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Sinar Daily
4 days ago
- Politics
- Sinar Daily
I witnessed genocide in the 21st century, and so did you
'Never again.' That was the promise after Rwanda, after Bosnia, after every atrocity that shamed the conscience of the world. And yet, here we are 600 days into Israel's ongoing assault on Gaza and the promise feels hollow. The world is not only watching genocide happen in real time, it's letting it continue. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 54,470 Palestinians have been killed and 124,693 wounded since Oct 7, 2023. The Gaza Government Media Office puts the death toll even higher, more than 61,700, including those still missing and presumed dead under the rubble. Entire families erased. Generations lost. This is not a 'war.' This is genocide, systematic, deliberate and sustained. According to Gaza's Health Ministry, at least 54,470 Palestinians have been killed and 124,693 wounded since Oct 7, 2023. Genocide Isn't Always Gas Chambers The 1948 UN Genocide Convention defines genocide as acts intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. It doesn't require gas chambers or death camps. Genocide can look like a 2,000-pound bomb dropped on a refugee camp. It can look like deliberate starvation, as the World Food Programme has documented in northern Gaza, where children are now dying of hunger. It can look like the complete destruction of every university in Gaza. It can sound like a political leader calling an entire people 'human animals.' In January 2024, the International Court of Justice ruled that acts committed by Israel in Gaza 'appear to be capable' of falling under the Genocide Convention. It ordered Israel to take all measures to prevent genocide. Instead, the killing escalated. Hospitals have been bombed. Only 17 out of 36 are still partially functioning. Gaza's health system has collapsed. Doctors are operating without anaesthetics. Women are giving birth in tents. And every day, more civilians are forced to flee, often for the third or fourth time, only to be targeted again. More than 1.7 million people are now displaced. That's 80 percent of Gaza's entire population. A Genocide Streamed Live This may be the most documented genocide in history and the most ignored. Every atrocity is recorded. Every scream is live-streamed. We have voice notes from children trapped under rubble. Journalists broadcasting with trembling hands, not knowing if they'll live to file their next story. Photos of tiny bodies wrapped in white. Names erased, faces unforgettable. We don't need tribunals or commissions to tell us what happened. We saw it. We see it every day. And yet, the world especially the so-called international community remains paralysed. Western governments continue to sell weapons and provide diplomatic cover. UN resolutions are blocked. Human rights organisations like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Médecins Sans Frontières have sounded every possible alarm. But the killing continues. Social media, one of the few platforms where Palestinian voices can reach the world, is being policed and censored. Accounts are shadow banned. Images are flagged. The algorithm, like the institutions of global governance, works against justice. A Global Moral Crisis I write this as one of millions who have watched this genocide unfold, not from a war zone, but from the safety of screens. We donate. We protest. We write. And yet, like many around the world, we are left with a burning sense of helplessness. Why, we ask, can't the world stop this? The truth is painful: it's not that the world doesn't know. It's that those in power don't care. And the rest of us haven't done enough to make them care. That's why history repeats itself. Not because we forget, but because we remember and still do nothing. Neutrality in the face of genocide is complicity. Silence is not safety. It is surrender. You Can Still Choose a Side If you've read this far, it means you care. And caring is a start. But it cannot end there. Speak up. Share the truth. Amplify Palestinian voices especially those in Gaza who are risking everything to document what's happening. Support humanitarian organisations still working to get food, medicine and clean water to survivors. Even small donations can save lives. Think critically about where your money goes. Many corporations are profiting from this genocide through surveillance tech, weapons, or complicity in the occupation. Boycott them. Demand ethical accountability from businesses and institutions. Join protests, online or in the streets. Make your presence felt. Make your outrage visible. And above all, hold your leaders accountable. Write letters. Sign petitions. Demand that your government wherever you are stop sending weapons and start supporting justice. This is not a faraway conflict. This is a global moral crisis. Gaza is a mirror showing us what kind of world we live in. And what kind of people we choose to be. Final Words 600 days have passed. That is 600 days too long. I witnessed genocide in the 21st century. And so did you. The question is: What will we do about it? Palestinian children posing with their pots and pans as they wait at a hot meal distribution point in Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Photo by Eyad Baba/AFP Revda Selver is Friends of Palestine Public Relation and Media Executive. The views expressed in this article are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of Sinar Daily.
