Geopolitics of Diversity - @UniUtrecht - IR, religion, race, history, migration, democracy
Joined December 2008
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Markha Valenta retweeted
The cross is part of the mission. The imperialist occupation of the world is disrupted from within; the violence that until now has been the law is unmasked. The poor, imprisoned, and rejected Messiah descends into the darkness of death, yet in so doing He brings a new creation to light. #HolyThursday
Markha Valenta retweeted
A friendly reminder that, in late Ottoman Palestine, Jews, Muslims & Christians celebrated each other's holidays together:
1. Jews & Muslims celebrated Orthodox Easter w/Christians.
2. Muslims & Christians dressed up and partied for the Jewish holiday of Purim.
3. Jews & Christians joined Muslim pilgrimages & holidays
It was a world before Zionism contaminated relations between Jews, Muslims & Christians in Palestine. palestine-studies.org/en/nod…
I dive deeper into this history here: palestinenexus.com/courses
Markha Valenta retweeted
Just had a long talk with a former IAF commander on why Iran is managing to shoot down these US planes. He told me that since the 12 day war Iran has rethought its entire system after seeing how easily it was bombed. The new system is far better and more resilient and Israeli pilots have noticed how difficult it is to operate there now:
1) Each of Iran's 31 zones now has the authority to operate independently if central command is cut off, allowing local commanders to launch missiles and engage aircraft without waiting for orders from Tehran. That was a major problem for them in the past.
2) Recognizing that fixed sites are easily destroyed, Iran moved many of its restored air defenses into missile cities, deeply buried underground tunnels and rugged coastal terrain that serve as cover for mobile launchers. These targets are now hardened.
3) Since traditional radar gives away a system's location, Iran has leaned into passive infrared (heat-seeking) sensors and new software algorithms that can track jets without emitting detectable signals.
4) Iran has increased reliance on mobile, medium-range surface-to-air SAM systems. Its mobility allows shoot-and-scoot tactics that make it difficult to target with pre-planned airstrikes.
5) Iran has moved away from Russian missiles to its own Bavar-373 which appears to be superior to the S-300 and possibly to the S-400 too. Recent upgrades include increased autonomy for launchers, allowing them to operate even if centralized command centers are destroyed.
6) They use new Majid system, which relies on passive infrared detection rather than radar. Because it doesn't emit radar signals, it is significantly harder for aircraft to detect before a missile is launched.
7) Most important, he confirmed to me that Iran is using HQ-9B, the best long-range surface-to-air missile China has to offer. It has both active radar homing and a passive infrared seeker. This makes it harder for aircraft to spoof the missile with standard electronic countermeasures and improves its ability to track stealth. It seems to be exceeding expectations.
He told me, "the days when flying over Iran was a walk in the park are over." In sum, new tactics and a switch from Russian technology to Iranian and Chinese technology have turned Iranian airspace into a contested space. Air superiority there is gone. The IAF and USAF will have to adapt accordingly or lose more aircraft.
Markha Valenta retweeted
This Easter confronts us with a painful truth: many Christians have turned away from the way of the cross. Instead of following the crucified Christ, they align with the empire that crucified him—seeking power and influence.
Markha Valenta retweeted
King Maximus of Aleppo, ruler of Ernestos Sanctuary,marketing cat, and entrepreneur has a few words for all his friends and supporters.
"Dear kind friends and supporters. Do you know it is World Kindness day today? You are always kind to us, but today is a special day for kindness.
Could you be kind to us today? Could you make a donation on this special day? We are treating so many animals every day now at the clinics, and our sanctuary is full, and we are trying hard to save the lives of the street dogs.
Donations would be extra special to us on this day and would help us to continue to spread kindness to all the animals that need us.
I officially declare that all our fundraisers are now open"!
donorbox.org/gunthersfamilye…
ernestosanctuary.org/donatio…
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/…
myevent.com/gunthersfamilyer…
ernestosanctuary.org/product…
Our bank account is-
Banca Sella SPA,
Account name -House of cats Ernesto
IBAN IT73E0326822300052461720340
Markha Valenta retweeted
Back on the night shift last night, the team captured street dogs.
All vaccinated against rabies.Eartagged and flea and tick treated.
As an added bonus all of them were spayed / neutered and will stay at Winsons for a few more days to recover. No more puppies born onto the streets for these animals.
