Author’s note: I do not condone any act of violence and write this article solely with the hope that there will be peace in a region that has suffered and faced conflict for years. All views expressed are my own.
Over 29,000 Palestinians have been killed since Oct. 7, 2023, most of which are women and children. Despite the wishes of politicians and civilians around the world calling for a ceasefire resolution, Israel has rejected every resolution proposed by Hamas, including one that called for a 135-day ceasefire in exchange for the release of all Israeli hostages. While Israel is claiming that they are only going after Hamas militants, they are bombing hospitals and “safe” areas that they deliberately told Palestinian citizens to evacuate to.
One of these safe areas was supposed to be Rafah. At this moment, over 1.6 million Palestinian civilians are sheltering in Rafah, the southernmost city in the Gaza Strip. After thousands of families walked from the top of the Gaza Strip to bottom to guarantee their safety, Israel has started launching airstrikes into Rafah – currently one of the most densely populated cities in the world due to this displacement. Many Palestinians have relinquished their hopes of safety and are crying out to us for help, convinced that Israel is aimlessly wiping them out. But no one seems to be listening.
Since the violence began in October, the first thing I see when opening Instagram are severed limbs lying on the streets of Gaza, videos of ambulances full of civilians exploding from Israeli air strikes, children under rubble crying out to their parents, and bodies in white bags (some bags only 3 feet tall) lining the streets. As I scroll, the atrocities in Gaza never seem to end, and a genocide is happening right before my eyes. While I’m aware that a conflict has been in this area for decades and both sides have taken lives, I cannot fathom what could possibly warrant this level of inhumanity and brutality. Civilians seeking shelter have limited access to food and water, supplies of fuel and electricity have been cut off by Israel, and their infrastructure is crumbling as a result of the bombings. Many Palestinians are living in tents and have little to no access to medical care. Places previously deemed safe are being bombed. Palestinian women are using tent scraps as menstrual pads and giving birth with no medication or medical assistance. The cruelty I’m witnessing right before my eyes is barbaric, and the violence needs to stop.
The International Court of Justice has just begun a case that will examine whether or not Israel has illegally occupied Palestine, and oral arguments began on Feb. 19. South Africa also brought a landmark genocide case to the ICJ earlier in 2024, which claims Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians. Israel rejected the claims of genocide made in this case and attempted to appeal it, but the ICJ negated their claims, proceeding to hear the case. The ICJ ordered the Israeli military to immediately stop engaging in genocidal acts and to prevent a humanitarian crisis at all costs. This was a major step in the right direction, but enforcing this ruling isn’t as easy as one would initially think.
So what can we do?
Follow Palestinian journalists.
Genocides have happened before, but none have been as thoroughly and explicitly visible in real time. In this age of technology, we can witness concrete evidence of war crimes and inhumanity. Journalists in Palestine are currently putting their lives on the line to show the world what’s really happening. Many have been killed. It’s essential to follow these journalists at this time.
Yousef Alhelou has provided me with essential information, as he is currently on the ground in Gaza, providing crucial updates nearly every hour. The content he shows is unfiltered and hard to see, but it shows what’s truly happening and faces the harsh reality of the conditions Palestinians are enduring at this very moment. Plestia Alaqad is another prominent source, as she devotes her platform to Gaza, even stating “See Gaza through my eyes” in her Instagram bio. Her content has opened my eyes to how much suffering and destruction has come to Palestine, not only since October, but for the past few decades under the occupation. Bisan Owda has provided raw, emotional, and personal content throughout this genocide as well. I admire her strength, as she shares very vulnerable content as a young woman living in Palestine. I believe that following these journalists is one of the best ways to stay educated on the current events in Gaza, as it’s completely unfiltered and you can see things exactly the way they are; not through any media bias or mainstream, censored news.
Instagram channels are also a great way to access fact-checked information conveniently. The one I’m currently subscribed to is the “Daily Updates” channel from @letstalkpalestine on Instagram. They provide crucial information on the ICJ cases as they unfold, updates on how the UN is responding, daily fatality count of Palestinians, and more.
Boycott, Boycott, Boycott.
The Palestinian-led Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement provides a list of establishments that have supported Israel financially. On their website, you can see how you can take action against these corporations and how to make an impact by simply taking your business elsewhere. Some of the more mainstream boycotts that you may have heard of are McDonald’s and Starbucks. It is essential to engage in these boycotts; there are so many other ethical choices, and if you think your business doesn’t matter, think again. Money drives corporations to do harm for the sake of making an extra buck. Be on the right side of history and engage today in a boycott.
Vote “Uncommitted” in the primary election.
Despite growing sentiment for a ceasefire resolution, President Joe Biden keeps sending billions of dollars in military aid with limited humanitarian conditions to the state of Israel – right out of the pockets of taxpayers. Instead of fixing the internal issues of our country, we are funding genocide and providing a multitude of services to citizens in Israel, such as affordable housing, free healthcare, and affordable education: things we do not have in our own country. The U.S. has also stricken down three UN ceasefire resolutions, leading to more harm by Israel against Palestinians. While the U.S. has started to draft an alternate UN “temporary-pause” resolution, action has yet to be taken.
Biden is the only candidate that the Democratic Party is currently supporting for the presidential nomination, and Donald Trump, who has sent mixed, harmful messages on how he’d handle the conflict, will likely be the Republican candidate. Rather than just not voting at all, join the movement to call for an immediate ceasefire and vote “uncommitted” on Feb. 27, in Michigan’s Primary Election to send the message that we need an immediate change from the Biden administration. You can register to vote at your local clerk’s office.
The ongoing genocide in Palestine needs your attention. Do not look away. Continue to educate yourself, share what you learn, and do not give up hope. Have conversations with your friends and family about being involved, participate in boycotts, and rally for a ceasefire if you are able. Together, we can fight for humanity in hopes that all people will be able to coexist peacefully, regardless of the color of their skin or religion.