The BBC, Sky, and Gaza

The BBC, and Sky, are refusing to broadcast the Disaster Emergency Committee's (that is 13 neutral aid agencies that work internationally in disaster zones and co-ordinate Aid efforts) request to the British public to donate for Gaza. This effectively denies the DEC millions of pounds in much needed funds.

With hospitals bombed, water in short supply, and no electricity, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. One does not need to take sides in this conflict to acknowledge that Aid is urgently required and would abate suffering. The BBC and Sky's decision not to broadcast is effectively the end of any pretense of objectivity in the Israel/Palestine situation. They would prefer not to allow any unstated implication of Israeli culpability for the crisis rather than save the lives of those swept up in a savage conflict, and at the heel of repression. Perversely the BBC, and Sky, have cited objectivity as their reason not to broadcast, which requires Orwellian logic to comprehend. The ministry of Truth is alive and well. No doubt the clocks of the BBC trustees, and those in Murdoch Towers, are striking 13.

Actually, it is the kind of decision one expects from Sky that chimes with Murodch's neo-liberal heartbeat. But I am taken more disappointed by the BBC, who since their undeserved castigation over the Kelly affair have become increasingly like a poor man's CNN.

I stress to add that these are my views and not necessarily those of Plaid!

However-it would be a liberal fallacy for the 'should they broadcast the appeal' to dominate the agenda here. The question should also be of continued British trade with a military regime content to use illegal Weapons in unilateral action against their neighbour. One does not need to approve of Hamas to disapprove of the Israeli government's actions. The BBC, and Sky, should be criticised for their actions, and lopsided coverage- but ultimately it is not these corporations that are to blame- but more the deep-seated liberal hegemony that places little value on the lives and struggle of Palestinians. It is this imbalance that feeds terrorism. Even Bush and Blair, the head antagonists, acknowledged that a peaceful solution in the Middle East was required. By persisting in support of this Israeli government, and governments with a similar uber-zionist agenda with no respect for international law, we are in one way complicit in the murder of innocent Palestinians and Israeli's alike.

Ultimately the relationship between East and West is in the fabric of both our economy and our society- I personally interpret the BBC, and Sky's, actions to be only baffling and misjudged at best and at worst Islamophobic and deeply prejudiced.

Cometh the hour cometh the man

After a strange 3 month odd hiatus in which we all held our breath and hoped Bush did not do anything else horrendous, a last satanic hurrah, it seems Obama is finally upon us. And praise be.

Ever since that night of hope back in November expectations have been high. In fact expectations have been so high that the media's sole role since seems to have been to collectively manage our expectations, at least in the UK. Right wing commentator after right wing commentator has lined up to tell us 'don't expect any major changes, don't expect things to be very different.' If Obama ran on the ticket of change, then the pre-inaugural message has been one of moderation.
Change is upon us, but don't expect too much of it.

The reasons for this are clear. In order to actually get elected Obama needed to reach much further to the left than any president in my living memory. The anti-war and anti-bush majority fell into line and voted in their masses in a way they simply seemed not to for
Kerry. Obama has been voted in on a mandate not of radicalism, but radical expectation. It leaves questions hanging with speculative optimism in the air

When will climate change be addressed in earnest?
Will the Palestinian peoples' rights and sovereignty be afforded the
same recognition as Israel?
When (not if) will Guantanamo close?
How will the economy be saved?
When will troops pull out of Iraq?
etc etc etc

Bush has indeed left a painful legacy.

This Iraq question, for me at least, is moot. While a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions, and the sparks will not settle in the region for some time to come, commercially Iraq is a tentative success for the West. The oil reserves are being sold off, and oil men who
stood to benefit most from the invasion will see to it that the effort and loss was, for them, necessary. Haliburton, Shell, BP, BHP Billiton, et al- they are more or less happy. And as long as they are happy then the withdrawal will commence, more or less on schedule I guess.

