In response,
Firstly, see http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/Health/mda.html regarding
neutrality of the Red Cross and lack of politicization.
Regarding Christopher Simpson's comments, I agree with most of his note.
However, the email from Dr. Wisner was not simply "a brief note concerning a
website that has information". The website referenced states in its title
"Humanitarian Aid Needed in Jenin like in "quake zone". This is a call for
humanitarian aid. It does not describe "the situation in the Jenin refugee
camp as like the landscape of an
'earthquake'" as stated in Dr. Wisner's email, which was a "call for taking
a stand".
The RADIX website referenced, and run by, Dr. Wisner,
http://www.apu.ac.uk/geography/radix/israel-palestine.htm lists several
articles whose titles reference the recent Israeli actions. There are, in
contrast, NO articles referencing the suicide bombings or terrorist attacks
in Israel. These latter have led to instability and an economic and
political crisis in that country leading up to the current assault. While
the articles amply represent Palestinian interests, there are no counter
balancing Israeli views provided.
The news announcement which was copied and distributed to the group is
extremely brief. Items lack substantiation and are based upon hearsay by one
party. An example is the reference to "massacres" of "hundreds", which have
not yet been found.
Again, the email from Dr. Wisner was not simply "a brief note concerning a
website that has information".
As a political discussion, the situation in Jenin arises from the inability
of the PLO and Israel to reach a peace agreement, the intifada, the suicide
bombings in Israel (which are the most immediate cause of the current
military incursion), the hostility of the surrounding Arab nations, the
burgeoning populations, financing of terrorist organizations by outside
agencies, etc., etc. These in turn arise historically from the aftermath of
W.W.II, the partitioning of Palestine from Britain, which arises from
colonization practices of the western nations, which arises from... Clearly,
there will also be many causes ascribed to religious doctrines, Israel, the
United States, Britain, Iran and so on. We can all put forward our views and
opinions. However, any statement ascribing the current situation to one
side, to the exclusion of all else, is partisanship and not worthy of this
discussion group.
I agree that "natural" disasters are often, in reality, human-made or at
least enhanced by humanity's activities. However, the call to "take a stand"
by Dr. Wisner on one issue, being, I assume, alleged treatment of Jenin by
Israel, while ignoring all other issues which have contributed to the
political situation it represents, is one-sided and partisan. It is not a
discussion as would be preferred by myself and as suggested by Christopher
Simpson.
Regarding humanitarian standards and compliance, I am neither a statesman
nor a diplomat. I am not cognizant of what is occurring outside of the
reports issued by the press and Israeli/PLO/other propaganda. I would not,
therefore, be willing to comment authoritatively on what is/is not
occurring. Recall, for example, just recently, the alleged poor treatment of
Afghan prisoners by the USA, loudly touted by the press and Europe. This
seems to have vanished in light of further information. The issue of
feasibility would also need to be raised. Having personally witnessed events
later reported by the national and international press, I can attest to the
lack of accuracy and biases in the news.
If we are going to talk about international law, let's also start with
recognition of Israel by the Arab countries, terrorist attacks, suicide
bombings, British colonization practices, etc. There are, in fact, too many
etc.'s to do this meaningfully and still discuss natural hazard mitigation.
Per Christopher Simpson's reply, a short list of other topics could also
include discussing the continued tribal conflicts within Afghanistan and the
result this is having on food production, drought management and earthquake
relief efforts. Or the North Korean government and the food shortages and
flooding. Or the Pakistan/India disputes which displace large numbers of
people, and prevent crop and flood management. Or the wars, dictatorships
and ethnic conflicts in the African nations and what these have done towards
environmental disasters, famine, drought and epidemics. Or the situation
from illegal logging activities and the rain forests. Or the plight of the
Kurds. Or the division of Cyprus. Or the effect of multi-national
conglomerates on poorer nations abilities to improve standards of living for
their citizens.
Again, let's leave politics out of this forum. It can be discussed at length
elsewhere.
James Cohen, PE
James Cohen Consulting, PC
Pennington, NJ
http://expertpages.com/jccpc
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