Donations to vaccines, surgery. food and accommodation are really really welcomed.
ernestosanctuary.org/donatio…
donorbox.org/gunthersfamilye…
Markha Valenta retweeted
The destruction of Gaza City is a crime against history
Centuries-old mosques, churches, and ancient artifacts all face obliteration as the Israeli military systematically flattens what remains of the city.
@bakerz32 reports.
972mag.com/gaza-city-destruc…
Markha Valenta retweeted
Also: time to end the colonial attitude of countries who sit and ‘dispose’ reconstruction. The EU will be among those owing REPARATIONS to the Palestinian people, who will decide how to rebuild Gaza and everything Israel has destroyed -without white saviorism hovering over them.
Hard to applaud this statement: too little, too late, intolerably insufficient under int’l law. EU states must ▶️impose a full arms embargo ▶️suspend trade (incl. @HorizonEU) ▶️prosecute alleged criminals and ▶️send a fleet to break the siege. Nothing less.
Markha Valenta retweeted
In light of today’s shooting death of Charlie Kirk, it’s worth remembering that while Paul Pelosi was lying in the ICU with a fractured skull, vile ghouls like Don Jr. thought it was comedy content. These people don’t just enable violence - they celebrate it.
Markha Valenta retweeted
Two months ago a Democratic lawmaker, her husband and their dog was murdered in their home and there was no moment of prayer in Congress, no lowering of flags, a Republican senator openly mocked their death and other Republicans just ignored it.....
Markha Valenta retweeted
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A quick visit to the disability area and the maternity section.
All the cats and kittens are doing well as you can see - but look a little closer and you will see some of the areas of damage we reported about 3 days ago.
Please find it in your heart to send a donation to help with the repair work.
Winter is approaching.
ernestosanctuary.org/product…
donorbox.org/gunthersfamilye…
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/…
myevent.com/gunthersfamilyer…
Our bank account is-
Banca Sella SPA,
Account name -House of cats Ernesto
IBAN
IT73E0326822300052461720340
Markha Valenta retweeted
Tonight in Jerusalem: Protest against the genocide in Gaza. Protestors chanted: "Soldier, attention! Refuse to [serve] the massacre" and "the government is spilling blood, committing genocide, "holding a sign reading: "stop bombing Gaza."
Markha Valenta retweeted
Ernesto’s Sanctuary for Animals – Syria.
A home for the lost, the traumatised, the abandoned, and the forgotten.
We provide food to sustain life, medicine to save it, and a team dedicated to protecting it.
Our mission:
To transform animal welfare in Syria.
To raise standards of care.
To educate owners, young vets, and the next generation of Syrian children.
Every month, we welcome children to our Free Clinic. More and more are bringing their animals for treatment, vaccinations, and advice. These children are Syria’s future — and we are here to guide them in compassion and caring for Syrias animals.
But none of this is possible without you.
You are the foundations that keep Ernesto’s standing.
Your kindness pays for the food, the medicine, the team, the clinics, the farm.
Without your support, our work cannot continue.
No care. No education. No sanctuary.
You are our lifeblood — the heartbeat of everything we do.
Please, please - help us to keep going:
✅ Share our story.
✅ Talk about our work.
✅ Tell your friends about the animals we rescue.
✅ and, please — donate to keep our mission alive.
Together, we can build a kinder future for Syria’s animals.
Without you - we are helpless.
donorbox.org/gunthersfamilye…
ernestosanctuary.org/donatio…
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/…
Our bank account is-
Banca Sella SPA,
Account name -House of cats Ernesto
IBAN
IT73E0326822300052461720340
Markha Valenta retweeted
"Genocide does not happen without mass participation: a population that supports it, enables it or looks away. That is part of its tragedy. Almost no nation that has committed genocide understood, in real time, what it was doing. The story is always the same: self-defense, inevitability, the targets brought it on themselves".
Our CEO, Yuli Novak, op-ed on realizing it is our genocide >>
theguardian.com/commentisfre…
Markha Valenta retweeted
Breaking | The Slovenian government: We have become the first European country to ban the import, export, and transit of weapons to and from Israel, after previously affirming that we would act independently if the European Union failed to take action.
Additional measures against the Israeli government will be prepared in the coming weeks.
Markha Valenta retweeted
Dr. Abu Safiya has been arbitrarily detained for over 6 months by Israeli authorities. He has been subjected to abuse and other ill-treatment. Act now and call for his immediate and unconditional release.
Markha Valenta retweeted
Ayana Gerstmann, 18-years-old, refused yesterday to enlist in the IOF.
