Celebrating World Hello Day: Greeting for Peace

Hi there/ Shwmae today is World Hello Day a global,event dedicated to promoting peace and unity through simple greetings. Saying 'hello' is more than just a word,it's an open door to connection, understanding, and respect across different cultures and languages. 

Participants are encouraged to verbally greet at least ten people or more. Its intention is aimed at resolving conflicts through communication rather than the use of force.

The theme for this year, "Greeting for Peace," underlines the role of communication in fostering harmony. Participants are encouraged to verbally greet at least ten people or more. Its intention is aimed at resolving conflicts through communication rather than the use of force, in a small yet impactful step towards global unity. 

We can go further by saying hello to someone we've had a disagreement with. Try to understand each other’s mistakes and make peace. Many people think apologizing makes them look weak, but it actually shows courage and earns respect. It might feel hard at first, but if the person is important to you, it’s worth making the first move. This simple act of kindness can make you and others happy, 

World Hello Day was first created in 1973 in order to show people, especially the people of the Middle East that conflicts can and should be resolved through communication, and not violence. The idea is that clear, honest communication breeds peace. 

In the 1970s, the conflict between Egypt and Israel was quite severe, and many people began to fear yet another huge war would end up coming of it. World Hello Day was in fact created as a direct response to the Yom Kippur War that had just finished in October of 1973, during which thousands of both soldiers and innocent civilians were killed. 

The Yom Kippur War began on October 6, 1973. Six years prior, in 1967, Israel quadrupled its size during the Six-Day War, by gaining the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt, East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan, and the Golan Heights from Syria. Anwar El-Sadat became Egypt’s president in 1970, and it was his hope that peace with Israel could be achieved and that with it would come stability in his country and a return of the Sinai Peninsula. But it seemed unlikely Israel would cede the Sinai, so El-Sadat devised a plan to attack Israel to make his bargaining position more favorable. He first opened up communication with Washington, D.C., an Israeli ally, as he knew they would be needed for prospective peace talks, and he also formed an alliance with Syria. 

As Egypt launched their attack, with Syria’s backing and also with help from Iraq and Jordan, many Israeli soldiers were observing Yom Kippur, so posts were left unguarded. The Arab countries made initial gains and it took a few days for Israel to get mobilized. They were able to push back the Arabs, but it didn’t come without heavy losses of men and equipment. A ceasefire was secured through the United Nations on October 25. 

Israel’s victory came at a great cost, with many casualties. The following April, Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir stepped down. Egypt had lost the war, but Sadat gained leverage in the Middle East and the opportunity to seek peace. Two disengagement agreements were signed between Egypt and Israel in 1974, which gave Egypt back part of the Sinai Peninsula. In 1979, Menachem Begin, Israel’s Prime Minister, signed a peace agreement with El-Sadat. 

The peace discussion at the end of the war was the first time that Arab and Israeli officials met for direct public discussion in 25 years. The first peace agreement between Israel and one of its Arab neighbors, it stipulated the rest of the Sinai Peninsula be returned, and in 1982 it was.

Sadly there is no peace in the middle east  today, the land of Palestine is filled with chaos and fear, and the violence rages on without cease. Over the past year, the Israeli indiscriminate bombardments on Gaza have killed more than 42,000 Palestinians, including at least 16 thousand children, while thousands are critically injured, creating lifelong disabilities in direct and indiscriminate attacks as part of Israel's genocide against Palestinians. 

At least 25,973 children have been orphaned, forced to endure unimaginable suffering, while countless others remain missing, buried beneath the rubble of destroyed neighborhoods. These figures underscore the horrific reality of Israel's ongoing war against the Palestinian people, indiscriminately targeting all sectors of society, especially children, in blatant disregard for international Laws and United Nations resolutions.

Bombs and bullets tear through the night, and civilians still cower in their homes, bereft of peace. The loss of life and suffering is great, and the scars of war run deep as rhe conflict rages on without end,and  hope seems so hard to find.

Palestine currently, a place of terror, shattered and broken. Amidst the chaos and despair, we search for a light, a glimmer of hope. So we  keep  demanding and  calling  for  a ceasefire, though the scars of war may run deep,we  don't  simply give up, we  try and build a better tomorrow, where peace reigns and hope abounds. 

Who knows perhaps World Hello Day can play a part in this  process while never forgetting the lessons of war, we can create dialogues of peace while striving for a brighter future, these ideals certainly resonate with this day. 

World Hello Day was created by brothers Brian McCormack, a Ph.D. Graduate of Arizona State University, and Michael McCormack, a graduate of Harvard. To spread awareness, the McCormack brothers sent 1,360 letters in multiple languages to world leaders, urging them to resolve disputes through dialogue. Since its inception, the day has been celebrated in 180 countries, as citizens of each of these countries take advantage of this time to express their concerns for world peace.  

Thirty-one winners of the Nobel Peace Prize have stated that World Hello Day carries substantial value as an instrument for preserving peace. 

World Hello Day took on a fresh significance as the world was still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Physical distancing and isolation highlighted the value of human connection. As people began to emerge from lockdowns, many found renewed appreciation for the simple act of greeting—a reminder that connections, no matter how small, are vital to our emotional well-being. 

