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crisveijk.bsky.social
Cris van Eijk
@crisveijk.bsky.social
1.6K followers 1.5K following 780 posts
International law, the (space) commons, and how they're made.
PhD @newcastleuni.bsky.social | 🇺🇸🇳🇱🏳️‍🌈 | 🔊: krɪs van aɪk | he/him

https://www.ncl.ac.uk/law/research/students/current-pgr-students/cristian-van-eijk/
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crisveijk.bsky.social
IU is very pretty in the fall.
A picture of the Indiana University campus, with trees in full autumn colours.
November 6, 2025 at 2:31 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
I’ve been saying a version of this in lectures since 2021, and in published writing since January this year.

Eg these tweets from Dec 2021:
A screenshot of two tweets by me, dated 10 Dec 2021, reading: Loading @marineregions's maps into Google Earth changed how I think about int'l spaces. Q: If I'm at Trafalgar Square, how far must I go before I'm beyond national jurisdiction? A: 100 km, straight up. You may think it's the high seas... but space is 8.3 times closer. In fact, for almost the *whole world*, space is closer than any other ABNJ. I've spent a lot of time in/near The Hague Central Station, right in the middle of an 'international city'. Look how far I'd have to go to get into international waters. Space is 11.5 times closer.
October 29, 2025 at 2:19 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Sebutinde tacitly admits a lot by referring to "Both sides to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict" (hint: only 1 of those has a military).

One para later, she reframes the conflict as between "the State of Israel" and Hamas. Then she invents the novel field of "international humanitarian rights law".
Excerpt from Judge Sebutinde's Dissenting Opinion to the ICJ Advisory Opinion, highlighted text in asterisks: "A. Irreconcilable goals and objectives 19. *Both sides to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict* remain firmly committed to their respective strategic goals and objectives, with little indication of compromise or de-escalation. This entrenched posture has significant legal implications, particularly in relation to the conduct of hostilities, the protection of civilians and compliance with international humanitarian law. On one hand, the publicly articulated objectives of Hamas3° in the context of the Gaza conflict include: (i) the elimination of the State of Israel3'; (ii) the establishment in its stead of an Islamic State governed by Sharia law across Gaza, the West Bank and the territory currently comprising Israel; (iii) the pursuit of armed resistance against Israeli occupation; (iv) the retention of political and military control over the Gaza Strip 32; and (v) the strategic use of hostages as leverage in negotiations 33" Excerpt from Judge Sebutinde's Dissenting Opinion to the ICJ Advisory Opinion, highlighted or underlined text in asterisks: "20. On the other hand, the State of Israel, through official statements by government representatives including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu?, has articulated the following strategic objectives in the context of the Gaza conflict: (i) neutralization of Hamas' military and governance capabilities — aimed at dismantling Hamas' operational infrastructure administrative control in Gaza to prevent future attacks and restore national security; (ii) securing the release and safe recovery of Israeli hostages from Gaza following the events of 7 October 2023; (iii) ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a strategic or security threat to Israeli territory or population; (iv) termination of Hamas' authority in Gaza and promoting the development of a post-conflict administrative framework, potentially involving international or regional actors; and (v) restoration of Israel's deterrence posture and reinforcing public confidence in the State's capacity to defend its citizens against future aggression and cross-border attacks. Israel has consistently emphasized that its military operations are directed against designated terrorist organizations, specifically Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, *and not against the civilian population of Gaza*. This distinction is central to Israel's stated commitment to compliance with *international humanitarian rights law*, particularly the principles of distinction and proportionality."
October 22, 2025 at 7:30 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Sebutinde: Revisiting already adjudicated issues is a "clear misuse" of the ICJ's jurisdiction that undermines international justice, our authority, and our "impartiality". [🫠]

Sebutinde: For example, our finding that Israel is occupying Palestine.

