#Recognition of Palestine 🇵🇸

[xtruss]

Jamaica Joins Around 140 UN Member States and The 11 Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Countries That Have Recognised the State of Palestine.

[jabronibaloney]

Another great argument for masks.

So I guess whoever runs this account decided sounding like a mafia boss was a good idea.

[ladychlo]

Today, Ireland, Norway and Spain announced their recognition of the state of Palestine. Long live the resistance. This would not have been possible without the resistance 🇵🇸🔻

[workersolidarity]

[ 📹 Scenes of evidence left behind after Israeli occupation naval gunboats fired artillery shells at fishing boats on the Mediterranean coast of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip. Following the shelling, the gunboats waited until residents and first responders arrived to put out the flames before shelling them as well. ]

🇮🇱⚔️🇵🇸 🚀🏘️💥🚑 🚨

DAY 229: HEALTHCARE SYSTEM COLLAPSING IN NORTHERN GAZA, NORWAY, IRELAND AND SPAIN RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE, ISRAELI MASSACRES IN GAZA CONTINUE

On 229th day of the Israeli occupation's ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) committed a total of 6 new massacres of Palestinian families, resulting in the deaths of no less than 62 Palestinian civilians, mostly women and children, while another 138 others were wounded over the previous 24-hours.

It should be noted that as a result of the constant Israeli bombardment of Gaza's healthcare system, infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, local paramedic and civil defense crews are unable to recover countless hundreds, even thousands of victims who remain trapped under the rubble, or who's bodies remain strewn across the streets of Gaza.

In move welcomed by Palestinians and Arabs across the world, Spain, Ireland and Norway have officially recognized Palestinian Statehood, to take effect on May 28th.

The Prime Ministers of all three countries announced their recognition of Palestine as an independent State on Wednesday, May 22nd, calling on more Western countries to follow suit.

In his announcement, Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr, said the goal of recognition was to establish a cohesive Palestinian state based around the Palestinian Authority, further noting that a two-state solution is in the interest of the Israeli occupation authorities.

Reflecting on his own country's recognition of a Palestinian state, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said "We are a peaceful people, and this is what thousands of demonstrators show in the protests against the Gaza massacres."

Sanchez went on to accuse the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, of working to destroy the Gaza Strip, further endangering a two-state solution.

Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, made a similar announcement regarding his country's recognition of Palestine, adding that he expected more nations to recognize Palestinian statehood in the coming weeks, adding that "there is no future for the extremist version of Zionism that fuels settler violence and land seizures."

He went on to add that "there can be no peace without equality, and it is important that our decision is not misinterpreted."

In response to the announcements, the Israeli occupation authorities summoned the ambassadors for Norway and Ireland in order to "conduct emergency consultations."

In other news, in an urgent warning issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), doctors with the international healthcare organization say the last two hospitals remaining in the northern Gaza Strip, Al-Awda Hospital in Jabalia and Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya, are barely functional after 8 months of non-stop bombardment, and the blockade of fuel and medical supplies by the Israeli occupation.

Doctors with the two hospitals told reporters that the Israeli occupation army continues to open fire on associated buildings, while occupation snipers have been posted on nearby rooftops at one of the hospitals.

According to Dr. Muhammad Saleh, the acting Director of Al-Awda Hospital, today marks the "third day of the siege of Al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza," while the Israeli occupation forces continue "shooting at the hospital buildings" while Israeli "snipers" have taken positions in nearby homes.

Dr. Saleh went on tell journalists that the Israeli occupation has destroyed the southern wall of Al-Awda Hospital, while "all the medical staff and patients" remain inside the hospital's wings, which have become "very difficult to move between."

The doctor went on to add that hospital staff are forced to bring water from one hospital building to the other, a result of IOF soldiers having "struck the first building with a shell that targeted the fifth floor and destroyed the water tanks."

Speaking from a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters that “148 hospital workers and 22 patients and their companions are trapped inside” the hospital.

Following several recent visits to Al-Awda Hospital by WHO staff to deliver medical supplies and fuel, Ghebreyesus says Israeli snipers targeted the hospital, while occupation artillery shelled the fifth floor of the building.

Similarly, the Emergency Relief Coordinator for Doctor's Without Borders, Donia Al-Dakheili, said that "nothing enters or exits" the Al-Awda Hospital for fear of the Israeli snipers who remain looming over the building from nearby rooftops.

Previously, the Israeli occupation army besieged Al-Awda Hospital for several days, during which, two staff members were killed while many others were arrested and detained.

Kamal Adwan Hospital is in similarly dire circumstances, coming under fire in recent days, forcing the evacuation of patients and staff, according to Dr. Hossam Abu Safia, the hospital's Director.

"Currently, the hospital is being evacuated of the wounded, patients, and medical staff... There are many patients that the medical teams were not able to evacuate," Dr. Safia said of the attacks, adding that "the reception and emergency gate at Kamal Adwan Hospital was subjected to artillery shelling" as the occupation army advanced towards the complex.

According to Rick Peppercorn, a representative with the WHO, the reception center in the Intensive Care Unit for Kamal Adwan Hospital was bombed by the IOF.

"At the moment, there are still 20 health staff members and 13 patients," Pepperkorn said, adding that Kamal Adwan and Al-Awda are "the only two hospitals that are still working, and we cannot afford for them to stop working."

