“Consider what we didn’t do,” said [Ben] Rhodes. “I sometimes am haunted by this. The trillions of dollars spent on a forever war: what could that have been spent on? Climate change, universal healthcare, public education. There’s a real opportunity cost to how we chose to spend our time and resources."

‘The initial heroism, goodwill and unity of 9/11 gave way to discord at home and diminished moral authority abroad.’ Illustration: Guardian Design

 

Mistakes, mistrust and misdirection: 25 years after 9/11, its dark legacy continues to unfold

The world’s most powerful country responded to the worst terrorist attack in its history by inflicting terror of its own – around the world, and at home

David Smith in Washington

Fri 11 Sep 2026

As clear as that cloudless September morning, Jenna Jacobs McPartland remembers the moment everything changed. “I was cleaning the bathroom and watching the Today show in the background and nine months pregnant,” the 52-year-old recalls by phone. “I think they were showing ‘Today throws a wedding’ when the news broke in.”

A plane had hit the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York. McPartland did not know that her husband, Ariel Jacobs, was attending a conference at its Windows on the World restaurant. “I called his office to say, ‘Hey, turn on the TV. Do you guys know what’s going on?’ His assistant said, ‘Oh my God, Jenna, he’s there.’ The whole world disappeared and there was this sort of hollow collapsing feeling.”

Ariel Jacobs did not live to see his son... READ MORE https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/sep/11/september-11-dark-legacy 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies here, there- and everywhere]  

Near daily Israeli attacks have continued in Gaza despite a ceasefire announced in October, killing 1,127 Palestinians and injuring 3,643 since then, according to the Gaza health ministry. In its daily report, the ministry said four people were killed in the past 24 hours, and 28 were wounded.

Palestinians save their belongings from destroyed buildings following an Israeli airstrike last night, at al-Bureij refugee camp, central Gaza Strip. Photograph: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

Images on the newswires show the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike last night at al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza [PALESTINE]. Near daily Israeli attacks have continued in Gaza despite a ceasefire announced in October, killing 1,127 Palestinians and injuring 3,643 since then, according to the Gaza health ministry. In its daily report, the ministry said four people were killed in the past 24 hours, and 28 were wounded.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/jul/16/iran-us-donald-trump-war-strait-hormuz-oil-israel-lebanon-latest-news-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6a58a7b88f08d0763503f40d#block-6a58a7b88f08d0763503f40d 

 & a glimpse of Lebanon

An Israeli flag hangs from a building in Lebanon as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Lebanon border.  Photograph: Shir Torem/Reuters

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]    

"Liberation - Catharsis" by Najat El-Khairy- a collector and lecturer on Palestinian embroidery who uses her art to preserve this cultural legacy.... "The olive grove and doves are prominent features in the artwork. The olive grove with its trees represents peace, while the two doves in the sky symbolize freedom and the right of return."

"Liberation - Catharsis" by Palestinian artist Najat El-Khairy.

Zara Zhar

@Boudicca61AD

 

"Liberation - Catharsis" by Palestinian artist Najat El-Khairy. The artwork is part of a series that explores themes of purification and liberation from occupation, reflecting on the artist's personal journey and the Palestinian experience. 

 

Symbolism and Meaning 

 

The woman in the artwork represents the "Palestinian Fellaha" or village woman, and also the olive tree, which is a symbol of resilience, resistance, and determination. She is depicted with tree roots for legs, deeply entrenched in her land, proudly holding her history, culture, and heritage. 

 

Her face is intentionally omitted to represent all Palestinian women. The embroidery on the woman's dress and in the background is a central element. 

 

Najat El-Khairy is a collector and lecturer on Palestinian embroidery and uses her art to preserve this cultural legacy. The patterns often include motifs with specific meanings, such as "The Walls of Jerusalem" and "the Star of Bethlehem," and are used to assert the identity of the land. 

 

The olive grove and doves are prominent features in the artwork. The olive grove with its trees represents peace, while the two doves in the sky symbolize freedom and the right of return. 

 

The "forbidden colors" (red, green, white, and black) of the Palestinian flag, which the occupiers banned in artwork from 1980 to 1993, are freely used in this piece to assert Palestinian identity. 

