The Urgency of Now -- Obama Must Act on Gaza

The death toll from Gaza keeps rising like a morbid nightmare, from 150 to 300, to at last count 702 victims. 702 Palestinians killed by the Israeli military through massive bombings that have inflicted unimaginable violence upon some of the poorest, hungriest, and most defenseless people on Earth. Mosques have been bombed. Hospitals bombed, including a Children's hospital. Homes bombed. United Nations relief agencies bombed. Refugee centers bombed. Universities bombed. United Nations schools bombed. If the Israeli officials responded to appeals to conscience, one would cry out: "At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" These bombs are paid for through American taxpayer dollars, which makes this violence that we are supporting. What has been the response of our political leadership? A mixture of silence, racist double-standard for the dignity of human life, and inaction. The time to act is now.

President Bush finally spoke out on the Gaza atrocity in his January 2nd weekly address, and made two points: "This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas -- a Palestinian terrorist group." In other words, no accountability for Israel for its actions. And the only acknowledgement of the Israeli's murder of 700 people and the injuring of thousands more? "Regrettably, Palestinian civilians have been killed in recent days." Passive verbs, Mr. President? Can't you bring yourself to use the active verbs and say who is doing the killing? Would it hurt your gentle soul to state that it is the Israeli state, using bombs and planes and rockets paid for by our taxpayers, who is systematically killing and murdering Palestinians?

Let's get real: If we were talking about Hamas, or any Palestinian faction, killing 700 Israeli civilians, would Bush or any American spokespersons say: "Regrettably, Israeli civilians have been killed in recent days?" Of course not. We would dismiss that as a blatant terrorist act, an abomination, one which calls for immediate cessation. The groups responsible would be labeled as supporting terrorism, be prosecuted and brought to justice. But that kind of concern and urgent action apparently only applies in case of Israeli lives, not Palestinians. Why is that Mr. President? Do Palestinians not bleed? Do they not suffer? Are they the children of a lesser God?

In the conclusion to his remarks, Bush stated: "We seek security and peace for our allies, the free people of Israel. For the Palestinian people, we seek a peaceful and democratic Palestinian state that serves its citizens and respects its neighbors." What is missing from the above equation? Israelis deserve "security and peace", while the Palestinians deserver a "peaceful and democratic state." Mr. President, do the citizens of Palestine not deserve the same peace and security that you promise the citizens of Israel? Do they not deserve to live without the constant fear of having Israel drop American-made bombs drop from American-made planes on their head? What good is a "peaceful state" if you constantly live in fear of the 4th largest military force in the world--that of the Israeli regime--propped up through five billions dollars of annual military and financial aid from the United States?

President-elect Obama finally broke his silence on the atrocities being waged on Palestinians by stating: "The loss of civilian life in Gaza and Israel is a source of deep concern for me." I would say it is about time, but the truth of the matter is that it is two weeks past the time. It is time and past time to move rapidly from "deep concern" to direct action to alleviate the suffering of some of the poorest people on Earth. If the "fierce urgency of the now" that Obama promised us is to have any real meaning, now is the time. Right after the above sentence about the "deep concern for me," Obama added "and after January 20th I'm going to have plenty to say about the issue." Why after January 20th, President-elect Obama? How many more Palestinians have to die while we wait for you to act courageously and compassionately when Bush has failed us so disastrously?

Comments

[alexa07]

Thank you for your intelligent depiction of how our society inevitably frames the conflict from the Israeli perspective by the majority of our govt leaders, the media & academia. This has led to nothing particularly good for the American public. We have seen more than 60 yrs. of messes in Palestine & Lebanon as well as more recently our debacle in Iraq (as Neo-cons got what they wanted, to destroy any Arab nation that might challenge Israel.) But at what cost to America? When the American public gets sick of the manipulation of our foreign policy by Israel & its American friends as well as the COST in terms of the misuse of our tax dollars & armaments to support oppressing the Palestinians, it will stop. The process has already begun, but our leaders have not yet responded. Hopefully, we will not see yet another the new generation of Arabs disenfranchised & abused in Palestine.

[Okay]

Obama is the President Elect. He can't legally put his cape and boots on until he is president. Gaza is one of dozens of hot spots around the world. People are being hacked to death by machetes in Congo for example....not many comments from the HUFF readers. There are many more issues right here in America that will require Obama's immediate attention as well.

