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September 05, 2006

And the narrative slips a little further...

Kofi wants to "mediate" between Israel and Hizb'allah:

The United Nations will appoint a mediator to try to resolve the issue of two Israeli soldiers captured by Hezbollah, Secretary General Kofi Annan said.

``Both parties have accepted the good offices of the secretary general to help resolve this problem,'' Annan said at the end of a visit yesterday to Saudi Arabia, according to the UN. ``I will designate someone discreetly and quietly to work with them to find a solution.''
...
``My mediator should be the only mediator,'' Annan said in Jeddah. ``If others get involved he will pull out because you will get wires crossed. It will be very confusing and it will not be effective, so there must be one mediator and effective channels of communications with both parties.''

Kofi, mediate this: You are aiding and abetting the terrorists. 1701 was pretty clear. Tell Hizb'allah to release the Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser, or else. (Feel free to make up an or else like "we'll not denounce the Zionists for two whole months in the UNHRC", since we know you wouldn't be able to back up any other threat.)

Posted by Andy at 12:24 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

August 08, 2006

UNICEF does care...

UNICEF responded very quickly to my last note. First off, I want to commend the Program Services staff for putting up with my heckling and badgering them, and taking the time to educate me. Here's the response, followed by my reply:

(short version: we made up)

Continue reading "UNICEF does care..." »

Posted by Andy at 10:58 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

UNICEF likes form letters

UNICEF responded to my last set of comments. Amazingly, the letter is exactly the same as the one received on July 28th; with one notable difference. I now have a name, and email address.

My response:

This is the exact same message sent to me on July 28th when I challenged Mr. Lyons' initial message. On July 31st, he sent another message. My challenge to UNICEF, I believe, could not be more clear:

On both sides of the border, children are killed, placed in harm's way, and displaced. We can argue until we are blue in the face about fault; but UNICEF has done a very poor job of highlighting the plight of Israeli children. I do not care whether UNICEF is going to send even one penny to Israel; but every time UNICEF sends out a message decrying the plight of Lebanese children, UNICEF participates in the media war, and chooses the side of Hizb'allah against Israel -- that is, to make Israel appear as an aggressor nation.

What is UNICEF going to do about this? Are you going to monitor the children in Israel, and ensure that aid agencies are taking care of children there? Are you going to direct donors who are interested in helping Israeli children to the One Family Fund, or Le'eman Achai?

Posted by Andy at 02:26 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

July 31, 2006

More from UNICEF

Apparently my earlier question didn't get me banned (or maybe it's the use of a different address to email them than we used to donate after the tsunami). More email from UNICEF:

July 31, 2006

Dear Friend,

Yesterday's attacks in Qana are dramatic evidence that children are once again paying the price of war. As hostilities continue, more than a third of those already killed and injured have been children.

With staff in Lebanon since 1948, UNICEF has been able to rapidly assess the situation of children forced to flee their homes. Their number has increased to more than 400,000, and I hope that you will be able to make a donation today to help these children their hour of need.

UNICEF is providing emergency supplies—including essential medicines, nutritional supplements, and water and sanitation kits—and will begin a measles immunization campaign tomorrow to ward off the outbreak of disease.

This is only the beginning of relief efforts in the region. UNICEF needs $23.8 million to save and protect the children caught in this crisis. Please give generously.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Charles J. Lyons
President, U.S. Fund for UNICEF

ABOUT UNICEF and Israel: UNICEF is non-partisan and does not take sides in conflict situations. UNICEF's concern is the safety and welfare of all children, regardless of their race, gender, ethnicity, religion or nationality.

UNICEF has no plans to operate emergency relief programs in Israel. As with many other nations that once received assistance from UNICEF, Israel has attained economic security and no longer qualifies as a developing nation according to international standards. Instead, as one of the world's leading industrial nations, Israel provides assistance to UNICEF. For more information, please click here.

Apparently, enough of us yelled at them that now we get a disclaimer. But my response to them, unaddressed by their website:

Mr. Lyons,

How many Israeli children are displaced as a result of Hizb'allah rockets?

Do you care?

-Andy

Posted by Andy at 09:29 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

July 29, 2006

Heard at a party

A Frenchman, a Texan, and an Israeli are captured by cannibals (Of course, isn't this the norm?). The cannibals explain to their captives that they prefer well-fed meat, so offer each one a last request. The Frenchman proclaims, 'Certainement! Escargot, sauteed in a beure blanc, and a glass of Chateau Margaux 1971!' A few cannibals race off, and return with this meal (where the rest of the Margaux went is another tale). After he finishes his meal, the cannibals toss him in the pot, and start stoking the fire. The Texan declares, 'I'll have a Black Angus porterhouse, two inches thick, cooked medium rare, with a side of taters. And a bottle of Longhorn, while you're at it.' Another group of cannibals runs off, and return with his meal. When he finishes, the cannibals add him into the pot, alongside the Frenchman, who is starting to look a bit peaked.