In an era marked by polarization, social media disputes, and global conflicts, World Hello Day underscores the importance of fostering a spirit of cooperation and understanding. It serves as a reminder that while we may not always share the same viewpoints, we can find common ground through dialogue. 

Incorporating regular greetings and warm exchanges into our daily lives can yield tangible benefits. Studies show that greeting others positively impacts mood, enhances social interactions, and fosters a sense of belonging. Through World Hello Day’s initiatives, individuals learn that their greetings and words can have far-reaching effects, potentially influencing others to spread kindness and warmth.

The connection between social interaction and mental health is well-established. Loneliness and social isolation are significant risk factors for depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions.

World Hello Day serves as a reminder of the importance of human connection and its positive impact on our mental well-being. By encouraging us to reach out to others, World Hello Day helps to combat feelings of loneliness and isolation. The simple act of greeting someone can initiate a conversation, which can lead to deeper connections and a sense of belonging. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with social anxiety or those who find it difficult to initiate social interactions.

Here are  some  beautiful ways people greet each other around the globe and let's  reflect on how these gestures connect us.

Saying Hello Around the World 

Wales: In Wales there are a number of different forms of Welsh for Hello depending on location and formality. Here are some examples. Helô/Hylô - Hello and can be used as formal and informal greetings. Sut mae (North Wales) or Shwmae (South/West Wales) - Literally meaning "how is it", they are used in everyday life as a standard greeting alongside the more informal "Helô" when you meet someone. Haia - very informal greeting that can be heard all over Wales. It is identical to the English hiya. Ti'n iawn? - very similar to the English "Alright". Helô/Hylô, sut mae - Hello, how are you.

Japan: In Japan, a polite bow is the customary way to greet someone, expressing respect and humility. The depth of the bow can indicate the level of respect or formality of the greeting. France: The French often greet close friends or family with 'la bise,' a light kiss on each cheek. This warm and intimate gesture embodies a sense of familiarity and affection. 

Kenya (Maasai Tribe): Among the Maasai people of Kenya, a friendly greeting often involves a raised hand or even a light touch on the shoulder, accompanied by the word 'supa.' It is a way to acknowledge each other's presence and build community spirit. 

Palestinian: In Palestinian culture, greetings often start with 'Marhaba' (مرحبا), which means hello, or 'Ahlan wa sahlan' (أهلا وسهلا), meaning 'welcome.' These expressions convey hospitality and warmth, reflecting a cultural emphasis on welcoming others with an open heart. 

Thailand: The Thai greeting, known as the 'wai,' involves placing the palms together in a prayer-like gesture and bowing slightly. It's a versatile greeting used to express respect, gratitude, or apology. 

United States: In the U.S., a casual wave or handshake is common. The diversity in greetings reflects the melting pot of cultures that define the nation. 

Arabic: In Arabic-speaking countries, 'مرحبا' (Marhaba) is a common way to say hello. Another popular greeting is 'السلام عليكم' (As-salamu alaykum), which means 'peace be upon you.' This greeting is often used across the Muslim world and reflects a deep cultural emphasis on peace and mutual respect. 

Fijian: In Fiji, 'Bula' is the most common greeting, which goes beyond a simple hello. 'Bula' conveys a wish for good health and happiness, often delivered with a cheerful tone and a smile. This greeting reflects the warmth and friendliness of Fijian culture and is a key part of the country's hospitality and communal spirit. 

Jewish: In Jewish culture, the greeting 'Shalom' (שלום) is used, which means 'peace.' It is used both to say hello and goodbye, reflecting a wish for peace and well-being. This greeting carries a deep cultural and spiritual significance, embodying a universal aspiration for harmony.

Hindi: In India, 'नमस्ते' (Namaste) or 'नमस्कार' (Namaskar) is a traditional greeting used across many regions. This greeting is often accompanied by a slight bow and hands pressed together in front of the chest, similar to a prayer gesture. It conveys respect and reverence, signifying 'I bow to you,' and is used in both formal and informal settings. 

These unique greetings demonstrate that, while the words or gestures may differ, the intent is universal, to acknowledge, welcome, and show respect to another person. Let's celebrate these differences  and embrace this day as an opportunity to strengthen our bonds, embrace diversity, and foster a culture of respect, kindness  and  inclusion , one hello at a time, and reflect on how these simple acts can contribute to a more connected and harmonious community. 

We can go further by saying hello to someone we've had a disagreement with. Try to understand each other’s mistakes and make peace. Many people think apologizing makes them look weak, but it actually shows courage and earns respect. It might feel hard at first, but if the person is important to you, it’s worth making the first move. This simple act of kindness can make you and others happy, just as the  two brothers imagined when they created this day.

World Hello Day is more than just a day for greetings; it is a celebration of communication and connection in our rapidly changing world. Its roots, grounded in the quest for peace and understanding, remind us that we have the power to bridge divides with a simple “hello.” 

