Credit: Middle East Eye
Dear Editor,
Could you please publish the letter below. I really need Wembley Matters readers who support to it to add their name to the letter and it's so simple, just email me (zerinetata@hotmail.com) and I will send them the prepared letter and all they have to do is sign it.
Dear Leader and Councillors,
BRENT AND HARROW PSC PETITION TO DIVEST FOR PALESTINE.
It is with such a heavy heart that I am writing to you about the dire situation in Gaza. Just as you think things could not possibly get any worse, they do.
The images are so horrific, especially those of the videos made by the Israeli soldiers themselves. These they have brazenly put on social media, showing their acts of violence against Palestinian men, women and children. They are joking and laughing and do not even bother to hide their faces or their names. Such is the freedom they are given by the State of Israel, which also allows them to continue the carnage with impunity.
Tragically, it is a Labour government which is arming Israel and is therefore complicit in their war crimes, including genocide, i.e. certain acts committed with the intent to destroy in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group.
Netanyahu has made no secret of his determination to completely destroy Palestine and its people, as he has stated that it is the only way Israel can defend itself. He totally rejects the 2-state solution.
Our government is powerless to act against Israeli policy. They are heavily indebted to Israel, having put themselves in a position of accepting almost unlimited funding for many decades. Therefore, we the residents must do something and the only avenue open to us is to petition the powers that be at Brent Council to vote to divest for Palestine.
We understand that the UK Lawyers for Israel have already written to Brent Council. We trust this will not deter you from choosing to do the right thing.
The lives of the Palestinians are very much in your hands because you will join other local authorities and set an example, which we hope all others will follow. This surely will help bring an end to the invasion.
On behalf of especially the children of Gaza, we implore you to support Council action on this petition.
(I would not normally appeal to you to listen to the post below regarding Israel, as there are literally millions going around on social media. But this one is by a Burmese scholar, a world renowned expert on genocide. It has no emotive images. He is relating his observations in simple terms and is impartial with no axe to grind. Please, I would urge you to listen to it.)
https://x.com/ousmannoor/status/1832506169715212540?t=Rd4RWTUNogb-7h01GNzFqg&s=08
Yours sincerely,
Zerine Tata
Chair, Hillcroft Crescent Residents Association
You can see and sign the Brent and Harrow Petition HERE
Dear Zerine,
ReplyDeletePlease remember that Israel was created through a UN-backed two-state solution in 1947, which Israel accepted, but neighbouring Arab states rejected and launched attacks. Since then, Israel has faced constant threats to its existence and has had to prioritise the safety of its citizens.
Israel’s defence measures stem from a need to protect against ongoing rocket attacks and terrorism. Despite numerous peace efforts, groups like Hamas still openly call for Israel’s destruction, a real genocide, making genuine security a top concern.
It is often also forgotten partition of British Palestine also led to the creation of Jordan, which took up around 77% of the land, while Israel was established on the remaining portion. Despite this, ongoing conflict has persisted, with Israel continuing to face significant threats. How we can reason with islamists is unclear, especially given the situation in lebanon.
Best,
D.Wolfisz