Sebutinde, later: But also, as I said before-
Excerpt from ICJ Adv Opinion, Dissent of Judge Sebutinde, with three sentences underlined (here in *asterisks*: "the Occupied Palestinian Territory (hereinafter the "Wall Opinion")12, the Court has, in those two prior advisory opinions, already given its opinion regarding the applicable rules and principles of international law and expounded on its understanding of Israel's specific obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as an "occupying Power", ', including in relation to the right to self-determination of the Palestinian people. *In my view, revisiting issues already adjudicated in prior advisory opinions constitutes a clear misuse of the Court's advisory jurisdiction and undermines the sound administration of international justice.* Such repetition lacks legitimate judicial purpose and risks politicizing the Court's proceedings, thereby diminishing the authority and impartiality of its advisory function. The following examples illustrate my point: - A central issue in the present case concerns the applicability of international humanitarian law (IHL) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly the Gaza Strip. In both the Wall Opinion and the OPT Opinion, *the Court affirmed that the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, is under Israeli occupation*3 and that the Fourth Geneva Convention and customary rules of IHL are applicable in the OPT 4. In the OPT Opinion *the Court further held that the law of occupation remains applicable to Gaza*, concluding that Israel's 2005 disengagement did not absolve it of its obligations under the law of occupation and that Israel's obligations persist to the extent that it retains effective control over the Gaza Strip!5. Consequently, the Court found in both opinions that IHL applies in the OPT and that Israel is bound by its obligations under that body of law. *The Court unnecessarily repeats this point* in paragraphs 83-90 of the present Advisory Opinion." Excerpt from ICJ Adv Opinion, Dissent of Judge Sebutinde, with three sentences underlined (here in *asterisks*: "(v) The legal obligations imposed on occupying powers allow for a considerable degree of discretion in their implementation 66. *Israel's designation as an "occupying Power" remains contested.71* However, even assuming the applicability of international humanitarian law governing occupation, the legal obligations imposed on occupying powers allow for a considerable degree of discretion in their implementation. For example, while an occupying power is required to ensure the provision of food and medical supplies to the civilian population, it retains discretion over the modalities of delivery. If capable, the occupying Power may provide such services directly. Where it lacks the capacity to fully meet the population's needs, it must allow and facilitate humanitarian relief by international organizations- provided those organizations meet the requisite standards of neutrality, impartiality and independence. See Legal Consequences arising from the Policies and Practices of Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, Advisory Opinion of 19 July 2024, *dissenting opinion of Vice-President Sebutinde.*"
October 22, 2025 at 7:17 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Judge Sebutinde cites The Free Press article - 'revealing' that starving children often have other health issues, and recently panned by John Oliver... in a section about "the challenges in verifying the accuracy and authenticity of information".

This is absolutely *mortifying*.
Excerpt from Judge Sebutinde's dissenting opinion in today's ICJ Advsory Opinion: https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/196/196-20251022-adv-01-01-en.pdf "22. Particularly troubling is the documented misuse of photographs of children suffering from pre-existing medical conditions, which were erroneously disseminated by various media outlets as emblematic of famine-related suffering in Gaza. In one notable case, The New York Times and other major outlets issued corrections after it was revealed that a child portrayed as a victim of starvation was, in fact, afflicted by rare genetic disorders unrelated to malnutrition.37 Moreover, senior United Nations officials have, on occasion, retracted or revised public statements after the underlying claims were found to be inaccurate or unsubstantiated.38 These incidents underscore the prevalence of disinformation and propaganda in the current hostilities and highlight the need for the Court to exercise rigorous evidentiary scrutiny in assessing claims related to the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.39" Excerpt from Judge Sebutinde's dissenting opinion in today's ICJ Advsory Opinion: https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/196/196-20251022-adv-01-01-en.pdf 35 Recently, a German newspaper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, showed that a photo of Gazans holding empty pots was staged, with the civilians posing in front of a photographer — not in a queue for food aid. See N. Freund, "Wie echt sind die Bilder aus Gaza?" Süddeutsche Zeitung (3 Aug. 2025), https://www.sueddeutsche.de/politik/gaza-hunger-bilder- experten-propaganda-hamas-Israel-11.3291 720. 36 A recent article by The Free Press has uncovered that twelve individuals who were featured in viral photos actually suffered from serious, pre-existing health problems. In late July, The New York Times published a photo of 18-month-old boy, Mohammed Zakaria al-Mutawaq, for a story about hunger in Gaza. After details regarding al-Mutawaq's condition came to light, The New York Times was forced to publish a correction to the story stating that he suffered from "pre-existing health problems affecting his brain and his muscle development": see, respectively, "They Became Symbols for Gazan Starvation. But All 12 Suffer from Other Health Problems": The Free Press (18 Aug. 2025), https://www.thefp.com/p/they-became-symbols-for-gazan-starvation; https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/world/middle east/gaza-starvation.html. 37 Ibid."
October 22, 2025 at 6:50 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
There are many ways to frame the retrospective rescission of "indefinite" legal status for particular civilian populations.