As we navigate through the complexities of modern life, fostering empathy and openness becomes increasingly essential. World Hello Day serves as a powerful reminder that a small gesture,such as reaching out with a friendly greeting, can lead to meaningful interactions, promote solidarity, and inspire collective action for a more compassionate global community. Let us embrace this day as an opportunity to strengthen our bonds, celebrate diversity, and commit to a culture of respect, empathy and kindness, one hello at a time.

So, take a moment today to say 'hello' to someone in a way that celebrates our shared values. Whether it’s with a wave, a bow, a handshake, or a smile, remember that every greeting is a step toward unity. As wars rage around the world. may we all continue to work to heal the divisions in our society, and to create a more just, peaceful and equitable world. Wishing you a joyful World Hello Day. Heddwch/Peace.

In these dark times

In these dark times of trouble and strife.

And endless wars are ingloriously fought, 

Souls get dim and lose their way 

As hopes radiant flame burns pale,

Hate takes over spawning it's toxins 

Dangerously poisoning all it touches,

Creeping amidst a society in disrepair

It's effluence seeping into air without care,

Infecting minds and dehumanising

Spreading insiduous seeds of division,

As mainstream mediaocracy manipulating

Pushes narratives splintering, triggering,

Destroying harmony, spawning racism

Enabling malignent forces of fascism,

Releasing venom across the land

Suffocating happiness with it's hand,

The devil at play with deadly intent

It's odious scent slaughtering innocence,

Commiting murder and larceny 

Showing no mercy, oozing depravity,

From the fear-mongering mouths of leaders

To the hands of conditioned madmen, 

We cannot allow this miasma to spread

Refuse it's mire, before it leaves many dead,

Resistance is the strength we all need

To stop this harm from being able to feed,

Refuse pestilance forces from penetrating 

Until they no longer keep on palpating,

Defy festering hostility, toxic visage

Don't be blinded by indifference,

Keep singing your unrelenting love songs

Vanguish an execration that tries to seperate,

Find ways to dispel the menacing darkness

Instead of bitterness, create swells of goodness,

Tell strangers that they are beautiful

Follow ways more gentle and merciful,

Disable thickening strains of hoplessness

Allow kindness to be your friend,

Feel light, hold on firmly and tightly

Extinguish deflating streams, shine brightly.

Tell FIFA and UEFA: Ban Israel from World Soccer competitions

During Thursday's match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv, the Israeli supporters refused to hold a minute of silence for Valencia flood victims. They even started illegal fireworks.

This came after Spain cancelled arms deal with Israeli company worth billions. Earlier the same fans were filmed chanting racist, genocidal slogans  and tearing down pro Palestinian flags of Dutch  buildings. Football hooligans then get into fights with locals But if you google ‘Amsterdam’ you’ll see a bunch of headlines about Israelis being targeted in unprovoked attacks and Israel and it's supporters claiming this is akin to Europe’s darkest hour or pogrom for Jews. Both minimising the Holocaust and insulting our intelligence. 

Israel’s most senior leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have openly courted far-right football supporters in Israel and have received their violent support in return. The well-documented racism and violence exhibited by Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam mirrors the thuggery of the Israeli government in Gaza and Lebanon.

To rid European football of the type of genocidal chanting we saw from Maccabi Tel Aviv fans, Uefa should remind the Israel Football Association of its obligations under article 7(7) of its statutes to stamp out racist behaviour, and impose appropriate sanctions if the IFA does not take action.

The Israeli offensive on Gaza has claimed the lives of of more than 40,000 Palestinian civilians – 16,500 of whom are children and 100,000 injured, not counting the hundreds of thousands still unaccounted for, that has created a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

90% of Palestinians are internally displaced and living in inhumane conditions with “no electricity, no food, no water, no fuel.” No functional hospitals. No mosques. No churches. No libraries. No schools. No universities. No bakeries. At this rate, the brutal Israeli regime will soon destroy every aspect of life in Gaza, including its sports. 

Remember Israeł has killed 523 athletes in Gaza. Among them, 341 footballers — of whom 91 were children. 64 sports complex have been destroyed — 19 in the occupied West Bank.

Israel is a legally recognised apartheid state, under investigation by the  international court of justice (ICJ) and the international criminal court (ICC) for Genøcide and war crimes and is in direct contravention of UN resolutions and  international  law.

Both the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem and the Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement (modelled on the anti-apartheid movement) have called for boycotting Israeli sport.  Certainly the International Court of Justice verdict was clear in its expectation of the international community “not to render aid or assistance in maintaining the situation created by Israel’s illegal presence” in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. 

For decades, Palestinians have asked the international community to recognise their daily realities as reincarnated apartheid. In much the same way black South Africans were forcibly removed from lands reclassified and reserved as “Whites Only” areas, and their settlements were bulldozed, Palestinians have watched the illegal and violent annexation of areas for which they now require permits from Israel to re-enter. 

And much like the apartheid Bantustans, most Palestinians living in the West Bank have been banished to the desolate and overcrowded Area A, where they are permitted a limited form of self-determination, while Israel has either partial or full control of the remaining 82 percent of the territory.