The cannibals turn to the Israeli, and ask him for his final request. The Israeli looks around, and says, "Please, just kick me in the balls. Really hard." The cannibals look a bit stunned, then, after verifying this is what he wants, do so. As they go to throw him in the pot, the Israeli pulls out a gun, and proceeds to kill the cannibals. He helps the Texan and the Frenchman out of the pot - both looking a bit worse for wear - and the Frenchman gasps, "Why? Why did you not shoot them before they almost killed us all?"

The Israeli replied, "If I'd shot them earlier, you'd have a UN resolution accusing me of disproportionate force up in no time."

Posted by Andy at 11:58 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The UNHCR gets its priorities right

I mean, we've all been criticizing the UN Human Rights Council for unfairly focusing on Israel, right? Well, they've decided to focus on a more egregious violator:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Friday urged U.S. lawmakers to give the District of Columbia a voting member of Congress, saying the lack of such representation appeared inconsistent with international law.

The rebuke came in a report released by the committee in Geneva on Friday which said residents of the U.S. capital deserved to take part in government affairs directly or through freely chosen representatives under the 1992 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Hmmm, I like that the HRC is trying to bring everyone up to their standard. Hey, China, Cuba, how go those free elections? Saudi Arabia, can you show us how to improve women's rights?

Posted by Andy at 08:29 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

July 28, 2006

It's not that the UN doesn't like Israeli children

Earlier, I wrote about UNICEF soliciting funds - but only for Lebanese children. I wrote back to UNICEF, asking about Israeli children, and received this response:

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. We welcome the opportunity to respond to your questions regarding UNICEF’s work for and with Israel. UNICEF's mission is to ensure every child’s right to health, equality, education, and protection.
UNICEF is very concerned about the impact of the Middle East conflict on children, including the deaths of both Israeli and Lebanese children. UNICEF’s position in all conflicts is that children should be treated as "zones of peace," neither targeted, recruited to fight, nor otherwise made victims of an adult conflict. There are no exceptions to this, and no party to this conflict is unaware of UNICEF’s views. Adults on both sides of the conflict have a special responsibility to protect children from violence. The conflict is between adults and not between soldiers and children. Yet children are gravely affected by the violence.

As one of the first beneficiaries of UNICEF, Israel received child survival and development support beginning in 1948 and lasting 18 years. By 1966, the government of Israel achieved the goal of many developing nations - attaining economic wherewithal to care for its children - and notified UNICEF that it no longer required assistance. Today, UNICEF fully supports peace education activities for both Israeli and Palestinian children in the belief that violence can be prevented through education. The Israeli National Committee for UNICEF, founded in 1969 to support UNICEF's work, supports and conducts peace education events throughout Israel. And each year, the Israeli government makes a voluntary contribution to UNICEF and is a signatory to all UN conventions protecting the rights of children. In 2004, the government of Israel donated $60,000 to support UNICEF’s programs. An additional $13,187 was raised from voluntary contributions.

UNICEF works to ensure the health and well-being of all children, regardless of nationality, race, or gender. UNICEF is an organization made up of dedicated humanitarians, working for the best interests of children everywhere, even in the most complex and challenging settings.

We appreciate you taking the time to voice your concerns. Please feel free to contact our offices with further questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Program Services
212-686-5522
U.S. Fund for UNICEF
www.unicefusa.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
For every child
Health, Education, Equality, Protection
ADVANCE HUMANITY

I've replied:

UNICEF Program Services,

Thank you for the context. I will note, however, that at this point, many children are refugees within Israel. And, while Israelis, Jews, and concerned peoples around the world are raising funds to support those who are sheltering the children, it seems odd to me that UNICEF would not be one of them. In fact, in light of the actions of other UN organizations, it behooves UNICEF to act to dispel any notion of UN bias. I would suggest at the very least, you look into whether the residents of Beit Shemesh could use your assistance. Or maybe those of Tzfat. It is possible you are already doing so; if so, I would be pleased to hear it. And I understand that the Lebanese have not done as good a job at safeguarding their own children as the Israelis have, and need the lion's share of your attention; but I would suggest that you consider ways in which UNICEF can actually be a non-partisan agency.

Thank you for your time,

Andy

So their short answer is: You Jews are doing a mighty fine job of taking care of yourself. Keep it up. Especially if you can keep giving us money, too.

Posted by Andy at 02:37 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (4)

Candidate Swap!

Armed Liberal over at Winds of Change is having a bad day. Apparently, no one loves his candidate:

Did you think I was kidding when I asked you to send 10 emails to friends asking for cash for Hank Johnson??

I've gotten like 3 emails from people who've said they did it. I'm feeling depressed and ashamed. Where's my vast influence? Where's the legions of people ready to stand up and follow the banner of...wait a minute, I'm not Kos.

Now, I'm not advocating for Mr. Johnson, but I seem to also have a lack of response for my candidate, Ashton Kutcher for Secretary General. So I figure a little, you scratch my back, I scratch yours is appropriate. Head over to WoC and browse around, and, if you're so inclined, tell AL that you'll support his candidate if he supports mine.

