United States: A shameful moment in history

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to Washington DC to address Congress. According to Farrah Hassen of Institute of Policy Studies, it was “a shameful moment in US history.” 

“The International Criminal Court is seeking a warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest for war crimes and crimes against humanity,” Farrah explains. “But instead of arresting him, Congress gave him multiple standing ovations.”

It was the fourth time Netanyahu was invited to address the body — the most for any world leader. But as thousands of protestors outside raised their voices for a ceasefire in Gaza, something was different this time.

Roughly half of the Democratic caucus boycotted Netanyahu’s speech, refusing to be seen applauding — and complicit with — a perpetrator of genocide. 

"Support for Israel has become a thoroughly partisan issue” thanks to this movement pressure, Phyllis Bennis told Democracy Now! 

“The fact that more than 100 Democratic lawmakers decided to skip the speech is a real statement of how supporting Netanyahu has become a political liability for public figures across the United States."

“Our movement has redefined the demand for a ceasefire,” she added. It now means not only an end to the violence, but also “a massive escalation” of humanitarian aid and an immediate halt to the arms shipments Netanyahu came before Congress to demand more of.

In a powerful op-ed before the speech, Khury Petersen-Smith urged members of the Congressional Black Caucus, historically known as the conscience of Congress, to boycott Netanyahu's address. "Make no mistake,” he warned: “This invitation affirms Israel’s genocide” and is “an affront to international law." 

Pointing out the long history of solidarity between movements for Black and Palestinian freedom, Khury called on the Black Caucus to skip the speech, oppose those weapons transfers, and call for a permanent ceasefire.

Ultimately, many key members of the caucus did skip — and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was a caucus member as a senator, told Netanyahu afterward that she “will not be silent” about Gaza. 

Also this week, Americans celebrated the legacy of another key figure who connected movements for freedom at home to movements against war abroad, the late vice president, cabinet secretary, and New Deal architect Henry A. Wallace.

At the First Annual Henry A. Wallace Symposium, co-presented with the Wallace Global Fund and The Nation and co-sponsored by Busboys and Poets, several inspiring panelists talked about "Countering American Fascism: Lessons from Organizing in the US Heartland." 

It was the capstone event of Henry A. Wallace Fellowship, a paid summer internship program to build the future of the progressive movement. The speakers shared lessons from organizing, movement building, deep canvassing work, and Henry A. Wallace’s own life. 

Together, they highlighted how social movements are countering the dangerous force of American fascism by building an alternative vision: a multi-racial democracy and an economy that works for us all. 

Gwadar: The Gateway to CPEC

The initiatives in the domain of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) undertaken by China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC) and other Chinese firms in Gwadar are appreciable and are aimed at the right direction. 

Effective development communication and positive engagement with local communities is critical for the effectiveness and long-term success of these projects. 

All stakeholders should devise a mechanism for an integrated socio-economic development strategy and ensure inclusion of the hopes and aspiration of the inhabitants of Gwadar vis-à-vis China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

This was the crux of a two-day media conclave and roundtable conference titled ‘CSR Initiatives in Gwadar: The Gateway to CPEC’ co-organized by Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), Islamabad and the University of Gwadar in collaboration with COPHC, Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) and Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) in the strategic port town.

Speaking on the occasion, Jawad Akhtar Khokhar, Advisor, Maritime Affairs, Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives gave a detailed overview of the development projects in Gwadar under various modalities and highlighted the CPEC projects in Gwadar worth US$2.1 billion so far.

He said so far three projects worth US$314 million have been completed. These projects included Gwadar Smart Port City Master Plan, physical infrastructure of Gwadar Port and Free Zone Phase-1, and Pak-China Technical and Vocational Institute.

Another seven projects worth US$1.44 billion are under implementation process. These projects include Eastbay Expressway, which is almost complete; facilities of fresh water treatment, water supply and distribution, which are 70% cent complete; New Gwadar International Airport; Pak-China Friendship Hospital Gwadar; infrastructure of Gwadar Free Zone Phase-II; 300 MW coal power plant and 1.2 million gallons’ desalination plant.

Khokhar said under the short-term strategy the prioritized projects include provision of water in three months and electricity in five months for Gwadar, Trading Corporation of Pakistan has been authorized to import one-third cargoes at Gwadar; and completion of M-8 motorway. Highlighting long-term strategy, he said the government is aiming to build LNG and POL terminals at Gwadar port and ensure availability of electricity, water and gas to enable phase-2 expansion of the port.

Naseer Khan Kashani, Chairman, Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) stressed the importance of bringing the locals together through CSR.  “We must prioritize people over infrastructure development. Drinkable water and electricity is the top priority of the authorities in Gwadar”, he stated.

Kashani said a desalination plant of about 1.2 million gallons would become operational in six to eight months that would provide drinkable water for the locals. Moreover, the newly inaugurated state-of-the-art Pak-China Vocational & Technical Training Institute will provide three years’ training to local youth, which is a big contribution by our Chinese friends, he added. “Chinese authorities have also recently provided 3,000 solar panels to the poorest of the poor in Gwadar for the provision of electricity,” he informed.

While delivering the keynote speech, Zhang Baozhong, Chairman COPHC spoke at length about the experiences of his seven-year stay in Gwadar. “We are cognizant of the fact that Gwadar deserves more rapid development to live up to the expectations of the local people. There is no denying the fact that it has developed much during the past seven years”, he remarked. 

He stated three reasons for the promising prospects of Gwadar: 1) cooperation of the Gwadar people, 2) its vast resources, and 3) its strategic location. “The inhabitants of Gwadar deserve respect and development according to their rightful demands”, Baozhong underscored.

“We are sending 20 students to China on scholarships every year. We have been running a primary school here for the last five years and soon we will construct a secondary school as well. More than 6000 solar panel units have been distributed among the people of Gwadar so far, and around 500,000 trees have been planted,” Shahzad Sultan, Country Head Marketing of COPHC informed while providing details of the CSR initiatives.

Chairman IPS Khalid Rahman highlighted the concept of CSR and elements that can improve the lives of the local inhabitants. “We must have solution-oriented recommendations, not problem-oriented,” he said adding that positive thinking and improvement in governance will bring a huge change in the life of the people of Gwadar. “CSR activities do not mean spending a share of your profit, it’s about creating an environment which is not harmful for the society in any way,” he added.

Professor Dr. Abdul Razzaq Sabir, Vice Chancellor, University of Gwadar, in his welcome address earlier appreciated the initiatives of IPS for identifying challenges in the area. He said giving back to the society is the biggest responsibility of corporate sector. Working on development of human resources should be the biggest priority of the government and private sector. As Gwadar is expanding after development of the port, it is important to learn from China’s experience and expertise through student exchange program. “We must train our youth to become productive elements of Gwadar.”

He was of the view that CSR must be defined in local perspective. Local issues could be considered to resolve people’s genuine and basic issues and problems through CSR initiatives. He emphasized that engaging local community and civil society could result in better planning, befitting solutions and better implementation with local wisdom and participation.

Dr. Rashid Aftab, director Riphah Institute of Public Policy (RIPP) commented that reservations of locals must be addressed with evidence-based data sharing with all relevant stakeholders.

Dolat Khan, Registrar, University of Gwadar and Arsalan Ali, Head of Investments, Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) also spoke on the occasion. Media conclave and roundtable conference was attended by a number of senior journalists and academics from Karachi, Islamabad and Gwadar. The delegates also visited China-Pakistan Vocational and Technical Training Institute and other sites under CSR to witness the pace of progress. They interacted with the local students and teachers to observe their views.