Integrity amongst the nations

Now, although some might think I'm totally against Israel I have to say that I am not at all pro-Palestinian (as some have suggested).

BUT

As much as I think it is right to take up arms against a bunch of people whose stated intent is to eradicate Israel. I also think it is right to get down and dirty with people who are firing rockets into Israel with the intention of making life uncomfortable and bringing them harm with said rockets.

AND

My beef with Israel is that they need to comply with international law in the way that they engage and the people that they seek to wound - for at the moment they are (from what I see and hear and read) sitting on the wrong side of the line that separates right from wrong).

I see the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) have been discussing the situation and have voted on a resolution to establishing  an independent Commission of Inquiry into violations that may have been committed during Israel's latest military offensive in Gaza.

How did your country do?

Sad to see that amongst abstentions we find the United Kingdom but at least they didn't join with the United States who had the solitary 'No' vote :-(

It was good to see the emphasis, by UNHRC's Navi Pillar has said that Israel might have committed war crimes during its current military campaign in Gaza. Speaking of accountability she said,  'The first step toward ensuring the cycle of human rights violations and impunity is brought to an end. . .  A lasting peace can only begin with respect for human rights and human dignity on both sides, and ultimately, in the full realisation of the right to self-determination.'

Pillar went on to condemned Hamas' practice of using indiscriminate rocket fire on Israeli civilians and spoke of them, 'Locating military assets in densely populated areas or launching attacks from such areas.' Words that are right and most welcome and yet destined to be as much ignored by Hamas as the other words will be by Israel I would imagine.

Pillar rightly pointed out what any right thinking person already knows:

'International law clearly states that the actions of one party does not absolve the other party of the need to respect its obligations under international law!'

So here we are with rockets on one side and a lack of restraint on the either.

Neither hold the morally high ground of integrity and in terms of proportionality Israel is a good few goals down as I see it.

This needs to stop and there needs to be a truce and some real move towards curbing expansion, stilling the rockets and getting something real and meaningful in place with regards to bringing about a peaceful settlement to all this.

But of course that was probably needed in 1948 I guess :-(

Please pray for peace in this troubled place.