Discombobulated

According to the Wall Street Journal, citing multiple U.S. officials, Iran has targeted the joint U.S.-UK base at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean with two intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM). According to the report, one missile failed in flight whilst the other was engaged by a U.S. destroyer utilizing an SM-3 interceptor, but a successful interception was not confirmed. None of the missiles hit the base. This is notable as Iranian long-range precision fires have not previously been publicly assessed as having the range to hit such a target as Diego Garcia, as the base is some 4,000 kilometers from Iran proper.

Israeli soldiers detained 15 Palestinian women in Qalqilia overnight, most of whom are wives of detainees/former detainees. The women are being used to pressure the men; most are being held in administrative detention or are being accused of online incitement.

In mid-February, I joined police Chiefs from Canada and the United States, on a visit to Israel where we met police and community leaders in several cities. I spent time with police officers from Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Druze faiths representing a wide range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. I also met with Muslim community leaders who shared openly about their concerns and their reasons for working with police. These officers and community leaders operate in an environment that demands extraordinary vigilance - managing crime, counter terrorism, supporting community and crisis response all amid extreme complexity. Police to police we were able to talk about the toll this work takes on the people who do it. We talked about building trust in communities where there is little trust. We were able to get a glimpse of the undertaking required to police in complex environments. I am grateful for what I was able to learn and share with those we visited and among my North American peers. These missions offer a great deal of insight and valuable perspective. I am grateful for the continued leadership and support of the Edmonton Police Commission who have supported me in this. As police we focus on behavior, not beliefs. Where I have felt challenged this week is in the implication that any community group should have the right to direct where we can learn. I stand by my decision to take the trip to Israel and continue to view it as valuable, among multiple learning experiences I will have in this role. I remain focused on my longstanding and ongoing commitment to dialogue, learning and connection across communities and across boundaries.

Let’s talk reality. A Jewish baby born today in a West Bank community will have full rights in Israel, a vote in national elections, and access to civilian courts; a Palestinian baby born in that same community will have no democratic rights, tight restrictions on their movement, frequent harassment from settlers, and no access to justice beyond what Israel’s unaccountable military courts mete out. That’s apartheid.

Muhammad is dead. Jesus is alive.