She was sentenced to her first imprisonment for 30 days in the military prison.
Here is her refusal statement:
1/9🧵
Markha Valenta retweeted
Over the last 22 months, Israel has been deliberately and systematically destroying Palestinian society in Gaza. Government policymakers and military commanders have repeatedly declared their objective is to annihilate the people of Gaza, and the horrific result can be seen on the ground. This is Genocide.
Spurred on by incitement from leading Israeli politicians, the genocide is being carried out through practices aimed at tearing Palestinian society in Gaza apart and preventing any possibility of future recovery.
These tactics include, but are not limited to - Killing and serious and mental harm:
As of July 2025, at least 58,000 people have been killed as a direct result of Israel’s military assault on the Gaza Strip. Research indicates this is a conservative estimate, and that the actual numbers are likely higher. Israel has killed civilians through bombing crowded areas; demolishing buildings with the residents inside; shooting at civilians in designated safe zones; shooting at groups waiting for water, food or medical evacuation; bombing IDP camps, and more.
Destruction of living conditions:
Israel is deliberately creating catastrophic living conditions in Gaza. Starvation has become an explicit method of warfare, carried out through blocking humanitarian aid, destroying food-related infrastructure and bombing of distribution centers. Nearly all of the Strip’s residents are suffering severe hunger.
At the same time, Israel has decimated Gaza’s healthcare system through repeatedly bombing hospitals, medical centers and staff, and preventing the entry of life-saving equipment. It has destroyed electricity and water infrastructure and wiped out entire cities. The latest estimate is that 92% of residential buildings, and 69% of all buildings, have been severely damaged.
Forced displacement:
Approximately 90% of Gaza’s residents – many of whom are Nakba refugees and their descendants – have been forcibly displaced many times under blockade and airstrikes. Since the military ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza, Israel has prevented their return by implementing massive destruction, blockade, cutting areas off from each other, firing at people who stay behind, and more. Starvation and taking control of humanitarian aid are also being used to promote the policy of forced displacement. Government and military officials explicitly declared ethnic cleansing a formal objective of the war, alongside efforts to promote the transfer of the population to other countries.
Social, political and cultural destruction:
Israel’s onslaught on Palestinian society in Gaza is also aimed at tearing apart the fabric of civilian life. Local government institutions have been destroyed, creating a power vacuum that has enabled the rise of armed gangs and internal violence amid unprecedented famine.
The family structure has collapsed, too, with countless women widowed, children orphaned, and thousands cut off from missing or detained relatives. The education system, cultural institutions and heritage sites have been destroyed, and the press violently silenced with more than 160 journalists killed.
Assault on the Palestinian refugee status:
For decades, their refugee status has been central to the collective identity of Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and the diaspora. Israel has consistently worked to undermine this status by denying Palestinians the right of return, destroying refugee camps, and working against institutions that protect and assist refugees.
Incitement and dehumanization:
Israeli leaders are promoting rhetoric that strips Palestinians of their humanity, portrays the entire population of Gaza as an enemy to wipe out, and lends emotional and political legitimacy to indiscriminate killing. The Israeli media is reinforcing this by concealing the death toll, broadcasting military propaganda, and rejecting any discussion of Palestinian rights. Consequently, the Israeli public does not see killing, expulsion and starvation as atrocities, but as a necessity.
The assault on the Gaza Strip is not just another violent confrontation or moral failure. It is the systematic implementation of a policy of killing civilians en masse, destroying basic living conditions, forcibly displacing residents, dismantling civil institutions, erasing collective identity, and totally dehumanizing the Palestinian people of Gaza. When these practices are carried out together, openly and over many months, the conclusion is clear.
This is genocide and it is happening now. We must end it.
Markha Valenta retweeted
The absolute incapacity of Western leaders to enforce intl law when it comes to Israel is EPIC.
Ministers, Prime Ministers, Presidents of Republic:
Doing NOTHING, diverting attention, sanctioning individual ministers IS NOT enforcing the intl law that was developed after the Holocaust and WWII to prevent another Holocaust and WWII.
At this critical point,
Your states have a CLEAR obligation to:
1. Sanction Israel
2. Impose a total arms embargo (no buy, no sell, no transfer, direct or indirect)
3. Break the siege (send navies instead of dropping food on the head of starving genocide survivors)
4. Suspend all trade agreements with Israel till the end of the genocide, occupation and apartheid.
5. Investigate and prosecute individuals and orgs that have committed crimes in the oPt.
Together we can, and we will.