Irish Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Central Bank governor says question marks over Israel's financial stability
The 'intensity' of the conflict in Gaza 'puts a question mark' over whether the financial viability of Israel 'still remains secure', the Central Bank of Ireland governor has said. The Central Bank of Ireland (CBI) insisted that it cannot 'impose sanctions' on Israel or stop facilitating the sale of so-called 'Israeli war bonds'. It also said that it does not have to consider the Genocide Convention when reviewing or approving prospectuses. The comments were made at the Finance Committee, which was held several hours before the Dáil was due to vote on selling the bonds for the second time in as many weeks. The CBI is the designated authority for the sale of Israeli bonds in the EU. It is responsible for assessing whether a prospectus is in compliance with the requirements of the EU Prospectus Regulation. Gerry Cross, Director of Capital Markets and Funds at CBI, told TDs and senators at the Finance Committee that they must ensure that relevant information is included, such as 'does this disclose the things that an investor needs to know to understand their financial risks' before they invest. Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the CBI, confirmed that Israel has yet to contact the bank about renewing the prospectus before it expires in September. Labour's Ged Nash asked Mr Makhlouf the questions and issues the CBI would 'raise with the Israeli State' if they seek to renew the prospectus before it expires in September. The Governor said that he would expect Israel to divulge that its war on Gaza is affecting its financial stability. He said: 'I would expect [the prospectus] to set out any new developments that are relevant. 'It depends at the moment when they actually write to us, but I think the intensity of the conflict in Gaza probably does put a question mark over whether you know the financial viability of the [Israeli] State still remains secure. 'The fact that the European Union has indicated that it's going to look at its cooperation agreement with Israel, I think that's a factor. 'The fact that the Finance Minister [Bezalel Smotrich] has just been sanctioned by a number of countries, that may be a factor. 'We haven't drawn up a list of the things that we'd expect to see. But clearly, you'd expect, in view of what's happened in this conflict, some impact on the financial affairs of the State will be material. 'Now, in the end, it is for the [Israeli] State to make the judgment whether it does affect its financial standing or not. 'We don't make that assessment. I would expect them to address that.' Mr Makhlouf said it is up to Israel to decide who they want to apply to another EU country to be the designated authority for the sale of bonds. In his opening statement, Mr Makhlouf stated that CBI is 'established by law, we are empowered by law, and we must always act within and in line with the law'. He said: 'One of the powers that has been assigned to us is to perform the functions of a competent authority under the European Prospectus Regulation. 'This means that we must approve a prospectus once certain conditions are met.' He insisted that the CBI does not 'issue, sell, trade or list these bonds' and that it does not 'authorise or supervise them' in the case of Israeli sovereign bonds. Mr Makhlouf continued: 'It is for international bodies such as the UN or the EU to determine how to respond to breaches or alleged breaches of international law, including to determine whether sanctions are necessary. 'The Central Bank cannot impose sanctions on Israel – for example, by refusing to approve the Israeli bond prospectus – in circumstances where the EU has not imposed any such sanctions itself.' While he condemned the war in Gaza and the blocking of aid, Mr Makhlouf said the CBI must 'carry out the statutory tasks and functions which have been assigned to us'.
