WE are witnessing a world in turmoil at present, with US imperialism showing signs of losing its potency and the new world BRICS alliance beginning to demonstrate its power. Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa have come together to form economic and trade links for their mutual benefit, bringing together old allies and the new emerging economies of the 21st century. Others from the Arab world line up to join and we are witnessing a serious shift in the balance of power.
How is this showing itself? For the first time in the post-war period the US dominance in the world is being challenged on Israel and Palestine and the US is being forced to call for a ceasefire against the wishes of its ally, Netanyahu, with its only support coming from the other old imperialist, the United Kingdom.
READ MORE: MP in call for probe into UK arms sales to Israel amid genocide fears
It has been frightening to see the speed with which rightward political trends have developed in the West over the last decade, but the size and consistency of the enormous demonstrations of support for Gaza and Palestine are a sign that the people are tiring of the blood-soaked machinations of the US warmongers and their allies.
The heroes of the piece are the South African legal team who have taken their immaculately prepared case against Israeli genocide to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). That South Africa means business is demonstrated by the amazing Dr Naledi Pandor, the Minister for International Cooperation who has spoken publicly about boosting trade links with the 50 countries that support the South African case. A campaign is being built with the new world trade links being utilised politically. The passion with which Dr Pandor makes the case shows South Africa is not going to let this go, and if they get a negative outcome from the ICJ then a new strategy will be devised – they are going for gold! Dr Pandor, with her many qualifications and past ministerial posts, is a wonderful symbol for a new world order and for the power of women in struggle.
There is much we in Scotland can learn from this display of single-mindedness, in our fight for self-determination.
Maggie Chetty
Glasgow
ON International Women’s Day I find it shocking that the concept of witch-hunting is still alive and kicking as it relentlessly pursues powerful women who dare to put their heads above the parapet.
While we await the announcement of the date for the next General Election we also await the result of the police investigation into the SNP finances. When the date is announced and official campaigning begins, chances are the result of the investigation will be announced around the same time!
READ MORE: New SNP branding 'part of tactical voting General Election strategy'
The result will be used as a stick to beat us, keep us down, embarrass us and for yet another attempt to bring our former FM Nicola Sturgeon into disrepute and challenge her popularity.
Thinking back to the theatrical fiasco of the tents, the spades, the fleet of police vans and the many boxes of files removed from SNP offices – all unfolding in the full glare of the media. It was £600,000 of donations, not public money like the hundreds of millions acquired by “friends of the Tories” through the PPE scam!
I feel sadness, anger, frustration and hurt that one of the most capable, caring, female Scottish politicians, well-regarded throughout the world, has had to face relentless hostility from the British establishment. Treated as an outlier, judged as a Scottish terrorist because she always puts Scotland first.
READ MORE: Scottish Government reacts to Spring Budget as spending cuts expected
The Covid inquiry saw her being aggressively questioned about deleted WhatsApp messages. Again the innuendo, the suspicion, the aggression all directed at our former FM to trash her reputation. The media and the establishment in tandem acting against her. No mention of her unfailing daily leadership that kept Scotland informed throughout the years of the pandemic.
This woman made us proud, raised our heads, gave us hope and expectations that we could build a better country and future.
It falls on us in Scotland to stand agin the Tories and Labour who offer us nothing new – same old, same old! Let’s value the achievements of our former FM, follow her lead and stand up for Scotland, our country, our nation and our independence.
Jan Ferrie
Ayrshire
STARMER and Biden need to catch up with the public. In this context I mean voters as opposed to the mysterious people that the pundit industry take into focus groups, or those who answer to opinion pollsters (who never seem to be people like me who always vote.)
The voting public, a shrinking phenomenon outside of referenda, understand what Starmer and Biden do not – Gaza is just a worse version of Ukraine which is a more up-to-date version of Iraq.
READ MORE: David Pratt: Diplomatic impotency over Gaza reveals a ‘moral collapse’ in the West
We are sick of war-mongers and sicker of those who pander to or enable them.
That instinct was clearly on display when, despite the withholding of relevant information, the public sensed the wrongness of the illegal invasion of Iraq when press and politicians were duped.
When it comes to Ukraine with its white European population, Western governments and their voters have been in lock-step on the whole. With Iraq they got it wrong. With Gaza they are getting it so very much more wrong.
When it comes to Gaza, Biden and Starmer are forgetting one thing that is different to Iraq. Voters don’t have to accept the legacy media slant or the politicians’. It’s being played out in real time before their eyes on a daily basis.
I have said it before, and it bears saying again, to both Starmer and Biden: in the coming national elections – when turn-out for both will be pivotal – the Ghosts of Gaza are waiting.
Amanda Baker
Edinburgh
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here