Those with a conscience are now protesting the genocide in Palestine and the brutal global inaction that the modern world is witnessing firsthand. Earth dwellers are sending this message by completely suspending the use of the internet, mobile phones, and social media from 9 to 9.30 pm. For more than a year and a half, the genocide that Israel has been carrying out has crossed the boundaries not only of humanity but even of barbarism. A population is being starved to death. Food distribution points and hospitals are being bombed. In the past year and a half, at least 60,000 people have been killed in Gaza alone. Of the 2.1 million people in Gaza, 1.9 million have been made homeless; most have been driven here and there repeatedly – including the disabled and the sick. The entire population is suffering from severe food shortages; 54 per cent are on the verge of death, and 22 per cent of them are dying. The reason is not lack of food, but not allowing it to reach there. Every day, 112 children arrive at primary health centres who have been reduced to skin and skeleton due to malnutrition. Israel has destroyed hospitals. Most of the water sources and water distribution centres have been destroyed. 97 per cent of the available water is polluted. Since it has to be drunk, water-borne diseases are increasing. Israel is committing these unimaginable crimes with the active cooperation of superpowers and the silent support of a good number of countries. While some governments and corporations are complicit in the genocide, millions whose humanity has not been lost are resisting and protesting as strongly as they can.
While Israel continues its rampage in defiance of all international laws, the institutions and mechanisms that are responsible for stopping it are inert. The United Nations is sleeping, with its face painted with weakness and helplessness. The United States vetoes Security Council resolutions; even India abstains from the ceasefire resolution in the General Assembly, which of course has little legal force. It is another matter that even if it is passed, it does not matter. Despite sufficient grounds for military and non-military sanctions against Israel, governments do not abide by the law. Alhough the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, even countries that are legally obligated to comply are showing defiance. It has been a year since South Africa filed a genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. The court is also lagging behind, taking advantage of the opportunity to provide procedures and legal frameworks. The other day, UN Rapporteur Francesca Albanese prepared a comprehensive report detailing the information and legal actions that can be taken against large corporations complicit in the genocide. All the criminal groups, including governments, politicians, corporations, and the media, have been exposed.
Yet, as if to move forward despite all this, Israel continues to violate all laws and decency and commit violence. It is trying to spread it to other countries as well. While a rogue state and its allies hold the entire world hostage and destroy peace, ordinary people and activists are reacting strongly against it. The only sign that conscience is not dead is the resistance being raised by anti-imperialists, students, and resistance groups. As part of that, street protests against the genocide are gaining strength. Protests, including boycotts of Israeli products, are also taking place. Such possible actions constitute the justice we do not only to Gaza and the world but also to ourselves. It is reported that Gaza is on the cusp of a ceasefire. But what will satisfy human conscience.is not a ceasefire, but only a stoppage to war, an end to the occupation, and the independence of Palestine. The digital silence that the people of the world have now taken upon themselves is also that declaration. Let us turn off our phones and the internet for half an hour at night. Let us unite with Gaza.