Vetted By 👈

Edit: IM SO FUCKING TIRED OF IGNORANCE

it's very disheartening to see that Palestine or Gaza is no longer the highest trending tag on Tumblr so early on in Global Strike week, especially considering how many people have said they still need to work and buy food (100% valid, by the way). don't lose momentum. keep talking about what's happening. keep reblogging and sharing useful resources and information. we need the Palestinian people to know that we see what's happening to them, we care about what's happening to them and we stand with them. Percy Jackson and Tumblr Live are no where near as important as the genocide of Palestinian people.

TAG24

Palestinians take Biden to federal court in groundbreaking genocide hearing

Palestinians and their attorneys have presented a case before a federal court in Oakland accusing President Joe Biden of complicity in genoc

"Palestinian plaintiffs and their legal representatives on Friday [January 26, 2024] presented a powerful case in federal court accusing President Joe Biden and other top US officials of complicity in Israel's genocide in Gaza.

People around the world tuned in for the long-awaited hearing in Oakland, with plaintiffs appearing in person and over Zoom in an unprecedented effort to hold the Biden administration accountable for its actions in Gaza.

The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed the lawsuit in November 2023 on behalf of Defense for Children International–Palestine, Al-Haq, and eight Palestinians in the US and Palestine. The complaint accuses President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin of failing to live up to their legal responsibilities under the 1948 Genocide Convention and the 1988 Genocide Convention Implementation Act.

The United Nations convention classifies complicity in genocide, or the intentional destruction of a people in whole or in part, as a crime under international law and requires that states take measures to prevent such atrocities.

[Note: This is a big reason why politicians almost never call it a genocide, btw. Because if a country recognizes that it's a genocide, then they actually are legally required to do a bunch of things to stop it, under international law.]

The historic lawsuit contends that the Biden administration has failed to uphold its obligations by continuing to provide diplomatic and military support for Israel's brutal campaign in Gaza. Plaintiffs are asking the court to stop Biden from sending more weapons and munitions to Israel that are being used to kill Palestinians en masse.

The hearing before the US District Court for the Northern District of California took place just hours after the International Court of Justice issued provisional measures against Israel in a landmark case brought by South Africa.

-via TAG24, January 26, 2024. Article continues below.

Court contends with questions of jurisdiction and responsibility

In evaluating the allegations, questioning in Friday's hearing revolved around the so-called political question doctrine, by which federal courts regularly refrain from ruling on political matters seen as best resolved by the president and Congress.

The Department of Justice argued that according to the doctrine, the court has no jurisdiction to rule in the case.

"If the court condemns United States foreign policy toward Israel, it could cause international embarrassment and undermine foreign policy decisions in the sensitive context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," defense counsel Jean Lin told Senior District Judge Jeffrey S. White.

Katherine Gallagher of the CCR countered that the court does, indeed, have a responsibility to step in: "Here, the question is a legal one, whether the actions undertaken by the United States failed to uphold the obligation to prevent genocide, and that is an active obligation that requires that the United States not provide the means by which a genocide is being furthered."

"There is no discretion for any state to evade its obligations, its legal obligations. These are not policy decisions," she said.

Palestinian plaintiffs share powerful testimonies before the court

After legal arguments in the case, Judge White heard two hours of gut-wrenching testimony from Palestinian plaintiffs and a renowned Holocaust and genocide expert.

Rubin Presidential Chair of Jewish History at Wake Forest University Dr. Barry Trachtenberg shared his remarks before the court in spite of vehement US government opposition.

"To have an event fall under the 1948 Convention on Genocide requires both action and intent, and here we see that very, very clearly in a way that seems really quite unique in history," he stated, noting that there is now an opportunity to stop Israel's unfolding genocide in real time to prevent further loss of lives...

Judge White said he would take the testimonies to heart as he evaluates his constitutional responsibilities, describing the case as "the most difficult judicial decision" he has ever had to make."

