Gaza on our minds

Anna has something percolating on this in more depth, so until then, stealing an idea Carol left in our comments, here's a round-up of what I've been able to find in the progressive Kiwi blogworld, with an emphasis on posts from women:

• Anarkaytie reports on yesterday's Wellington protest against the Gaza bombings.
• Idiot/Savant considers the situation in Gaza, and is frequently updating with short highly-readable posts about developments.
• Anjum condemns the violence.
• Joe Hendren writes about the Israeli tennis player competing in this week's ASB Classic Women's tournament.
• Steve Pierson lays out the disproportionality of the Israeli response.
• Anita considers what New Zealand could do about it all, while her blog-mate Pablo comments on our Foreign Minister's position (well his position today anyway).
• Daphna combines some commentary with a review of Israeli film Waltz with Bashir.

For those interested in connecting with others about this, Indymedia has a lot of news about events (like this Saturday's protest in Auckland) and groups around Aotearoa, and beyond.

And here's a link to The F Word's round-up of international feminist blogging about Gaza, Israel, Palestine and war. Hat tipped to Carol. I was particularly struck by this quote in the post:

We demand that war no longer be an option, nor violence a strategy, nor killing an alternative. The society we want is one in which every individual can lead a life of security - personal, economic, and social.

It is clear that the highest price is paid by women and others from the periphery - geographic, economic, ethnic, social, and cultural - who now, as always, are excluded from the public eye and dominant discourse.

The time for women is now. We demand that words and actions be conducted in another language.

Like many others I feel utter despair and a complete lack of ability to do anything that would make even a smidgen of difference. I hate feeling powerless. And if I hate it, here on the other side of the world where the sun is shining and no bombs are falling and my son is not in danger of being killed because of an argument between powerful people with guns, then I can't imagine how bad it must feel to be there.

The horror of a bombing of a school, the high death toll of civillians (be they women, children, or men), it seems insane from here. As with so many other things, I find myself unable to understand the mindset that says the best way to stop violence is with more violence.

I have a friend travelling with her partner and young baby in Israel at the moment. I hope they are safe.