Anyway, here's an excerpt from the ICC Elements of Crimes...
Excerpt from the ICC Elements of Crimes, pp 4-5, at https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/Publications/Elements-of-Crimes.pdf Article 7 (1) (d) Crime against humanity of deportation or forcible transfer of population Elements 1. The perpetrator deported or forcibly^12 transferred,^13 without grounds permitted under international law, one or more persons to another State or location, by expulsion or other coercive acts. 2. Such person or persons were lawfully present in the area from which they were so deported or transferred. 3. The perpetrator was aware of the factual circumstances that established the lawfulness of such presence. 4. The conduct was committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population. 5. The perpetrator knew that the conduct was part of or intended the conduct to be part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population. ------ 12. The term “forcibly” is not restricted to physical force, but may include threat of force or coercion, such as that caused by fear of violence, duress, detention, psychological oppression or abuse of power against such person or persons or another person, or by taking advantage of a coercive environment. 13. “Deported or forcibly transferred” is interchangeable with “forcibly displaced”.
October 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
I do love Hoyveda's speech. The Powers were rushing the Outer Space Treaty through the GA - the 1st Comm debate was over a Saturday from 10:30-19:10, in week 13 of the longest GA on record. But Hoyveda really took a sec to reflect on what it'd mean to do this right.

www.unoosa.org/pdf/garecord...
Excerpt from UNGA(1st), ‘Verbatim Record of the 1492nd Meeting’ (17 Dec 1966) UN Doc A/C.1/PV.1492, 67 (Iran). "While studying the Committee's report, I could not help thinking that the lack of reflection on the future has very often plunged mankind into situations from which he has not been able to extricate himself, and also into very dangerous situations. Let us reflect for a moment on the problems raised today by the deforestation of our planet, pollution of the air and water of our great cities, the lack of housing and of buildings. If we had previously sought to distinguish the forms of the future through the fog, perhaps we might have spared ourselves some serious concerns. Today we have an advantage over our ancestors; perhaps we are not wiser than they were, but we do have better tools to work with. Among those tools I would give first place to the United Nations. Our Organization can and should be the forum of the future. It is fortunate, as may be seen from the agenda item before us today, that the United Nations is fully and entirely conscious of its responsibilities." "A few years ago, the object of this item on our agenda might have seemed to be, if not fantastic, then at least of less relative urgency. But the progress of science and technology has been so great and so rapid that the frontiers between the present and the future are being rolled back. The exploration of the moon, of the solar system, of interplanetary space which ten years ago belonged to the realm of science fiction today has become part of reality. Even more, the progress achieved in the last few years is such that the question has become a familiar one and, as the representative of Australia said yesterday, even trite. Nobody was surprised the other day on seeing on the first page of newspapers. the extraordinary photographs of the moon taken by Lunar Orbiter."
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
I lost that post re: overlapping historical events, but the day the UNGA (1st Comm) approved the Outer Space Treaty, Amb. Fereydoun Hoyveda (Iran) closed the morning meeting with:

"I should like to cite a phrase of a painter who has just celebrated his 85th birthday. I am speaking of Picasso."
Excerpt from speech by Fereydoun Hoyveda, from: UNGA (1st), ‘Verbatim Record of the 1492nd Meeting’ (17 Dec 1966) UN Doc A/C.1/PV.1492, 73 (Iran) "The spirit of understanding and co-operation which has characterized our discussion on this point surely gives us legitimate room for hope. Today in the field of outer space we are proving with the treaty that men are aware of the projections of their undertakings and that they can work together and in peace. It is true that the spirit which underlies the treaty has still not spread to more earthly fields. But, to conclude on a more happy note, I should like to cite a phrase of a painter who has just celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday. I am speaking of Picasso. Picasso had painted the portrait of the outstanding American writer, Gertrude Stein, who, looking at the picture, said: ‘Does that portrait truly look like me?’ To which Picasso replied: ‘You will end by looking like the portrait’. We do not as yet resemble the picture which the draft treaty before us paints of us, but we are sure that the spirit of mankind will end up by resembling the spirit of the treaty. That, at least, is our hope.”
October 16, 2025 at 6:43 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Like, the way P.L. Prattis (writing in the Pittsburgh Courier, 23 Dec 1961) frames space as antiracism as democracy as geopolitical critique is absolute poetry!!
1 of 3 screenshots of 'Horizons' by P.L. Prattis, writing in the Pittsburgh Courier on 23 Dec 1961. Horizon By P. L. Prattis Outer Space "MORE AND MORE as the years descend upon me, I become concerned with the nature or this white man with whom I live and must have my being. Long, long ago, he caused me to distrust him. I needed little sense of discernment to discover that where I was concerned, the ideals professed by whites meant little. There has always been a minority of whites who are true Christians and include me in their devotion to the Golden Rule. But I know that there is larger group which doesn't, and that the largest segment or whites is unconcerned about me and my people." "Even so, I'll get by. At present, I am thinking of the efforts to line up nations in the United Nations to take a position that no nation should have a special claim in Outer space." "Thus, whatever values outer space may have to Russia should be shared with us and all other nations. There must be no Monroe Doctrine in outer space. "Who gets there fastest with the mostest" must have no application to outer space. The assumption, of course, is that if we had discovered that our exploration of outer space gave us certain advantages over Russia, we would share these advantages with all other nations, just like we did not do with the atom bomb." "I cannot buy such an assumption. I know that WHITE MAN, the Anglo-Saxon American, will take what he calls a "tech" wherever he can find one." Thus, when I try to use a so-called white waiting room at a bus stop in Alabama or Mississippi, I'll be arrested and thrown into jail for "breach of peace." Or, in most sections in Maryland, if I seek food in a public restaurant, I'll be seized and jailed for trespassing. This is a pure dodge and technicality. But this is how MY WHITE MAN works. He takes advantage of all existing "techs" to have his way, and if he does not have any ready-made "techs," he hastens to the legislature to fabricate some. So, anti-Communist though I am, I think Senator Eastland will find me grinning when Adlai Stevenson tries to induce the United Nations to adopt our outer space objectives. If Russia leaches the moon first, we don't want her to stake out a claim. Of course, this is a diversionary tactic. If we reach the Moon first, we'll change our minds - all of a sudden convincing ourselves that it is our God-given responsibility to establish democracy on the moon. I go along with that."
October 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
HM, what parts of Indigenous histories would make *this* two-secton part, in which both sections are titled "Voluntary Relocation", EXTREMELY suspect? 😬
Voluntary Relocation: A Path to Greater Opportunity Any serious proposal for Greenland’s integration into the United States must place the welfare, agency, and future prosperity of Greenlanders at the forefront. The transition from Danish rule to US governance would bring profound changes, both in terms of administration and economic opportunities. Some Greenlanders may wish to remain in their homeland, benefiting from infrastructure investments and modernization, while others may seek to relocate to the US mainland in pursuit of broader educational and professional prospects. Respecting this diversity of aspirations requires a policy framework that prioritizes voluntary choice, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation. Voluntary Relocation: A Path to Greater Opportunity For Greenlanders who choose to relocate to the United States, a structured, well-funded resettlement program would be essential. Learning from past models— both their successes and pitfalls—such as federal relocation programs for Native Alaskans and Pacific Islanders in US territories, Greenlanders would be offered comprehensive support, including financial incentives, housing assistance, and expedited residency status. This policy would ensure that relocation is an informed and voluntary decision rather than an economic necessity. A voluntary relocation program should provide direct grants covering travel, housing, and initial living expenses for families establishing themselves in the continental United States. Upon integration, Greenlanders would automatically receive US citizenship, granting them full legal protections, access to federal benefits, and-"
October 12, 2025 at 8:35 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
So I dunno if you caught Brendan Carr's speech last week, but it closed with a bit that, uh, well I'm gonna go past 'bold' into 'flatly divorced from reality'...
Excerpt from the end of a speech by FCC Chair Brendan Carr on 6 Oct 2025: "I’d like to close with this. I spoke earlier about how the White House just designated space innovation as one of the nation’s five most important R&D priorities. There is something else about this initiative that I think speaks to this moment. The Trump Administration’s position on R&D is not just that it needs to be more targeted, but that it needs to be more ambitious. America’s scientists often spend 40% of their time doing paperwork on grant applications, rather than direct research. And the new grant applications they work on are too often aimed at what will get funded rather than what could have the biggest impact. University of Chicago professor James Evans summed up our problem nicely. He wrote: “Too many projects get funding because they are probable. But science moves forward one improbability at a time.” The United States of America is the greatest country in human history, because, like no other nation, risk-taking is in our DNA. As Americans, we imagine the impossible and then make it real. After being too timid for too long, America is finally getting its mojo back. Under President Trump’s leadership, we are entering a Golden Age of innovation in space, and we are looking to The Gundo to play a crucial role. Think about it. “Moonshot” is the most popular metaphor for our most ambitious endeavors. For this crowd, moonshots are what you do on a Tuesday. You are pushing boundaries like Americans always have. Please know that you have committed partners at the FCC and in Washington who are doing everything we can to make your next big breakthroughs possible. Thank you again for hosting me today. I look forward to learning from the panel discussion to come."
October 12, 2025 at 1:15 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
This reminds me of a Toni Morrison quote I've been thinking about a lot lately - and which I love too much to do the violence of shortening:

[from 'Unspeakable Things Unspoken', 11-12]
Two excerpted quotes from Toni Morrison, ‘Unspeakable Things Unspoken: The Afro-American Presence in American Literature’ (1989) 28 Michigan Quarterly Review, 11-12 (with the asterisked text highlighted for emphasis): “We can agree, I think, that invisible things are not necessarily ‘not-there’; that a void may be empty, but is not a vacuum. In addition, certain absences are so stressed, so ornate, so planned, they call attention to themselves.” “Looking at the scope of American literature, I can't help thinking that the question should never have been ‘Why am I, an Afro-American, absent from it?’ It is not a particularly interesting query anyway. The spectacularly interesting question is *‘What intellectual feats had to be performed by the author or his critic to erase me from a society seething with my presence, and what effect has that performance had on the work?’ What are the strategies of escape from knowledge? Of willful oblivion?*”
October 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Carr: "America’s scientists often spend 40% of their time doing paperwork on grant applications... And the new grant applications they work on are too often aimed at what will get funded rather than what could have the biggest impact."

Unfundable grants include any that use the word 'cislunar'.
America’s scientists often spend 40% of their time doing paperwork on grant applications, rather than direct research. And the new grant applications they work on are too often aimed at what will get funded rather than what could have the biggest impact. University of Chicago professor James Evans summed up our problem nicely. He wrote: “Too many projects get funding because they are probable. But science moves forward one improbability at a time.”
October 7, 2025 at 7:05 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Perhaps crime, migration, or extradition hadn't been invented when the CAT was made, way back in *checks notes* the mid-1980s. When Eng&Welsh crime rates looked like that.