Posted by Andy at 10:30 AM | | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

July 27, 2006

Ashton Kutcher for Secretary General!

Maybe you’re all tired of hearing about how horrible the UN is, and how corrupt, inept, and anti-Semitic Kofi Annan is. (Frankly, I’m tired of hearing it, and wish it wasn’t so). AbbaGav has a proposal which I’m going to second:

Ashton Kutcher could run the UN and it would at least be only inefficient.

So here it is: Grassroots campaign to advocate for Ashton Kutcher as Secretary General. Is he qualified?

As Michael Kelso in That ‘70s Show, he’s learned to put up with codependent relationships; and that opening your mouth just to hear the sound of your own voice isn’t going to earn your brownie points.

As the Tivo addict in Robot Chicken, he’s certainly learned what can happen if you watch too much television. Maybe he could apply that to journalists embedded with terrorists.

In The Butterfly Effect, he’s hopefully learned that even small changes can have great and catastrophic consequences. And that something that keeps screwing up the world should be dealt with appropriately.

In short, he's got some life lessons that the UN could use. Ashton Kutcher for Secretary General!

Posted by Andy at 10:36 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

July 26, 2006

Just when you thought the UN had hit bottom

Via Solomonia, I find that LGF has stumbled onto this UNIFIL press release:

UNIFIL is still facing serious restrictions in its freedom of movement due to the ongoing hostilities and the extensive destruction of roads and bridges throughout the area of operation. Yesterday, a UNIFIL engineering contingent from China managed to do some repairs on a key road artery between Tyre and Naqoura, and the road is now usable for traffic. However, more road destruction was reported in various areas in the south.

Does this make the UN a co-belligerent to Hizb'allah?
This prompted me to go look at the UNIFIL press releases by day:

Continue reading "Just when you thought the UN had hit bottom" »

Posted by Andy at 08:14 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

July 25, 2006

UNICEF only cares about Lebanese children

I just received this email from UNICEF:

Subject: Children in Lebanon need help today
July 25, 2006

Dear Friend,

As hostilities in the Middle East continue, innocent children are bearing the brunt of the conflict. More than a third of those already killed and injured have been children.

With staff in Lebanon since 1948, UNICEF has been able to rapidly assess the situation of the estimated 350,000 children forced to flee their homes. I hope that you will be able to make a donation today to help these children in their hour of critical need.

38 tons of emergency supplies—including essential medicines as well as water and sanitation kits—were sent from UNICEF's warehouse in Copenhagen over the weekend. UNICEF staff on the ground are working around the clock to deliver aid to the children and families isolated by the destruction of roads and bridges.

This is only the beginning of relief efforts in the region. UNICEF still needs $23.8 million to save and protect the children caught in this crisis. Please give generously.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Charles J. Lyons
President, U.S. Fund for UNICEF

I'm not going to try to downplay the effect on Lebanese children - but where's the love for the Israeli children displaced from their homes?

Posted by Andy at 02:34 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

July 23, 2006

Why the UN can't solve the problem

You may have noticed a slight anti-UN bias here. In case you were wondering why, here's a bit of history.

David Kopel at Volokh Conspiracy covers the 2000 Hizb'allah kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldiers:

According an Indian solider in UNIFIL who witnessed the kidnapping, "By this stage, there was a big commotion and dozens of UN soldiers from the Indian brigade came around." The witness stated that the brigade knew that the kidnappers in UN uniform were Hezbollah. One soldiers said that the brigade should arrest the Hezbollah, but the brigade did nothing.
...
Even after admitting the existence of the first videotape, Annan refused to allow Israel to view it. He claimed that letting Israel see evidence about the kidnapping would undermine the UN’s neutrality. Thus, Annan insisted on neutrality between innocent victims and terrorists who had used fake UN insignia and who had taken vehicles from UN staff a gunpoint.

Hopefully everyone is aware that UN peacekeepers have been deployed in Southern Lebanon? We've seen how well they stopped the Hizb'allah attacks this year.

Of course, then there is Gaza, where the UN employs members of Hamas.

Then there's the new UN Human Rights Council, which, in its first meeting, addressed only one specific country:

With regards to the situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories, the Council adopted a resolution in which it decided to undertake substantive consideration of the human rights violations and implications of the Israeli occupation of Palestine and other occupied Arab territories at its next session and to incorporate this issue in its following sessions.

Update: AbbaGav gives us some more fodder:

But the crowning achievement of UNIFIL's tenuous tenure on the border has to be their jaw-dropping success at not having recognized a single Hizbullah missile being smuggled under their noses and installed on Lebanon's "sovereign" border with Israel. And it wasn't easy either, what with Nasrallah's constant bragging about his 10,000 missiles. It takes some serious committment to peace to avoid raising an inconvenient fuss about that many missiles, and possibly getting the guy who used to bribe you angry.

I'll leave out the non-anti-semitic actions, like the rampant corruption at the UN (Tongsun Park, anyone?) or the depredations of UN peacekeepers on civilian populations.
The UN is not friendly to Israel. Israel should not trust them.

Posted by Andy at 10:13 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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