Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A topic which is very close to hearts of many of my loved ones is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this issue has been brought to the forefront by recent events. I have however found that many people of my generation are completely unaware of the atrocities occurring and the events unfolding and both their impact and significance. I thought I would provide just a brief context and attempt to make the youth understand why this issue should be awarded even greater meaning to us, South Africans. 

Israel, is occupied by both people of the Jewish faith as well as Muslims. However the Muslims live in Palestine, an embankment, which according to the UN isn't considered a country of it's own although the West Bank is inhabited by approximately 2.4 million Palestinians and the Gaza Strip by another 1.4 million. Palestine is a mere fraction of land in Israel with which the Muslims were roughly driven into by the Israelis as a form of offensive defense. 

Although the Israelis did initially leave Israel, which allowed the Muslims to inhabit their space, when the Israelis returned, they showed no mercy for the Muslims in an attempt to regain lost land, and a six day war commenced.  In 1948, the winners, the returning Jewish faculty, therefore placed the governance of Palestine under their control.

Palestine, also known as the Gaza Strip, is a strip of land situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt and Jordan on the southwest and Israel on the east and north. The population of Palestine today is 3.8 million people and they hold the position of the seventh highest population growth rate in the world. With this growing population, Israel has identified Palestine as a growing threat to their national security and has institutionalized a system of progressive and ever present oppression. 

Among the laws the Israelis have enforced, were many which were at odds with the constitutional and basic human rights abided by and awarded to the citizens of democratic states worldwide. There were laws which restricted medical care, basic food and shelter, education and the freedom of movement, which in most cases was a long and tedious process which encompassed interrogations, immense paperwork and usually resulted in a negative outcome, with either access or permission to leave denied. In short form, the living conditions in Palestine were that of a gravely disadvantaged, volatile, third world country with no hope of reprise. 

Now, almost 64 years later, the conditions in Palestine have only become worse. The saddest part being that life had to go on in Palestine, in that this is the only life they know. Generation after generation, they think and live in a way that has been instilled in them by being born into a war torn and unforgiving lifestyle. In essence trapped in a never ending cycle of oppression.

Many organisations who have attempted to help the Palestinians have been themselves made into victims. In May of 2010 Flotillas carrying medical supply's and food were stopped and raided by Israeli troops and their cargo confiscated, indicating the abject denial of basic necessities for the Palestinians. The media portrayed the aide workers as aggressive and confrontational and cited their injuries as the result of their eagerness to engage in a fight with Israeli troops.  

In 2011, the president, Mahmoud Abbas pleaded in a speech to the United Nations, requesting full territorial control over Palestine and their request was rejected. 

The Palestinians have experienced difficulty in forming alliances with foreign nations, as politics dictate that there are two factions, the Israeli's and Americans and the Palestinians and their sympathizers. In a bid not to lose trade ties with Israel and America, most countries adopt a policy of appeasement and turn a blind eye to the atrocities occurring in Palestine. 

Now, Abbas attempts to speak again, appealing to the non-member states, the countries which are not apart of the UN, a total of three states. 

Israeli has felt highly threatened at the though of Palestine gaining an alley and has retaliated in a mass assault on Palestine, both killing and injuring civilian men, women and children. Implying that the Israeli's see no issue with the loss of lives as a means to both intimidate and reestablish their might. 

South Africans who have been familiar with the story of Palestine, would feel compelled to help in any way possible as our rich and ever improving democracy is in contrast to the harsh and deep rooted oppressive racist ideologies that were a reality for South Africans for many decades. 

Drawing a parallel, it is easy to notice that Palestine are going through a similar hardships as the non white people were to suffer through during the apartheid years. Homelands, created to marginalize a bulk of the population, instructed that they could rule these small bantustans, but were awarded absolutely no power or control over their allocated lands. 

Palestine, also were allowed leadership in  Mahmoud Abbas,but he was given no real power to provide or protect his people. With the only real powers or opportunities available to him, being putting forward proposals of allegiance to who ever is willing to listen. 

In South African apartheid, however, there were deaths and events that were considered the 'final straw' for the oppression. The Soweto uprising was what was internationally noticed and seen as a turning point. 

This is why Palestine are continuing to fight. They're continuing to resist. They are not giving in. In spite of overwhelming odds not seeming to be in their favor. And this is why we should not be giving up either. 

Will these wars occurring in Palestine be the turning point?

Is this Palestine's Soweto Uprising? 

“South Africa will never be truly free until Palestine is free.”- Nelson Mandela