Even while Gaza's healthcare system verges on collapse as supplies run thinner than ever before, the Israeli occupation forces continued the closure of the Rafah and Karm Abu Salem border crossings for the 16th consecutive day, blocking humanitarian and medical aid trucks, along with fuel, from entering Gaza.

According to press reporting, more than 3'000 aid trucks have been prevented from entering Gaza, along with preventing at least 700 sick and wounded Palestinians from leaving Gaza for treatment abroad during the period the two crossings have been closed.

Meanwhile, the bombardment of the Gaza Strip continues unabated as occupation bombing, shelling, drone and missile strikes continued to target civilian residences and infrastructure, resulting in dozens of casualties.

Local reporting stated that the Israeli occupation forces fired several artillery shells into civilian neighborhoods in the Tal al-Hawa area, southwest of Gaza City, while Israeli warplanes bombed a residential home belonging to the Abu Zaida family in the Al-Faluga neighborhood of Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, killing 6 civilians and wounding 6 more.

In another atrocity, occupation fighter jets bombed a barracks in the vicinity of Terrence al-Baba, where displaced Palestinian families were sheltering from the war in the town of Al-Zawaida, in the central Gaza Strip, slaughtering at least 10 civilians, including an infant pulled from her mother's womb, and wounding a number of others.

Wounded civilians were transported to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in neighboring Deir al-Balah.

A similar assault targeted residential areas of the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, martyring 2 Palestinians and wounding several others who were taken to the Baptist Hospital in the city.

Occupation artillery shelling also targeted the northern and southern neighborhoods of Gaza City, while neighborhoods east of the Nuseirat Camp also endured intense shelling.

At the same time, aircraft belonging to the Israeli occupation army bombed the Farhat family home in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, west of the city of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, wounding several people who were transported to the Kuwait Specialized Hospital.

Additionally, occupation artillery forces renewed their shelling of central and eastern Rafah, and Israeli quadcopters opened fire on several areas of the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood. Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets bombed civilian targets in residential neighborhoods of central Rafah.

Occupation gunboats also shelled Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Rafah, after which, the gunboats opened fire on civilians who rushed to put out fires resulting from the shelling.

As a result of the Israeli occupation's ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the current death toll has risen once again, now exceeding 35'709 Palestinians killed, including upwards of 15'000 children and over 10'000 women, while another 79'990 others have been wounded since the start of the current round of Zionist aggression, beginning with the events of October 7th, 2023.

May 22nd, 2024.

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@WorkerSolidarityNews

[schrodingerspsycho]

I Just Want You To Be Happy - Chapter 1

Pairing - Taissa Turner x Van Palmer x Reader

Warnings - None

Word Count - 4.1k

Summary - With her life in shambles, Taissa seeks solace in the only place she knows, but everything changes when she finds out that Van isn't alone.

Author's Note - 2021 timeline. Also Van doesn't have cancer :)

Chapter 2

Help Palestine by clicking this link!🇵🇸

Taissa smoothed out her hair and took a deep breath, summoning the courage to open the door. The bell chimed and she glanced around, and after a moment her eyes landed on the redheaded woman behind the counter. She was just as beautiful as Tai remembered, her scars fainter and her blue eyes brighter than the last time they saw each other. Their eyes met, and a look of recognition and disbelief dawned on the woman’s face.

“Tai?”

“Hey, Van.”

It was as if time had stood still, and she could tell that Van felt it too. And despite all the chaos in her life, Tai felt a sense of calm seeing Van again after all these years.

“Babe, did you want to put out this new shipment now, or wait until- oh.”

The moment shattered when you walked out through the beaded curtain. You, a gorgeous woman with shining eyes and graying hair, wearing a flannel shirt that Tai knew was Van’s. You immediately clocked the tension in the air and put a comforting hand on Van’s shoulder, leaning in to whisper something to her. She turned to you and smiled softly, a look that had once been reserved only for Tai. Her head began to spin, and when Van turned back to her, her voice sounded muffled and far away. She stumbled forward, and just as she tried to reach out for something to hold onto, her vision went black.

When she came to, Tai found herself in a new yet familiar bedroom. Van’s bedroom. Your bedroom. She walked out slowly, as if in a trance, and found you and Van standing in the living room, talking in hushed voices. Then you glanced up and saw her, and your face lit up with a friendly smile. “She’s awake.”

Van turned to her with an unreadable expression, her eyebrows pinched together in that adorable way that Tai both loved and hated. “Tai,” she said, sounding strained. Then she gestured to you. “This is my partner, Y/N. Y/N, this is Taissa.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” you said, giving her a small wave. Taissa could only nod.

“So, are you gonna tell me why you’re here, or are we just gonna pretend this isn’t super weird? I mean, it’s been a long time. A really fucking long time.”

Taissa looked away, unable to make the words leave her throat. Van’s gaze softened slightly.

“It’s happening again, isn’t it? The sleepwalking?”

Tai smiled, big and bright and fake, and made finger guns at Van. “I got you something,” she said, walking over to her purse. She pulled out the pen she’d bought from the trucker and clicked it nervously as she approached. She chuckled as she handed it to Van, who smiled as she reached for it.

“Holy shit,” she breathed as she inspected it. “I can’t believe they still make these.”

“Yeah, you remember when we swapped that fancy guest book pen for one of those at Shauna’s wedding?”

