This period of Peace, Love and Happiness!

In the Christian world Christians and others who are not necessarily Christians celebrate this season as one of peace, love, happiness, and goodwill. All of this is associated with the birth of Christ, but the season has taken on a life of its own. My intention was to reflect on Christmas as I knew it and some of the changes that have taken place over the years, but I have had to shift a bit as I checked updates on the slaughter taking place in Gaza. I have tried to stay away for days from following what was happening in Gaza. It was certainly not in the best interest of my mental health. I tuned in today at a time when Israel had just launched another brutal attack on a building near to a hospital in Rafah in Southern Gaza in an area that was designated as a safe zone.

As I write a lot of attention is being focused on another humanitarian ceasefire or pause as it could best be described. A United Arab Emirates resolution in the Security Council has been dangling in the air since Monday as the US keeps asking for a delay on the ground that they were trying to resolve issues with a few other countries. Part of the delay that aims at the suspension of hostilities in Gaza, has to do with the wording of the resolution that can avoid another US veto. The resolution among other things, aims to give the UN control over the implementation of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It appears that the resolution will now be taken up tomorrow, Thursday, instead of today, Wednesday, the time I am writing this piece. The delay to Thursday is really because of the US having to take the draft as it has been worked out to be signed off by the President. Any further Veto by the US will be an even more serious embarrassment for them and will widen the gap with their friends, most of whom are now opting for a Ceasefire. The latest country to do this is Canada, standing with Britain, France, and Germany for a “sustainable ceasefire.” The US not only risks further isolation from its European friends but will have to make some hard decisions regarding its ‘dear’ ally, Israel. The Israeli PM Netanyahu is insisting that Israel will continue fighting until Hamas is no more. As I stated in previous articles for him to achieve that thousands more Palestinians will have to be killed. But in terms of a long-term solution to the problem, what it will do is create more Hamas followers and sympathisers.

The US, in fact the Biden problem, is that recent polls have shown that in supporting Israel in the way he has been doing, he is losing quite a lot of support among potential voters, especially among young persons and Arabs and Palestinians. The Arab and Palestinian voters in the US might not be large in numbers but could impact in certain states. Biden’s success in the 2024 presidential elections will depend too on overall turnout at the polls. Even within his own Democratic party there are divisions with some persons being critical of his position on the Middle East.

He is of course quite aware of this and has in recent weeks been trying to be a bit critical of Israel, asking for a reduction in the intensity of their foray into Gaza. His sterner language, echoed by his Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has shown no marked change in the behaviour of Netanyahu. As efforts are made to continue to supply aid, including weapons to Israel, the big question is, should the US not impose conditions on the use of that aid? Reports also suggest that efforts are being made to agree on another humanitarian pause to allow access to humanitarian aid to Gaza and medical assistance to Palestinians who have been injured. The word is that Netanyahu might be prepared to go along with this but for no longer than a week, and with conditions attached about the release of more Israeli hostages by Hamas and other groups holding smaller numbers. As we have seen from the earlier “humanitarian pause” the Israeli military will continue its raids on Palestinian homes in Gaza and the Occupied West Banks.

All of this seems far from us but as part of the global community we will feel the effects in different ways, especially when our “Big Brother” the US is actively involved. As we celebrate another Christmas season, we have always to remember that large numbers of our people live in the US. Their barrels at this time of year and the remittances which relatives and friends send to us play a significant part in our livelihood. We have to remember that what is happening in Gaza and Biden’s role, could possibly lead to the return to the Presidency of the infamous Donald Trump who regards Immigrants especially those of our colour as “Poisoning the blood of our country.” He has vowed to fix the Immigration situation, not only at the Mexican border but generally. This could mean many things. Let us reflect on this.

Our focus at this time

is on enjoying the many activities that make the Christmas season that it is. Times we know are very hard for us. We try to take advantage of the many sales and bargains that arise at this time. The barrels will help, as will the return of family members. With the end of the Christmas season, do we have much hope for 2024? January will continue to be a difficult month, but will there be light at the end of the tunnel in 2024?

• Dr Adrian Fraser is a social commentator and historian