Inaction, silence, turning away from the horrors is what world leaders are choosing. Making a stand for humanity is both scary and a huge step to take. They must take action or the world will fall further into war, death, and hatred.
Those with the power to stop the siege in Gaza act powerless. It is both dishonest and repugnant for a leader to offer stinted compassion for the suffering of Palestinians when they have the absolute capability of ending the war. They are the reason for the deaths but send out a disgusting response in order to not appear heartless, yet they are the cause for these deaths. Denial is the reality these people choose. There is no wrong that they commit. Their actions are just, but they never defend their actions instead they silence or smear their opposition never actually explaining their actions. Everyone should be able to explain what they do, especially an elected official. This is part of the position. We are allowed to question. There should be transparency. If an elected official shows compassion or sympathy toward Palestine, then action must follow. Your actions should match your words, if not then do not be an elected official because that person has proven they cannot be trusted with actions matching their words.
The protests, messages, emails, are falling on the plugged-up ears of our elected officials. Keep protesting and hold them accountable, that is incredibly important. They do not want to hear the message and outcry for Palestine because these officials are a part of the war machine, both parties. No matter what is said, they will focus on maintaining control. They want Israel to have control of Gaza (or more correctly the US has control of Gaza via Israel’s control). World powers like the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan fully support Israel’s attempt at gaining more control because they benefit through the US whether in military contracts or trade. With further control of Gaza, they all gain to benefit more through Israel’s annexation of Gaza. Israel has stated this is the intent to force Palestinians into Egypt and annex Gaza, but no country has countered this statement with repudiation. At the beginning of the siege, the US did say that they do not want Israel to take Gaza, but they have also said that there is no red line for Israel, so if Israel claims it is justified in taking Gaza, it is justified to the US.
War is the reality the world faces if greater steps are not taken in holding Israel accountable for war crimes and genocide. The US having sent warships to the region has stayed off the looming reality, but greater war will erupt in the Middle East if peace is not attained. Israel has chosen violence and death. The UN has demanded a ceasefire. Words do not matter to Israel, then they have chosen a greater war.
What is incredibly sickening is that actions of the US are that of a nation poised for war. It seems like the US government is taunting the powers of the Middle East, knowing that no one will check them with their intimidation tactics. The US could impose their “humanitarian pauses” or an actual ceasefire on Israel, but they do not. The US chooses to not enforce anything concrete regarding the humanitarian needs or rights of the Palestinians, other than sending in small convoys of aid trucks and that is only so it can be stated that they assisted in getting aid in. The reality is that the US can end the siege on Gaza and the deaths, but the US chooses not to and is openly bullying the Middle East into silence of both their war crimes and genocide. Only a few nations have made diplomatic stances against Israel, none have called for ICC investigations and none have sanctioned Israel. No country has called out the US regarding their role in Israel and that is a horrible mistake. It must be done.
However, yesterday, the world united in the UN General Assembly voting against the US embargo on Cuba. The world can achieve solidarity, and they must fight for humanity before it is indistinguishable. Each person has a role in this, whether it be as a voter or a leader, and the actions we take to uphold humanity will determine the path of the human race.
Protest. Volunteer. Contact elected officials. Donate. Run for office. Reform tax laws. Boycott. Share stories from Palestinians. Share the Geneva Convention and Genocide Convention. Do what you can to support human rights.
Do not despair. Do not stop. Do not weary. May justice replenish all that are disheartened, hurting, and suffering. Find comfort in justice and take action. Find comfort in envisioning the world you are fighting for, one where human rights are paramount and there is peace for all.