The Journal
11-06-2025
- Business
- The Journal
Government rejects motion calling on it to stop sale of 'Israeli war bonds'
GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED a joint-proposal from the opposition which called on the Central Bank to stop facilitating the sale of Israeli bonds within the EU, an issue that has moved up the political agenda in Ireland in recent months. The motion, put forward by the Social Democrats and supported by Sinn Féin, People Before Profit and the Labour Party, sought the reversal of a previous government decision to block a bill calling for the same measure last month . Members of those parties on Monday requested that a free 'vote of conscience' take place on the issue – meaning that government TDs would not have to vote with their party. The motion was defeated this evening 85 to 71 in the government's favour. Israeli State Bonds have been advertised as a method to support the country's economy and, more recently, websites promoting the investments have emphasised their importance to Israel's military operations in Gaza. Some TDs, as a result, have dubbed the securities as 'Israeli war bonds'. Coalition-supporting TDs, independents Barry Heneghan and Gillian Toole, repeated their vote to support the opposition's call . Both TDs previously said that they had a right to vote, as independents, in a manner they agreed with, pointing out that the programme for government does not include references to the issue. Advertisement Bonds from countries outside the EU must have legal documents approved by a central bank from a member state in order for the securities to be sold within the European single market. In the case of Israel, the country is Ireland. A protest outside the Dáil today calling on government to support the opposition's motion. Alamy Alamy The Central Bank itself is responsible for assessing whether the products it offers are compliant with these EU requirements. Since Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel's subsequent bombardment and siege of Gaza, there has been mounting pressure on the Government from pro-Palestinian activists in Ireland to stop the facilitation of the sale of these bonds. But, Governor of the Central Bank Gabriel Makhlouf today defended its offerings, telling TDs at an Oireachtas Committee that the UN's Genocide Convention applies only to the Irish State, not the country's banking regulator. Activists have demonstrated at the site in Dublin over the last number of months and have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. Speaking during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting this evening, finance minister Paschal Donohoe told members that oppositional TDs wanted the government to tell the state's banking regulator what to do, despite its mandated independence. The Dublin Central TD said government cannot approve legislation that impedes on the independence of the Central Bank for legal purposes. Opposition TDs argued this evening that, as the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, Ireland has obligations under the UN's Genocide Convention to use 'all means likely to have a deterrent effect' on those suspected of committing such crimes. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Taoiseach labelling Israel's actions in Gaza ‘genocide' won't stop Central Bank approving ‘war bonds', governor tells TDs
So-called 'war bonds', which it is claimed are being used to fund the killing of innocent children and civilians in Gaza, are under intense scrutiny as a second Dáil motion was tabled to ban them. The Central Bank faced sustained questioning from TDs and senators at the Oireachtas Finance Committee, but insisted it is legally required to approve the legal document, or prospectus, required for the sale of the bonds. To be sold in the EU, bonds from non-EU countries must have their bond prospectus approved by an EU country. Israel traditionally had its European bond prospectuses approved in the UK, but turned to the Central Bank in Ireland for authorisations after Brexit. The Governor of the Central Bank, Gabriel Makhlouf, said it was 'incorrect' to claim it can impose sanctions on the processing of the bonds on the basis of international court rulings. He said it is up to international bodies including the UN and the EU to respond to breaches of international law by Israel, and to determine if sanctions are necessary. 'The Central Bank cannot impose sanctions on Israel – for example by refusing to approve the Israeli bond prospectus – in circumstances where the EU has not imposed any such sanctions itself,' he told TDs and senators. The Central Bank said its approval for Israel trading bonds in the EU is due for renewal in September. 'We will look extremely carefully at the facts that pertain at that time and will make a judgment on it,' said the Central Bank governor. A number of TDs, including Sinn Féin's Pearse Doherty and Cian O'Callaghan of the Social Democrats, said Ireland was a signatory to the Genocide Convention and this would enable the Central Bank to reject Israel's bond prospectuses. But Mr Makhlouf said the body is not bound by the Genocide Convention, but rather EU financial regulations, when deciding whether to facilitate the sale of bonds. ADVERTISEMENT The current prospectus is due for renewal again in September. 'If, when the state of Israel looks to renew its prospectus we will look extremely carefully at the facts that pertain at the time and we will make a judgment on it,' he said. But this will be based on the requirements of the financial regulations. 'The fact that the Taoiseach made the statement at the time, that is not going to change the judgement we come to,' he said, referring to Micheál Martin's comments last month that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Ahead of last night's Dáil vote on a Bill enabling the Central Bank to stop facilitating Israeli bonds. Sinn Féin urged government TDs to 'have a backbone'. Deputy Doherty said: 'We have to ensure the State has no hand, act or part in facilitating the sale of Israeli war bonds. These aren't just financial instruments, this is the money that is raised that pays for the bombs that pays for the bullets that pays for the destruction of the lives of men, women and children across Palestine as we speak.' Deputy O'Callaghan said while Independent TDs backing the Government had a free vote on the motion, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs had to vote along with the party whip. 'That is utterly unjust and unfair,' he said. 'If there was a free vote, this motion would pass and that would put the Central Bank under severe pressure to stop facilitating the sale of these bonds and would cut off a source of finance for the genocide that is taking place.' Labour's Conor Sheehan said: 'It is not enough to just call this a genocide. We need to make Israel an international pariah.'
