It’s easier to think there are no words for what we’ve seen since the war in Gaza passed the one-year mark. That it’s impossible to express how it feels to see hungry, desperate mothers and young children blasted into oblivion as they wait for food and water.
Or to see the vehicle of four engineers, who had received Israeli authorisation for their work, bombed as they drove to Khan Younis to make repairs. Or the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese displaced, on top of the one million plus already forced out of their homes in Gaza. Or the Gazan teenager and activist burnt to death live on video last week.
“There are no words, simply no words, to describe what we saw,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US ambassador to the UN, said in response to that incident.
But that’s a cop-out. There are words, and we must endeavour to find and use them, to move people to see and feel and act. For me, that starts with my perspective as an American. Several years ago, I spent time in Israel and enjoyed the place, from Jaffa to Jerusalem. I have several close Jewish friends, and I firmly support Israel’s right to defend itself.
How could my country not only do nothing while thousands of civilians are killed, but supply most of the weapons doing the killing?
At the same time, I was driven into journalism by 9/11 — seeking to learn more about frustrations in the Muslim world, particularly in relation to my homeland, the US — and have lived for years in mainly Muslim regions, Kashmir to Istanbul, Doha to Beirut and beyond. My sympathies with and links to the Muslim world are considerable.
As a result, I’ve long sought to maintain a balance, personally and professionally. I’ve written for major news outlets, for instance, about the inspiring re-emergence of a Jewish community (in Ukraine) and about a secretive and potentially problematic Islamic college in the US.
A year ago, as this conflict began, I found myself taking a position that some would describe as neutral, and others might call wishy-washy. For me, it was the only reasonable path.
I supported Israel’s right to use force to defend itself but disagreed with its overwhelming methodology. I denounced its foe, Hamas, and its horrifying October 7 assault, while supporting greater Palestinian rights and freedoms and an end to civilian death and displacement in Gaza and the West Bank.
Gritting my teeth amid the drumbeat of tragedies, I embraced patience through the war’s initial months, believing that Israel should be able to use force to eradicate a potentially existential threat. Might Israel be engaging in genocidal acts? And where are all these displaced Gazans supposed to go? Those questions lurked in the background, but I just hoped for a swift end to the violence.
But in recent weeks, I’ve felt my stance shift. Israel’s assault has not only continued even after its killing of Hamas’s leader Yahya Sinwar, but “escalated out of control”, according to Amos Hochstein, US President Joe Biden’s adviser on the conflict.
Even as many express hope the conflict will soon begin to wind down, Israeli attacks have intensified in Lebanon and expanded into Iran. Its approach in Gaza seems to point towards a starvation objective, even as it plans to clear most residents from northern Gaza after the war and resettle parts of the Strip.
Yet my shift is not about Israel. For one thing, it is a mistake to view the actions of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government as fulfilling the wishes of all Israelis, tens of thousands of whom have been regularly taking to the streets in protest.
But even setting that aside, this is a people who have stared down annihilation – having survived, within living memory, the near-total erasure of their people. I cannot pretend to know how that might shape my view of the world, my foes and neighbours. But I can see how that might prod Israel to do all it can to eradicate an enemy that has vowed to destroy it.
Such full-throttle, emotionally driven policies, however, must be tempered and shaped by informed, even stern guidance from a close and powerful ally. Yet this is nearly the opposite of what the US, Israel’s primary military and economic benefactor, has done. Apart from a few mealy-mouthed statements and meaningless red lines, Washington has essentially stood idly by as Israel has embraced slaughter as a military strategy.
How could my country, and particularly this administration, which purports to defend freedom and human rights around the world, not only do nothing while thousands of civilians are killed, but supply most of the weapons doing the killing?
As an American who has for decades sought to connect with Muslims, it’s not just heartbreaking – it’s thoroughly unacceptable, perhaps even unforgivable. Many of my Muslim friends, some of whom are prominent political analysts, have concluded that the US views Muslims and Arabs as inferior, as undeserving of the full extent of human laws, rights and security.
The West, some of them have decided, is racist. And I can’t blame them. Yet we’ve not only failed Palestinians and the Lebanese; we’ve also betrayed our ally, Israel. After more than a year of these horrors, it could not be clearer that the global response to Israel’s aggressions of the past year is no flash in the pan.