And clearly crime /extradition must've skyrocketed since, to warrant qualifying the prohibition on torture- oh. Also no. Huh.
A chart from p. 159 of a UK Parliament Report (linked below), showing offences per 100,000 people in England and Wales in the 20th century. The chart shows a sharp increase in crime rate over the 1980s, from ~6,800 in 1981 to 11,000 in 1991. https://www.parliament.uk/contentassets/90b7f09a39a74dbcaa34acdfe7a210cb/olympicbritain.pdf#page=159 A chart from Wikipedia, titled 'Crime in England and Wales from the Crime Survey (in 000s of crimes).' It shows that the crime rate in 1980 was roughly 10,500, then peaked in 1995, before steadily decreasing to ~6000 in 2015. Regardless, according to this chart, the crime rate has remained lower than it was in 1980 since approximately 2003. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_Kingdom#/media/File:CrimeinUK.png
October 7, 2025 at 5:50 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Presto:
Excerpt from p. 6 of linked Decision: "Second, the Russian Federation states that their concerns on the IDI Declaration are further corroborated and exacerbated by my activities in the social media. They cite my reposting on X (then Twitter) of a speech by the Kenyan Ambassador on 22 February 2022 before the Security Council. This was a post by one Cris van Eijk (not personally known to me) reposting a tweet by one Thomas van Linge (also not personally known to me). I reposted this tweet when I heard the Kenyan envoy state that Africa's borders were drawn in London, Paris and Lisbon. It is a matter concerning my continent that touches me. I normally repost or post tweets which touch on African issues of interest. For example, an African President ok to task the Chief Justice and Speaker of Parliament for wearing wigs (my repost of 28 March 2022); Dr S.A. Salim making Africa proud (repost of 23 January 2022); Climate injustice: Africa suffers more from climate impacts (repost of 15 November 2021); the passing of the last of Africa's liberation stalwarts (post of 18 June 2021); election of an African as President of the ICJ (post of 13 February 2018); and election of an African as ICC President (post of 30 March 2018)." An excerpt from https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-blog/from-tweets-to-challenges-social-media-and-the-expanding-scope-of-bias-allegations/ "A challenge on the basis of the tweet also arose in a Dispute Concerning the Detention of Ukrainian Naval Vessels and Servicemen ("Naval Vessels") between Ukraine and Russia, where Russia brought a challenge against Judge James Kateka on the basis of, inter alia, Judge Kateka's repost on X of the Kenyan ambassador's statement about Ukraine in the Security Council. The original tweet contained the following text: "The Kenya ambassador to the UNSC perfectly explains how people across Africa understand Ukraine, and what the Kremlin's acts of aggression mean in our post-colonial world" and was reposted by Cris van Eijk with a comment "Why aren't UN speeches eligible for Pulitzers??." Judge Kateka reposted Mr van Eijk's retweet without any comments of his own. Russia argued that a repost raised justifiable doubts about Judge Kateka's impartiality. However, the tribunal dismissed the challenge. Recently, Russia withdrew from the Naval Vessels arbitration proceedings, citing its disagreement with the procedure for appointing arbitrators and the "untenable" appointment of the remaining members of the tribunal, including Judge Kateka." Para 96 of linked Decision. "Second, the reposting predated the Russian Federation's confrontation with Ukraine on 24 February 2022, which is the event that later led to the adoption of the IDI Declaration and its use of the term "aggression". In this context, a reasonable person cannot imply from the repost— even if understood to include the original post of Mr. van Linge any opinion on Judge Kateka's part on any action of the Russian Federation subsequent to 22 February 2024. Indeed, in Judge Kateka's repost of Mr. van Eijk's repost, the word "aggression" does not appear. It is cut out from the rest of the text, such that a casual reader on Twitter would not even see the word unless an extra step of clicking the link is taken, as one can see in the final repost as it would be seen by the public, reproduced here below: [screenshot of retweet in question]"
October 2, 2025 at 8:16 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
okay @drnajimagi.bsky.social I have one for ya, which apparently happened in April (and *I just found out about*??

Comment: legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-...
PCA Decision: pcacases.com/web/sendAtta...
October 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Then came the quote that's haunted me today:

"If there should be a continuance of the present attitude of complacency and indifference to the plight of... Palestine, can we in all honesty ascribe it to anything but an attitude of inertia, of unwillingness, rather than to an inability to act?”
"23. If there should be a continuance of the present attitude of complacency and indifference to the plight of the Arabs of Palestine, can we in all honesty ascribe it to anything but an attitude of inertia, of unwillingness, rather than to an inability to act?”
September 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
This event is 63 years to the day after Hazem Zaki Nuseibeh, Rep of Jordan & proud Palestinian, spoke to the UNGA.

