Bearing Witness to the Nightmare: A Guide to Presence and Activism in the Face of Horror

Strategic Insights -

As the world continues to grapple with the horrors of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, it's natural to feel overwhelmed, hopeless, and helpless. The siren call of cowardice can be tempting, but failing to bear witness to the truth is not an option. Rima Najjar, a Palestinian activist and writer, offers six tips on how to be present in this nightmare, awake and conscionable.

Key Takeaways:

  • The US government's policy in the Middle East and its corporate media discussion forums are not reliable sources of information, and it's essential to filter their pronouncements through trusted media sources like Al Mayadeen.
  • The international regime, as represented by the United Nations Security Council, has no credibility due to its dominance by the US-centralized empire, which has vetoed numerous resolutions critical of Israel's actions in occupied territories.
  • Arab Gulf countries and Iran are evolving their dynamic, with Iran expanding its influence in the Middle East and posing a challenge to US power in Gulf countries that now realize the US strategy of maintaining Israel's chokehold on Palestinians has failed.
  • The accusations of antisemitism and terrorism have lost their potency due to their misuse on a large scale by Zionists, and it's essential to be aware of this reality.
  • The axis of resistance, including Iran and other resistance forces, has a just cause and is proving themselves on the battle field beyond measure.
  • Praying for Israel to implode from within as well as without before it destroys the world is a necessary act of witnessing and activism.

Statistics:

  • The US has vetoed at least 43 UN Security Council resolutions related to Israel since 1972 (Source: Al Jazeera).
  • The US has blocked over 20 UN Security Council resolutions since 1967 that called for an immediate end to Israel's military occupation, including 17 resolutions on the status of Jerusalem and 12 resolutions demanding an end to Israel's construction of settlements in the occupied West Bank (Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs).
  • The number of Palestinian refugees who were displaced in 1948 has reached 7 million, with over 40% of them still living in refugee camps (Source: United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).
  • The international regime has failed to enforce international law, and Palestinian suffering continues to escalate (Source: Global Discourse).

Sources:

  • Najjar, R. (2023, October 7). It's Painful, Punishing, and Horrific. We Cannot Ignore or Shut Off. This Is Palestine.
  • Cook, J. (n.d.). Israel just keeps widening the circle of 'terrorists': from Hamas to the entire Palestinian people, to the United Nations, to the International Court of Justice, to the International Criminal Court. Facebook.
  • Johnstone, C. (n.d.). October 7 was entirely a response to generations of abuse against the Palestinian people by the state of Israel. Caitlin's Newsletter.
  • Al Jazeera. (n.d.). US vetoes 43 UN resolutions on Israel.
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (n.d.). United Nations Emergency Fund for Palestinian Refugees.
  • United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. (n.d.). About UNRWA.