Amidst escalating tensions in Gaza, Palestinian Americans and their advocates are calling out the U.S. administration for its unequivocal support of Israel, emphasizing the urgency of the humanitarian crisis.
Quick Facts
- Advocacy in the U.S.: Prominent Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian rights groups in America criticize the U.S. for its unwavering backing of Israel in the ongoing Gaza conflict.
- Humanitarian Concerns: The Israeli offensive has resulted in the death of almost 1,900 Palestinians, including over 500 children. The imposition of a total blockade on Gaza exacerbates the crisis.
- Violation Allegations: Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of using white phosphorus in populated regions of Gaza, which is against international law.
The tension in Gaza has drawn worldwide attention and condemnation. The conflict was ignited on October 7, following a strategic assault by Hamas from Gaza, leading to the demise of hundreds and the captivity of several individuals. In retaliation, Israel launched an aerial bombing campaign, causing significant Palestinian casualties, with the death toll nearing 1,900. Among these, over 500 were children. Further compounding the tragedy is Israel’s complete blockade of Gaza, hindering the entry of crucial supplies, including fuel.
Human Rights Watch has spotlighted potential violations of international law by Israel, particularly its alleged use of white phosphorus in densely populated regions of Gaza. Such actions have intensified concerns for the 2.3 million residents of Gaza. In a recent development, Israel instructed over 1.1 million Palestinians in the region to evacuate within a day, eliciting strong reactions from human rights organizations worldwide.
Adding depth to the conflict’s narrative, Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of CAIR, stressed the significance of understanding the historical underpinnings of the strife. Leading rights entities, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have highlighted Israel’s imposition of an apartheid system on Palestinians. Furthermore, Awad highlighted the incidents involving the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of Israel, emphasizing the U.S. administration’s seeming indifference to these events.
| For Further Reading | Apartheid |
|---|---|
| Apartheid refers to a system of institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination enforced by the National Party government in South Africa between 1948 and 1994. Applied to the Israeli-Palestinian context, leading human rights organizations accuse Israel of imposing such a system on Palestinians. This claim stems from policies that critics argue favor Israeli Jews at the expense of Palestinians, whether in Israel proper or the occupied territories. For more in-depth knowledge, visit the Wikipedia page on Apartheid. |
Q&A
Why are Palestinian Americans speaking out now?
They are voicing concerns about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, criticizing the U.S. administration’s unequivocal support for Israel and the dehumanization of Palestinians.
What are the main points of contention in the conflict?
The conflict saw a Hamas-initiated attack from Gaza, which resulted in Israeli airstrikes leading to significant Palestinian casualties. There are also concerns regarding Israel’s complete blockade on Gaza and its alleged use of white phosphorus in populated areas.
What is the historical context emphasized by advocates?
The advocates underscore the long-standing tensions between Israelis and Palestinians, including claims of an apartheid system imposed by Israel on the Palestinians, as well as previous incidents of violence and discrimination.
Original article source: Al Jazeera