First, about space & the need for law - but law as pathway to justice, as right over might. Then, he moved directly to what that would mean for Palestine.

docs.un.org/en/A/PV.1138
UNGA, ‘Verbatim Record of the 1138th Meeting’ (1 Oct 1962) A/PV.1138, 239-240 “10. But of more immediate and lasting significance than exploration and control of outer space is our ability to control our inner selves, to make this planet a place worthy of decent and friendly habitation. And it is here in this hall that we meet in what is the most encompassing parliament of nations, to lay down the foundations for peace, goodwill and co-operation among nations. If we should fail in this pivotal task, then all the efforts which are being expended in various fields will have been of no avail, with the threat of extinction continuing to hover menacingly over our fates.” “11. But world peace cannot be achieved by pious hopes or even under the compulsion of fear or the instinctive desire for survival. Any such assumption would be a serious misreading not only of history, but of the inner springs of human motivation and behaviour. For there will always be differences and conflicts so long as human beings are what they are. What is imperative is that these conflicts and differences be dealt with and resolved in accordance with norms, procedures and attitudes that are just, equitable and commanding of universal acceptance and respect; it is essentially the rule of law, rather than the unruly whims or interests of any particular group. This has been the function and the achievement of domestic law in national societies. It is our challenge to make it equally applicable in the field of international relations.” “12. The question now is: How can the Unite Nations work out a modus vivendi which would bring it as close as possible to a universally acceptable rule of law?” “17. As I address you, my mind irresistibly wanders several thousand miles away to where my countrymen – men, women and children, in town and in village, in refugee camps and in forced dispersal under every sky – have endured their suffering for fourteen long years. They are suffering morally, psychologically and physically, day in and day out, before the very eyes of the United Nations and, ironically, at a period which we boast to be the era of mankind's greatest emancipation.” “18. It would be redundant for me to restate the facts of the case, for there is hardly any other problem which has been discussed as thoroughly or as repeatedly during the past years; and yet, there is hardly any other case where less positive action has been taken.” “19. My countrymen, simple honest folks, are somewhat confused and bewildered by the snarls and the tangles with which a seemingly straightforward case has been side-tracked and shrouded, and I would be less than honest to them, or to you, if I did not restore the problem to its true, simple essentials.” “20. The truth of the problem is that here is a people – an ancient and homogeneous people – who have in the twentieth century not only been denied the right to self-government or self-determination, but even the right to exist in the homeland in which their forefathers have lived and died from time immemorial. They have been uprooted to make room for a conglomeration of alien peoples from all corners of the earth, having different backgrounds, different traditions, different languages and different races, and claiming to be united on the sole ground of professing the same religious faith. What a disservice to a great religion that its name should be used for such unholy and irreligious ends; for a blatant aggression against the very existence of another people.”
September 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Okay, I give up.

USSR historians - what's going on here? Is there some convention to explain who, of the many people with a given title, actually functioned as a role (eg Zorin, Yakov Malik, & Arkadiy Sobolev as Dep FonMin)? And would it be incorrect to say Zorin was Dept FonMin from 1947-1965?
A screenshot from the CV of Valerian Zorin from the official history page of the Russian delegation to the UN, reading: Valerian Zorin (1902-1986) in diplomatic service since 1941 1941-1943 - worked in Moscow at the USSR People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs 1943-1945 - Head of the Fourth European Section of the USSR People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs 1945-1947 - Ambassador of the USSR to Czechoslovakia [underlined] 1947-1955 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR 1952-1953 - Permanent Representative of the USSR to the UN Security Council 1955-1956 - Ambassador of the USSR to the Federal Republic of Germany [underlined] 1956-1960 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR 1960-1963 - Permanent Representative of the USSR to the UN and USSR Representative to the UN Security Council [underlined] 1963-1965 - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the USSR 1965-1971 - Ambassador of the USSR to France 1971-1986 - Ambassador-at-Large at the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs
September 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Hey BCC / @tombatemandc.bsky.social - at what point will the UK recognition of the State of Palestine be reflected in your tags?
The tags of this linked article, which are “Middle East”, “Israel & the Palestinians”, and “Palestine territories”
September 27, 2025 at 10:26 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
This almost certainly meets the definitions of enforced disappearance under international human rights law and international criminal law, and any country that *received* these people may be held responsible as well.
Excerpt from the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: “Article 2 For the purposes of this Convention, "enforced disappearance" is considered to be the arrest, detention, abduction or any other form of deprivation of liberty by agents of the State or by persons or groups of persons acting with the authorization, support or acquiescence of the State, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the deprivation of liberty or by concealment of the fate or whereabouts of the disappeared person, which place such a person outside the protection of the law.” Article 7 (1) (i) Crime against humanity of enforced disappearance of persons Elements 1. The perpetrator: (a) Arrested, detained or abducted one or more persons; or 2. (b) Refused to acknowledge the arrest, detention or abduction, or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of such person or persons. 3. (a) Such arrest, detention or abduction was followed or accompanied by a refusal to acknowledge that deprivation of freedom or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of such person or persons; (b) Such refusal was preceded or accompanied by that deprivation of freedom. 3. The perpetrator was aware that: (a) Such arrest, detention or abduction would be followed in the ordinary course of events by a refusal to acknowledge that deprivation of freedom or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of such person or persons; or (b) Such refusal was preceded or accompanied by that deprivation of freedom. 4. Such arrest, detention or abduction was carried out by, or with the authorization, support or acquiescence of, a State or a political organization. 5. l Such refusal to acknowledge that deprivation of freedom or to give information on the fate or whereabouts of such person or persons was carried out by, or with the authorization or support of, such State or political organization. 6. The perpetrator intended to remove such person or persons from the protection of the law for a prolonged period of time. 7. The conduct was committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population. 8. The perpetrator knew that the conduct was part of or intended the conduct to be part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population
September 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
And according to Zeynep Gülşah Çapan, there are some... ironic strategic parallels here too.

