I have been helplessly observing the horrific bombardment of Gaza and the suffering of civilians. The Israeli defence minister’s comment about “human animals” and the indiscriminate killings by Hamas militants in southern Israel only deepened my despair. I’ve been anticipating significant ground operations, wondering how we reached this point.
These events reminded me of Haidar Abdul Shafi’s powerful words at the Madrid peace conference 32 years ago. He spoke of the Palestinian people’s yearning for peace and justice, hoping to offer our adversary hope. He emphasized that our security is interconnected, just like the fears and nightmares of our children.
Listening to Haidar’s speech, I felt a glimmer of hope. I believed that these words would resonate with Israelis and lead to mutual understanding. Unfortunately, the then-Israeli prime minister accused Haidar of distorting history, and among the Israeli delegation was Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Oslo Accords signed in 1993 aimed to create a unified territory including Gaza and the West Bank. However, Israel immediately initiated policies to sever ties between these regions and Israel itself. This separation prevented Palestinians and Israelis from experiencing normal encounters, fostering a dehumanization process.
This separation has allowed Israeli officials to refer to Palestinians as “animals” without facing widespread condemnation from their own people. Similarly, few Palestinians denounced the indiscriminate killings in Israel, which exceeded the legitimate right to resist occupation.
Now, as we witness the killing of civilians, the deprivation of essentials in Gaza, and the impending attack, one wonders how Palestinians became homo sacer in the eyes of Israelis. The Israeli government claims it is acting in the name of security, but revenge cannot bring true security. It appears as an act of vengeance that may escalate into an extended assault on the Palestinian people, surpassing its alleged goal of destroying Hamas.
There is reason to believe that Israel’s intention is not solely to eliminate Hamas but to maintain a diplomatic impasse by preventing meaningful Palestinian involvement in global politics. Moreover, the division between Gaza and the West Bank perpetuates the lack of negotiation due to the absence of a unified Palestinian government.
In this devastating reality, we must strive for change. International pressure should be exerted on Israel to end the violence, followed by efforts to initiate negotiations. Only then can we hope for a better future and break free from the cycle of revenge. As Yeats wrote, “Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of the heart.” It is time to prioritize the aspiration for peace over retaliation.
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