Of course Guantanamo can close too. After years of torture and denial of adequate legal process the detainees, as they are called, are sure to have given up any information deemed useful for fighting the War on Terror. Even for the most embittered hawk Guantanamo has passed its
use. As for the war on terror this will now surely be fought with different tactics. And probably, hopefully, under a different name. Unilateralism is out. Diplomacy is in. Expensive military actions are no longer the order of the day- the country is broke.

Forgive the cynicism here. But I cannot see how the kind of change, redistributive, green, and equality based, envisaged by many of those who voted for Obama, is truly possible in the United States. Even if the man himself is willing the machine is not. The mechanics of state will surely resist realignment, and the kind of fundamental shifts in the social economic model necessary to produce meaningful change just don't loom large enough, with enough determination, in the American psyche. The kind of de-centred socialist programme that is hoped for by many will be kept in a state of deferral. Neo-conservatism is dead and gone for now, its economic raison d'etre in tatters and its motives deeply unpopular and unsustainable, even in a democracy a
flimsy as the United States. Capitalism is still alive and kicking and as hungry as ever however. And in order for its appetite to be sated it requires fresh meat and thinking. Neo-Keynsianism is the order of the day. The workings of trade and commerce will continue to be bolstered and bailed out, with massive investment in public works to at least keep employment as high as possible. More 'expensive' or 'radical' proposals will be on hold.

Genuine progressives and revolutionaries are set to be disappointed, but it is not all doom and gloom. At least, with imagination, even within the limits of Keynsian liberalism, it would be possible to undertake massive and urgent investment in green energy. With international leadership on this issue and US commitment to reducing carbon emissions cataclysmic climate change might, possibly, just, be avoided. Catastrophic wars will be less frequent too. A less aggressive trade policy with some parts of the third world is also likely. There will be no ethical foreign policy magic bullet, especially with economic protectionism prevalent in the trade arena, but things will surely be an improvement on the years of Bush.

In all it is a telling indictment of the hole in which we find ourselves that even limited and cosmetic change is seen as cause for one hell of a party.

Obama is, in all likelihood, just cosmetic change. Famously he is, as BBC reporter Paxman keeps telling us, as if we hadn't noticed "the first black man to be president of the united states." This is a tremendous symbolic hurdle to be crossed. It was needed. Equality is on the agenda and the lips. It is now clear that with ambition and ability that we can all of us climb to the top of Rat Mountain (unless of course you are, for example, Prince Harry and born into privilege,
in which case you don't have to). Of course we have seen significant symbolic leaders in other countries too. Here in the UK we got our first ever (and only to date) female Prime Minister back in 1979. She dove-tailed Reagan's economic policies, went to war with Argentina,
smashed trade unions, splintered community and social cohesion, decimated primary industry, and was ultimately forced to resign over popular revolt against her taxation policy. She didn't do much for feminism, and spent the best part of her career portaying a distance from her sex. She was the Iron Lady, a woman beyond the supposed limits of her biology. Clearly Obama is of a vastly different school from Thatcher- but just it goes to prove that symbols need to be judged above all on the content of their character. And politicians should be held to account on the basis of their policy. We in the UK have also had a populist leader hailing from the left after years of conservative misrule. Unfortunately that was Tony Blair and we all
know what he will be remembered for.

Ultimately, with all my thoughts on this spent, I am guilty of playing the media's game that I criticised at the outset of this article. I am a tiny part of the industry of expectation management. I risk the kind of cynicism that breeds that apathy so apparent across the
British Isles. But maybe not. The promise was Change We Can Believe in.

Now is the time, for all those wonderful Americans who voted for this change, to continue to strive for it. Mutual responsibility and hunger for change begins, it does not conclude, at the ballot box. If Obama disappoints, or is frustrated in office, it is the American people who must continue the process that reached the first of many potential crescendos on November 4th.

In the words of Peter Falk- one last thing. Imagine for a moment if we woke this morning to Mccain and Palin. Imagine the almost universal depth of despair. Now remember again that we have Obama and be glad. God bless America. It is the first time in years, even in jest, that I find myself saying that.

