No More Business As Usual
by Jonathan Kuttab
Last weekend, we witnessed a frightening scenario in which Iran launched hundreds of missiles at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli attack on its consulate in Syria. Over 300 drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles were fired at Israel. The vast majority of these projectiles were intercepted and shot down, and the rare ones that made it through the defenses had little effect, beyond the injuring of a young bedouin child. US naval, air force, and land batteries, as well as Jordanian, British and Israeli defenses cooperated to prevent any serious damage. Analysts, pundits, and conspiracy theorists have had a field day analyzing this strange action, one that was carefully calibrated to send a powerful message but fall short of starting an all-out war, or even “WWIII.”
There are different interpretations as to who is the winner and the loser in this event, what new rules of engagement have emerged, and what valuable information was collected about the capabilities of each side. Iranians announced that the era of unanswered Israeli attacks on Iranian targets was over, that they were satisfied and considered the matter concluded. They warned that any future attack will elicit a direct response. Israel demonstrated the efficacy of its defenses in intercepting the overwhelming majority of incoming missiles.
One clear winner throughout is the arms industry, the manufacturers and merchants of death, on all sides, who were able to collect massive amounts of valuable data as to the offensive and defensive capabilities of their weapons, and who quickly made their case for an additional, massive outlay of billions of dollars to counter the weaponry of the other side.
Israel launched an attack on Iran overnight, but even so we do not know if there will be further escalation, continuing the tit- for- tat cycle and spinning out of control, but indications are that all parties concerned do not want a larger conflagration. One clear message that went out, however, is that there would be no more business as usual, that actions have consequences, and that, as far as Iran was concerned, Israel cannot have a free hand to act with impunity.
Another, perhaps more significant, set of events closer at home was the escalation of protests to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Protesters blocked the Brooklyn Bridge, the San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, the highway entrances to the JFK and Chicago O’Hare airports. They were saying that there can be no business as usual while a genocide is taking place. Some passengers had to scramble and leave their taxis and proceed on foot to try and make their flights.
Many people complained that such direct actions disrupt normal life and cause discomfort, delays, inconveniences and frustration. Similarly, sit ins, pray ins, and other forms of protest are equally disruptive and disturbing. Politicians, especially, are complaining that they are being hounded by Gaza protestors and that they cannot appear in public or carry on their normal functions without facing these disruptions. Speeches are interrupted, and events have to be canceled.
This may well be a good thing. There can be no business as usual while children in Gaza are being massacred and starved to death. We need to raise our voices and be as disruptive as needed. This reminds me of the complaint of religious and communal leaders when the children and disciples were loudly and noisily celebrating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He was also asked to tell them to quiet down and stop their loud disruption. Jesus answered, “If these are silent, the very stones will cry out.”
At this time, our task is to cry out, to be disruptive, to make it uncomfortable for those who are silent or complicit in the ongoing evil. If anything, the church has been far too quiet, timid, and silent. We must find creative ways to make our voices heard and to draw attention to the outrages taking place in our name and with our tax monies and by our own representatives. We need to cry out, and end business as usual.
Take Action
Professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian was arrested yesterday over unfounded charges of incitement of violence and released today for lack of evidence.
Take action today by expressing outrage for Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s arrest:
1. Write to Asher Cohen, President of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (asher.cohen@mail.huji.ac.il); Tamir Sheafer, Rector (tamir.sheafer@mail.huji.ac.il); and Asher Ben-Arieh, Dean of the School of Social Work (benarieh@mail.huji.ac.il).
2. Contact your U.S. representatives and demand that they (1) call for Professor Shalhoub-Kevorkian’s protection and prevention of further harassment and abuse; and (2) protect the academic freedom of Palestinian scholars, students, and those speaking out.
Know that she was mistreated, shackled, hands and feet, put in urine infested and cockroach infested spaces, was yelled at and intimidated during hours of interrogation and no sleep, and was denied medication. Israeli police should be sued and called out for false arrest.