“Yeah. Mrs. Taylor almost had a stroke. I can see her bosoms!” She turned the pen over with a look of bewilderment, holding it out for you to watch as the ink drained away to reveal a naked woman. You and Van laughed at the same time, and Tai couldn’t tell whose voice was whose. “Oh my god,” Van said, locking eyes with you. Tai’s smile faded.

Then Van looked back at her, all levity replaced with concern. “So,” she asked, her voice low. “How bad is it?”

Tai didn’t answer.

“I’m gonna go back down to the store, and give you two some time to talk,” you chimed in, smiling reassuringly at Van. You placed a hand on the small of her back and she reached out to stroke your side, nodding.

“Okay,” she agreed, and you leaned in and kissed her. It was a comfortable, loving kiss, one you had clearly shared countless times. Tai’s stomach twisted into a knot.

“Alright, come on,” Van sighed once you left the room. She sat down on the couch and gestured to the spot next to her, her eyes never leaving Tai. “Sit down and tell me all about it.”

So Taissa did just that. It was difficult at first, but Van was patient and understanding like always, and eventually, she shared all the things that had been haunting her for the past few weeks. It felt good to finally open up, and Van was the only person who could make her do it. They fell right back into the rhythm they’d had as teenagers, and if she tried hard enough, Taissa could pretend that nothing had changed.

“Well, what now?”

“Well, um, first I was hoping I could take a shower.”

“I’m serious.”

“Well, so am I. I just hitchhiked across Pennsylvania. I do not smell great,” Tai laughed. She knew that Van would see through the deflection, but if she didn’t laugh, she knew she would cry.

“Alright,” Van agreed after a moment. “I’ll get you a towel and some clothes.”

“Okay, thank you.”

Van stood up from the couch and stretched, and Tai stayed there with her knees held to her chest for a few seconds longer. Then she got up and followed Van into her bedroom, leaning uncertainly in the doorway.

“So, you and Y/N. How did that happen?” Tai asked, with her best attempt at casual conversation.

“We met on a dating app,” Van said dismissively, not looking up from the dresser.

“I never took you for the online dating type,” Tai commented. “How long have you been together?”

“A little over five years.”

“Wow, five years. That’s a long time.” Tai tried to ignore the aching in her chest. “So, are you living together, or…?”

“Yeah, we are,” Van sighed. “They moved in three years ago, a few months after they started working at the store. And you should be grateful because they’ve got some clothes that are more your style.” She held out a stack of towels and clothes, with a black turtleneck on top that Van wouldn’t be caught dead in.

“A-are you sure? Shouldn’t you ask-?”

“They won’t mind,” Van snapped tiredly. Taissa took the clothes, feeling dejected, and followed Van into the bathroom. “You can use any of the soaps and shampoos we have in there. I’m gonna help Y/N close the store, and then we’ll be back up. We can talk more about what to do then.”

“Thank you, Van,” Taissa said, and Van nodded. She started to walk away, but Tai called out before she could reach the stairs. “Wait! How much does Y/N know about me? About… us?”

Van scoffed. “Enough,” she said darkly. “They know enough.”

And just like that, Taissa was left alone.

When Taissa left the bathroom, she heard Van’s laughter coming from the kitchen. It was loud and joyous, just like she remembered, and she couldn’t help but smile. But then the kitchen came into view, and her smile faltered when she remembered who was making Van laugh. You were standing at the stove with your arm around her waist, and she leaned into you as she reached for a tomato. You said something else to her and she laughed again, bumping you with her hip, and you pulled her in for a kiss. Tai knew she shouldn’t watch, but she couldn’t bring herself to turn away. Maybe she was punishing herself for all the decisions that had led her here, so many of them rash and wrong. Or maybe she was just trying to remind herself of reality. Van was taken now, and so was she. She had a wife. Taissa fiddled with her wedding ring and stared as you and Van grinned at each other, exchanging words Taissa didn’t need to hear to understand.

“Taissa, hey!” you called cheerily when you spotted her. Van’s face fell when she turned to Tai, giving her a brief glare before grabbing a knife and focusing on slicing the tomato. “Figured you’d be hungry, so we’re making dinner a little early. I hope you like veggie burgers!”

“Oh yeah, I love them,” Tai said with a weak smile.

“Great! They should be done in about ten minutes.”

“Do you guys need any help, or-”

“No, we’ve got it.” Van didn’t even look up from the cutting board.

“Just sit down and make yourself at home,” you smiled. If you picked up on Van’s unease, you didn’t show it. Taissa wanted to believe that you couldn’t.

She sat down at the small table and waited, trying not to watch the two of you as you cooked. Everything was so domestic, and if she weren’t seeing it unfold before her very eyes, she wouldn’t have been able to picture Van in such a settled and tranquil space. Of course, this was what Van had wanted all along, she remembered. She just hadn’t been there for it.

“Alright, dinner is served!” you exclaimed as you took the burgers out of the pan. Tai got up and you handed her a plate, nodding to the toppings Van had set up on the counter. Van dished out a generous helping of french fries for her as she dressed her burger.

“Thank you for dinner, both of you,” Taissa said sincerely as she went to sit down. “This food looks amazing.”

“Of course,” Van replied with a tight-lipped smile.

“What can I get you to drink?” you asked her. “We have Mountain Dew, Dr. Pepper, beer… babe, what else do we have?”

