Global disgust growing at political leaders’ failure to act against Gaza genocide
It is said that history repeats itself. I do not believe that this is necessarily true. It is more a matter of studying history and recognizing the patterns of behaviour that bring about positive results and those that do not.
If we respond to events with mindfulness, wisdom, and a sense of ethics, we can bring about more favourable outcomes. Unfortunately, these qualities are often in short supply in the halls of power.
I teach about human rights abuses and genocide. I have now lived long enough to be able to tell my students what it was like to live through the time of the Oka Crisis and the Rwandan Genocide. My students sit in disbelief as they learn about these events.
When discussing Oka, they ask, “The Canadian army conducted a siege of two Indigenous communities because a town in Quebec wanted to take away their land to build a golf course? Really?” All I can do is tell the truth and encourage my students to learn from our mistakes so they can build a better future.
 Photo by Huzaifah Patel |
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What will be the story I tell about this moment in history, as more and more legal experts and scholars use the words “a textbook case of genocide” to describe what is happening in Gaza? I will not be able to say that people may not have known how bad things were, that the campaign of denial was largely successful, as it was during the Armenian Genocide and the Holocaust. I won’t be able to say that people were preoccupied with other aspects of their lives and simply turned away, as they did during the Rwandan Genocide.
No, we have learned our lesson. This time, people are watching, and people care. Millions around the world are protesting. In countries with large Jewish populations, tens of thousands of people are crying out, “Not in our name!” In many cities, hundreds of thousands are marching to save Palestinian lives.
These are some of the largest and most widespread demonstrations the world has ever seen. People are posting and sharing on social media: at the very least, they are giving hope to the sacred human beings in Gaza who are dying without food, water, and fuel as their communities succumb to constant bombardment.
My students will ask me, “If so many around the world cared and wanted it to stop, why did the genocide in Gaza continue?” I will only be able to tell them that it was because the Israeli government did not want to stop. The United States is their closest ally, and because they have veto power on the UN Security Council, they were able to block all efforts by the other countries to end the killing.
I will have to say that while heinous attacks by Hamas on innocent Israeli civilians were rightly condemned, none of the close allies of the U.S., especially Canada and all the countries of Western Europe, dared to stand up to the Americans and the Israelis to end the murder of innocent Palestinian children. While there were conscientious members of parliament who told Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Canada needed to demand a ceasefire, he chose not to speak up. Other Canadian politicians even cheered on Israel.
People in many of these countries, I will continue, were rightfully disgusted with their elected officials. Despite the efforts of their constituents, the tearful phone calls, the many emails, and even sit-ins at their offices, they outright refused to do anything to stop the genocide.
Even worse, when people – especially women of colour – spoke up for Palestinian civilians, they risked being called terrorist sympathizers, they were arrested, silenced, or lost their jobs.
This time, I will have to tell my students that ordinary people did their part. The genocide was the fault of a handful of countries. The way the leaders of these nations acted was inexcusable.
When history is told, we will have to recognize that the genocidaires in Gaza were our political leaders.
Gerry Chidiac specializes in languages, genocide studies and works with at-risk students. He is the recipient of an award from the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre for excellence in teaching about the Holocaust.
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Gerry:
I am writing to express my concern regarding the use of the term “genocide” to describe the situation in Gaza. While I deeply empathize with the suffering of innocent civilians caught in the conflict, I believe it is important to use precise and accurate language when discussing such complex and sensitive issues.
The term “genocide” carries a specific legal and moral weight, as defined by international law. It refers to the deliberate and systematic extermination of a racial, ethnic, religious, or national group. Applying this term to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict oversimplifies a deeply rooted and multifaceted geopolitical dispute.
While there have been tragic casualties on both sides of the conflict, characterizing the situation as genocide may not accurately reflect the intent of the parties involved. This conflict is marked by a complex history of territorial disputes, security concerns, and political dynamics that extend far beyond the scope of genocide as defined by international law.
Using such a loaded term can polarize discussions and hinder efforts to find a peaceful and equitable resolution to the conflict. It is essential to acknowledge the suffering and loss of life on all sides while also recognizing the need for a more nuanced and constructive dialogue.
I believe that addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict requires a more balanced and informed perspective (than you’ve expressed here), a commitment to international law, and a focus on promoting peace, justice, and the well-being of all those affected by this ongoing crisis.
Sincerely,
Dana Wilson
Dana,
I do not use the word lightly. I am drawing from the work of Israeli genocide scholar Raz Segal, along with 800 other genocide and legal experts who are using the term to describe the situation.
Gerry
“characterizing the situation as genocide may not accurately reflect the intent of the parties involved.”
Craig Mokhiber, the former director of the New York office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, recently had this to say regarding Israel’s intent:
“Usually the most difficult part of proving genocide is intent because there has to be an intention to destroy in whole, or in part, a particular group. In this case, the intent by Israeli leaders has been so explicitly stated and publicly stated – by the prime minister, by the president, by senior cabinet ministers, by military leaders – that that is an easy case to make. It’s on the public record.”