Belfast Telegraph
11-06-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Genocide Convention not considered by Central Bank when approving Israel Bonds
However, Gabriel Makhlouf said the intensity of the conflict in Gaza does put 'a question mark over whether the financial viability' of Israel remains secure. The Central Bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel Bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the bloc's prospectus regulations. Israel Bonds have been advertised as supporting the country's economy, and more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israel's military operations in Gaza. Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli 'war bonds' over human rights concerns. They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide. Demonstrators rallied outside Leinster House on Wednesday as the head of the bank appeared before the Finance Committee, before a Dail vote calling on the Government to take action to prevent the approval of the bonds. Mr Makhlouf said the Central Bank must carry out the statutory tasks and functions it has been assigned. He said it was 'incorrect' to say the bank could refuse to approve the Israeli bond prospectus on the basis of international law rulings and opinions. 'The Central Bank cannot impose sanctions on Israel, for example by refusing to approve the Israeli bond prospectus, in circumstances where the EU has not imposed any such sanctions itself.' Asked by Sinn Fein finance spokesman Pearse Doherty if the Central Bank subscribes to the Genocide Convention, the governor said the authority has to operate within the legal framework allocated to it, but added that the Genocide Convention does not feature in the EU prospectus regulation. Pressed on whether it applied to the bank overall, Mr Makhlouf said 'it applies to the state' and added that, with regard to approving prospectuses: 'In that sense no, it doesn't.' Under similar questioning from Social Democrats' deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan, deputy governor Mary-Elizabeth McMunn said: 'Ireland is the contracting party under the Genocide Convention. It does not explicitly say the Central Bank is a contracting party under the Genocide Convention.' Asked if he believed what was happening in Gaza was genocide, Mr Makhlouf said that was a legal concept determined by the ICJ and no one at the Central Bank could comment authoritatively as experts on that matter. He added: 'But what's clear is that what is happening in Gaza is appalling, horrific.' The governor said everyone at the Central Bank wants to see 'an immediate end to hostilities by all parties'. The Israel Bond prospectus is up for renewal in September. Asked by Labour finance spokesman Ged Nash what factors the bank would be looking for in engagements with Israel at that point, Mr Makhlouf replied: 'I think the intensity of the conflict in in Gaza probably does put a question mark over whether the financial viability of the state still remains secure. 'The fact that the European Union has indicated that it's going to look at its co-operation agreement of Israel, I think that's a factor. The fact that the [Israeli] finance minister has just been sanctioned by a number of countries, that may be a factor.' He said it would be up to Israel to assess whether these factors affect its financial standing when putting together the prospectus, but added that the bank would be required to approve the next prospectus if all matters are completely disclosed. Meanwhile, Mr Makhlouf said national restrictive measures could be imposed by the Oireachtas to stop the approval of the prospectuses, if they were consistent with EU law. However, he said he would find it 'difficult' to say that it is 'possible' to do that in this case, because one member state acting on its own would undermine the whole prospectus regulation. He said he had not taken legal advice on this and added that he was 'not ruling out' the possibility. 'Prospectus regulation doesn't just apply to states, it applies to corporates, it applies to anybody who wants to issue a regulation in certain circumstances. 'So what I'm not ruling out is the possibility that some domestic legislation could prevent an individual corporate being able to issue security in certain circumstances, but this is real hypothetical stuff.' Mr Doherty asked if the Central Bank would deem the ICJ findings a 'risk' for an investor who wishes to purchase Israel Bonds. Mr Makhlouf said the case taken by South Africa against Israel was included in the September prospectus that was approved by the bank. Gerry Cross, the bank's director of capital markets and funds, added that it was the authority's belief that it was articulated and disclosed to the level that is required. Mr Cross later told the committee that the Bank had made approximately 13,300 euro in fees through its work relating to the bonds since October 2023.