Adios Guantanamo
Goodnight torture and special rendition
You shall not be missed.

Newport march for Gaza

Approx 500 people marched through central Newport on Saturday to mark their protest at the Israeli assault on Gaza. It was an energetic march made in good spirit and enjoyed widespread support particularly, though by no means exclusively, from Newport's Muslim population. A rally took place in John frost Square, where, among others from across political parties and groupings, Leanne Woods of Plaid Cymru spoke. Sadly Plaid AMs from this area where unable to attend.

Thankfully a ceasefire has now been declared which at least creates a window for meaningful and uninhibited humanitarian work to begin.

I would like to reiterate my sentiments made earlier in the month. For the rights, security, and sovereignty of both the Israeli and Palestinian people to be respected in equal measure.

here are some photos of the march- taken on my mobile phone.

Letter to Paul Flynn MP for Newport West

Dear Mr Flynn

As one of your constituents I feel obliged to write to you on the subject of the current conflict in Gaza.

I am of the opinion that had unilateral action of this sort, against sovereign territory, been undertaken by an Arab nation, as opposed to Israel, the talk in the corridors of power of NATO etc would be of regime change (of course regime change imposed from the outside will always be met with violent resistance). Instead the UK government has to date failed to make an unequivocal condemnation of this Israeli aggression. With scant regard for civilian life in this densely
populated area this military action is in breach of international law, and will surely only exacerbate tensions and insecurity in the area and beyond. The extent of the human suffering itself in this conflict is surely grave and massive, and is so incomprehensible to us that the
severity can only be guessed at.

By maintaining silence, diplomatic and trade relations with Israel, our government is complicit in the perpetuation of illegal occupation, war crimes, and apartheid. I urge you with all seriousness to campaign that the UK government break relations with Israel until this
current military action is ended, and the borders of 1968 are respected (as is the wish of the UN and the larger international community, and influential factions of the democratically elected
Hamas government).

Action such as this, demonstrating solidarity with the oppressed, the vast majority of whom are followers of Islam in this instance, would ensure the foreign policy legacy of this nominally social democratic Labour government is something other than the humanitarian disaster that is the Iraq War, that so dented the reputation of this administration. I would hope that you, together with MPs, AMs and MSPs, across party benches, could be instrumental in bringing this legacy to bear.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter. I advise you that I am publishing this letter on my blog plaidcasnewydd.blogspot.com, and intend to publish your forthcoming reply unless you take specific objection or request for omission.

Yours Sincerely

Election Speculation

Rumours persist in speculation of an election early in 2009. By this I do not mean that like a sniffer dog I skulk in the corridors of Whitehall, or that I have been party to political pillow talk. Nothing so illicit. I simply mean that after chatting with friends I have heard rumours, from those apparently in the know, that there is an election likely early in 2009. And if these rumours have reached my ears they must be pretty insistent rumours, as I have not one jot of insider knowledge of my own to go on.

Personally I am indifferent as to when the best time for an election would be, for Plaid. The sight of Brown clinging on to the bitter end would be amusing/dismaying. and things as they are with the economy Things Can Only Get Worse. So in many respects the longer Brown waits the better. Regardless of when the next election happens it is likely to be coloured by what effects people most anyway- hatred of the tories or disappointment with New Labour, and in this equation Plaid are likely to do well. If an election was called in Feb it would most likely be a parliament close to hung. This would give the balance of power to Celtic Nationalists and Lib Dems and this would be pretty much the ideal result for Plaid. Whoever wins we will be stuck with either another New Labour or a Tory government regardless. This, in my opinion, makes the case for further devolution as strong as it has ever been, and much needed. Wales needs to be a bastion of de-centred social democratic governance, a world apart from the values of middle england. We will only be able to make this a reality with a proper parliament with proper powers.

Bring on the All Wales convention.
Bring on the euro elections.
And yeah, bring on a general election sometime too.

