Amplify Their Voices
Source: Middle East Eye (MEE)
Dear Fields of Peace community,
"The first casualty of war is truth," coined by American journalist Hiram Johnson in 1917, underscores how conflict breeds misinformation and propaganda, obscuring reality. This is evident in the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the decades-long Israeli occupation of Palestine, where the narrative war persists, especially after October 7. The impact of this propaganda on the ground, particularly on children, is a pressing emergency.
Think of Sulieman Abusari, a Palestinian child whose life was forever altered by an Israeli drone strike while he was bravely fetching supplies for his family in the war-torn streets of Gaza. With his dreams shattered and his legs amputated, he reflects, 'The occupation army stole my dream of playing football.' These heart-wrenching stories of suffering are often drowned out by the relentless noise of propaganda. The raw truth resides in the voices of these innocent children, while propaganda seeks to suffocate them. To truly unveil the reality, listen to the tales of these children; they speak volumes beyond the veil of propaganda.
Embracing uncomfortable truths is crucial for peace, especially for the oppressed, like Palestinian children. The International Court of Justice's ruling against Israel for potential genocide sharply emphasizes this urgency. With over 38,066 Gazans killed as of February 23, 2024—8,620 women and 14,350 children—the demand for accountability and justice is non-negotiable. The truth lays bare the brutal reality of daily atrocities, underscoring the imperative to staunchly defend the oppressed and relentlessly hold perpetrators accountable.
The relentless dissemination of false information by Israel and certain Western governments, including the US, has contributed to justifying the deaths of over 14,350 Palestinian children in Gaza since October 7. Additionally, approximately 100 Palestinian children were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank. These actions have been justified under the false pretext of fabricated incidents involving 40 nonexistent beheaded babies. According to various Israeli sources, specifically the newspaper Haaretz, one infant child was confirmed killed in an exchange of fire on October 7. The 9-month-old, named Mila Cohen, was shot dead at Kibbutz Be'eri while her mother held her in her arms. Cohen's mother, who was shot in the arm, survived. The use of fabricated stories is nothing less than sickening; it not only distracts from honoring Mila’s memory but also serves to justify the genocide of children, which is deeply troubling, particularly when it is used to shape policies, allocate resources, and perpetuate injustice and harm against children.
So far, 130 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza. This grim statistic underscores the terrifying risks journalists face in exposing the brutal realities of the situation on the ground—ranging from deliberate acts of violence against Palestinian children, including kidnapping, killing, and starvation.
Yet, amidst this chaos, the children of Gaza, exemplified by 9-year-old Lama Abu Jamous and 11-year-old Sumayya Wushah, display unparalleled bravery. They refuse to succumb and persist in sharing their harrowing experiences with the world, driven not by choice but by dire necessity. They defiantly choose to speak out, courageously resisting the onslaught of propaganda, and wielding their voices and stories even as they stand besieged by some of the world's most formidable armies. They resist the crushing weight of dehumanization, opposing the televised genocide they endure, while relying on us all to amplify their impassioned pleas for a lasting ceasefire.
We have an obligation to reject the normalization of violence against Palestinian children. We adamantly refuse to let their suffering be diminished or ignored. We stand against falsehoods and recognize them not as isolated incidents but as part of a deeply ingrained systemic pattern of injustice.
Human Rights Watch's report exposes the Israeli government's reprehensible tactic of using starvation as a weapon of war in the Gaza Strip—an egregious violation of international law. Israeli officials brazenly declare their intent to deprive Gaza's civilians of basic necessities like food, water, and fuel, a stance unmistakably reflected in the ruthless military operations conducted by Israeli forces. The recent assault on UNRWA, a critical lifeline for Palestinian refugees, is deeply alarming, especially considering the pervasive misinformation and violence targeting Palestinian civilians. Israeli authorities accuse several UNRWA employees of involvement in attacks on Israel, yet these claims lack substantiated evidence. UNRWA's indispensable aid reaches 1.4 million displaced Palestinians in Gaza, providing vital support for their survival amidst dire conditions. Israel's unfounded accusations have prompted donor countries to halt funding, jeopardizing essential aid for millions in Gaza while in the middle of an ongoing Genocide. Moreover, the media's failure to scrutinize Israel's baseless allegations further exacerbates the injustice. This assault on UNRWA appears to be a calculated attempt to divert attention from the uncomfortable truths revealed by the ICJ ruling, part of a broader strategy to manipulate the Western media narrative and undermine accountability for Israeli actions in Gaza.
In the aftermath of the ICJ ruling on Israel’s actions in Gaza, a chilling exchange unfolded involving Congressman Brian Mast, laying bare his callous disregard for Palestinian children’s lives. Mast's remarks exhibited a shocking indifference to the suffering of innocent children in Gaza, emblematic of a broader pattern of political support for the ongoing violence against civilians, despite global outcry. Throughout the discourse, Mast adamantly advocates for extreme measures, displaying a disturbing lack of concern for civilian casualties or humanitarian crises. This brazen indifference underscores a troubling reality of global politics—a disregard for human suffering that demands urgent accountability.
In the wake of such interactions, it becomes evident that political rhetoric frequently strays far from moral responsibility. The failure to honor campaign promises and the normalization of violence highlights a distressing shift in global ethics. As Chris Hedges aptly points out, our moral compass has been severely distorted, with opposition to genocide often mislabeled as support for it. This inversion of values raises profound existential questions about the trajectory of our world. Will it be governed by principles of justice and accountability, or will the insidious forces of propaganda and power continue to dictate outcomes?
Nelson Mandela's timeless wisdom reminds us that the responsibility for shaping a better world ultimately rests in our hands. Despite the formidable challenges we face, we must stand resolute in our pursuit of justice and tirelessly endeavor to amplify the voices of those silenced by oppression.
It's imperative to recognize that the power to effect change is not confined to those in positions of authority. Each and every one of us bears a moral obligation to choose compassion over callousness, to vehemently oppose the genocide of innocent civilians and children. We must vocally condemn bigotry and racism, take tangible steps, engage with our elected representatives, educate ourselves and others, and ardently advocate for the protection of vulnerable children. Are we truly committed to forging a safe and peaceful future for all children, without exception.
At Fields of Peace, we strongly uphold our promise to never accept the devaluation of any child's life or suffering. We promise to never contribute to the harm or killing of any child, regardless of the perceived justification. Our mission is clear: to be the power of peace for all children.
Now, more than ever, as Palestinian children endure and witness genocide, action, not mere rhetoric, is imperative. It's time to discard falsehoods, amplify their voices, uplift their hope, and harness our collective power for to bring lasting peace for our children.
Ceasefire for the children,
Reem Ghunaim
Executive Director
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