Dear Page Turners,
I feel compelled to write this letter (to myself maybe) to anyone who may stumble across this, or maybe in the deluded hope that it may reach someone in the hope that it will influence their decision and think twice about their action.
This war that is going on between between Israel and Palestine is not a 'it only happend this week thing' it has been going on for years. But the whole world is silent. This is not me agreeing with the atrocities that Hamas had carried out last week, because my concern and thoughts lie with the innocent victims on both sides. I condemn terrorism and violence and I hope restraint and a ceasfire will happen immediately on both sides.
So how is Israel supposed to respond to a terrorist attack? In an ideal situation they could dismantle Hamas and leave it there however there extreme responses such as ground invasion, controlling land, air and sea. Switching of power/water etc. It is just inflaming the problem the world is quick to condem Hamas's attacks but why are they silent now? What retaliation attack do you call this? My heart breaks when I hear Israel's president saying 'more is coming' or allowing Palestinians to flee the place where he is going to attack... one problem he forget...that it is impossible.
I am extremely saddened by the acts carried out against Israeli civilians and just think when is it going to end. But then I thought in a round-about way didn't Israel create these fighters by restricting and taking away Palestinians hope for a future for hope for peace. Has everyone forgot every Ramadan Israel attacked Palestinians when they were being bombed on frequently, displaced as a result and they were assaulted/abused every day.
I remember seeing a post the other day that showed how Western countried reacted to condemning and calling for international aid when Russia restricted water/drink etc from Ukraine and now a similar or a worsening situation is happening and... silence. Nothing happens. That is what I call double standards. Whenever Israel attacked Palestine it was never covered by mainstream Western media (I can only remember 2021's coverage and that due to the protests that was really the catalyst.) Palestinians continue to be 'the enemy' 'the others' continue to be sidelined and dehumanised and it is getting worse.
Extremism/terrorism is never justified but when it comes from decades of suffering and humiliation at the hands of Israel, when it comes from this shared history of Israel being the perpetrator of assaults and now Israel is responding by more extremist actions such as bombing and envisions... this doesn't eradicate extremism it fuels it. It allows its existence, it allows a vicious toxic cycle where no one ever wins. Because who is a winner when innocent civilians blood is on your hands.
By supporting Palestine doesn't make you anti-Semitic, instead your supporting the Israelis who advocate for equal rights, who fight for peace and justice. By standing with Israelis you are condemning a government that commits the crimes of apartheid who inflict unimaginable horror onto Palestinians. It is about standing up for what us right and what you can clearly see is wrong. It is dangerous and problematic when you suggest one group of people are inferior to others or that side is better than the other... that's when you in YOU have lost your humanity.
It saddens me that this is the situation today. Israel wanting to do ground invasions (land/air/sea) is just destroying the humanity. I have hope that international law and charities that help get aid to those most in need will come through.
Even if it has to start at grassroots for the world to wake up to what is happening. Like at yesterday's march in London: https://x.com/hzomlot/status/1713165378648420652?s=20
Be aware of misinformation spreading which is happening a lot online. Educate yourselves in the history of Palestine and Israel and please donate how much you can. Your money will make a huge impact to those who need it.
Link below:
This is all I have thought about this past week amidst reading, working, praying, grieving for people I don't know yet who feel familiar. I can barely watch the news because it is too distressing but I feel it is my obligation to see what atrocities are happening.
Please keep praying, donate how much you can and use your socials to amplify those voices that are not being heard.
#FreePalestine
Link to socials:
With Love and Dua's
Fiz @