With a few notable exceptions, our governments and elected representatives continue to toe the official line of Israel – even increasing diplomatic, financial and military support to it despite countless violations of international laws, international humanitarian laws, and UN resolutions. 

In the past, FIFA has banned other countries from competing under similar circumstances. South Africa was banned in 1961 due to growing calls from the anti-apartheid movement to boycott South Africa. FIFA and UEFA banned Yugoslavia from playing in the 1992 European cup and the 1994 World Cup following U.N. sanctions amid the Serb-dominated government’s aggression in the Balkans. Most recently, in February of 2022, FIFA and UEFA banned all Russian clubs and national teams “until further notice” because of its war against Ukraine. 

However UEFA won't ban Israel despite the ICJ likely genocide ruling. Now even after the trouble caused by Israeli football hooligans in Athens and Amsterdam, and after saying they will show racism the red card and promote fair play, they are complicit in allowing their teams to compete.

While hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are under brutal attack by the IDF, Israel is allowed to continue to compete in football competitions. Israeli players are not neutral -  joining the Israeli army is mandatory in order to become a football player in the national team, and Israeli players have proudly posted comments on social media such as “Why haven’t 200 tonnes of bombs already been dropped on Gaza?” and “We’ll erase Gaza permanently.” 

The chance to compete on the international stage is a privilege that should be reserved for states that do not commit genocide.There should be no place in sport for those who have served as IDF who are  perpetrators of illegal occupation, ethnic cleansing, apartheid, genocide and crimes against humanity. If FIFA/UEFA had any integrity, they would agree with the already 12 nations calling on them both to ban Israel from being allowed to compete in world soccer competitions. 

Sign if you agree!

https://internal.diem25.org/en/petitions/93?id=93

Stand with Ahoo Daryaei

 

On Saturday in Iran, a  30 year old female French Literature student was harassed by  members of the Basij security forces over her “improper”use of the  hijab. She  didn’t back down and turned her body into a protest, according to witnesses, members of the Basij tore off her headscarf, an incident that led Daryaei to stage a protest by stripping down to her underwear outside Tehran’s Islamic Azad University. drawing a crowd of students and onlookers. as she  marched through the campus. 

Her protest speaks to the frustration felt by many Iranian women who oppose the dress codes mandating headscarves and loose clothing, a requirement strictly enforced by Iran’s morality police. stripping to her underwear outside Tehran’s Islamic Azad University.and marching through campus defying a regime that constantly controls women’s bodies. Her act is a powerful reminder of Iranian women’s fight for freedom.

The  name of this iconic woman student of  defiance has been identified by some media outlets as Ahoo Daryaei,(meaning Deer of the Sea) herdramatic act of protest against Iran’s strict dress code by stripping down in public has raised fears for her safety and amplified international calls for reform. Following her protest, Daryaei was forcibly taken away by men in plain clothes and hasn’t been seen since.

Various media reports indicate that she was initially taken to a local police station, where authorities claim she showed signs of mental distress. Amir Mahjob, a university spokesperson, publicly stated that Daryaei has a “mental disorder,” a claim often used by Iranian authorities to justify detentions in such cases.

Later reports suggest she may have been transferred to a mental health facility, but other sources claim she is in custody at an undisclosed location. Her family and supporters worry about her safety amid concerns that detainees in similar cases have faced torture or harsh treatment while in custody. 

In 2022, widespread demonstrations erupted across Iran after the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who died a victim of police brutality for not wearing a hijab, women protested and circulated the rallying cry, “Woman, Life, Freedom.”  These protests led to a brutal government crackdown, resulting in the deaths of 551 protesters and thousands of arrests. 

While conditions for women have not improved since the protests, it has not stopped some brave women from continuing to defy the regime  and taking  a stand,often removing their headscarves in public, and activists continue to push for reforms. The government, however, has remained steadfast, deploying aggressive measures to suppress dissent.  

International human rights organizations have responded swiftly to Daryaei’s detention. Amnesty International which has documented allegations of abuse against women in Iranian prisons over recent years,has issued statements demanding her immediate release, emphasizing that Daryaei should be protected from torture  and other mistreatment while ensuring access to her family and legal counselemphasized the need for independent investigations into allegations of abuse during her arrest. 

Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato expressed intent to monitor Daryaei’s case closely, and prominent Iranian activists have voiced their support, hailed her bravery and called her protest an urgent call against oppression.

As she remains in custody with her whereabouts unknown, this incident highlights the tensions surrounding Iran’s enforcement of conservative dress codes, sparking global criticism of the country’s treatment of women.  It’s not about applauding a woman stripping off to her underwear. It’s applauding a woman standing up for her choice to wear whatever she wants. 

I want everyone to understand that its possible to advocate for women's liberation while not amplifying orientalist ideas co-opted by white people to fuel their saviour complexes. 

Images of Ahoo Daryaei, arms crossed, head held high, wearing only a purple bra and striped underwear, circulate widely on Iranian social media alongside videos of her brave act.and she has become a new symbol of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement.