Here's a novel idea, have HAMAS stop their rockets until after the 20th. Then, if no answer from Pres, we can all march on Washington and chant anti-Obama slogans. Until then give him a break.

[johnfriedrich]

Omid,

Thank you for writing this powerful, truth-telling piece. Gaza is the most densely populated place on earth, and I believe approx. half of the population is under 18. When such an area is bombed, it is therefore well known that civilians, including scores of children, will be killed, maimed and traumatized. It is illegal, immoral and counter-productive.
Yes, Obama should speak out and begin laying the groundwork for a package of massive humanitarian aid to the Gazan people, in exchange for a cease-fire, end to the blockade, etc.
I look forward to reading your next piece.

[Klimb]

Obama is not the President and give him a break! Like somebody already said, there are thousands of deaths occuring in Darfur, Zimbabwe, Congo without media coverage and nobody has come out to condemn them.

[Arawak]

I don't want to give him a break. I want him to act. Maybe the billions we provide to Israel has something to do with the need for accountability.

[Klimb]

Please, ask Bush adm for accountability.

[LillianB]

Another thing that Obama should be telling Israel: Peace is not just about the absence of war. Peace is also about the absence of oppression.

When Israel "withdrew" from Gaza, they kept denying the Gazan people water, foods, medicines, jobs, electricity and water. That is not "withdrawing" or "granting independence". That is giving Hamas a more likely option to keep the opinion on their side. That's oppression. Israel is practizing apartheid under cover of self-defence and has been doing so for decades. The only party that gains anything from that is Hamas. Had Palestinians been free for real, none of them would have supported Hamas. And so Hamas, of course, do what they can to keep aggression up and terror continuing. It's all about power.

Israel is the strong party in the Israel-Palestinian areas. Israel is who has the military force, and Israel is who has the US' support. US is blocking any Security Counsil resolution telling Israel to act responsible. But if Israel doesn't act responsible, all that happens is that they give Hamas legitimacy among Palestinians. One man's terrorist is another's freedom fighter. If one has no freedom, one wants to use whatever means possible to get it.

[omidsafi]

Dear LillianB,
Thank you for your excellent points. The next post that I am writing for Huff-Po is about the effects of the blockage on the Gaza civilian population. It is such a crime that because of the Israeli blockade of journalists from Gaza, most of the American people do not know about the extent of suffering there.

my thanks for your comment.
omid safi (author of the piece above)

[LillianB]

Thank you, Omid Safi. I am looking forward to reading your next piece.

[Ben Dixon]

Well if all the Hamas fighters would stop hiding among the civilians and just stand up and fight the Isreali's then we wouldn't have this problem now would we?

[omidsafi]

Hi Ben Dixon.
How about this: If Israel would not drop tons of bombs that were shipped in expedited fashion to Israel, we wouldn't have this problem, would we?

And if you really think Hamas is hiding among civilians, please go to the original post:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/progressiverevival/2009/01/the-urgency-of-now---obama-mus.html

check out the children's hospital that was bombed. the mosque that was bombed. If you have an ounce of humanity left in your heart, look at the pictures of the victims. Do the hundreds of children killed look like Hamas to you?

would you speak in such callous ways if it were your children, our children?

omid safi
(author of the article)

[sebastm]

So the over 8k bombs thrown by Hamas don't count? I see your points about if it were 700 Israelis would we stand by, however, the Israeli army wouldn't purposely throw bombs from schools and hospitals, knowing they would be hit back. Hamas doesn't think of their collateral damage or they wouldn't be throwing rockets. The people of New York wouldn't let people from CT throw bombs at them without a response.
I would love for Palestinians to be able to move about freely to and from Israel. However, when you have to worry about taking your family out for pizza because someone might blow up the place at any given time, I wouldn't be open to the free movement either. What is missing from your piece is a look at both sides. Very one sided.
I wouldn't stand by if it were my kids! I would speak up. The Palestinian people have not stood up and said that they disagree with bombing civilians that are either their own or Israeli people! Stand up! That I WOULD do. Call for peace and coexistence with everyone. Not one side.

[QA]

Yes you can....President Obama!

Put aside your fear of losing power and position and do it!

Speak out for justice and the upliftment of the weak and oppressed.

Protect the children in this war.

From 2000-2007 more than 80% of children killed in this conflict are Palestinian. How would you feel if this was one of your children? Wouldn't you want to protect them and keep them safe?

The world is watching and waiting