Islamic Republic has lost its regional proxies—this is yet another mistake! The Islamic Republic does not have any proxy forces,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
Resistance fighters, he explained, “are driven by their beliefs; they fight because of their convictions, not on our behalf.”
He also noted that should Iran ever decide to take action, it would not require a proxy force to do so.
In regard to the situation in Syria, the Leader foresaw the emergence of a “strong and honorable establishment.”
The United States’ plot to dominate countries involves establishing a dictatorship or fomenting chaos and riots, with the latter being the case in Syria, he added.
“The Americans, the Zionist regime, and their allies mistakenly believe they have emerged victorious, leading them to make absurd statements,” he said, referencing comments from a US official that appeared to promise support for anyone inciting unrest in Iran.
“The Iranian nation will trample under its strong feet anyone who assumes a mercenary role for the US in this matter.”
https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/12/22/739519/Iran-Leader-Khamenei
Keeping the August 5 Revolution Alive: Lessons from the Jewish Holocaust
By Dr. Habib Siddiqui
Yesterday, I was talking with a good friend of mine who (true to his last name) has been at the forefront of human rights movement for decades. In 2018, he and I spoke from the same podium on genocide of the Rohingya people of Myanmar in Cologne, Germany. In the recent past, his group’s tireless lobbying efforts within the US State Department have resulted in billion-plus dollars of funding for the Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar.
He visited Bangladesh in late November. As a well-wisher of Bangladesh, he is genuinely worried about the future of Bangladesh. He is not alone. Many concerned expatriates, too, are equally worried whether our people would be able to preserve this revolution. After all, Bangladesh is surrounded by unfriendly countries that have lived by the diabolical formula: ‘what is good for Bangladesh must be bad for its neighbors.’ India, in particular, which has been a beneficiary of the ousted regime (since at least 2009), is yet to come to terms with the latest change inside Bangladesh. Its print and social media, let alone the bigots affiliated with the ruling party (BJP), continue to reinvent Goebbels’ propaganda mechanism to portray an extremely negative image about Bangladesh. Contrary to their false claims, in my recent visit of Bangladesh, I failed to see any sign of intolerance towards religious minorities.
My main concern, thus, is an internal one involving our own people that are impatient: expecting results overnight! Our past experiences have shown that half-hearted, poorly planned and executed programs that relied mostly on the ‘old-time’ bureaucrats as ‘band-aid’ solutions or ‘quick-fixes’ to deliver desirable results have only culminated into massive failures, compounding our problem immeasurably. Our people have felt cheated and betrayed by the ‘political pied pipers of the Hamelin,’ leaving bad memories about our politicians and their hollow promises.
Will this Second Liberation of Bangladesh, which was led by the students and not politicians, deliver our people a discrimination-free society that is fair and just and values meritocracy? Or will this turn out to be yet another failed experiment in which yesteryears under a brutal tyrant would look better than the present time? I pray and hope not.
It is always more difficult to sustain a revolution than birthing it. Successful revolutions are like on-going, continuous processes that aim ever higher and higher. In that process, there is no room for lack of focus and backtracking. As I have noted elsewhere, a transformational change cannot succeed until the revolutionaries or change agents themselves own it, direct it, and finally, excel in it. They cannot rely upon the vanguards of a failed system to deliver the desirable outcomes. The old way of doing politics must yield and adjust to the new ways of thinking, planning, and execution with lofty short and long-term goals.
Revolutions are pivotal moments in history that can redefine the trajectory of nations and the lives of their citizens. The Second Liberation of August 5, 2024, which led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina's tyrannical regime in Bangladesh, is one such transformative event that will be etched in the collective memory of the nation. One sure way to avoid backtracking is all about the messaging: the what, the why and the who – of the revolution that is imbedded in the minds of the people. They must be told and retold why the youngsters like Abu Sayeed gave their lives, what motivated them, and who they were. Truly, the challenge that follows such a seismic shift is the preservation of its memory and the ideals for which it stood.
We have three memory assets that can help:
- Student movement and its sacrifices: although short-lived, it is fresh and thus of mixed blessings.
- Sheikh Hasina's tyranny, which lasted for years: the survivors of the Ayna Ghar and other detention and torture cells are still alive and can recollect their horrors accurately.
- The third memory is what India is doing to Indian Muslims: the daily lynching of Muslims, esp. in the Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, and the Bangla-speaking Muslims in Assam and Tripura, and the destruction of Muslim properties, including historic monuments and mosques in the BJP-run states.
- I am motivated here by the story of the Jewish Holocaust, once a footnote in history, which has become an essential reading in all western institutions of learning. Little do people today realize that American Jews in 1939 could not get a bill passed in the Congress to get 20,000 Jewish children to America to protect them against the Holocaust. Within 3 months of that failed bill, M.S. St Louis ship brought more than 900 Jews, mostly children and women, to the USA. None of them was allowed to land in the USA. Back in Hitler’s Germany, 30% of them were murdered.
Can we imagine anything like that happening today to a Jew in the USA? No. How did they turn around the American and the western world opinion to even equate anti-Zionism as anti-Semitism? Arguably, it all started with the ‘Holocaust Industry.’
This essay explores the various methods by which the memories of a revolution can be preserved, drawing parallels with the Jewish community's efforts to keep the memory of the Holocaust alive after the Second World War. It is by no means an endorsement of either the racist ideology of Zionism or its settler-colonial state of Israel that is guilty of genocide of the Palestinian people.
