UNITED NATIONS DECLARES ISRAEL COMMITTING CRIME OF ALL CRIMES

Quick Overview

Palestinian-Canadian lawyer Danna Bu argues that Israel's actions constitute genocide, emphasizing the deliberate starvation of Palestinians and the bombing of civilian infrastructure, while criticizing the international community's inaction and the concept of Israeli exceptionalism. The interview highlights the pervasive fear and the daily survival calculations faced by Palestinians, even those with Israeli citizenship, and critiques the international legal system's failure to hold Israel accountable, despite evidence and early warnings from genocide scholars.

Key Points: Danna Bu asserts that Israel's actions, including deliberate starvation and bombing of civilian sites, constitute genocide, stating 'Zionism equals genocide' and 'The state was founded on genocide. The state continues to exist through ethnic cleansing and genocide.' Bu describes the psychological impact of the conflict, noting her 11-year-old son's terror after hearing explosions in Qatar, leading him to ask, 'Mommy, they're doing to to Katar what they are doing to what they've done to Gaza.' She criticizes the international community's hesitancy to label Israel's actions as genocide, arguing that such labels should be applied early to prevent further atrocities, stating, 'you don't want an after-the-act label to famine because then people are dead. You don't want an after-the-act label to genocide because then it's too late and people are are wiped out.' Bu condemns the concept of Israeli exceptionalism, which prevents applying the genocide label due to historical victimhood, and highlights that Israeli archives contain genocidal information they have not revealed. The interview discusses the daily survival calculations for Palestinians, even those with Israeli citizenship, who must constantly consider their behavior, dress, and speech to avoid being perceived as a threat, a situation likened to the experiences of Black parents discussing 'the talk' with their sons. Bu criticizes Israeli media for running cover for the state and engaging in genocidal reporting, citing an instance where a journalist interrogated a doctor who had been imprisoned and tortured. She expresses disappointment with the UN General Assembly's likely performative statements and lack of accountability for Israel, stating, 'I think we're going to see performative statements of recognition of a Palestinian state. Remember, the Palestinians aren't going to be there... probably very few statements about genocide because they've they've learned to ignore it.'