More pressure must be placed on those funding the genocide Photo Twitter/@EarthStvdio
Palestine – In the ongoing Palestinian genocide, brave activists and educators such as Baha Hilo persist in their struggle for justice, exposing the horrific suffering of Palestinians that might otherwise remain hidden. Amidst the flames engulfing Gaza, Palestinians in the West Bank and other regions are being mercilessly slaughtered, savagely assaulted, and cruelly confined. These atrocities unfold in the shadows, concealed from the world’s gaze, while global media fixates solely on misrepresenting Gaza, countless other Palestinian lives are left to wither away in silence.
In every corner, Palestinians exist in a state of perpetual terror, their lives hanging by a thread, their homes targets in the crosshairs of Israeli aggression. The Israeli Occupation Forces’ brutal incursions into the West Bank and Gaza Strip transform these lands into battlegrounds of horror, leaving behind a trail of shattered lives. The conflict has emboldened Israeli settlers, turning them into marauding monsters, preying on vulnerable Palestinians, leaving behind nothing but tragedy and despair, explained Hilo.
Safety? It’s a cruel joke for these Palestinians, a concept so distant it feels like a macabre fantasy. Their daily existence is tainted by an overwhelming sense of vulnerability, a constant reminder of the brutality that surrounds them, eclipsing any hope of a peaceful life. The callous obliteration of even the slightest safety, the ceaseless barrage of devastation, all orchestrated by the malevolent influence of Western societies eagerly furnishing a stockpile of bombs, obliterating the very foundation of the Palestinians’ tomorrow.
“There’s no safe place. Almost every Palestinian I speak to feels like there is a target sign on their backs or on their heads. Many people are just staying within their reservations because the State of Israel has managed to cut the occupied West Bank into nearly 230 separate areas. The movement from one area to the other is pretty difficult. The Israeli army has been invading neighbourhoods and different communities throughout the occupied West Bank. They have kidnapped and arrested more than 2 000 Palestinians so far.”
The Sacred Sites: Faith and Destruction
Palestine houses sacred grounds revered by Christians, Muslims, and Jews alike. One might expect these sites to be safeguarded, but the ruthless Israelis have shown no mercy. Churches, even the venerable Church of the Nativity, have fallen victim to their destructive hands, placed under siege, showcasing a grotesque disdain for the holiness of these religious sanctuaries. Hilo dwells near one of these revered sites, yet he lives in constant dread, having witnessed firsthand the utter lack of reverence the Israelis hold for these hallowed grounds.
“The Church of the Nativity was under siege three times throughout the 1 600 years of history. Once by the Persians, once by the Crusaders and once by the State of Israel like any kind of outsider that invades this land is obsessed with our holy sites and that obsession is an obsession for destruction. It’s not an obsession for respect … The same town where Christ (Isa (AS)) was born is also the birthplace of King David (Dawood (AS)). King David remains an inspiration for Palestinian resistance. When you see our teenagers throwing rocks at military carriers and military tanks, that is how we are inspired by the story of Dawood (AS) where he is one teenager that came out with a stone to defeat Goliath.”
IDF only targeting Hamas
The IDF’s assertion of solely targeting Hamas stands exposed as a heinous fabrication, given the mounting tally of lifeless Palestinian bodies. This grotesque lie becomes harder for the global community to swallow with every casualty. While some condemn Hamas as terrorists, Hilo’s comparison to the ANC under Apartheid paints a stark, uncomfortable picture, challenging the oversimplified narratives surrounding this genocidal war.
“It’s time to start looking at the Islamic resistance movement the same way we looked at the ANC. The savages of Apartheid history of South Africa tried to eliminate the ANC. They failed. At the end of the day it’s a resistance movement. The only way a resistance movement will be eliminated, it’s when the oppression that created that resistance movement is removed. What the State of Israel is after is impossible and it’s unrealistic and it’s not going to happen.”
This vicious cycle endures because Israel adamantly denies Palestinians their freedom, hell-bent on upholding the cruel Apartheid regime they’ve enforced. Hilo argued that as long as this relentless oppression persists, there will always be a fierce and unyielding resistance against it, fueled by the searing anger and injustice endured by the Palestinian people.
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The World’s Response: A Call for Accountability
The international community’s response to these crimes has been mixed. Some nations condemn the Israeli government’s actions unequivocally, while others hesitate to take a firm stance. Despite overwhelming evidence of the atrocities being committed, Western governments, including the United States, have continued to support the Israeli regime, providing diplomatic, economic, and military aid. This betrayal of basic human rights and principles of justice has left the Palestinian people feeling abandoned and voiceless in the face of unspeakable brutality. It is their stance, as well as other Western countries, which makes Israel feel untouchable, explained Hilo.
“The state of Israel is emboldened by white governments and Western governments. They know that whatever they do, it will go unpunished. It’s not like these criminals will be brought to the international court of justice. It’s like they know that they can do whatever they want and get away with it.”
The Urgent Call for Solidarity: Standing Against Injustice
In the face of such adversity, the global community must rise against these crimes against humanity. Solidarity, empathy, and international pressure are essential tools in holding the Israeli government accountable for its actions. Israel is being allowed to continue their genocide as they see fit and Hilo feels the world has let the Palestinians down.
“We feel betrayed. We feel like we are left to the monster to eat away as many of us as that monster could. The problem is the savages of the State of Israel, they’re enjoying this. They are not going to stop. The history of the State of Israel proves again and again and again that those people are addicted to the blood of the Palestinian people. They are addicted to our blood. It is being used as a bargaining chip in Israeli politics right now. The fascist in command, Netanyahu knows that he lost popularity. Knows he will be held responsible for the failure of 7th October and he knows the only way to stay in power is by going on with this war. He is bombing people out of existence and with every drop of Palestinian blood, his popularity goes back up.”
While the people have risen, mere action is insufficient. Governments must be relentlessly crushed under the weight of public outrage, compelling them to amend their stance. They must be compelled to hold Israel ruthlessly accountable for their heinous crimes. We’ve witnessed an appalling amount of murders, and we cannot stand idly by as Palestinians face extermination right before our eyes. Every ounce of our might must be harnessed to safeguard Palestinian lives and bring Israel’s genocidal regime to a merciless end.