The images of her boldly standing alone despite the immense danger she was in have been compared to other historical photos of rebellion and bravery. She has been compared to “Tank Man,” the unidentified man who stood alone in front of a column of tanks after the Tiananmen Square massacre, and to the lone man who refused to salute Adolf Hitler in a crowd of supporters. Powerful art renditions of Daryaei’s protest have already flooded X, depicting Daryaei holding a flag, standing in front of a tank, or taking the baton from her predecessors.

Social media has  also been flooded with expressions of solidarity, with prominent figures, including actress Katayoun Riahi, urging the public not to let  let individuals like Daryaei stand alone in their fight against oppression.Activist Hossein Ronaghi praised Daryaei's bravery, framing her protest as a heartfelt  protest against the  injustices faced by  women in Iran. 

Hossein Ronaghi a prominent  activist who was jailed during the protests, in a post on X hailed the "bravery" of the student and described her action as a "cry from the bottom of the heart against the oppression that has taken the life out of people, especially women.".

Ahoo DaryaeiI embodies resistance against the moral police, representing the demands of many Iranian women.We must be worthy of her courage. All democracies, all international bodies, must stand up and protect Ahoo Daryaei, now! For her, for Mahsa Amini, for all the Women around the world,  wherever they may  be,  who are fighting killer states, for their freedom. The move from fear to courage is the freedom of every human being.

The impact of her actions mean her life is in grave danger, though many are hoping the worldwide attention will discourage Iran authorities from harming her.Ahoo Daryaei's courage represents every woman’s right to freedom and dignity. We must tell her story. Stand with her and join the call on world leaders, that  Iran must release Ahoo before it's too late! 

Add your name now to pressure the Iranian regime and encourage the G20 governments and the UN to speak up. Sign and share now!

https://secure.avaaz.org/campaign/en/free_ahoo_now_1_1/?fpla

Remembering Laika, Russias cosmonaut dog.

 

Between 1957 and 1987, Soviet allies, such as Romania (above), Albania, Poland and North Korea, issued Laika postage stamps.

On this day in 1957, Laika, the Soviet dog, became the first living being to orbit Earth. Her journey was a monumental step in space exploration, but also a stark reminder of the ethical complexities of scientific advancement.

The decision to send a dog into orbit was largely down to Nikita Krushchev (First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union) who wanted to repeat the success of Sputnik 1 on a larger scale and show the world the true power of the USSR. He settled on achieving this by planning an orbital flight - with a dog. 

Sputnik 2 was also planned to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution so to satisfy Krushchev’s grand demands, Soviet recruiters set about collecting stray female dogs from the streets of Russia. If they could successfully send dogs to space, what else could they achieve, and what power potential could this unlock? 

Once they had gathered a small group of stray dogs, they began to test for obedience, reactions to changes in air pressure, and loud noises - surely enough to terrify anyone. Footage of such tests can be viewed in the 2020 documentary Space Dogs, though watch at your own discretion. 

After narrowing it down to just two potential choices, doctors performed gruesome surgery on both dogs, embedding medical devices into their bodies to monitor heart impulses, breathing rates, physical movement, and blood pressure. 

Following extreme experiments and surgery,ten days before the launch, Soviet space-life scientist Vladimir Yazdovsky selected Laika to be the primary flight dog. Kudryavka (Curly) a half Husky, half Terrier was chosen because of her docile and submissive nature. She later became known as Laika (derived from the Russian verb ‘bark’) after barking repeatedly on the radio when introduced to the public.

The mission's primary goal was to study the biological effects of space travel and pave the way for future human expeditions into space. However, the mission was a one-way journey. Equipped with life support systems, Sputnik 2 was not designed for return. For Laika, it was a death sentence. 

Before the launch, Yazdovsky took Laika home to play with his children. In a book chronicling the story of Soviet space medicine, he wrote, "Laika was quiet and charming ... I wanted to do something nice for her: She had so little time left to live."

To adapt Laika to the small cabin of Sputnik 2, she was kept in a cage that began to get continuously smaller over a period of twenty days. Such cruel confinement caused her to stop urinating and defecating and for her overall condition to rapidly decline.  

Though Soviet scientists promoted the mission as daring and exciting, Three days before the scheduled liftoff, Laika entered her constricted travel space and  was chained into the spacecraft to limit any movement. She was also fitted with an invasive bag to collect waste.  

A technician who prepared the capsule for the mongrel dog said: “After placing Laika in the container and before closing the hatch, we kissed her nose and wished her bon voyage, knowing that she would not survive the flight.” A heartbreaking goodbye to a sweet-natured and trusting dog.  

It’s reported that before lift-off, a female physician broke protocol by feeding Laika one final meal. A heartbreaking goodbye to a sweet-natured and trusting dog. On November 3 at 5:30 a.m., the ship lifted off with G-forces reaching five times normal gravity levels. The noises and pressures of flight terrified Laika: Her heartbeat rocketed to triple the normal rate, and her breath rate quadrupled. The National Air and Space Museum holds declassified printouts showing Laika’s respiration during the flight. She reached orbit alive, circling the Earth in about 103 minutes. Unfortunately, loss of the heat shield made the temperature in the capsule rise unexpectedly, taking its toll on Laika. She died from overheating, alone, isolated  and  frightened, and  became a tragic symbol of humanity’s pursuit of progress at any cost.