“I’ll just have some water, please,” Taissa answered before Van could respond. You nodded and filled a glass for her, and she thanked you again. Van grabbed a beer for herself and turned to you, and at the slightest shake of your head, she handed you a Dr. Pepper.

Once her hosts were seated, with you across from her and Van between you, Taissa finally dug into her food. And you were right, she was hungry. She wasn’t sure how many hours it had been since she’d eaten. But even if she had just finished a full-course meal, she wouldn’t be able to deny that this was the best veggie burger she’d ever tasted.

“Oh my god, this is delicious,” she said, speaking around the bite in her mouth.

“Thank you,” you smiled, and Van grinned at you proudly. “The secret is to use Havarti cheese.”

“And don’t forget about your special seasoning recipe,” Van said. “That’s the real key to these things.”

“Well, yes, but I can’t divulge all my secrets,” you replied playfully. “I would lose my air of mystery.”

“Well, whatever it is, it’s amazing,” Tai said genuinely. You and Van both smiled at her.

“So, Taissa, have you ever been to Pennsylvania before?” you asked. Tai shook her head.

“I’ve driven through it a few times, but I’ve never stayed anywhere.”

“In that case, we’ll have to give you a tour around town one of these days. Show you all the best spots.”

“I’d like that.”

“Oh yeah, Y/N’s a great tour guide,” Van said. “They know this town like the back of their hand.”

“Yep, born and raised,” you said proudly. “Van had lived here for years before we met, and she still didn’t know half of the best places.”

“It helped you keep date nights interesting,” Van shrugged, a mischievous smirk on her face.

“That’s ‘cause you weren’t that hard to impress,” you fired back. She laughed, and you gazed at her adoringly. Tai took another bite of her burger.

After that, the conversation became stunted and awkward, with you putting in more work than Tai and Van combined. Despite the tension, you were a perfect host, and Tai had to admire that. Once everyone had finished eating you stood up and gathered the dishes. Van tried to help you, but you snatched the plate from her hand and planted a quick kiss on her forehead. She shot you an annoyed glance but opted to take another sip of her beer instead of protesting.

“Let me help you with the dishes,” Taissa said as you turned on the sink.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. You’re our guest.”

“I showed up unannounced and you took me in. I insist.”

“Well, alright then,” you smiled, handing her the sponge.

Van sighed. “God dammit. I think I left my phone down in the office. I’m gonna go get it.”

“Okay,” you nodded, giving her a reassuring glance. The two of you shared a look, but Van had disappeared down the stairs before Taissa could decipher what it meant.

“Is she okay?” Tai asked.

“Just a little overwhelmed, I think.”

“I hope my being here isn’t upsetting either of you. I really don’t want to impose.”

“Oh no, don’t worry about it. We’re happy to help.”

“Are you sure? I can get a hotel room-”

“Nonsense.” The look on your face made Tai wish the floor would open up and swallow her. “I know the history you have with Van. Some of it, at least. And we are going to do everything we can to help you. You can stay as long as you need.”

You fell into silence after that, slowly falling into a rhythm as Tai handed you the freshly washed dishes for you to dry. She hated to admit it, but your presence was oddly comforting. She knew it had to be the sleep deprivation, but the calm was welcome nonetheless.

“Turns out I remembered to get my phone at just the right time,” Van said, coming up the stairs just as you were putting the final dish back in the cabinet. “Guess who got ahold of her mom’s phone.”

“Oh no, did April call you?” you chuckled, smiling at her. Van nodded.

“What did she want?”

“Oh, the usual. She told me about her hamster’s day and asked when she could come and stay with us again. And last week at a sleepover she discovered Mary Poppins and she asked if I had seen it.” Van grinned at you as you laughed, walking over to stand at her side. Tai couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Van this happy.

“What’d you tell her?”

“That I love that movie. Then she asked if we had it at the store and if we could watch it the next time she visits. I think she really wants to spend another weekend with us.”

“Oh, you think?” you joked, putting your arms around her shoulders. “What we need to do is give that kid a VCR. I’ve never seen someone so fascinated by VHS tapes, and I live with you.”

“Yeah, maybe when she’s old enough for me to know she won’t break it.”

“Oh, c’mon. She wouldn’t break it if Aunt Vanny told her not to. You know you’re her favorite.”

“Yeah, right,” Van chuckled as she pulled you in for a kiss. Then she sighed, and you furrowed your brow in concern at the same time Taissa did.

“What’s wrong?” you asked her softly.

“Nothing. It’s just, y’know… when your sister took her phone back-”

“Oh no, what did she say?”

“That I look really tired and stressed out, and I should try one of her meditation techniques. I love that woman, but the word ‘tact’ is not in her vocabulary.”

“Yeah, you’re telling me,” you scoffed, hugging Van tightly.

After a few moments, Taissa cleared her throat, and you pulled back and gave Van a cheeky grin.

“Tai,” Van sighed, as if she’d forgotten she was there. Or as if she wished she wasn’t.

“Who called?” Tai asked, acting as though she hadn’t heard your whole conversation.

“April, my niece,” you answered. “Apparently she got ahold of my sister’s phone.”

“She’s around Sammy’s age,” Van said, and a shiver ran down Tai’s back at the mention of her son. “And speaking of, we need to figure out what we’re doing here so you can get back to him. I mean, did you have any semblance of a plan when you showed up here?”

“No, I… I hadn’t really… thought that far ahead,” Taissa said weakly. “I-I have no idea what to do.”