Education as a Cornerstone
One of the most powerful tools for preserving the memory of a revolution is education. The Holocaust is extensively taught in schools around the world, ensuring that the atrocities are not forgotten and that the lessons learned continue to resonate with future generations. Similarly, by incorporating the history and values of the Second Liberation into the educational curriculum, we can ensure that the spirit of the movement is passed down. Textbooks, lectures, and discussions about the causes, events, and outcomes of the revolution can help embed its significance in the national consciousness. Educational reforms might also include the development of specialized courses, or the establishment of research centers dedicated to the study of the revolution and its legacy.
Museums and Memorials
Museums and memorials serve as tangible reminders of past events. The Jewish community has established numerous Holocaust museums worldwide, such as Yad Vashem in Israel and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. These institutions not only commemorate the victims but also educate visitors about the historical context and the importance of preventing such tragedies in the future. Bangladesh could establish a national museum dedicated to the Second Liberation, offering a space for reflection and learning, and serving as a repository for artifacts, personal stories, and historical documents related to the revolution. Additionally, legislation can facilitate the creation and maintenance of archives that collect, and safeguard documents, recordings, personal accounts, and other materials related to the revolution.
Media and the Arts
The arts have a unique ability to capture and convey the emotional essence of historical events. The Jewish experience during the Holocaust has been portrayed through films, literature, theater, and television, reaching a broad audience and evoking empathy, and understanding. Documentaries and feature films about the Second Liberation, along with novels, plays, and songs, can similarly immortalize the struggle and sacrifice of the Bangladeshi people. These cultural works can also challenge revisionist narratives and ensure that the truth of the revolution is not distorted. In this regard, government can allocate funds and create grants to support artistic and cultural projects that commemorate the revolution. By fostering a vibrant cultural ecosystem around the memory of the revolution, the government can help these narratives reach a wider audience and resonate more deeply with the public.
Commemorative Dates and Rituals
Annual observances and rituals play a significant role in keeping memories alive. Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, is a day of commemoration for the millions of Jews who perished in the Holocaust. It is marked by ceremonies and moments of silence, keeping the memory of the victims and the horror of the events alive. Bangladesh could establish its own day of remembrance for the Second Liberation, creating a tradition of honoring those who fought for change and reflecting on the ongoing journey towards the ideals they championed. It would provide an opportunity for reflection, education, and national unity. Such a day could include ceremonies, public speeches, and educational programs that highlight the revolution's impact on the country's trajectory.
Oral Histories and Personal Narratives
Personal stories have the power to humanize historical events. The testimonies of Holocaust survivors have been crucial in preserving the personal dimensions of the tragedy. Recording the experiences of participants in the Second Liberation can similarly ensure that the personal sacrifices and stories are not lost. These narratives can be archived in libraries, included in museum exhibits, and shared through various media platforms.
Government Policy and Legislation: Safeguarding the Legacy of the August 5 Revolution
Government policy and legislation can play a crucial role in preserving the memory of significant historical events like the August 5 revolution in Bangladesh. By enacting laws and implementing policies, governments can institutionalize the remembrance and ensure that the principles and sacrifices of the revolution are officially recognized and integrated into the fabric of society. Here below are few more ways in which policy and legislation can contribute to this important task:
Truth and Reconciliation Efforts
In the aftermath of a revolution, especially one involving significant conflict, establishing a truth and reconciliation commission can be a powerful legislative act. Such a commission can investigate the events leading up to and during the revolution, providing a platform for all sides to be heard and for historical truths to be acknowledged. This process can be instrumental in healing national wounds and ensuring that the lessons of the revolution are remembered and learned from.
Digital Initiatives and Social Media
In the digital age, online platforms offer new avenues for preserving history. Digital archives can store vast amounts of information, including photos, videos, and written accounts of the Second Liberation, making them accessible to a global audience. Social media campaigns can also keep the conversation alive, engaging younger generations and maintaining public interest in the revolution's legacy. Policymakers can support the development of digital archives and online platforms that make information about the revolution accessible to all. This could involve funding for digital libraries, the creation of official websites, and the use of social media to engage with citizens. By leveraging technology, the government can help preserve the revolution's memory in a format that is easily disseminated and updated.
Integration into National Identity
Finally, legislation can embed the values and ideals of the revolution into the national identity. This could be reflected in the country's constitution, national anthem and symbols, or official statements of values. By aligning the nation's identity with the principles of the revolution, the government can ensure that the memory of the revolution is not just preserved but actively shapes the country's present and future.
Government policy and legislation can be powerful tools for preserving the memory of the August 5 revolution in Bangladesh. By taking deliberate steps to honor, educate, protect, support, and integrate the revolution's legacy into the nation's ongoing narrative, the government can ensure the preservation of a revolution for which so many people died and suffered.
In conclusion, such tasks of preservation of history, relying upon the above mentioned three memory lanes, need to be shared, and strengthened not only by the government agencies and institutions but also by the public, the NGOs, and the private enterprises. Fiction, non-fiction documentaries, and songs can be exclusively on one such topic or interwoven with each other. For this to succeed, it is important that the student movement leaders, media leaders, and the government leaders work in a cohesive way with the same objectives in focus.
Dr. Habib Siddiqui has authored 11 books, five of which are now available through Amazon.com. His latest book - Devotional Stories is published by A.S. Noordeen, Malaysia. Dr. Siddiqui is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Southern California, Los Angeles, where he earned his Ph.D.