During and after the flight, the Soviet Union kept up the fiction that Laika survived for several days. . Soviet broadcasts claimed that Laika was alive until November 12. The New York Times even reported that she might be saved; however, Soviet communiqués made it clear after nine days that Laika had died.  

While concerns about animal rights had not reached early 21st century levels,the controversial hidden fact that the mongrel dog was sent to space on a one-way ticket brought about a world outcry. A pack of dog lovers attached protest signs to their pets and marched outside the United Nations in New York. 

Britain showed to be the most outraged and before the announcer had even finished reading the news bulletin of the event, the switchboards were overwhelmed with angry callers. 

The RSPCA too was inundated with phone calls, and as a result, ended up giving callers the number for the Soviet Embassy. The Soviet Embassy in London had to swiftly change their celebration mode into damage control, with First Secretary Yuri Modin commenting: “The Russians love dogs. This has been done not for the sake of cruelty but for the benefit of humanity.” 

However, the British were not consoled.  Lady Munnings, wife of the Royal Academy’s former President, Sir Alfred Munnings, demanded: “Instead of dogs, why not use child murderers, who just get life sentences and have a jolly good time in prison?”  

And novelist Denise Robins wrote a touching elegy.  “Little dog lost to the rest of the world,” it began.  “Up in your satellite basket curled . . .”  A German daily newspaper even reported: ““For a few days, the world is again united.  “For a few days, black and white, democrats and communists, republicans and royalists in all countries, islands and continents have one feeling, one language, one direction . . . our feeling of compassion for this little living being twirling helplessly over our heads.”

Though Sputnik 2 completed over 2,500 orbits before reentering the atmosphere and disintegrating, Laika’s legacy endures. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the ethical implications of scientific advancement. It is a tale of human hubris and the exploitation of innocent creatures.

The story of Laika lives on today in websites, YouTube videos, poems and children’s books, at least one of which provides a happy ending for the doomed dog. Laika’s cultural impact has been spread across the years since her death. The 1985 Swedish film, My Life as a Dog, portrayed a young man’s fears that Laika had starved. 

Several folk and rock singers around the globe have dedicated songs to her. An English indie-pop group took her name, and a Finnish band called itself Laika and the Cosmonauts. Novelists Victor Pelevin of Russia, Haruki Murakami of Japan, and Jeannette Winterson of Great Britain have featured Laika in books, as has British graphic novelist Nick Abadzis.

In 2008, more than half a century after her fatal flight, a statue of Laika was unveiled in Moscow. The statue is an abstract piece, depicting a rocket and hand morphed into one, cradling Laika and pointing upwards towards the stars - if only she had been shown so much care and consideration in reality.

While some may argue that Laika's sacrifice was necessary for progress, in reality the value of the information attained by her journey is questionable at best. Soviet researcher Oleg Gazenko recounted his involvement with the Sputnik 2 mission, saying:  

“Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I’m sorry about it. We shouldn’t have done it … We did not learn enough from this mission to justify the death of the dog.”  

Laika's story serves to  remind us of just one example of an animal’s life being sacrificed for human knowledge, the issue sadly remains prevalent in our society today. 

Laika’s death set a precedent for using live animals to understand how space impacts their biological processes. Numerous other countries sent a variety of animals into space as well, including mice, rabbits, guinea pigs, and tortoises. The real question at the end of it all is, has the world learned anything from these acts of cruelty,  when we look at the tens of thousands of dogs who are harmed—and who go unwillingly to their deaths—in pursuit of scientific “knowledge” that is at best flawed and at worst harmful to advancing human science.

Most dogs used in research today are used in pharmaceutical testing, even though upwards of 95% of drugs tested on animals fail when they move to human clinical trials. Whatever it is we “learn” from harming animals has little or no useful application for humans. Let's remember Laika, and the 115 million other animals who have died needlessly in experiments per year, and let this remind us to fight animal cruelty and treat non-human creatures with the respect they deserve.  .

Anniversary of the infamous Balfour Declaration

  

 Lord Arthur Balfour

 

On this day, one of history's most infamous and unjust declarations was made, when on November 2, 1917 a British official on  behalf of  the British government issued the  Balfour Declaration, which laid the foundation for the establishment of a Jewish state at the expense of the indigenous Palestinian population. The ramifications would be seen up until the present day and is regarded as one of the most controversial and contested documents in modern history. The genocide we are witnessing in Gaza today is a direct result of these colonial efforts. 

It was named after Lord Arthur James Balfour, the British Foreign Secretary during the Word War 1, who on an order by United Kingdom’s Prime Minister at that time, David Lloyd George,sent an official letter  to Baron Walter Rothschild (the 2nd Baron Rothschild), a leader of the British Zionist community, who accepted it on behalf of Great Britain and Ireland.

The document was quite short, consisting of only 67 words in three paragraphs. However, the impact was enormous: the declaration was the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has not ended.The immortal words of the letter said the following:

" His Majesty's Government view with favor the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by jews in any other country."