Van sighed, and you rubbed her arm comfortingly. “Okay, well, then let’s brainstorm. ‘Cause I don’t think what we did last time is gonna work again.”

“I’m not asking you to do what we did last time.”

“Then what do you expect me to do, Tai?” Van cried exasperatedly, stepping toward her. “Look, I get that you need help. But I have a life, and I can’t just put everything on hold because you decided to come up here and drop your fucking anvil on me out of the blue!”

“Van,” you said, your voice steady. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for. I just-”

“No, you’re right,” Taissa interrupted. “I shouldn’t have come here.”

“Oh, fuck you, dude. Don’t make me convince you to let me help you. You know I’m not letting you leave here like this, so at least you could have the decency to actually ask for my help.”

Tai turned to face Van, the meltdown brewing inside her evident in her eyes. “I killed my fucking dog, Van. My wife is in the hospital. I’m losing my fucking mind, and I’m terrified! Like all the way. Like I haven’t been since… I can’t ask you for your help, ‘cause I don’t want to hurt any more of the people I love! God, what have I done?” she sobbed, putting her head in her hands.

“Hey. Look, we’ll figure it out,” Van said softly, stepping closer and rubbing her back. “Come on. We’ll figure this out.” She opened her arms and Tai buried her head in her shoulder, clutching desperately at her sleeve. Van held her and stroked her hair as she cried. Then she looked up and met your gaze, a sad look in her eyes.

“I’m sorry,” Tai sniffed when she finally stopped crying. “I-I shouldn’t have… I shouldn’t… I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Van breathed, still rubbing her back.

“Why don’t we all just take a breather?” you said calmly. “We can worry about coming up with a plan tomorrow, once we’re all rested and in a better headspace. We can watch a movie, I’ll make tea and popcorn. How does that sound?”

Van turned to Tai, who nodded feebly. She couldn’t muster a verbal response. She could barely look you in the eye. She hadn’t felt this drained in years.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

“Okay,” you smiled, and Van gave you a grateful look.

“Come on, you can choose the movie,” she said, leading Tai to the stack of tapes by the TV as you made your way to the kitchen. “You can look at the ones down in the store too, if you want.”

Tai welcomed the distraction and quickly found her favorite movie in Van’s collection. Well, what her favorite movie used to be.

Van woke up hours later to the sound of static coming from the TV. She turned it off and looked to see both you and Taissa asleep on either side of her. She pushed your head off of her shoulder gently and stumbled up from the couch, making her way into the kitchen for a glass of water. Then she felt a hand grab her shoulder and she spun around, and suddenly Taissa was kissing her. Through her sleepy daze, she recognized that this was wrong, but she couldn’t find it in herself to stop it.

“Whoa, Tai,” she gasped when she finally pushed away. Then she saw the dark look in Taissa’s eyes. “Oh, you’re the other one, aren’t you?” she murmured. Taissa nodded slowly, bobbing her head in a mesmerizing circular motion. “What do you want?”

“This isn’t where we’re supposed to be,” she rasped, beginning to walk away. Van stood there, baffled, trying to make sense of what just happened. Then she realized that Taissa was approaching you, and alarm bells began going off in her head.

“Hey, hey. No no no. No! Taissa!” Van leapt into action, dashing to the couch as fast as she could. But Taissa got to you first and slammed her hands onto your shoulders, startling you awake. She was gripping you hard, and Van saw your eyes fill with fear as she leaned in.

“You,” she growled. You whimpered.

“Don’t fucking touch them!” Van shouted, shoving Tai away and planting herself in front of you. She glared at Tai as she woke back up, her eyes darting between you in horror.

“Oh god, what did she do? What did I do?”

“Just don’t, Taissa.”

“Van, I’m so sorry. I-”

“Fucking. Don’t.”

You grasped Van’s hand from behind her and relief washed over her. But she couldn’t let her guard down just yet.

“We’re going to bed,” Van said, her voice gravelly. “We’ll discuss this in the morning. Get some sleep, Taissa.”

She turned and helped you to your feet, ignoring Taissa’s muffled sounds of protest. Once you were in your bedroom she locked the door and turned to you, worried tears in her eyes. “Are you okay?” she asked, placing a hand on your chest.

“I’m fine,” you reassured her, covering her hand with your own. “Are you okay?”

“Did she hurt you?” Van said, her voice pleading.

You shook your head. “No. No, she didn’t hurt me.”

“Oh, thank god,” Van gasped, pulling you into a tight hug. She always knew that her past would come back to haunt her, but she had hoped that she would be able to protect you. But now her worst fears were starting to come true, and she felt just as helpless as she had back then. “I’m so sorry, Y/N.”

“Hey, come on. You have nothing to apologize for. You know that.”

“No, I do,” she insisted. “I’m the reason she’s here. I knew how dangerous she could get, and I just let her-”

“Van-”

“-I shouldn’t have made you deal with her, this is my mess-”

“Van!” you exclaimed, finally getting her attention. “It’s okay,” you said softly as you tucked her hair behind her ear, your fingers brushing gently against her scars. “I’m okay. We’re okay.”

“I can’t bear the thought of you getting hurt by this,” Van croaked.

“Give me a little credit. I can handle myself just fine,” you chuckled. “You don’t need to worry about me. You told me everything I needed to know about Taissa’s sleepwalking, and I told you I was okay with her staying here. I’m not going to shun her for something she can’t control. And she’s your friend. We have to help her.”

