U.N. office denounces Israeli attacks on civilians
Al Jazeera, 7/13–The OHCHR has said it condemns the continued Israeli military use of weapons “with area effects in populated areas of Gaza, including in areas which [the military] has itself designated as humanitarian zones, killing many civilians”... the Israeli military reportedly “fired several Air Dropped Munitions in al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis, next to a makeshift camp hosting around several hundreds of people”...Israeli military quadcopters also reportedly targeted emergency rescue workers, killing at least one Civil Defence worker and injuring several others.
On the same day, the Israeli military struck a makeshift mosque inside Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City. Reports indicate that because it “struck shortly after the noon prayer, many people were still inside or near the mosque, resulting in the death of at least 17 male Palestinians.” The Office said that the use of “weapons with wide area effect in densely populated areas” has led to “disproportionate harm to civilians and damage to civilian infrastructure”, suggesting a “pattern of willful violation of the disregard of International Humanitarian Law principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution”.
Exploitation of migrants is built into U.S. law
Wall Street Journal, 7/13–A growing number of undocumented immigrants are hitting retirement age without savings or the cushion of Social Security or Medicare…Many opt to continue working until they are physically unable, while others rely on help from younger family members…“I laugh when people ask me at what age I’m going to retire,” said Marta Salazar, 66 years old…“I know I have to work until my body gives out.”
The population of immigrants in the U.S. without legal status stood at about 10.5 million in 2021, according to a Pew Research Center report last year. While many work under the table, some find jobs in the formal sector, often using fake documents or borrowed identities. Those who do generally pay Social Security and Medicare taxes…migrants made a net contribution of about $12 billion to the Social Security system in 2010, the most recent year in which such an analysis was conducted…But they are barred by law from receiving benefits from the program.
Israeli fascists drive Lebanese toward Hezbollah fascists
Foreign Affairs, 7/12–Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently declared that as his country’s military operations in Gaza wind down, Israel will turn its attention to its foe to the north: the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah. The two parties have a long history of conflict rooted in Israel’s invasion of Lebanon in 1982, its occupation of the southern portion of the country from 1985 to 2000, and a full-scale war the two sides fought in 2006…In recent weeks, concerns have grown that another major war between the two parties could break out.
Within Lebanon… [Hezbollah] operates as a legal political party and as a security force: the group effectively governs much of the country, particularly in the south and east. Hezbollah also provides basic services to those living in the areas it controls…In effect, the group operates as a state within a state.
Hezbollah does not command widespread support across the country. And yet many Lebanese favor some of Hezbollah’s basic positions. Lebanese overwhelmingly support the rights of Palestinians and condemn Israel for its actions in Gaza…And if Israel invades Lebanon to attack Hezbollah, support for the organization would likely rise further.
Taliban fascists terrorize Afghani women
DW, 7/10–The Taliban government in Afghanistan is carrying out stricter enforcement of religious law in Afghanistan through the deployment of "morality police," according to a UN report published Tuesday. The UN report said the Taliban has created a "climate of fear" since the Islamist militant group regained power in August 2021 and set up the so-called "Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice"...Since taking power, the Taliban have also barred girls and young women from receiving an education, while keeping women out of public jobs. Morality police squads have the power to scold, arrest, and punish citizens who participate in activities considered to be "un-Islamic," including wearing "Western" hairstyles and listening to banned music.