The Original Letter of the Balfour Declaration

 

 

With the Balfour Declaration, London was seeking Jewish support for its war efforts, and the Zionist push for a homeland for Jews was an emerging political force. In 1917, Jews constituted 10% of the population, the rest were  Arabs. Yet Britain recognised the national rights of a tiny minority and denied it to the majority This was a classic colonial document which totally disregarded the rights and aspirations of the indigenous population. In the words of Jewish writer Arthur Koestler: “One nation solemnly promised to a second nation the country of a third.”And in the words of the late Palestinian academic Edward Said, the declaration was “made by a European power … about a non-European territory … in a flat disregard of both the presence and wishes of the native majority resident in that territory. 

The indigenous Palestinian population’s political and national rights were ignored in the Balfour Declaration, not to mention their ethnic and national identity. Instead, Great Britain promised not to “prejudice the[ir] civil and religious rights,” and referred to Palestinians as “non-Jewish communities in Palestine.” The percentage of Jews living in Palestine in 1917 did not exceed 7%, yet the British attempted to rewrite history in order to justify their colonial policy.

Balfour, in a 1919 confidential memo, wrote: 

 “Zionism, be it right or wrong, good or bad, is rooted in age old traditions, in present needs, in future hopes, of far greater import than the desires and prejudices of the 700,000 Arabs who now inhabit that ancient land”  

For all those that celebrate the Balfour Declaration. Balfour was an antisemite and wanted to migrate Jews out of Britain to solve the "Jewish problem".  Arthur Balfour wrote about the Zionist movement that it would “mitigate the age-long miseries created for Western civilization by the presence in its midst of a Body [Jews] which it too long regarded as alien and even hostile, but which it was equally unable to expel or to absorb.”

The discriminatory language used by Sir Arthur Balfour and seen in the Balfour Declaration and the British Mandate reveal the prejudiced rational behind British foreign policy in Palestine. A month after the Balfour Declaration on 2 December 1917, the British army occupied Jerusalem.

The British government sought the approval of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson before the public announcement, with France and Italy also endorsing the declaration in 1918. By 1920, the Supreme Council of the Allied Powers at the San Remo Conference entrusted Britain with the mandate over Palestine, which included implementing the Balfour promise. 

The League of Nations subsequently approved the mandate in July 1922, coming into effect in September 1923 and included the entire text of the Balfour Declaration. Thus, the Balfour Declaration can be seen as a Western promise, not solely a British one. Arab responses to the declaration ranged from shock and outrage to outright condemnation  who had received promises of independence of its own in the post-war break up of the defeated Ottoman Empire.

To mitigate the backlash, Britain sent a letter to Sharif Hussein, affirming that it would not permit Jewish settlement in Palestine beyond what aligned with Arab interests. However, at the same time, the British military administration in Palestine was instructed to comply with the orders of the Jewish Agency, led by Chaim Weizmann, facilitating Jewish immigration from Russia and Eastern Europe and providing necessary protection. 

The Palestinians have always condemned the declaration, which they refer to as the "Balfour promise" saying Britain was giving away land it did not own. The Balfour Declaration constituted a dangerous historical precedent and a blatant breach of all international laws and norms, and this  act of the British Empire to “give” the land of another people  for colonial settlement and marked the beginning of a pattern of ethnic cleansing and displacement of the Palestinian people  that  continues to  this day.

The Mandate for Palestine constituted the entire legal framework for how Britain should operate during its occupation of Palestine. Despite this, the Mandate made no mention of the Palestinians by name, nor did it specify the right of Palestinians to nationhood. Instead, it was during its rule in Palestine that Britain sought to lay the foundations for the creation of a ‘national home for the Jewish people’. 

By the end of the 1920s, it became clear that this ambition would have violent repercussions.Between 1936 and 1939, thousands of Palestinians were killed and imprisoned as they revolted in protest against British policy.

The British response took a heavy toll on the livelihoods of Palestinian villagers, who were subjected to punitive measures that included the confiscation of livestock, the destruction of properties, detention and collective fines. During this time, British forces’ are said to have carried out beatings, extrajudicial killings and torture as they attempted to quell the uprising. To this day, there are still the ‘Tegart Forts’ in Palestine built and named by Sir Charles Tegart who had been stationed in India to punish those fighting against the British Raj and then later stationed in Palestine to control any Arab dissent.

The Palestinian people did not passively accept British promises and the realities imposed by Zionist actions. They engaged in a series of revolts, the first of which was the 1929 Buraq Uprising, followed by the 1936 Revolt.  

However for Palestinians, Britain’s three decades of occupation in Palestine was a turning point in the country’s history, laying the foundations for what would become decades of occupation, displacement and insecurity.

When the UK eventually decided to withdraw from from Palestine in May 1948  when the Israeli state was established. By this point, the Zionist paramilitary army was ready with a plan to colonise Palestine and the newly established United Nations was ready to take over the role of legitimising the occupation. 