The atrocities of the past weeks and months will not soon be forgotten. Whether or not this is another Nakba is not for me to say. But it has left an indelible mark on Palestinians and their supporters – one that will shape politics and policy approaches for years, even decades.
It’s hard to imagine any path forward that puts the Levant in a better place a few years from now. What seems much more likely is a less stable, more violent and tense region for a long time to come, with the ripples reaching much further.
It’s all well and good, in this increasingly multipolar era, for the US to seek to reduce its global presence and stop playing global policeman. But with Ukraine and much of the Middle East in flames, now cannot be the time to step back entirely – what’s the point of amassing such great might only to watch the world burn? Sooner or later, it will reach American shores.
Vast carnage and mayhem. An endless cycle of tit-for-tat violence. Years of death, destruction and displacement. These are some of the words we might use today to warn against the losing of our humanity and keep the region from tumbling into the abyss.
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
Marathon results
Men:
1. Titus Ekiru(KEN) 2:06:13
2. Alphonce Simbu(TAN) 2:07:50
3. Reuben Kipyego(KEN) 2:08:25
4. Abel Kirui(KEN) 2:08:46
5. Felix Kemutai(KEN) 2:10:48
Women:
1. Judith Korir(KEN) 2:22:30
2. Eunice Chumba(BHR) 2:26:01
3. Immaculate Chemutai(UGA) 2:28:30
4. Abebech Bekele(ETH) 2:29:43
5. Aleksandra Morozova(RUS) 2:33:01
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.
• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.
• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
info-box
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Happy Tenant
Started: January 2019
Co-founders: Joe Moufarrej and Umar Rana
Based: Dubai
Sector: Technology, real-estate
Initial investment: Dh2.5 million
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 4,000
If you go…
Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.
Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Who has been sanctioned?
Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.
Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.
Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.
Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.
Essentials
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct from the UAE to Geneva from Dh2,845 return, including taxes. The flight takes 6 hours.
The package
Clinique La Prairie offers a variety of programmes. A six-night Master Detox costs from 14,900 Swiss francs (Dh57,655), including all food, accommodation and a set schedule of medical consultations and spa treatments.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
MATCH INFO
Schalke 0
Werder Bremen 1 (Bittencourt 32')
Man of the match Leonardo Bittencourt (Werder Bremen)
SPECS
Engine: Two-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
Key fixtures from January 5-7
Watford v Bristol City
Liverpool v Everton
Brighton v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth v AFC Fylde or Wigan
Coventry v Stoke City
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal
Manchester United v Derby
Forest Green or Exeter v West Brom
Tottenham v AFC Wimbledon
Fleetwood or Hereford v Leicester City
Manchester City v Burnley
Shrewsbury v West Ham United
Wolves v Swansea City
Newcastle United v Luton Town
Fulham v Southampton
Norwich City v Chelsea
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km
Price: from Dh362,500
On sale: now
More from Neighbourhood Watch
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
More on animal trafficking
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
UAE SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Khalid Essa, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Salem Rashid, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Mohammed Al Attas, Walid Abbas, Hassan Al Mahrami, Mahmoud Khamis, Alhassan Saleh, Ali Salmeen, Yahia Nader, Abdullah Ramadan, Majed Hassan, Abdullah Al Naqbi, Fabio De Lima, Khalil Al Hammadi, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Muhammed Jumah, Yahya Al Ghassani, Caio Canedo, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
THE SPECS
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 258hp at 5,000-6,500rpm
Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,400rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.4L/100km
Price, base: from D215,000 (Dh230,000 as tested)
On sale: now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
Developer: Treyarch, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Console: PlayStation 4 & 5, Windows, Xbox One & Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
The years Ramadan fell in May
EXPATS
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Where can I submit a sample?
Volunteers can now submit DNA samples at a number of centres across Abu Dhabi. The programme is open to all ages.
Collection centres in Abu Dhabi include:
- Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC)
- Biogenix Labs in Masdar City
- Al Towayya in Al Ain
- NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City
- Bareen International Hospital
- NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain
- NMC Royal Medical Centre - Abu Dhabi
- NMC Royal Women’s Hospital.