Gaza Protests

Demonstrations and events relating to the crisis in Gaza are continuing in Wales:

* Protest march through Cardiff at 2pm on Friday January 9, assembling on the green opposite City Hall.

* Fundraising benefit concert on Wednesday, January 7, at 7:30pm in Dempseys, Castle Street, Cardiff: tickets £5 or donation at the door, in aid of charity Middle East Childrens Alliance.

* Fundraising dinner in aid of Islamic Relief Fund Wales, Thursday, January 8, 6 pm-10 pm, City Hall Cardiff; tickets £15 from 0782 4465159

Plaid politicians on the situation

Jill Evans MEP

"Plaid Cymru has long campaigned for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and for a two-state solution. We opposed the siege of Gaza which caused such terrible suffering. Gaza itself is smaller than Wrexham or Rhondda Cynon Taf but has a population of 1.5 million. The bombardment and now the ground invasion of this poor and heavily populated area will cause untold misery.

"There have been many calls for a ceasefire which Israel has ignored. The time has come for action.

"One concrete step would be for the European Union to suspend Israel’s privileged trade agreement with Europe, which requires Israel to respect human rights. This would send the clearest signal of the need for an urgent ceasefire."

Plaid President Dafydd Iwan said:

"In my New Year message, I called for people to work together to create a more peaceful world. Most of the world's problems can be better served by talking and negotiations than by military might.

"The state of Israel is showing once again that it believes everything can be solved by military action, and they are in danger of losing the support and sympathy of people across the world who see this as a totally unnecessary act of aggression against a country which is in no position to defend itself.

"We must work with the United Nations to bring peace and stability in the Middle East, but I fear this latest action has made everything more difficult, including the rebuilding of civil life for Palestinians and Israelis.

"The UK government must revoke its support for any new agreements with Israel. The European Parliament should refuse to endorse any extension of existing agreements and should exert its influence to prevent further EU benefits going Israel whilst it fails to observe its international legal and humanitarian obligations."

Book your place on the coach for the Gaza protests in central London Jan 10th.

CARDIFF
Coaches stopping 8 am, Museum Steps, Cardiff & 8.30 Bus Station, Newport
Tickets - £16 waged / £10 unwaged
Contact - Adam Johannes, cardifftroopsout@googlemail.com or 07940108146 to book

Israel/Palestine/Gaza

I was chatting to a friend of mine the other week, a journalist who used to work for a Palestinian news agency. He was telling me how many younger people in Palestine would favour a confederal peace settlement. By this he means the creation of a joint Arab/Jewish state where all citizens were afforded the same rights and opportunities. He also said that such a settlement would be impossible. Such is the entrenchment and hatred on the extremes of both sides.

One begins to get a sense of the racist and supremacist ideology of some Zionists by reading, the dire vitriol of, for example Ralph Peters. A quick glance at various Hamas manifestos throughout history and you will find terrifying anti-semitic language and calls for the destruction of Israel. Even a cursory understanding of history lends credibility to the motives of such extremism however.

History is a role-call of tragedy. The persecution of Jews throughout Christian history, a process which found ultimate expression in the atrocities of the holocaust, makes the desires for a Jewish homeland completely understandable. The diaspora had failed spectacularly to protect its people. This also makes sense of the suspicion with which the the non-Jewish world is held by some Israeli factions. Really, despite periods of tolerance, there have been episodes of extreme violence and persecution against the Jews for generations.

History however should not be used as a blank cheque book. Persecution at the hands of Europeans in decades and centuries past does not excuse the Israeli actions of now. This is a very real and very modern persecution that is being inflicted on the Palestinians as their lands are blockaded and occupied and their people, soldiers and civilians alike, are left destitute and murdered. It seems geo-political convenience will not permit the application of International Law. Israel continues to hold illegal nuclear weapons and occupy land while the international community (europe, US, and arab nations) wrings its hands in muted complicity, making only overtures to the notion of a peace process. This reality does not at all justify acts of violence against the larger Israeli populace, but it explains it.