This time is known by Palestinians as the Nakba or ‘catastrophe’, when large-scale ethnic cleansing, saw more than 700,000 Palestinians lose their ancestral homes. Hundreds of Arab villages razed to the ground and 15,000 Palestinians  killed in several massacres. Much of these events took place whilst streets of Palestine were still being patrolled by tens of thousands of British soldiers.

To this day, there are more than 5 million Palestinian refugees registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Jordan as a result of the Nakba in 1948 and the displacement that followed the Israeli occupation of Palestine in 1967.

Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem have now been under occupation for over 50 years, devastating the lives of millions of Palestinians.

The catastrophe of the Arab Palestinian people in 1948 continues today at the hands of Israel, using the same old policies and laws established by the British such as land confiscation laws, home demolitions, ‘administrative’ detention, deportations, violent repression, and the continuation of the expulsion of about 7.9 million Palestinians who are denied their basic national and human rights, especially their right to return and live normally in their homeland. Today, the State of Israel, backed by the military and diplomatic might of the United States, continues this century-long pattern of denying the Palestinian people their right to self-determination. In violation of international law, Israel refuses to allow Palestinian refugees their right of return to the homes from which they or their ancestors were forcibly displaced by Israel during the Nakba in 1948; denies Palestinian citizens of Israel their equal rights; and imposes upon Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip a brutal military occupation and suffocating siege. that is currently facing  what amounts to genocide. This catastrophe of the Palestinian people could not continue without the support of Israel by the United States and Britain.

In the June 1967 war, Israel completed the conquest of Palestine by occupying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. By signing the Oslo Accord with Israel in 1993, the Palestine Liberation Organisation gave up its claim to 78% of Palestine. In return they hoped to achieve an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with a capital city in East Jerusalem. It was not to be.

 On May 7, The Guardian newspaper regretted its support in 1917 for the Balfour Declaration, describing it as its “worst errors of judgment”.

The Guardian of 1917  had supported, celebrated, and could even be said to have helped facilitate the Balfour Declaration,” the British daily wrote, adding that the then editor, CP Scott, was “blinded” to Palestinian rights due to his support of Zionism.

The Balfour Declaration is not just history, it's actuality. The Palestinian people still experience this declaration's catastrophic consequences to this day, which bear witness to such a historic injustice due to the persecution, repression, killing, arrests and demolition of homes and properties. that perpetuated one of the longest-running settler-colonial occupations on a land that was and remains exclusively Palestinian.

This painful anniversary coincides with the ongoing crises in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, especially in the Gaza Strip, which is witnessing the escalation of killings, organized terrorism, displacement, and the deliberate destruction of residential buildings, schools, hospitals, places of worship, and infrastructure. The occupying army continues to commit one massacre after another without any accountability. Just today they destroyed an entire neighborhood in the Bureij camp over the heads of its residents! 

These actions constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the Israeli occupation. Unfortunately, it highlights the failure of the international community to carry out its duties and assume its responsibilities in putting an end to this Israeli military aggression, providing protection for the Palestinian people, and obliging Israel, the occupying power, to comply with the principles of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions

On the Anniversary of the Balfour Declaration,it is important to note that the UK is currently assisting and providing cover for a second Nakba, the brutal genocide in Gaza and Israel’s latest and barbaric attempt to exterminate the north of Gaza, as well as the executions of Palestinians in the West Bank, continue with full impunity and collaboration from the British establishment!

Today Britain continues to be involved by supplying arms and political support to Israel, enabling bombings ending in tens of thousands of Palestinian civilian deaths. And of all of the nations to stand by and watch, it shouldn't be ours. Britain has played a role in creating this cycle of killing and bloodshed in the middle east. Our country, the former colonial power is jointly responsible for the disaster of the Balfour declaration, and is fully accountable to the atrocities and dehumanizing of Palestinians. But even till this day, the UK has not shown any remorse for the historical sin it had made.

The silence and complicity surrounding the atrocities in Gaza highlight a chilling continuity we are witnessing an attempt to execute the final phase of a long-standing scheme—the theft of a homeland, encapsulated in the so-called Deal of the Century, backed by those who refuse to acknowledge the truth of the Palestinians struggle.

Over 100 years on, the commemoration of the Balfour Declaration is a stark reminder that the Zionist settler-colonial project was in the works long before the Nakba in 1948, and Britain has played a vital part in the expansion of the colonial project. Today Britain continues to support Israel in all its barbaric war crimes against the people of Palestine and beyond. For over 100 years the Palestinian people have been resisting colonisation and have become a catalyst for the world revolution everywhere! 

Let us follow in their footsteps and fight to break the kill chain right here from the heart of the country that promised a land away that was not theirs to begin with! Britain bears a moral and historical responsibility over the displacement and dispossession of millions of Palestinians and should therefore make every possible effort to remedy the wounds inflicted upon the Palestinians as a result of the Balfour Declaration by apologizing to the Palestinian people, and recognizing the Palestinian state on the June 4, lines with East Jerusalem as its capital in support of achieving a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in accordance with the vision of a two-state solution to ensure that future generations of Palestinians can live in dignity.The Israeli occupation should be brought to an end and Israel should be held accountable for its war crimes and crimes against humanity. There can be no peace without righting this historic injustice.