“You know she was more than just my friend,” Van said with a pained expression.

“I do. I know that.” You wrapped your arms around her shoulders. “And that’s why she came to you for help. She wouldn’t have if she had anywhere else to go.”

“She tried to kiss me,” Van blurted. “Before she… woke you up.”

“Oh,” you said quietly. “Okay.”

“Okay? What do you mean, okay? It’s not okay!”

“You’re right, it’s not. But she didn’t know what she was doing. And I’m not angry or jealous if that’s what you’re worried about,” you smiled. “Look, we’re gonna get through this together. Just like we always do. I take care of you and you take care of me, right?”

“Okay,” Van sighed. “But if she so much as touches you again, she’s staying at a hotel.”

“Whatever you say, baby” you grinned, kissing her cheek and pulling her into another hug. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she murmured into your chest. “So much.”

“Let’s get some sleep, hmm?” you breathed, slowly rocking her from side to side. Van nodded.

Once you were both ready you crawled into bed, and Van wrapped her arms around you tightly. “You’re too good, you know that?” she mumbled as you nuzzled into her neck. “You’re too good for all my bullshit.”

“Maybe. But your bullshit gives me something to do,” you smirked. Van laughed.

“Well, you’ve sure got a busy schedule now.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way. And you know how much I hate being bored.”

Van rolled her eyes and kissed you, passionate and gentle. She could feel your heart beating, and the sound grounded her like it always did. Taissa coming back into her life had thrown her mind into utter turmoil, but she knew that with you by her side, she could handle anything. You really were too good for her, but she’d be damned if she was ever letting you go.

[spooky-month-archive]

Hello everyone. For those of you who might not be aware, there is a global strike currently going on that will be spanning over a week (Jan 21st to 28th)

In recognition of the strike, uploads will be on hold for the coming week. I encourage everyone else to do the same. Don't post (unless it's about Palestine), don't go to school, don't go to work, don't shop, etc. Don't do anything unless it is absolutely necessary. If you need necessities, then shop for necessities. If you absolutely must work, then work, etc.

Just because you can't strike perfectly, doesn't mean you can't make an impact. Please try your best and do whatever you can.

Educate yourself. Educate others. Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[mynephewmarriedajaguar]

how damien’s acted in this whole situation reminds me of exactly how i would react to upsetting things a couple years ago, and it just sucks to watch.

because to me, how he acted wasn’t the right way to do things at all, and i’m disappointed in his actions.

at the same time, i can see my old self very clearly in his misinterpretation of her words, how defensive he got, and how he focused his reaction on how he felt, not the other person. it’s a very textbook audhd moment, if i’m gonna be honest, and i really hope he has the good ol’ *click* of recognition soon and acts accordingly.

please take the time to recognize that neither of them entered the situation with malicious intent, and do not harass or interact with either of the people involved. for now, let’s focus on the good happening with the rest of smosh and enjoy the fundraiser livestream tomorrow.

free palestine, all eyes on rafah. 🇵🇸

[cashewthrower2]

My favorite band made a music video/documentary about the conflict in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. It's really moving and well-made, I hope it can be spread around more to show people how dire the state of things are right now. This band deserves the recognition, and the fact that they're so vocal about their support for the Palestinians shows how much they care. So many people, especially famous people and celebrities, won't even make a comment about the war, let alone show that their support lies with Palestine.

Watch it and share it if it moves you 🇵🇸

[xtruss]

Norway 🇳🇴, Ireland 🇮🇪 and Spain 🇪🇸 have taken the historic step of recognising the State of Palestine amid International Outrage over the Civilian Deaths and humanitarian crisis in Palestine's Gaza - a result of the ongoing Israeli offensive on the besieged enclave.

The almost simultaneous decisions by the two European Union countries and the Scandinavian Nation may generate momentum for the recognition of Palestine as a state by other EU Countries and could spur ensuing steps at the United Nations, further isolating Israel.

Currently, Seven of the 27 EU Member States and Around 140 of the approximately 190 Countries represented in the UN officially recognize a Palestinian State.

Here's why the new announcements could be important:

[lincopia-otrogothia]

Hello! In recognition of the global strike week (21-28 January), we won't be updating today. Free Palestine. 🍉🇵🇸

[workersolidarity]

[ 📹 Palestinians say their farewells at a funeral for civilian families murdered in cold blood by the Zionist occupation army in the Al-Bureij Refugee Camp, in the central Gaza Strip on Friday. 📸 Photos taken following Israeli occupation bombing on Friday across various sectors of the Gaza Strip. ]

🇮🇱⚔️🇵🇸 🚀🏘️💥🚑 🚨

CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES RECOGNIZE PALESTINIAN STATE, OCCUPATION FINDS NEW WAYS TO PUNISH PALESTINIANS ON DAY 210 OF GENOCIDE

On the 210th day of "Israel's" ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli occupation forces (IOF) committed a total of 3 new massacres of Palestinian families, resulting in the deaths of no less than 26 Palestinians, mostly women and children, while another 51 others were wounded over the previous 24-hours.

It should be noted that as a result of the constant Israeli bombardment of Gaza's healthcare system, infrastructure, residential and commercial buildings, local paramedic and civil defense crews are unable to reach countless hundreds, even thousands of victims who remain trapped under the rubble, or who's bodies remain strewn across the streets of Gaza.

