I’m concerned that so many world leaders are concerned over the appalling situation that Palestinians are facing being forced out of Gaza, but are so impotent that they can take no action toward assisting Palestinians or aiding in diplomacy. Can these high ranking elected officials do something to address their concerns? Yes, but they refrain from action. All they have offered are insincere statements. Their actions take a completely different stance. These countries that proclaim they are “concerned” over the deteriorating conditions in Gaza have repeatedly blocked ceasefire resolutions in the UN, revoked funding for UNRWA, and most importantly, they supply arms and funding for Israel’s military so that Israel can continue the genocide of innocent Palestinians. These leaders want to be perceived that they care, but there is no evidence they care for the suffering of Palestinians because they have only aided in their continued suffering and deaths.
Palestinians have been told by Israel to move south in the Gaza Strip since the start of the war and they have done so. Roughly 1.4 million Palestinians are crammed into Rafah where they have been forced into the border city. The IDF has been pushing south and now has plans to attack Rafah, the last “safe zone” that Palestinians were told to seek shelter in. Netanyahu wants to launch an entire ground assault on Rafah, but that would leave no “safe zones” for civilians. There is no place for them to go. The Israeli government has the majority of Palestinians cornered, which has been the goal from the outset of the war.
Will Palestinians that have sought refuge in Rafah be pushed into Egypt? If Egypt does not allow them in, where will they go? Will Israel force Palestinians into northern Gaza after having been driven south?
These are all war crimes. The Geneva Convention is not being respected or upheld by any world leaders. They all lack morals, ethics, decency, and humanity.
Elected officials around the world should be sanctioning and embargoing Israel. Some might argue that these diplomatic tactics are ineffective, but Israel is so tied to global trade, that enacting sanctions and embargoes would pressure Israel toward peace talks and finally hold Israel accountable.
Why don’t world leaders take action? There’s multiple reasons why they have done nothing to end the war on Gaza and have assisted Israel in their genocide of innocent Palestinians. These countries (the US, UK, Germany, and France) helped create the state of Israel to begin with, which was out of antisemitic prejudices and Israel holds this truth to these countries. Since these western powers assisted in the formation of Israel, they must support the military and the economy. The US funds Israel’s military in billions of dollars annually and provides arms as well. There are also many businesses that are tied between these western powers and Israel. Since the US, UK, Germany, and France assisted and pushed for the state of Israel, they are tied to the fate of Israel and none of these powers have altered their support since the war began. They will never.
These western powers hold great influence on the economy. They also have offered arms deals to allies that so that they will support Israel and not push for a ceasefire or offer any substantive aid to Palestinians. There have been trade deals and business deals negotiated, too.
A few countries have placed an arms embargo on Israel. Spain has stopped all arms shipments and deals with Israel. This is commendable of Spain. These are the actions of a country that actually upholds international humanitarian law. A regional government in Belgium has cut arms shipments to Israel, which consists of two contracts. Malaysia has a trade embargo in place and refuses shipments from Israel. They are the only country to cut off trade with Israel.
Egypt has warned Israel that they are not to invade Rafah. They have stationed more tanks at the border. Egypt has also threatened that the peace treaty is also at stake with Israel if they are to send in a ground assault into Rafah. Saudi Arabia has also cautioned Israel with continuing their strained diplomatic relations if they attack the Gaza-Egyptian border and not pursue open relations like they had promised if Israel ended the war on Gaza. Egypt’s warning has much more teeth than Saudi Arabia. The main issue both countries are worried over is the influx of Palestinians that could enter Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. Jordan has also warned of “catastrophic consequences” if Israel invades Rafah. The Jordanian government has asked for the UN to call for an immediate ceasefire (but they know this won’t happen).
If Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan want a ceasefire why don’t they sanction and embargo Israel? Is it the military deals they have secured with the US (or have in place already)? None of these countries have threatened sanctions or embargoes. Egypt is the only country the displacement of Palestinians would affect since they are in Rafah and Israel is trying to push them further toward the Sinai Peninsula.
Palestinians are starving in the north of Gaza. Palestinians in the south are being displaced. All of Palestine is being bombed and the once safe place is now being invaded. There is no medicine in Gaza. Hospitals are under attack and only a few are barely functioning. Children are dying of starvation and the elements. Mothers have no where to have their babies. Civilians are being targeted while trying to find water or healthcare. Even humanitarian workers and doctors are killed and imprisoned. These are all war crimes and each war crime breaks the Geneva Conventions, yet no elected officials are holding Israel to account over these atrocities.
What do those in power offer? Concern and no concrete action toward a ceasefire or even to get humanitarian aid into Gaza. This is the time that elected officials all should be taking proactive steps to protect Palestinians and international law, but they offer up meaningless words.
Western leaders only want to be perceived like they care for Palestine when nothing substantive is done to help Palestine. The US could end this war and genocide immediately by cutting off funding and arms to Israel, but they do not. The US could also cut off trade to Israel and the war would end quickly. Canada, France, the UK, and Germany could also cut off arms, assistance, and trade to Israel, but they do not. They support Israel and will assist in their genocide unless other leaders take strong action like Spain and embargo Israel and these fascist countries.
From the river to the sea, may Palestine be free. May the whole world be free.
What can we do to help?
Protest
Disrupt everything
BE UNGOVERNABLE
Boycott
Vote 3rd party
Donate to organizations in Gaza
Demand sanctions and embargoes for- Israel, US, UK, France, Germany, and Canada.
Please extend your energy to other people and countries facing genocide and atrocities- Sudan, Congo, West Papua, the Rohingyas, Armenians, and the Uyghurs.
Articles for reference (please read and share)
Al Jazeera: Israel escalates Rafah bombardment as US warns of a ‘disaster’
Middle East Monitor: Spain suspends arms exports to Israel; reiterates need for Palestine statehood
Middle East Monitor: Belgium’s Walloon government suspends ammunition exports to Israel over Gaza war, ICJ rulings
Times of Israel: Egypt warns Israel Rafah offensive may lead to suspension of peace treaty
Jordan Times: Jordan warns against ‘dangerous’ consequences of Israel’s planned attack on Rafah