-via TAG24, January 26, 2024

-

Note: I know a lot of people are really not gonna appreciate that last line. I'm not thrilled with it either. But it is worth noting that having a federal court overrule the US president's huge foreign policy and military decisions would be an absolutely massive deal/precedent

This is a case that deserves to be ruled on with an incredible amount of seriousness, if only because if you're a federal judge who's going to make that call, your written decision/legal justification needs to be unimpeachable

That said, if the judge uses jurisdiction to pass the buck here and avoid his legal and human responsibility to do what he can to stop a genocide, I'm gonna be pissed

In light of the ceasefire agreement, Gaza needs resources now more than ever, and you absolutely should continue donating. Here are some important campaigns:

1. Gaza Funds - provide direct support

gazafunds.com

Gaza Funds Spotlight Campaign

Find vetted fundraisers for Gaza here

2. Life for Gaza - rebuild vital infrastructure

gaza-city.ensany.com

Life For Gaza 2

Life For GazaDrinking Water, Waste Collection, Debris Removal, and Sanitation Services for the Residents of Gaza City - Gaza Municipality

3. Crips for eSims for Gaza - keep Gaza connected

Chuffed

Crips for eSims for Gaza

Crips for eSims for Gaza is a collaboration between Jane Shi, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, and Alice Wong. 

4. The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund - provide medical support for children

The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children’s Fund

The Ghassan Abu Sittah Children's Fund

This Fund is dedicated to the children of Gaza: providing medical attention to the children who need it the most, helping to rebuild & relie

Hello everyone! I'm 21 years old and I was studying mobile computing before this madness started. Struggling to secure clean water and food and feeling safe is not bearable anymore. Over the past 4 months we have lost a lot and I can't bear it anymore. Our education has been stopped for the past months and my university was even bombed (like almost all universities in Gaza). That's why im appealing to you. I need your help to get out of Gaza with my parents and 4 siblings Shams, Sondos, Saleh and Hussam. I just wish to have a normal life, once we are in Egypt we will start again, but the biggest issue is in securing the money needed to get out of Gaza. It costs for us 30000 dollars. Asking for help is not easy, but we are left with no choice. Your support could mean the difference between life and death for my family. We are deeply grateful for any assistance you can provide. Thank you for your kindness and generosity in our time of need

I deeply wish I could offer money to support, but unfortunately, I am poor myself and don't have an income.

I wish you all the best, and I hope someone can and will donate to you and your family

The utter fucking irony of THIS GUY, the bloke who flipped his lid because the UN chief criticised Israel's actions in Gaza; the guy who said "the time has come to teach [the UN] a lesson," and who announced that Israel would be refusing all visas to all UN members as direct punishment for the UN saying that *checks notes* indiscriminate slaughter of civilians is bad ----- THIS GUY is out here saying "you will remember what staying silent in the face of evil means." Good fuck, how has the irony not stabbed him in the eye.

As of time of writing, Israel has slaughtered more than 8,000 civilians. They've killed more than three thousand children. According to UNRWA, 70% of those whove been killed are women and children. Israel has also been raiding the West Bank -- where Hamas doesn't even operate -- and have killed over a hundred civilians there, too.

But thanks for the reminder, Erdan, you fucking piece of shit, that we shouldn't stay silent in the face e of evil. The evil which is, in this case, you and your fellow Zionists.

🌟 A Cry for Help: My Family’s Struggle to Survive in Gaza 🌟

Hello, my name is Areej Kassab. I’m a 27-year-old English teacher and writer from Gaza, and I’m reaching out to you with a heavy heart and a desperate plea for support. My family and I are enduring unimaginable hardships as relentless bombings devastate our home and our dreams.

We are a family of 15—10 adults and 5 children. Every day is a battle for survival. Food is scarce, humanitarian aid is not reaching us, and my little nieces and nephews go to bed hungry. Among them is my sister, who is deaf, and another sister who has a newborn baby. They, too, are suffering in this crisis, and I’m doing everything I can to protect and provide for them.

💔 A Life in Ruins The war has robbed us of everything: safety, peace, and even the hope of a future here. My family’s needs are basic yet critical—food, clean water, diapers for the babies, gas for cooking, and other essentials to make it through each day.

With rising prices and limited access to necessities, we are struggling to provide even the most basic items. My sister’s home has been destroyed, and we are working together to ensure everyone has shelter, food, and warmth.

