Who Bears Responsibility? Gaza tales and the Pursuit of Peace

Who Bears Responsibility? Gaza tales and the Pursuit of Peace

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

Our world is in dire need of peace amidst the backdrop of chaos and turmoil in the 21st century. Despite the establishment of the United Nations to foster international cooperation and prevent conflicts following the failure of the League of Nations, global peace remains elusive. Tragically, careless wars lead to loss of human life, undermining societal progress. Conversely, peace is foundational for progress, nurturing social stability, human rights, and economic development.

In a poignant address to the United Nations General Assembly last year, Prime Minister Mia Mottley of Barbados emphasized the urgent need for a "reboot" for global peace and security. Mottley highlighted that pursuing revenge instead of fostering peace escalates horror for humanity, quoting "vengeance is for the Lord" to underscore the perils of retaliatory cycles. Her sentiment aligns with the UN Charter's founding vision to promote peace and security among member states. Mottley spoke at an opportune time in a fitting forum, given the UN's focus on global peace and security.

The Israel war in the Gaza Strip and Russia's invasion of Ukraine stand as two of the most pressing global crises, exacting a devastating toll on the people of Ukraine and Palestine. The enduring trauma inflicted upon civilians in these regions is catastrophic, with children, teenagers, and adults alike in Gaza bearing the indelible scars of harrowing experiences for the remainder of their lives. The unfathomable anguish of witnessing loved ones killed in broad daylight defies description.

Global opinions on the Israel-Gaza conflict are divergent, with many questioning Israel's ability to maintain its status as an economic powerhouse in the challenging Middle East geopolitical landscape. Meanwhile, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has drawn widespread international condemnation.

It remains to be seen how US President Donald Trump’s meeting with his Russian counterpart, Vladmir Putin this week in Alaska, will play out in the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Prime Minister Netanyahu's government in Gaza has sparked vehement international condemnation. In the Arab world, a staggering 82% population view the US response to Israel's war in Gaza as "very bad".

Professor Fawaz Gerges, of the London School of Economics has scathingly criticized Arab rulers for their passivity amid Gaza's devastation, where children are dying of starvation as Israel’s bombardment continues.

Arab countries friendly to the US, such as Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt, have been criticized for their low-key and largely symbolic responses to the Gaza crisis. These governments have issued statements, held summits, and called for ceasefires but have been largely ineffective in stopping Israel's actions.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen are a notable exception, actively engaging against Israel in Gaza by firing missiles and drones at Israeli ships. Arab governments' restraint is attributed to their dependence on US support and fear of domestic turbulence if they take a stronger stance against Israel, which is a traditional US ally in the Middle East.

The Gaza crisis, marked by starvation and civilian casualties not affiliated with Hamas, has drawn widespread international condemnation, including from traditional US allies. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity has sparked significant international attention and controversy. Post-tenure, Netanyahu's position is anticipated to be precarious, potentially facing restrictions on international travel.

Several nations have taken pivotal steps regarding Palestine's status. Canada and Australia, key members of the common wealth plan to recognize the State of Palestine in September. In Europe, countries like Ireland, Norway, Spain, Slovenia, and potentially France, the United Kingdom, and Portugal have announced to recognize Palestine as a state. Israel vehemently opposes these recognitions.

There's vehement outrage among Israelis at home and abroad regarding the Gaza situation. Some dissenters criticize Prime Minister Netanyahu's approach as excessive, particularly concerning humanitarian aid and civilian suffering amidst the aftermath of the October 7th tragedy. In the midst of active war, no party emerges unscathed. Israel has suffered losses, with hundreds of soldiers experiencing debilitating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), leading to tragic cases of suicide.

Meanwhile, President Trump seemingly aligns with Netanyahu's approach to the crisis in Gaza. Under his presidency, Israel's actions in the Middle East have escalated exponentially, as evident in assaults on Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran.

It is noteworthy that the Gaza war commenced during Joe Biden's presidency. Conversely, during the presidential campaigns, president Trump while as a candidate vociferously argued against the war, asserting that had he been president, the war would have been averted ab initio. Trump further posited that President Putin of Russia wouldn't have invaded Ukraine. Unfortunately, he is doing the opposite.

The ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine allegedly impacted Kamala Harris's presidential bid. Many Americans thought Trump would swiftly resolve these conflicts if elected, but the opposite seems to be happening.

The Gaza crisis, marked by starvation and civilian casualties not affiliated with Hamas, has drawn widespread international condemnation while the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk stated that Israel's plan is "contrary to the ruling of the International Court of Justice" and violates Palestinian rights to self-determination.

Besides, the indictment of Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity has led to significant international attention and controversy. Netanyahu's position is anticipated to be precarious post-tenure, with potential restrictions on international travel due to the indictment.

South Africa has taken a bold step by lodging a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), focusing on Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories. This move has gained significant support from African countries like Djibouti, Comoros, and Algeria. Additionally, countries in South America and the Caribbean, including Brazil, Chile, Cuba, and Colombia, have expressed solidarity with South Africa's legal pursuit against Israel's actions under Prime Minister Netanyahu's government.

There's a notable parallel between Iran's relationship with Palestinians and the US's relationship with Israel in terms of influence. In the US, criticizing Israel is often considered politically risky due to powerful lobbying groups like AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee). Dissent on Israel policy can quickly be labeled as antisemitic, limiting scrutiny of Israel. Conversely, Iran supports Palestinian groups like Hamas and PIJ, providing aid, weapons, and training to build a coalition against Israel.

Zohran Mamdani, a Muslim candidate for NYC mayor, has sparked controversy due to his strong views on Israel's handling of the Gaza crisis. Specifically, Mamdani's statement about potentially pressing for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits NYC drew criticism from Israel and some Jewish Americans, with accusations of antisemitism. Despite this, Mamdani has support from progressive Jewish groups like Jews for Racial & Economic Justice. Mamdani's campaign focuses on affordability in NYC and his stance on Palestinian rights.

US evangelicals have a strong and unique affinity for Israel based on their religious beliefs. Key figures like John Hagee, Franklin Graham, Mike Huckabee (US ambassador to Israel), and Robert Stearns are outspoken in their support for Israel. They believe Israel's existence is part of God's plan tied to biblical prophecies about Jesus' Second Coming. This support is driven by their interpretation of biblical narratives about God's covenant with Abraham and the Jewish people.

About 84% of evangelicals see Jews as God's chosen people, and 90.6% believe God promised Israel to them. 64% of white Protestant evangelicals back Israel's military actions in Gaza vs 32% of the overall US population. The original statement notes that only God judges whether these religious leaders' views are right or wrong, highlighting the role of divine ordinance in shaping evangelical views on Israel.