More than 40 peaceful protesters have been shot dead. Leaflets have been dropped from the sky by Israeli war planes warning Gazans to stay away from the border. International condemnation over excessive Israeli force has been issued. As Palestinians gathered on Friday for the fifth consecutive week, at least 25 Palestinians were wounded when thousands participated in the ‘March of Return’ along the Israel-Gaza border. And yet, the world will carry on as if nothing has happened. There are a few places in the world that a so-called First World country will be able to get away with shooting peaceful protesters, but Israel has proven time and time again that it believes it is above international law, has smugly dismissed criticisms of it, and has went so far as to attack people and organisations that dare to criticise it.
This cowardice and complacency by the international community has gone on for far too long. Too many innocent Palestinians have been killed without the slightest repercussions.
Several war crimes probes have been blocked by the United States and Israel. While the US is known to be Israel’s chief political ally and financial backer and a reliable user of the veto at the United Nations Security Council to shield Israel from international scrutiny, there is an obligation of western nations to unite and act against Israel’s blatant crimes.
Last week, a 15-year-old boy defied his parents’ orders and attended the protest. Mohammad Ayoub, one of six siblings ranging in age from three to 17 years, grew up in the alleyways of the Jabaliya refugee camp with refugees and their descendants from Al Faluja, a former Palestinian village less than 32km northeast of Gaza. He had already lived through three wars. According to relatives who knew the young man, he wanted to become a “martyr”. He would spend time lying next to graves in the nearby cemetery.
He got his wish and his horrified parents received his body in a bag. According to protesters, Mohammad, was standing far away from the fence and not even throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. He had been sitting on the ground with the other boys, then got up and ran to escape clouds of tear gas, when he was shot dead.
This tragic story should have garnered international headlines — its a grim reminder of a generation of Palestinians so isolated and impoverished that death is considered a preferable alternative.
The international community needs to do more than issue statements of “concern”. The Palestinians need more than words to give them a shred of hope and assurance that their lives matter.