 

Najat El-Khairy's art, including "Liberation - Catharsis," is her way of documenting and preserving Palestinian cultural heritage on a lasting surface, such as porcelain, to prevent it from being forgotten or appropriated. 

 

The artist was born in 1948, the year of the Nakba, which she sees as a driving force for her mission to keep Palestinian culture alive.

 https://x.com/Boudicca61AD/status/2051783193280323932/photo/1

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes or watch videos) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]

Israel has banned 37 aid organisations from working in Gaza from January 1, severing access to lifesaving aid for Palestinians, as its genocide continues... & [NOTICE UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is not on this list- UNRWA was already blocked by Israel earlier last month] UNRWA Commissioner-General on New Anti‑UNRWA Legislation Passed by the Israeli Parliament

[NOTICE  UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is not on this list- UNRWA was already blocked by Israel earlier last month]

https://x.com/AJEnglish/status/2006908305369678257/photo/1

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

 https://apnews.com/article/gaza-humanitarian-aid-suspension-israel-ec535cea548ddc75080f1e6bffe53801

List of aid groups working in Gaza that Israel is suspending

1. Action Against Hunger

2. ActionAid

3. Alianza por la Solidaridad

4. Campaign for the Children of Palestine

5. CARE

6. DanChurchAid

7. Danish Refugee Council

8. Handicap International: Humanity & Inclusion

9. Japan International Volunteer Center

10. Medecins du Monde France

11. Medecins du Monde Switzerland

12. Medecins Sans Frontieres Belgium

13. Medecins Sans Frontieres France

14. Medecins Sans Frontieres Nederland

15. Medicos del Mundo

16. Mercy Corps

17. MSF Spain

18. Norwegian Refugee Council

19. Oxfam Novib

20. Premiere Urgence Internationale

21. Terre des hommes Lausanne

22. International Rescue Committee

23. WeWorld-GVC

24. World Vision International

25. Relief International

26. Fondazione AVSI

27. Movement for Peace-MPDL

28. American Friends Service Committee

29. Medico International

30. Palestine Solidarity Association in Sweden

31. Defense for Children International

32. Medical Aid for Palestinians UK

33. Caritas Internationalis

34. Caritas Jerusalem

35. Near East Council of Churches

36. Oxfam Quebec

37. War Child Holland

[NOTICE  UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) is not on this list- UNRWA was already blocked by Israel earlier last month]

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

 https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/official-statements/unrwa-commissioner-general-new-anti%E2%80%91unrwa-legislation-passed-israeli-Parliament

UNRWA Commissioner-General on New Anti‑UNRWA Legislation Passed by the Israeli Parliament

The United Nations flag is seen flying above the UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem, shortly before Israeli officials tore it down and replaced it with the Israeli flag on 8 December 2025

 

From Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA Commissioner-General as posted on his official X account (previously known as Twitter) 

 

---

AMMAN

“Yesterday’s vote by the Israeli parliament passing new legislation against UNRWA is outrageous. It is a direct affront to the mandate granted to the Agency by the UN General Assembly and contrary to findings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which oblige Israel to fulfil its responsibilities as a UN Member State to UNRWA and the broader UN system.

The legislation cuts off water, electricity, fuel, and communications from UNRWA and grants the government of Israel authority to expropriate UN properties in East Jerusalem, including UNRWA’s headquarters and its main vocational training centre.

Furthermore, the bill explicitly excludes UNRWA from Israeli law enacting Israel’s obligations under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. This stands in clear violation of the State of Israel’s obligations under international law.

This latest move extends the laws passed last year and implemented since January 2025 that banned UNRWA’s operations in occupied East Jerusalem and halted all contact between Israeli officials and UNRWA.

The new legislation is a further blow to the multilateral system. It is part of an ongoing, systematic campaign to discredit UNRWA and thereby obstruct the core role that the Agency plays in providing human-development assistance and services to Palestine Refugees. Services which the ICJ has ruled are essential for delivering on the UN’s commitment to the rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination.

In October, the ICJ restated that the State of Israel is obliged under international law to facilitate UNRWA’s operations, not hinder or prevent them. This new legislation is an unacceptable rejection of the ICJ’s findings.

