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- A crucial time
Somehow, we’re back where we were five weeks ago: with the motion to call a ceasefire in Gaza being voted down. Of the 15-member U.N. Security Council, 13 countries supported the ceasefire, the U.K abstained (shame, shame, shame) and the U.S. used their veto power to kill the whole thing. Remember when Australia abstained from voting on a ceasefire at the U.N General Assembly on October 29th? The Palestinian death toll then was around 8000. It is now approaching 18,000.
A permanent ceasefire back then (as the beginning of the road to liberation) would have saved at least 10,000 lives by the time you’ve read this email. That’s not to mention to tens of thousands of people who have been injured, many permanently disabled, and the traumatisation of the entire population.
We’re about to enter a critical phase now. After more than two months of unfathomable bravery, our eyes in Gaza – Motaz Azaiza, Bisan Owda, Plestia Alaqad, Hind Khoudary – have either been forced to leave or are exhausted. Journalists are being targeted by the IDF, with at least 56 Palestinian journalists killed since October 7. Dr Refaat Alareer – beloved professor, poet and mentor to this new generation of English-language Palestinian journalists in Gaza – was killed by an airstrike, after allegedly being warned by the IDF that they knew where he was.
It’s entirely possible that information coming direct from Gaza (that we’ve been relying on in absence of trustworthy Western media) will be slowing down. At the same time, it’s December – end of year parties, beach days, long lunches, family time, summer holidays. ‘Tis the season of happy distraction for many of us. Naturally, news consumption and interest in Australia drops a lot at this time of year. Politicians will be looking forward to a break in public pressure, hoping our attention will slip enough for them to ‘get away’ with having done nothing.
So, how do we navigate this crucial time? If you’re fortunate enough to have leave or a reduced workload over December and January (like me!), view it as a period of more time to engage, not less. With fewer commitments, we can absolutely afford to dedicate some of our time to practical activism – writing more letters to MPs, joining rallies (which look set to continue in Melbourne and Sydney at least) – even better, joining action groups.
As much as a I know I need and deserve a rest at the end of a long, rough year, I’ll have more time to be politically and globally engaged. I fully intend to use that time well, and I hope you will consider how you can too.
Good stuff on Zee Feed rn:
Simran interviewed duo Mon & Han (Monique Terry and Hannah-Rae Meegan), creators of The Formal and Touch – two web series that have been watched by millions of young people online. Their approach to making very queer, very Aussie, very Gen Z entertainment is so refreshing and I am 100% certain they’ll have a show with Netflix before 2025. CLICK HERE TO READ.
Smart stuff on the Internet 💭
All the stuff I found on the web that made me think, smile, or have an ‘aha!’ moment. Spend your Sunday reading them – you'll be better off for it:
In memory of Dr. Refaat Alareer on Electronic Intifada
“Even under Israel’s savage and relentless bombardment, Refaat never stopped nurturing and mentoring his students and former students, whether it was to write poetry, or reportage for The Electronic Intifada. Although he was not fearless, Refaat was brave. He continued to speak out even knowing that Israel was systematically targeting journalists, doctors and other intellectuals for extermination.”
Murphy’s law: will Peta’s colleagues gamble on her brave legacy? on Sydney Morning Herald
David Crowe’s tribute to Labor MP Peta Murphy, who died on Monday at age 50 and was the driving force behind the proposal to ban gambling advertising. "Australians probably think of their politicians as people who talk too much and never listen... But sometimes the best contribution a politician can make is to give others a voice. And that is what Peta Murphy did in a career in parliament that was cut too short."
Plagiarism and You(Tube) by Hbomberguy
Warning: this is a four hour long YouTube video lol. It’s an extensive analysis of the content plagiarism that’s making the Internet so, so shit but is richly rewarded with advertising dollars. “As a creator my question is, why make three bad videos a week when you could make one half decent video every two weeks, or one pretty good video every year?”
Mothers, of course, have abortions. And it’s time to accept they are the experts in their own lives on Guardian Australia
“There are mothers and then there are women who have abortions. It might be the most powerful and pervasive myth anti-abortion lobbyists, politicians and their disciples have ever authored. When every termination becomes a decision to reject motherhood, moralising becomes simple. [But] Mothers of course have abortions.”