✨ My Plea for Your Support ✨ I’m a writer, and I’ve been documenting the harsh realities faced by my community under siege. But words can only do so much. We need action, and we need help. Your kindness can save us.

🙏 How You Can Help

Donate: Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to securing the essentials we desperately need.

Share Our Story: If you can’t donate, please share this post to help us reach others who can.

Your support will help provide food for the children, clean water for my family, and basic supplies to help us survive this unimaginable crisis.

gofundme.com

Donate to Emergency Evacuation for Areej's Family in Gaza, organized by Melissa Saul

My name is Melissa and I am supporting Areej to help her family surviv… Melissa Saul needs your support for Emergency Evacuation for Aree

Thank you for reading, for caring, and for standing in solidarity with us. Together, we can create a lifeline for my family—a chance to live, to dream, and to hope again.

With love and gratitude, Areej Kassab ❤️

Al Jazeera

Netanyahu rejects ceasefire calls; Israel hits Turkish Hospital in Gaza

Fierce fighting on the ground in Gaza as Israeli forces push deeper inside the besieged enclave amid heavy bombing.

Gaza’s Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital ‘severely damaged’ in Israeli strike

Oct 30th, 17:05 GMT

The Ministry of Health in Gaza has said that the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital has suffered severe damage in a fresh Israeli air attack.

The bombing hit the third floor of the hospital, with photos showing the impact of the strike.

(Link to tweet showing photos)

Israeli attack on cancer hospital is ‘first direct hit on medical facility’: Director

Oct 30th, 18:21 GMT

Ayman Nobani, reporting from Nablus, Occupied West Bank

The attack on a Turkish-funded cancer treatment hospital in Tal al-Hawwa, a district in Gaza City’s southwest, is the “first direct hit on a medical facility,” its director has said.

“The third floor, which is for administering anesthesia, was directly hit by Israeli shelling, which destroyed walls, windows, oxygen tank lines, water pipes and electricity lines, said Sobhi Skeik, director of the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital.

There were no patients or medical team on that floor during that time.

“The hit took place at 5:30pm local time but since yesterday, the environs of the hospital have been getting repeatedly struck by Israeli shelling,” he said.

In Gaza, there are 10,000 cancer patients. The hospital only has 156 beds, in addition to 100 beds for daily use, Skeik explained.

“We are worried that the hospital will be struck again and that our patients will get killed in their beds, and we are worried about the well-being of our staff, but we will continue to do our work. This is our duty.”

WHO unable to resupply Shifa and al-Quds hospitals, says official

Oct 30th, 19:25 GMT

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it has not been able to resupply two hospitals in northern Gaza, Shifa and al-Quds, because the UN deemed the level of risk unacceptable.

“It’s a disaster on top of a disaster. Health needs are soaring and our ability to meet those needs is rapidly declining,” said Rick Brennan, WHO’s regional emergencies director, adding a ceasefire was needed to enable a larger humanitarian operation.

A third of Gaza’s hospitals and 71 percent of clinics are nonfunctioning, he said.

WHO is continuing to resupply hospitals and clinics in southern Gaza, but relief delivered so far overall in the Strip is a “drop in the ocean”, Brennan added.

‘Nowhere safe’ for Palestinian patients to go amid Israel’s hospital evacuation push: UN official

Oct 30th, 20:10 GMT

Lisa Doughten of the Office for the UN Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says “life hangs by a thread” for premature Palestinian newborns and patients relying on dialysis in hospitals in the Gaza Strip that are facing a lack of fuel.

“Some 9,000 cancer patients are not receiving adequate care,” she told the UN Security Council, expressing concern over the Israeli military’s warnings to evacuate healthcare facilities in the besieged enclave.

“There is nowhere safe for these patients to go, and for those on life support and babies on incubators, moving will certainly be a death sentence.”

“transition poses some ethical questions. Such as, from what age should you be allowed to irreversibly change your body.“

This of course completely ignores the fact that puberty makes irreversible changes to your body. But let us just rephrase the question: “from what age do you gain bodily autonomy?” Now it gets very easy to answer: From the moment you’re fucking born.