By Kerul Dyer

It’s no surprise that masses of people are showing up in a multiplicity of ways to express their strong opposition to Israel’s continued onslaught of Gaza. The events of the past 82 days have been devastating to everyone and underscore the need for an immediate ceasefire and just resolution to the ongoing conflict surrounding the Israeli occupation of the region under the far-right leadership of Netenyahu. 

A simple google search on the topic offers thousands of images of nonviolent resistance to Netanyahu’s assault on Gazans, especially calling on the US to stop supplying the weapons and ammunition needed to carry out the continued war campaign. Within Israel and the US, whole communities, campuses, art and media organizations have been silenced from expressing their dissent from the far-right, zionist initiatives that are fueling this crisis.

Now, with the expanding war reaching targets in Lebanon, Iraq, Iran, and the Red Sea, the world fears a region-wide conflict is about to explode. This may seem inevitable, and the US continues to operate a multi-faceted strategy to quell dissent in the region, all the while assuring US voters through American media outlets that they are doing everything in their power to “restrain” the killing of civilians. 

Meanwhile, outside of the media machine within the US, the stories and images of dead and dying children on the streets of Gaza are widely available. Data is also easily accessible showing evidence that the Biden administration continues to supply – even outside of Congressional processes – munitions, intelligence and weapons of war to Netanyahu’s Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

This lack of transparency is not only deplorable, it positions the Biden Administration as solicitors of war crimes, and complicit in the killing of more than 22,000 civilians, including approximately 6,600 children in the past 12 weeks.

In addition to the bloodshed, the extreme bombardment strategy has been counterproductive for Israeli citizens looking for the return of their loved ones taken hostage October 7, 2023. Aviva Siegel, who was held hostage for 51 days by Hamas explained this through her plea for an end to the violence during PBS Newshour last night.


I imagine that none of this comes as a surprise to you, as people of conscience and readers of history. That said, I cannot imagine the words to describe a more complete account of the horrific scenes in Gaza, in Israel, in the West Bank, and so many other local Palestinian communities. Mothers, daughters, fathers and sons all face the extreme turmoil of physical and emotional torture from this war. This is in no way a complete description of the conflict.

But perhaps what happens next depends in part on the continued actions by people like you, who care about the plight of people everywhere. You have an opportunity to voice your resolve in whatever ways you can, to shape a more peaceful future.
 
Consider taking a moment to write to a member of congress, engaging with a group for a nonviolent, targeted protest, or simply using your own networks to express your commitment to nonviolence in the face of such torrid war times. Our voices together make a powerful impact on change.