This leaves the official death toll vastly undercounted as Gaza's healthcare officials are unable to accurately tally those killed and maimed in this genocide, which must be kept in mind when considering the scale of the mass murder.

In the latest news, a statement issued on Friday by the Palestinian Prisoners' Affairs Commission, along with the Palestinian Prisoners Society, announced the deaths of two Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip in Israeli prisons.

One of the two prisoners included Dr. Adnan Ahmad al-Bursh (50yo), who was the Chief of the orthopedic department at Al-Shifa medical complex in the Al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, while the second prisoner who died was Ismail Abdul Bari Khader (33yo).

Dr. Al-Bursh was kidnapped and detained by the Israeli occupation army back last December while visiting with a group of doctors at the Al-Awda Hospital, located in the Jabalia Refugee Camp, in the north of the Gaza Strip.

The doctor had been previously wounded in an Israeli bombardment at the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahiya about 5 months ago, and died while being held at the Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank on April 19th.

The second prisoner, Bari Khader, died under "mysterious circumstances" following his detainment by Zionist forces. His body was transferred along with the bodies of dozens of detainees from Gaza and released through the Karm Abu Salem crossing in Gaza's southeastern tip.

According to the statement from the Prisoner's Commission, both Al-Bursh and Khader died as a result of torture and neglect at the hands of the Israeli occupation, going so far as to declare Al-Bursh's death a "deliberate assassination" as part of the occupation's targeting of Gaza's doctor's and healthcare system more broadly.

At the same time, the Palestinian National Campaign to Retrieve the Bodies of the Martyrs said the Israeli occupation continues to withhold the bodies of some 500 Palestinians who've died in Zionist jails, including at least 58 detainees since the beginning of 2024 alone.

“Withholding the bodies in the cemeteries and the occupation’s refrigerators constitutes an affront to the human dignity of a person, during his life and after his death, and a collective punishment,” the Campaign said in a statement.

In other news, the Caribbean Island nation of Trinidad and Tobago announced today the recognition of a Palestinian state, officially joining the island nations of Jamaica and Barbados, who previously recognized the State of Palestine.

The decision was made by Trinidad and Tobago's government following a cabinet meeting on Thursday, and came based on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The government said it has decided that such recognition would help to achieve a lasting peace in the region and strengthen the international consensus on Palestinian independence and sovereignty.

In additional news, Turkiye has suspended all trade operations with the Israeli occupation, unless and until the occupation allows the free flow of aid into the Gaza Strip.

The announcement was made by Turkiye's Trade Ministry late on Thursday, with the Ministry stating that in the second phase of restrictive measures, it has suspended all trade with Israeli entity due to its ""aggression against Palestine in violation of international law and human rights."

In the first phase, the Trade Ministry restricted the trade of 54 product catagories for export to the Israeli occupation on April 9th.

Meanwhile, the Israeli occupation's slaughter in Gaza continued for yet another day, with Israeli bombing and shelling targeting all sectors of the Gaza Strip, killing and maiming dozens of Palestinians.

On Thursday, a Palestinian citizen working as a truck driver to distribute humanitarian aid, by the name of Ahmed Yassin, was fired upon by Israeli occupation forces (IOF) with live bullets near the Al-Kuwaiti roundabout, in the Al-Zaytoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City.

Yassin was shot and killed by IOF soldiers during an attack on the roundabout area, while several others were wounded in the assault, all of whom were transported to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital.

In another attack, occupation air forces bombed a civilian residence in the Hassan al-Banna area of Gaza City, wounding at least six civilians.

On Thursday evening, intense airstrikes targeted a gathering of civilians in the Al-Bureij Refugee Camp, in the central Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of 5 Palestinians, including a child, while a number of wounded were also reported, with casualties taken to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah.

In a simultaneous strike, Zionist warplanes bombarded civilians on Al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City, slaughtering three more Palestinians and wounding many others. The casualties were transported to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital in the city.

In another atrocity, occupation fighter jets bombed the Al-Salam neighborhood, east of Rafah City, in Gaza's south, murdering two Palestinian civilians.

The Zionist entity's war crimes continued when IOF warplanes bombarded a residential home belonging to the Shaheen family, in the Al-Zahur neighborhood of Rafah, resulting in the martyredom of six family members, including a mother and her five children, and wounding several others.

Yet another airstrike by IOF aircraft hit a residential home belonging to the Sheikh Al-Eid family, in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood, west of Rafah City, resulting in at least 10 casualties, while 9 more civilians were wounded in an occupation bombing on the Al-Bureij Refugee Camp.

The massacres continued when occupation warplanes bombed near the Rafah crossing, killing two civilians, while Israeli jets repeatedly bombarded the Al-Salam neighborhood, east of Rafah.

In another murder, an Israeli occupation drone opened gunfire on a civilian in the Al-Salam neighborhood, killing a young Palestinian man named Imad Sabah.

The slaughter went on with a bombing that targeted the Mufti's land, north of the Nuseirat Refugee Camp, in the central Gaza Strip, wounding several people, while occupation fighter jets destroyed three residential buildings in the vicinity of the power plant in central Gaza.

As a result of "Israel's" ongoing special genocide operation in the Gaza Strip, the death toll among the local population has risen further still, now exceeding 34'622, including over 14'690 children and 9'680 women, while another 77'867 others have been wounded since the start of the current round of Zionist aggression, beginning with the events of October 7th, 2023.