Most vile of all has been the Israeli government using attacks against their population as an excuse to press home their ideological and geographical advantage in the region over the last week. The silence from the international community, in part down to leaders unwilling to interrupt their Christmas break I imagine, has been a disgrace. A new administration is on the way in over in Washington, and they are unlikely to be as pliable as the Bush hawks. In light of this the Israeli government has presumably moved to decapitate the Hamas leadership and attain as many bargaining chips as possible when dealing with new Secretary of State Clinton and President Obama.

Hamas are a beast from the sludge and desperation under the colonial boot. Seen from the Palestinian side that beast is most like a Phoneix. This Phoneix, as it appears to some, offers hope, and that is the currency all political organisations wish to posses. It is hope that wins elections, and why Hamas are a democratically elected party of government.

This current Israeli incursion deserves to be condemned from every humane and educated quarter as it moves, without regard for civilian life, to cement its supremacy in Gaza.

Notes on Welsh Nationalism and Happy New Year

Over Christmas I went to my brother's house for lunch. It was a family affair with a grand buffet, the normal kind of Christmas family party that I hated from my mid-teens until my 20s then started to enjoy again a few years back.

Over a sausage roll (staple Christmas fare) he asked me- "you still writing for those nationalists then?" This use of the word nationalist pricked my ears, as it is a most often used by those attacking Plaid. Nationalism does not enjoy a universal positive image in the UK. The legacy and memory of two world wars ensures that the word is viewed with a suspicion. The trick of those who would attack plaid is to try and make an unmentioned link between nationalism and fascism. But as anyone who has viewed Plaid's policies can tell you there is hardly a right wing bone in the body politic. In fact Plaid's policies, like those of Nationalist governments and parties the world over (SNP, Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail, Catalanists), veer from centrist liberalism to socialist (while never, obviously, becoming national socialist) As a party I think it is fair to say Plaid are well to the left of the current Labour party, and to the right of, for example, the SWP. The left/right divide is of course a crude and increasingly inadequate model for understanding the political spectrum.

There are of course innumerable nationalist parties out there that harbour vile right wing elements. The Northern League in Italy (Italian regionalism in general has a distinctively right wing flavour) would be a prime example of this. The Republican party of the US is another. It goes to prove that words and concepts are tricky. Meanings are not fixed. And nationalism is a schizophrenic entity. For every Bismark there is a Michael Collins.

Crudely speaking nationalism has its roots in two distinct historical tendencies. One being libertarian republicanism, which first found expression in the US and French revolutions, and the writings like those ofTom Paine. The other kind of nationalism has its roots in fascism and national socialism. The kind preferred by Franco, Musolini, and Hitler, that champions the myth of rebirth and the myth of the nation. It is laced with social conservatism and racism. However, nearly all political movements have swallowed and embraced nationalism to some extent. We are all of us nationalists really.

Unless you believe in the immediate dissolution of the EU, the UN, the removal of all national borders and all nation states by means of revolution, you yourself are a nationalist in one form or other. But I guess we don't think of it like that most the time. We rarely interrogate our identities, they seem implicit rather than fluid. Identity however is not fixed, especially not national identity.

So when asked if I am a nationalist I say yes. While not without problematics it seems no crime to me, and I am proud to state, that the Welsh people deserve sovereignty. We all of us regardless of nation deserve democratic institutions answerable the the people. Power should be disseminated to the masses. The greatest happiness for the greatness number of people is only attainable once the greatest number of people have the power to attain autonomy and mastery over their socio-political destiny. This is where socialism comes in. I am pipe dreaming and waxing lyrical of course, but there is a proud tradition of this in Wales and beyond. "I am not the only one of my kind".

Either way, word up, here is one hope for the new year.

That the sovereignty and rights of the people of Palestine are respected in equal measure as Israel's right to exist. Another pipe dream of course, but never-the-less an historical imperative.

Happy new year to you all and thanks for reading x