The Great Law of Birr – Lex Innocentium
Earlier this year on the 21st September 2024 (UN International Day of Peace) there was a seminar in Birr, County Offaly, to relaunching the ‘Great Law of Birr’ (Lex Innocentium) that was enacted in 697AD by Adamnán the abbot of Iona. The law, which was pronounced before an assembly of kings, bishops and abbots, sought to provide protection for non-combatants (women, clerics, and youths below military age) in time of armed conflict. Penalties and reparations were to be paid for violations of this law. The law prefigured by thirteen hundred years the international humanitarian laws of the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which similarly seeks to protect civilians in time of war.
Sadly, such considerations were ignored by the planners of the 7th October attack by Hamas into southern Israel and have been ignored for the past year by the Israeli government and its military leaders, who continue with a genocidal slaughter of the innocents in Gaza, Lebanon and the Occupied West Bank. The Lex Innocentium condemned those who saw violations being committed but did not act to prevent them. Nations who are signatories to the Geneva Conventions, such as the USA, Germany, and the UK, continue to supply weapons to Israel and are under the same moral condemnation. More than 42,000 people have been killed in Gaza and another 10,000 are missing presumed dead. Many more people are injured. Sixty percent of the casualties are women and children. Israel is without excuse for these barbaric war crimes. The great law of Birr still calls for mercy and justice for the innocent victims of armed aggression.
Palestinian Christian Statement one the anniversary of 7th October
Kairos Palestine, representing Palestinian Christians issued a letter to mark the anniversary of 7th October. The letter expresses anger at ‘the West’s indifference to international law and the conventions on Human rights’ as they apply to Palestinians, who are enduring the year-long genocide by Israel. Kairos Palestine calls on churches to demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the loss of innocent life. Kairos Palestine calls on political leaders to uphold international law and enforce the ICJ (International Court of Justice) ruling of July 2024 to end the illegal occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel.
Occupied Territories Bill
On Monday 4th November a letter appeared in the Irish Times signed by 28 civil society organisations calling for the immediate implementation of the OTB (Occupied Territories Bill) to outlaw trade between Ireland and the illegal Israeli Settlements on Palestinian owned land. This cannot now happen before the general election on the 29thNovember, but it is important to keep this issue alive during and after the election. In 1987 Ireland took an initial step to ban trade with apartheid South Africa and this was followed by other countries. This short video by the ‘Pass the Occupied Territories Bill’ coalition makes the case for action. I also share an appeal for action issued by Quaker House, London, who train and support the Ecumenical Accompaniers from Britain and Ireland who serve as human rights monitors in the Occupied Territories. This eyewitness account by Ecumenical accompanier EA Neil describes the sort of intimidation experienced by Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley. Demolition of homes, killings and violent assaults on people and livestock are part of the tactics being used by the illegal settlers to drive out the Palestinian population. This is the continuing Nakba (catastrophe) that began in 1948 when the State of Israel was founded on the ruins of over 500 Palestinian villages after the expulsion of their inhabitants.
The Generals’ Plan
Retired Israeli generals have devised a plan to empty northern Gaza of its Palestinian population, with vile orders such as ‘surrender or starve.’ Under this plan food and water are to be denied in order to empty the area of people. The Israeli government is now implementing an even more brutal version of this plan. A report in the +972 Magazine, entitled ‘Exterminate, expel, resettle: Israel’s endgame in northern Gaza’, describes the terrible details of this horrendous war crime.
Public Meeting – Genocide and the Churches: A call to action
On Tuesday 12th November there will be a public meeting in the Duncairn Arts Centre, Belfast. All are welcome to this meeting.
Dublin Demonstration Saturday 9th November
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