As the battle between Israel and Gaza rages on with no end in sight, there are some important things concerned citizens of the world can do, instead of just wringing our hands in despair.
First, this is a complicated situation. We must resist one-sided easy answers based on political proclamations that favor one side or the other. We must be willing to question our own government’s unconditional support of Israel which is committing war crimes as frequently as Palestine. This is not an either-or situation. Both sides are violating international humanitarian law and no one is playing referee. By unconditionally supporting the U.S. in its unconditional support of Israel, we minimize the war crimes and laws that are being broken. Token humanitarian aid to Gaza doesn’t balance the scales. It is an irreconcilable disconnect that the U.S. is supplying Israel with weapons AND sending humanitarian aid to Palestine, which is the target of the weapons.
Second, understanding International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and the pronouncements it can (and must) make on both sides is critical. IHL, according to the Comite International Geneve states, “International humanitarian law is a set of rules which seek, for humanitarian reasons, to limit the effects of armed conflict. It protects persons who are not or are no longer participating in the hostilities and restricts the means and methods of warfare. The Geneva Convention of 1949 contains a major part of IHL. Additional protocols from 1977 relate to the protection of victims of armed conflict.
Other agreements forbid the use of certain weapons and tactics and protect certain categories of people and goods. Under the guise of destroying Hamas tunnels under Gaza city and other places, a bombardment of munitions has decimated the city, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians who are not participants in the war. In similar fashion the Palestinian attack on a music venue that sparked this entire conflict must also be called to account.
Third, IHL requires, among other things, the rapid and unimpeded passage for humanitarian aid during armed conflicts, the freedom of movement for humanitarian workers in conflict areas, the protection of civilians (including medical and humanitarian workers) the protection of refugees, prisons, and the wounded and sick.
Fourth, despite most independent States agreeing to abide by IHL, the victims of modern warfare are increasingly civilians. The evolution of war, which has always been inhuman, sees even more destruction and increasingly complex and targeted weapons. To violate the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols is regarded as a war crime. Make no mistake; war crimes are being committed by both sides. There must be accountability for both sides and an agreement to a cease fire while negotiations get underway. Both sides must be willing to enter into dialogue to find a compromise that can, at the very least, bring about a temporary peace.
Finally, it is up to us to make our opinions informed, to make our voices heard and to speak in balanced and informed ways to our elected officials. Further, it is up to us to check our language and attitudes for hints of anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. The only way toward peace is for the Zionist state of Israel and the people of Palestine to come together in common respect and vision for a peace filled region.
There are some signs of hope. On November 4th in Washington, DC, the largest pro-Palestinian rally ever took place. The participants were Jewish and Muslim and they protested together for a cease fire and a free Palestinian state. Additional marches took place in San Francisco, London, Berlin and elsewhere. If Jews and Muslims can agree on a need for peace and a free Palestinian state, why can’t the rest of the world, especially the United States, get out of the way and let it happen?
It saddens me to know that the November 4th Free Palestine March had very few Christian protestors. There is a dearth of prophetic voices and protests from the Christian mainstream, and as usual, it means the loudest voices win. The loudest voices are political and religious zealots in a potpourri mash-up of skewed eschatological theology, blind allegiance to a one sided political agenda and general disinformation that makes for uninformed opinions that contribute to the problem. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is in desperate need of voices of reason that balance Jewish, Muslim and Christian perspectives. The Jewish and Muslim contingent seems in place. It’s time for a balanced Christian perspective to join the conversation.
Sources
Religious News Service
Comite International Geneve
International Committee of the Red Cross
The Irreverent Reverend 