doi.org/10.1177/0305...
Until the end of the 17th century alchemy and chemistry ‘were used largely interchangeably’ and ‘the restriction of alchemy specifically to gold-making is a late development’.67 Alchemy was not thought of just as a search for the Philosophers’ Stone or making gold but rather as part of broader research concerns... Thus, if alchemy is ‘viewed as part of a wider early modern interest in experimenting with nature, rather than as an obscure, nonscientific endeavor that occupied outcasts, then its potential role in the development of modern science cannot be overlooked’.71 As such, the rejection of alchemy happened ‘without ever been refuted’ since the rejection was not due to internal debates and one side winning the debate over the other due to the validity of their argument.72 The division between alchemy and chemistry occurred primarily due to processes of professionalization. This occurred through discrediting alchemy at professional associations because of alchemies belief in ancient wisdom. Chymistry at the beginning of the 17th century had not yet achieved a secure place in universities. This was mainly due to transmutational aims being associated with forgery, fraud and avarice. The professionalization of chymistry meant that it was required to separate itself from those aspects (search for Philosophers Stone, transmutation). The Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris established in 1666 had by 1699 five places (out of 30) reserved for chymistry and very openly and fervently condemned ‘transmutational endeavours’."
September 23, 2025 at 12:24 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Seconding @evanurquhart.bsky.social's point below, and also, this last paragraph is a *banger*.
Words are not violence, nor are they powerless. Burying the truth of the Confederacy, rewriting its aims and ideas, and ignoring its animating words allowed for the terrorization of the Black population, the imposition of apartheid, and the destruction of democracy. The rewriting and the ignoring were done not just by Confederates, but also by putative allies for whom the reduction of Black people to serfdom was the unfortunate price of white unity. The import of this history has never been clearer than in this moment when the hard question must be asked: If you would look away from the words of Charlie Kirk, from what else would you look away?
September 16, 2025 at 6:39 PM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Fresh from calling for extremist violence against the UK Parliament, he gets a puff piece in the WaPo.
Screenshot of Washington Post post , reading: “Elon Musk has disrupted one industry after another, from space rockets and electric vehicles to humanoid robots. His latest target: the stodgy club of mobile networks.”
September 14, 2025 at 1:05 AM
crisveijk.bsky.social
Also, Israel had already responded to that shooting what amounted to a threat of force in violation of Art 2(4) UN Charter, by announcing measures that amount to collective punishment /reprisals on civilians in Gaza in violation of the 4th Geneva Convention.
ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/customary...
Screenshot of an Al Jazeera story (https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/9/palestinians-on-edge-as-israel-ramps-up-raids-in-wake-of-jerusalem-attack): "Palestinians on edge as Israel pursues collective punishment after attack After deadly shooting in occupied East Jerusalem, Israel orders suspects’ homes in occupied West Bank demolished and neighbours’ work permits revoked."
September 9, 2025 at 7:05 PM