Do Palestinian lives matter?

There is little doubt that no other global issue is as divisive as the Israel-Palestine question. As media fervour around Palestinian suffering dies down again, there is a return to the status quo, which was already an unfavourable situation for the Palestinians. They continue to be questioned about their right to exist, with slogans like “Death to Arabs” echoing across Israel. More than a month after the offensive was launched by Israel, Gaza faces problems in reconstruction as Israel blocks construction material from entering the territory.

During the recent escalation in tensions, the world faced a moral dilemma. Palestinian rights were no longer a question of Muslim rights, but a concern for fundamental human rights. As expected, the Palestinian cause suffered a major blow following the Abraham Accords. Turns out Jared Kushner declared a premature victory when he claimed, “We are witnessing the last vestiges of what has been known as the Arab-Israeli conflict.”

Social media platforms were accused of censorship as the balance was disproportionately tilted towards Israel. Instagram removed content about the Al Aqsa Mosque, where Israeli security police clashed with worshippers. The Thomson Reuters Foundation reported that Instagram and Twitter had blamed technical glitches for the removal of posts mentioning possible eviction of Palestinians from East Jerusalem.

Islamophobia has been the most powerful instrument in garnering support for Palestinian oppression within the western world. Arabs have essentially been dehumanised over decades which has led to the justification of ethnic cleansing, expulsion, and racism, all under the garb of defending the “only democracy in the region” from grave security threats. The UN is not just a bystander in the conflict; it is part of the overwhelming asymmetry of power favouring Israel. Because of this special relationship, the US blocked the UN thrice from issuing a statement regarding the escalating violence. Any US assistance for Palestine is viewed as a double-edged sword as it covers for Israel’s settlement strategy that displaces Palestinians from their homes.

Despite staggering levels of restrictions, social media also became the most effective tool in exposing biases when people shared their personal experiences with censorship. The tide is now turning; online activism and social movements have awakened the sentiments of many around the world with unprecedented outcry and demonstrations. The BLM movement played a crucial role in changing the conversation on Palestine in the US, making it more understandable to a global audience.

US media was also conducive to a more balanced approach. Palestinian voices were featured in The New York Times and MSNBC. Mainstream politicians like Tim Caine joined the likes of Bernie Sanders, and the “Squad” (Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Talib) in speaking against unconditional aid for Israel. Supporting Palestinian rights is no longer an unconventional position in the West.

So far, Israel has benefitted from violating international law and received “red carpet” welcomes from complicit Western states. This means that all international players have a role to play in ending the injustice towards Palestinians. In apartheid South Africa, it was the struggle of the ANC and excessive international pressure that put an end to the regime.

The Israel-Palestine divide highlights more than ever the injustices of this world. And despite the old adage that all men are created equal, it is clear that some are more equal than others. However, with the emergence of social media as a formidable global force, downtrodden voices are now free from traditional shackles and are being heard.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 14^th, 2021.

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