New Year's Resolutions: Gaza, the UN, Obama, and Blogging (?). . .

This week, despite all intentions of blogging regularly again, I've found myself pretty incapable of mustering up any resolve to write about feminist theory or gender/ sexuality issues cropping up in the U.S. I've been glued to the news of what's happening in Gaza coupled with its macabre relationship to U.S. current affairs, wishing that Democracy Now! was broadcast on-the-hour rather than each morning. Oh to have Amy Goodman's calm and reassuring voice offering up headlines as quickly as they can be reported, replete with insightful contributors on the matters. . . Sigh. . . But since this is more than a little impossible, I've just resorted to refreshing my internet browser in search of constant and more new information. And after reaching the conclusion that it's ok to be distracted by the crap situation in Gaza, I've also decided that it's ok to write about it too. Injustice is injustice is injustice. I've always had a particular soft spot for the Palestinian conflict and know that I could (and perhaps should) wax more critical as to why I find myself so affected by that moreso than all the other various crimes against humanity occurring daily. However, I also know that U.S. involvement plays a hefty role in my fixation. It's not just any old crime against humanity, it's one my country has practically championed.

Last time I wrote, I discussed my misgivings about the national climate post-election. And already, I find my concerns mounting as Obama gives his cabinet announcements in a week of international outrage directed at the U.S.-backed Israeli offensives against Gaza. On a positive note, The Guardian today reported that "the incoming Obama administration is prepared to abandon George Bush's ­doctrine of isolating Hamas by establishing a channel to the Islamist organisation, sources close to the transition team say. The move to open contacts with Hamas, which could be initiated through the US intelligence services, would represent a definitive break with the Bush ­presidency's ostracising of the group." Though The Guardian also noted it unlikely that Obama will acknowledge Hamas as having political legitimacy, initiating what is described as "low-level diplomacy" bears the implications that the organization is being acknowledged as legitimate enough to engage in talks and that its concerns are not wholly invisible or unwarranted.

However, even with this step that appears a break in our otherwise unwavering support of Israel, it makes me wonder. This report comes on the heels of another -- Obama's announcement of his intelligence team, which includes Retired Admiral Dennis Blair as Director of National Intelligence. Blair, serving as the commander of the U.S. naval presence in the Asia/ Pacific region during the Clinton administration, has been notoriously linked to General Wiranto of Indonesia, who militarily and financially backed the church and village massacres throughout East Timor in the Timorese Crisis of 1999. Blair has been reported to indicate his support of Wiranto and to falsely indicate U.S. backing (including promises of financial aid) despite orders to denounce Wiranto's actions, even inviting Wiranto to Hawaii as his personal guest during this time¹. This incident has been largely neglected in the media. Surprise, surprise. But it just seems ominous, at this time of change and international crises, that we are offered up this man whose past indicates not a departure from past U.S. approaches to foreign policy and international relations but a reaffirmation of them.

But back to Gaza and the figures that have kept me perpetually horrified. According to the United Nations' website today, the Palestinian death toll has reached 798, with 3,200 Palestinians estimated injured and the total of Palestinian refugees estimated to be 750,000 as a result of this most recent conflict. The Israelis can even take credit for four of the 11 Israeli deaths (soldiers killed during "friendly fire") reported during the conflict. In their meeting yesterday, the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire, yet the Israeli offensive continues while the casualties mount. It all seems more than a little dismal to me. . .

¹ A really great interview with journalist Allen Nairn, who broke the Blair-Wiranto story can be read at http://www.democracynow.org/2009/1/9/did_obama_aide_admiral_dennis_blair

-- Andrea