Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Special Feature: Selected Poems for Reflections on Israeli Opposition Leader's Remark on Israel's Genocidal War on Gaza: a "sane state does not Kill Babies as a Hobby"


Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert told the BBC that what Israel "is doing now in Gaza is very close to a WAR CRIME."

And Haaretz, May 23: A Lost Battle for Human Rights: Throughout the War Israel's High Court Has Denied All Requests to Protect Gazans

Since the start of the war, the High Court has given its seal of approval to all of Israel's actions – withholding of medical treatment, the disappearing of people, denial of media access to Gaza, and above all, starving the population of Gaza)


My Dear Readers:

Earlier on Tuesday, in an interview with Kan public radio, Yair Golan said Israel was "on the path to becoming a pariah state, like South Africa once was, if it does not return to acting like a sane country." He added that a "sane state does not wage war against civilians, does not kill babies as a hobby, and does not set goals for itself like the expulsion of a population."

-- excerpted from Haaretz, May 20: Opposition MK Says Israel Risks Pariah Status, 'Sane State Doesn't Kill Babies as Hobby'


Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, XC: "just to be alive"

almost, with eyes closed
to this shrapnel-filled world ...
a Gazan newborn



XX: "hospital raid"
first haiku written in the style of magical realism

hospital raid ...
a dead man watches his blood flow
into his children's blood



CLXXXVIII: "a sniper's eye"

a Gazan baby
the glitter 
in a sniper's eye


The Democrats chair also criticized the government's conduct, saying it is "full of vengeful, unintelligent, and immoral individuals who lack the ability to run a country in a time of emergency – people who have nothing whatsoever to do with Judaism." Golan called for the government to be replaced "as soon as possible, so that the war can come to an end."

-- excerpted from Haaretz, May 20: Opposition MK Says Israel Risks Pariah Status, 'Sane State Doesn't Kill Babies as Hobby'


CLXXXI: "things hidden in ears"
inspired by Mosab Abu Toha's poem, "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear"

doctor, you may find
these things hidden in my ears
a boy murmurs ...
buzzing of drones, roar of fighter jets
screams of Gazans, living and dead



CLXXXV: "covered in blood"

covered in blood
a mother holds her dead children ...
with news on mute
this Israeli expat shouts
we won't forget; they won't escape



Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CLXXXIX: "Heaven and Gaza's ruins"

an armless boy's stare
midnight lightning links Heaven 
and Gaza's ruins ...

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