The Israel-Palestine conflict has been raging on for decades, beginning in 1948. Many Jewish individuals began to migrate to the Middle East, declaring Palestine as Zion, or a nation state for Jewish individuals and a safe haven. Palestinians did not want their home taken from them, and thus the two have been hostile since.
Palestinians have been displaced from their homes and towns, and as of late have been victims of attacks. The Israel Defense Forces declared the recent attack on Palestinians as “actions of terror” after a weekend of brutality, Feb. 27.
A fire engine was stoned by 50 Israeli individuals, and Palestinians were injured in the attack. A shooting followed days later, killing one 27 year old man. On Sunday, two Israelites were shot.
Talks of peace were held Feb. 26 between Israelis and Palestinians, monitored by Egypt, the U.S. and Jordan. However, this upset Israeli settlers.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tweeted: “The building and authorisation in Judea and Samaria will continue according to the original planning and building schedule, with no change. There is not and will not be any freeze.”
This has put the U.S. in a tight squeeze as tensions rise in China, Ukraine is still in war, and Palestinians may continue to die. President Joe Biden has not shown much indication of future steps that will be taken.
What can SUNY Plattsburgh students do?
One distinction should be made before fully discussing Palestine and Israel. Not all Jewish individuals support Israel, even though those that fight for “Zion” are Jewish. Grouping all Jewish individuals with these attacks is closed-minded and ignorant.
Palestinians have been residing on the land for centuries, and do not deserve to be killed for it. Palestinians deserve protection and resources and the government at hand is using its resources to push them out and even kill them.
The American Friends Service Committee shares five ways to assist Palestine: “Organize in your community to show solidarity with Gaza, take action by contacting public officials and the media, learn more and lift up Palestinian voices, hold corporations accountable for their role in violating the rights of Palestinians in Gaza,” and to donate to the AFSC.
The AFSC also provides more resources so you can be better informed on the situation currently and remain up-to-date.
Even though Gaza is across the world, it does not mean that SUNY Plattsburgh students cannot do anything. We have voices, and it is not new to campus for students to hold political protests. While the campus administration cannot make change, we can contact our local officials in Plattsburgh and in our home towns.
There is much to be done, and it appears the bloodshed won’t end soon.
We can all agree that Israel is a shining star of freedom in a region, sadly, largely devoid of it.
In truth, Israel is a veritable social justice Shangri-La compared to the rest of the Arab Middle East.