The ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel in the Middle East is a cruel conflict full of brutality and pain . The news we hear coming out of this conflict; about children dying, wives becoming widows and the desperate situation people are living in brings tears to my eyes. Anyone with an inkling of morality can hold space in their heart for the dead and dying regardless of what “side” they are on.
As of this writing, the assault on Gaza in just the last month has left at least 10,000 Palestinians dead, with over 3,000 of them being children. If Israel claims it is aiming at Hamas targets, why are almost 4,000 children dead? While it may be true that Hamas is using civilians to shield their actions, is shooting rockets into one of the most densely populated areas in the world the best way to save them? More so, is revenge worth the lives of the innocent?
This conflict is vastly complex, with a centuries-long history. It is vital to remember that people can support the freedom of Palestine and the end of over 70 years of brutal oppression without supporting Hamas and the murder of innocent Jewish citizens. People can also support the state of Israel and be opposed to the murder of innocent Palestinian lives. We need to do everything in our power to stop the deaths on both sides and call for a ceasefire. The unifying factor between all of us on this issue regardless of stance is that human beings are dying and we need to do something about it. The brutal treatment of the Israeli people over the last twenty days is a tragedy.
Israel has even used munitions like white phosphorus that can “burn tissue down to the bone, cause irreparable respiratory damage, and lead to organ failure,” according to Foreign Policy. The use of white phosphorus in a highly populated area like Gaza is banned by the majority of the world, but not by Israel, showing blatant disregard for Palestinian life. A war crime is a war crime, no matter who commits it. The attacks by Hamas, a terror organization, are brutal and barbaric and should be condemned to the fullest extent possible. The actions of Israel, a United Nations chairholder, are cruel and barbaric and should be condemned to the fullest extent possible.
Together, we can decrease the level of violence in the Middle East, save lives, and raise awareness of this brutal conflict. Do not underestimate the power of peaceful protest and strength in numbers. We can make an impact. We can do it by asking our Congress to support a ceasefire, promoting love between all people regardless of any differences we have, and working together in our communities to build a safe place for all of us. Remember, if you are neutral in a situation of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.