Israel is obliged to act within the UN framework and not take unilateral action contrary to its obligations under the UN Charter. Should Israel dispute the actions of UNRWA, it must refer the issue to the UN’s deliberative bodies and seek a decisive ruling from the ICJ. A failure to do so disrespects the procedures critical to the operation of the UN system.

 Despite Israel’s obligations, these legislative steps have been accompanied by unilateral actions on the ground that show a repeated disregard for international law.

Earlier this month, Israeli officials stormed UNRWA’s compound in East Jerusalem – which is a UN premises – and tore down the UN flag, replacing it with an Israeli flag. And in May, they forced the closure of UNRWA’s schools in East Jerusalem, depriving hundreds of Palestine Refugee children of their right to education.

Israel’s unilateral actions are having a direct operational and legal impact on UNRWA’s services in the occupied Palestinian territory, including in Gaza, where the Agency is the backbone of the international humanitarian operation. As Gaza, the West Bank, and the wider region continue to face conflict and turmoil, UNRWA – more than ever – is irreplaceable.  

Legislation against UNRWA is also a further setback to efforts to reach a just and lasting diplomatic solution to the decades’ long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.   Pending such a solution, UNRWA is mandated to provide services, especially health and education, to Palestine Refugees. 

The rights of Palestine Refugees exist separate to UNRWA, under international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and UN General Assembly resolutions, including Resolution 194, adopted in 1948, a year before UNRWA was created in Resolution 302. Even if UNRWA no longer existed, these rights would endure.

The current and earlier legislation passed by the Israeli parliament also rejects the principal obligation of UN Member States to respect the UN’s independence and its privileges and immunities. It creates a grave precedent for other conflict situations where governments may wish to eliminate an inconvenient UN presence.

It therefore targets not just UNRWA, but any individual or entity calling for compliance with international law and a peaceful political solution. Failing to push back against attempts to intimidate and undermine the UN in the occupied Palestinian territory will eventually compromise humanitarian and human rights work worldwide. “

 https://x.com/unlazzarini/status/2005783683765043400?s=46&t=n-DGCyE5Su6GxZ75P5lB7A

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]

December 8th 2025 in Jerusalem: The United Nations flag was pulled down & replaced with an Israeli flag

Philippe Lazzarini

@UNLazzarini

Today in the early morning, Israeli police accompanied by municipal officials forcibly entered the @UNRWA compound in East Jerusalem. 

 

Police motorcycles, as well as trucks & forklifts, were brought in & all communications were cut. 

 

Furniture, IT equipment & other property was seized. 

 

The @UN flag was pulled down & replaced with an Israeli flag. 

 

This latest action represents a blatant disregard of Israel’s obligation as a United Nations Member State to protect & respect the inviolability of UN premises.  

 

Following months of harassment that included arson attacks in 2024, hateful demonstrations & intimidation, supported by a large-scale disinformation campaign, as well as anti-UNRWA legislation passed by the Israeli parliament in breach of its international obligations, UNRWA personnel were forced to vacate the compound at the beginning of this year.   

 

However, whatever action taken domestically, the compound retains its status as a UN premises, immune from any form of interference.  

 

Israel is party to the Convention on the Privileges & Immunities of the UN. The Convention makes UN premises inviolable - in other words, immune from search and/or seizure - and makes UN property and assets immune from legal process.  

 

The International Court of Justice has also underscored that Israel is obliged to cooperate with UNRWA & other UN agencies.   

 

There can be no exceptions. 

 

To allow this represents a new challenge to international law, one that creates a dangerous precedent anywhere else the UN is present across the world.

 

https://x.com/UNLazzarini/status/1997985397440172110

 

 AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES (or quotes) IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies] 

"States owe you rights not bruises" Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt

Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur oPt

@FranceskAlbs

 

Reminder for Gen Z & beyond: 

 

When your govt raises batons at peaceful protesters, that’s not “order”: it’s a human rights violation. 

 

Int’l law requires: 

 

1. Fulfil -make protest possible 

 

2. Respect -don’t interfere 

 

3. Protect -keep people safe

 

States owe you rights not bruises.

 

https://x.com/FranceskAlbs/status/1985669415849861133 

 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES & QUOTES IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine, or at least fair and just laws and policies]