Like many of you reading this article the plight of Palestinians, especially that of Palestinian children, weighs heavily on my heart. The genocide taking place in Gaza affects each one of us in different ways. Some are so distraught at the images showing the plight of Palestinians that they break down in tears. I have seen this on several occasions. Others keep their sadness deep inside them, but their emotions are no less painful. Others like me are angry at the world’s lack of political will to force a ceasefire and hold Israel to account for its human rights abuses which even the few remaining friends Israel has are now calling genocide.
Israel’s response to allegations of genocide is that it has an inherent right to defend itself. It continually points to the taking of captives on October 7 and the killing of Israeli citizens. Whilst I may not fully condone what happened on October 7, I understand why it happened. The taking of captives has been described as a war crime, if so Israel has committed this war crime many more times over by imprisoning hundreds of Palestinians including children without trial. October 7 happened as a result of decades of oppression by the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) and cannot be viewed in isolation. The disproportionate use of force by the Israeli military has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of non-combatant Palestinians, most of whom are children and women. The accusation that the IDF has targeted non-combatants cannot easily be denied. Both the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute which lay down the rules of conduct in an armed conflict clearly state that such action constitutes a war crime.
The suffering and oppression of the Palestinian people started the day after Israel established what it called a sovereign State in 1948. That was 76 years ago. This unilateral declaration of Israeli statehood led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes and land, fearful for their lives. On May 15 every year Palestinians commemorate this day which they call Nakba Day or the Day of the Catastrophe. In the land occupied by Israel it is illegal to commemorate this day. Just one of 60 laws which directly or indirectly discriminate against Palestinian Arabs.
I cannot help but feel angry, shocked and disappointed by the failure of the international community to protect the civilians of Gaza who for 76 years have been forced to live in what some have called an open prison or a Concentration Camp. Their lack of freedom and exposure to continual violence at the hands of the IDF has resulted in a sense of despair and helplessness which is the root cause of what happened on October 7.
Palestinians continue to suffer and to feel marginalised by the rest of the world. Owing to the failure of more moderate powers to protect them from oppression and violence, the Palestinians themselves were pushed to take violent action. October 7 was an outburst of pent up anger and a determination to regain a Palestinian identity. And yes they were also seeking revenge. The Western powers who have supported Israel may come to regret their failure to intervene to stop the IDF from attacking Rafah. Their complicity is losing the friendship of many nations. The Palestinians deserve our help. They are our brothers and sisters. Our families. They feel pain no less than we feel pain. I end by quoting Malcolm X. “You can’t separate peace from freedom because no can be at peace unless he has freedom.”
The Palestinians deserve better.
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