Gaza Hell, and who’s SLPP presidential candidate?
It’s so hurtful to watch TV news on the Gaza strip and all-out war in the region. Netanyahu seems determined to obliterate this little land of two million people and wipe its Palestinians off the face of the earth. The UN has declared it impossible for the Gazans to heed the Israeli command to quit within 24 hours or be annihilated. In the first place how can a people vacate for all time their permanent homes and country within one day?
In a close second place – where to go? Gaza is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the north and east and touches Egypt in the South. Egypt has closed its door to Gaza fearing Hamas will bring with its Iranian influence. In fact, it is strongly suspected Iran gave the push for Hamas attack on Israel. Why oh, why did it rush in and cause utter havoc in a killing and kidnapping spree when everyone recognises the military might of Israel and the ruthless determination of its present leader Benjamin Netanyahu.
If we, so far removed, cannot bear to see pictures of what is happening in Gaza to its people and particularly children, how can they, so traumatised, manage to even gather the minimum of their possessions and flee. Such evil in terrorist groups and powerful states that feel they need no other; and geopolitical issues that rule, most often unjustly.
New York, the city with the largest number of Jewish persons, has been awash with protest gatherings and marches; most in favour of Palestine and Gaza. Fewer people protest against the Hamas attack on Israel and justify the planned attack on sea, air and land by Netanyahu on the Gaza strip. Very many are the distinguished Jews, mostly women, who have spoken against Israel and condemned Netanyahu for genocide. Give the Palestinians their land and freedom to live as they desire, they appeal. One Jewish woman said she speaks from her heart.
Likewise, Biden openly siding with Israel, is both condemned and celebrated for the stand he has taken. It is admitted by all that he is brave to journey to Israel with Hamas still attacking. Cass watched Air Force One landing in Israel’s airport just after noon on Wednesday, admittedly with trepidation knowing how free Hamas and Islamic jihadis are with their rockets and airborne missiles. Biden attempts influencing and negotiating a ceasefire. At the time of writing, a ceasefire seems unlikely, but one never knows.
The heinous crime of bombing a hospital in Gaza is hotly disputed. The Palestinians naturally accuse Israel and announce 500 already injured and patients plus medical staff were killed. Israel counters this with proclaiming the bombing was by a misfiring Islamic Jihadi rocket, and much less suffered. Cutting off electricity and food supplies to Gaza by order of Netanyahu is truly unthinkable as being a human being’s orders.
Cassandra quotes a paragraph from the New York Times of 17 October to show how far and wide the ramifications of the war waged by Israel against Gaza has spread in the US. “Davis Polk, one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, recently rescinded employment offers made to three students who the firm believed led organisations at Harvard and Columbia that issued statements blaming Israel for the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas that left more than 1,400 Israelis dead.” Subsequently, two were taken in.
Wimal takes on the West The Island
on Monday October 16 quoted Wimal Weerawansa as having said that the Western powers backed moves to put off national elections indefinitely. How does he make such a proclamation? What info sources does he command? He added that the Western powers backing Prez RW to postpone both presidential and parliamentary polls would be in line with their overall strategy. And what pray is this strategy?
Wimal made this pronouncement, outrageous to Cass, at the launch of the English and Russian translations of his book in Sinhala – Namaya: Sangawuna Kathawa. Cass sincerely congratulates the author on his writing and advises him to spend his time authoring rather than shouting out hilarious commands and vast ranging personal perceptions. Suppose the vilification of western nations is his held view – no faulting that. Perhaps, it was said loud and clear because the Russian and Chinese high-ups were present at the launch.
The Island of Tuesday October 17 carried a piece accompanied by photographs of Prez Ranil W and NFF leader Wimal W, as being in Beijing at the third Belt and Road Forum. Comment Jeff and Mutt made is that “Sri Lankans are tightening belts and taking to roads”. Cass adds roads to ever increasing deprivation and poverty. We the people are finding costs so high that desperation is fast taking hold of us. Cass also comments seeing our great pronouncer of commands and opinions in Beijing that it materially pays to take sides in geopolitics.
Who finally is against holding elections?
I heard on TV news that the General Secretary of the SLPP, Sagara Kariyawasam, declared that his party was all for holding elections. Surprise! Other Bud members like MP Rohitha Abeygoonewardena echo this opinion or change of strategy. Did the crow caw propitiously advising this change of tune? The big burly MP R Abey said he wanted elections because he feels the suffering of the people. Of course, they all – politicians or most of them – claim they cry for the people because they empathise so much with them, want the best done for them, etc. Croc tears flow copiously. Yes, once your nest is feathered to benefit generations to come, you can spare a thought or two and a shout or two for the people of the land. Thankfully, Cass did not hear Abeygoonewardena’s pleadings on behalf of the hoi polloi. It’s a strain to puke.
So, businessman Dhammika Perera has thrown his hat in and announced he will contest the next presidential election. We presume he will be the nominee of the Bud Party. Then what about Rajapaksa Son and Heir, who was held up for all to see at meetings as the SLPP candidate to be President. In this land things invariably get curiouser and curiouser.
