As much as the world might wish to, none of us can afford to look away from the horror of Gaza, the man-made genocidal starvation underway, orchestrated by Israel. While the majority of us feel helpless in the face of such abject suffering, the widespread knowledge of it is forcing governments to act. Right now it may be only with words, but one hopes that will soon escalate into concrete actions, including sanctions against the rogue nation.
Already, that knowledge has forced Israel to loosen its death grip on aid; it is clearly in response to worldwide condemnation, condemnation that is fueled by all of us bearing witness to the atrocities happening in Gaza. Whether this miniscule increase in aid will save lives remains to be seen.
You may wish to skip the following video; the first few minutes graphically show the toll starvation is taking on Gazans. After the video, I am reproducing some letters to the editor about the situation.
And these letters attest to the widespread moral repugnance the world is feeling:
The images of starving Palestinian children and the stories of those who were killed or maimed trying to secure food for their families recalls the inhumanity perpetrated on the Jewish people during the Second World War. While leaders of powerful nations greet one another with handshakes and smiles as if they were buddies meeting up at a bar, children in Palestine are experiencing the same sort of fear that Anne Frank once did. That people who were once oppressed could become the oppressors leaves me questioning my faith in humanity.
Giselle Déziel, Cornwall, PE
For weeks, we have witnessed civilians being shot as they’ve tried to access food. And it’s not only the health ministry in Gaza that’s listing the casualties. Palestinian and international doctors serving in the region have been reporting on the casualties that arrive daily at their hospitals. As of July 13, the United Nations confirmed that 875 Palestinians were killed seeking food, 201 on aid routes and the others at distribution points. Thousands more have been injured.
Israel has been blocking humanitarian aid, bombing supply convoys and shooting civilians waiting for food. Canada must now take action by imposing a two-way arms embargo on Israel, sanctioning Israeli political and military leaders and refusing to do business with companies complicit in the illegal occupation. Unless the international community acts, Palestinians living in Gaza will continue to be trapped in a cycle of hope, heartbreak and hunger, waiting for assistance and praying for a ceasefire.
Debbie Hubbard, Kelowna, BC
On Monday, July 21, Canada joined Japan, New Zealand, and 23 European allies in calling for an immediate end to the war in Gaza, and stating they were prepared to take “further action to support an immediate ceasefire and a political pathway to security and peace for Israelis, Palestinians and the entire region.”
These are just empty words. What “action’ are you going to take and when are you going to take it? Now is not the time for words, but for action — while there are still people alive in Gaza.
There can be no further delay. For thousands in Gaza it is already too late.
Our leaders are far from powerless if they act together. They must tell the Israeli government what it has to do, when it has to do it, and what sanctions they will impose if it doesn’t.
Clearly, we cannot depend on the U.S.A. President Donald Trump, whose evident contempt for human life and for the rule of law knows no bounds, has already stated that he wants the Palestinians out of Gaza, and is providing the Israeli government with everything it needs .
It’s up to the leaders of the democratic world to end this.
Robert Burns McDonald, Montreal QC
We all have a role to play in helping end the Gazans' suffering, whether it be by bearing witness to it or taking actions we deem efficacious. To do anything other is a grave disservice to both the people of Gaza and our collective humanity.
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