May 3rd, 2024.

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#videosource

#photosource

@WorkerSolidarityNews

[justinspoliticalcorner]

The European Union nations of Spain, Norway, and Ireland have decided to recognize the State of Palestine, increasing its count of UN members recognizing Palestine to 143. Slovenia’s recognition takes it 144. Two non-members also recognize Palestine: Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and Vatican City. Counting those two, 146 different entities recognize Palestine as an independent state. Also, the Caribbean nations of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Bahamas have all recently announced their support for recognition of the State of Palestine. A great majority of nations that recognize Palestine also recognize Israel as part of the support of a two-state solution. It is time for other nations, such as Canada, Mexico, France, United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States to recognize the State of Palestine. [...] It is morally right for nations to recognize the State of Palestine, just like what Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain did recently, along with the four Caribbean nations of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and Bahamas.

My latest on Substack: Spain, Norway, Ireland, and Slovenia showed real courage by recognizing Palestine as a state.

It is time for other nations, such as Canada, Mexico, France, United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States to recognize the State of Palestine. #RecognizePalestine 🇵🇸

Read the full post on Substack.

[megalomaniacz]

Hello i know this is random but it needs to be said. It’s about time we start appreciating our amazing talented writers on tumblr way more than we are..yes I’m talking to you.. writing should be fun..no writers should ever feel like they’re working a stressful job and they shouldn’t ever feel pressured by the people they affiliate themselves with.. from now on let’s love our writers a bit more and appreciate them while it lasts... just wanted to raise awareness and support all my lovely writers that deserve respect and recognition from all around🫂🙌🏼 and last but not least.. free Palestine🇵🇸

well said! this is beautiful, thank you <3

[otonkolos]

In addition to the 193 countries recognized by the UN, my project also includes countries with partial recognition and dependent territories of the other nations. The 15 extra nations are Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan.

The territories are: Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam (USA); Cayman Islands, Bermuda and British Virgin Islands (UK); Hong Kong and Macau (China); Cook Islands (New Zealand); Aruba (Netherlands) and Faroe Islands (Denmark).

Note: The counting of countries in my project is influenced by the countries participating in the Summer Olympic Games and the Summer Paralympic Games.

In short, while there are 193 countries formally recognized by the UN, my project includes a total of 208 nations and territories and is not limited to fully sovereign nations. 💙 🇦🇸 🇦🇼 🇧🇲 🇻🇬 🇰🇾 🇨🇰 🇫🇴 🇬🇺 🇭🇰 🇽🇰 🇲🇴 🇵🇸 🇵🇷 🇹🇼 🇻🇮 💙

[mossy-green-aka-ferrythem]

Everything that has transpired really is all too heartbreaking... Palestine will be Free, no matter what, but... why... why must they have made the border crossing fee so high? Why did they even colonize Palestine to begin with? Why have they been given exemption for their cruelties, for 70+ years? Why today's genocide? Why can the world not stop even a single genocide? Why...

Palestine will be Free, I am certain, the ICJ ruling shows that Palestine will be free, since there is at least a bit of recognition that the land is being Colonized. However, how much longer will this be happening... how much longer? It's nearing a full year. A full year of genocide. Hundreds of thousands have died. It's all America's fault, Western Europe's fault, and the fault of the Zionist entity, the IOF, committing the most egregious war crimes in all of human history...

It's all so tiring. How normalized it all is as well. With how all these wonderful Palestinian people have just had their livelihoods taken away, and how this is just treated as normal by the rest of the world. It's sickening.

Though of course, people are pushing to make a difference. Things will change. It's not a "might", it's a will. They already ruled a "Two-State Solution" being impossible, so therefore the only thing possible is a complete dissolution of the settler entity, once that happens, Palestine will be Free. Until then. Glory to the resistance. Glory to all the world's revolutionaries. Donate what you can, although we curse the Egyptian Government's name for it's ceaseless cruelty and high evacuation prices in this regard, we must donate anyways. Because these people need to escape a genocide. For that. Pitch in any small amount you can. Go to the masterpost. Donate to the vetted gfms. It can be a small amount spread out across multiple, or a large amount to a single one, doesn't matter, as long as they get the money.

Be kind to any Palestinians in your inbox or your DMs. Share their GFMs. Donate what you can. Treat them with kindness, and patience, and just anything to treat them right. Things may seem cruel and hopeless, but what matters is that we must be kind in turn. I don't have much else to say here.

All I will do is repeat a simple, but powerful promise:

Free Palestine.

🇵🇸🇵🇸🇵🇸

[joelslastofus]

Hello i know this is random but it needs to be said. It’s about time we start appreciating our amazing talented writers on tumblr way more than we are..yes I’m talking to you.. writing should be fun..no writers should ever feel like they’re working a stressful job and they shouldn’t ever feel pressured by the people they affiliate themselves with.. from now on let’s love our writers a bit more and appreciate them while it lasts... just wanted to raise awareness and support all my lovely writers that deserve respect and recognition from all around🫂🙌🏼 and last but not least.. free Palestine 🇵🇸

🥹 this is super sweet. Thank you so much. Yes there are so many amazing writers on here! Writing is fun but becomes even more fun when people read and interact, so thank you again for reading and for your kind words. 🇵🇸💚