Nada Tarbush Speech at UN: Western Support for Israel is Underpinned by Racism

Date Recorded: 21st February 2024 Meeting of the Arms Trade Treaty, Geneva, Switzerland This speech by Nada Tarbush at the Arms Trade Treaty, Geneva Switzerland will go down in history. In front of a room filled with states from around the world, she exposes the racist ideology that underpins Western support for Israel. What is the purpose of continuing to send arms to Israel, she asks? “Is it apathy, indifference, a head in the sand, continuation of business as usual? Is it profits? The desire to make more profits no matter the cost, legal, moral or reputational? Or is it ideology, emanating from a racist logic whereby different values are placed on different lives? People of the Global South, or of a certain skin colour or nationality are seen as more disposable, less deserving of life, empathy, outrage or respect for the law? There is no diplomatic way of calling out racism. It is time to call a spade a spade.“ “...If you choose to continue sending weapons to Israel as it annihilates the Palestinian of Gaza, then you do not get to ever pretend again that you support international law, care about human life, or have moral convictions that apply universally“.