Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once eloquently stated, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” This quote underscores the vital importance of speaking out against oppression and injustice.
As a humanitarian, I feel compelled to address the recent events involving the Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Israeli retaliation in Gaza over the course of seven days. My heart sank when I witnessed the tragic loss of young lives during a rave party. I am an advocate for joy, happiness, and the celebration of life, making the images of innocent victims’ deaths all the more heartbreaking.
For my generation, which was born long after World War II, the Holocaust remains a haunting reminder of the depths of human evil. The Holocaust, or the Shoah, witnessed the systematic persecution and murder of approximately six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. It is imperative that we remember this dark chapter in history to ensure such atrocities never occur again. Tolerance, understanding, and mutual respect are fundamental values in preventing future crimes of this magnitude. I have committed myself to loving and protecting victims of genocide, including Jews, Tibetans, and African Americans who continue to suffer from the traumatic legacy of slavery.
Before the Shoah, the Jewish people endured generations of pogroms, antisemitism, and persecution. This history underscores why I have always supported the establishment of Israel as a haven where Jews can live in peace, free from persecution and injustice.
Viewed through the lens of history, we find that Palestinians were living peacefully in Palestine. In ancient Palestine, a diverse mosaic of cultures, religions, and traditions thrived during the late Ottoman Empire. This land was home to Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others, contributing to its rich tapestry. Palestinians relied on agriculture, primarily citrus orchards and olive groves, and trade routes connected people from Asia, Africa, and Europe. Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Nazareth held spiritual significance for all three Abrahamic faiths, symbolizing peaceful coexistence. Under Ottoman rule, local communities enjoyed self-governance and spoke Arabic as a common language. However, as the empire weakened and external influences grew stronger, tensions arose over issues of land, identity, and self-determination, laying the groundwork for the contemporary struggles faced by the Palestinian people in the 20th and 21st centuries.
Palestine had long been part of the Ottoman Empire until 1947. However, as the empire crumbled in the early 20th century, British forces took control of Palestine during World War I, with the support of Arab insurgents. This period saw the rise of various aspirations and significant political changes. The 1917 Balfour Declaration encouraged Jewish immigration and settlement in Palestine by endorsing the creation of a “national home for the Jewish people.” After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain authority over Palestine, leading to escalating hostilities between Arab and Jewish communities, driven by increased Jewish immigration and land disputes. The 1936 Arab uprising targeted both the British and Jewish presence, and the situation remained complex throughout World War II. The UN Partition Plan of 1947, aimed at dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, marked a pivotal moment in the region’s history, sparking further territorial disputes and conflicts, with the Holocaust encouraging Jewish migration.
Numerous incidents and wars have shaped the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the implementation of the UN Partition Plan in 1947. The rejection of the partition proposal by Arab governments ignited the 1947–1949 Arab–Israeli War and the establishment of the State of Israel, resulting in the Nakba and the displacement of Arab Palestinians. Subsequent conflicts, such as the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Suez Crisis in 1956, expanded Israel’s territorial control. While the Oslo Accords of 1993 and other peace initiatives faced challenges, the region witnessed further outbreaks of violence like the Second Intifada. Diplomatic efforts continue in this complex and unresolved dispute.
The most recent eruption of violence is the attack by Hamas on Israel, known as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, initiated on October 7, 2023. This invasion involved hundreds of attackers and waves of missile launches. In response, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in casualties among both Hamas militants and civilians. This conflict escalated into a full-fledged battle, causing significant loss of life on both sides. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts in the face of the region’s complexity, the situation remains tense and unresolved. There is growing international concern over the potential loss of thousands of lives. Additionally, alongside innocent civilians in Israel and Gaza, humanitarian workers have tragically lost their lives. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) mourns the loss of five of its dedicated members due to the armed hostilities in Israel and Gaza. This recent surge of violence underscores the critical need to respect and protect both civilians and healthcare workers in conflict zones, as they play a vital role in delivering essential humanitarian aid and assistance.
Today, Gaza is besieged, and the world fears the worst. I can no longer remain silent. As a humanitarian, I can no longer remain silent. I call for peace. It is imperative that world leaders and diplomats unite to bring about peace. I recently shared with my family the need to pray for Israel and Gaza, and my uncle, a seasoned politician, conveyed a message from Daniel Cohn Bendit. The message conveyed a powerful sentiment, stating that “Politic is not prayer,” yet it fervently advocated for a peaceful resolution to the enduring conflict, resolutely declaring, “enough is enough.”
In a world often marred by conflict and division, individuals like Daniel Cohn-Bendit shine as beacons of hope and champions of peace. His steadfast commitment to a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict reflects a vision of coexistence and reconciliation. By challenging policies on all sides and calling for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories, Cohn-Bendit exemplifies the power of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving deeply entrenched conflicts. His involvement in peace initiatives, such as the Geneva Initiative, underscores the importance of negotiated solutions. He called for a dialogue with the President of the Palestinian Authority was Mahmoud Abbas.
Inspired by Daniel Cohn Bendit’s message, I began to dream of peace in the Middle East, firmly believing that, even in the face of complex challenges, the pursuit of peace remains a noble and necessary endeavor. I earnestly pray that Prime Minister Netanyahu will heed this call for peace coming from many of us in the world and embark on the arduous journey toward a lasting resolution, given the trust many have placed in Israel’s leadership.
In conclusion, I echo the words of the great Martin Luther King Jr.: “I have a dream that one day, even in the strife-ridden region of Palestine and Israel, a place scorched by violence, injustice, and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of peace, freedom, and justice.”