| by Jonathan Kuttab Many of us are quite confused, after the announcement of the Trump Plan and the exchange of prisoners/hostages. We genuinely wonder whether the genocide and the extreme horrors of the Gaza situation have truly ended. Is there even a ceasefire in effect, however shaky? This is particularly true in light of its apparent breakdown and the Israeli claims that the war is back on in full force (before announcing once again that it was back in effect). All of us had breathed a sigh of relief at the exchange of prisoners and the announced ceasefire, yet now we must face a new reality that the Trump Plan, even if faithfully executed, may not bring the cessation of violence, access to humanitarian aid, and the opening of borders that it promised. In fact, under Israel’s interpretation of the plan, with US support and approval, it seems to be providing Israel with new opportunities and methods to continue its plans for Gaza and for Palestinians, generally, even though there is now a new reality and perhaps even some positive changes. Moving forward, there appears to be an international component with Arab-Muslim forces, labelled Stabilization Forces, about to enter and maintain order in Gaza. Also, Hamas has announced that it is abandoning, at least for now, its armed resistance, halting any attacks on Israel, and is willing to hand over control of the Gaza strip to others. Also, there seems to be greater US involvement, which could restrain Israeli unfettered discretion. From Israel’s point of view, however, such Arab forces will be required to do its bidding, and it retains the right to move in and bomb at will, whenever it feels it needs to do so. Israel does not seem to be constrained by international law, an agreement between the parties, Palestinian sovereignty, military necessity, and not even the Oslo Accords. Furthermore, the previous Israeli “international” boundaries are now replaced with a “Yellow line,” keeping 58% of Gaza under temporary/permanent Israeli control, where systematic demolition is continuing with civilian settler companies being hired to continue the demolition and prevent any Palestinian return to that portion of the Gaza Strip. Israel is retaining the right (as it does in Lebanon and Syria) to act militarily, whenever it feels like it, and the US appears to tolerate such action rather than declare it to be a violation of the Plan. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently referred to such bombings and Israeli ground attacks as justified Israeli self defense. Food and humanitarian supplies also continue to be controlled by Israel, which openly uses it to leverage its demands and impose its will on the Palestinian population. The promised surge of unimpeded food supplies, to be administered by international bodies, has not materialized and is now subjected to a new Israeli-controlled regime, claiming sanction under the new agreement. There is no longer any pretense that there isn’t enough food or that trucks are being hijacked by Hamas, but a blatant declaration that Israel will control and determine the amount and forms of humanitarian aid allowed and the parties who can distribute it. The Rafah border has not been opened yet, and the resumption of electricity, fuel, water purification, and infrastructure repairs has not even started. The claim now is not that there exists a military necessity, or need for self defense, but that Hamas is somehow breaching the sacred agreement and that this permits Israel to do whatever it wants. A new element is now also introduced: Israeli armed and directed gangs are operating both in the areas under Israeli control and elsewhere in Gaza. Opposition to them is declared to be a violation of the agreement by Hamas and an excuse to strike Palestinians again. The language in the Trump Plan about Hamas not being a threat to its neighbors “or to its population” is now being used as a basis to authorize continuing Israeli strikes and interference even in the areas from which it has supposedly withdrawn. In the face of this new reality, it is worthwhile to remember the solid basis of our own approach and the criteria by which we evaluate any political solution or arrangement: We reject violence as an instrument of power. As people clamor for disarming Hamas, we also call for disarming Jewish settlers and placing genuine restrictions on the exercise of power and violence by the Israeli army. Access to food, humanitarian assistance, health, clean water and shelter are essential, and should be granted freely and not used as political leverage or a means of punishment. Civilians and noncombatants must be spared the outrages of war and conflict. No excuse can be made for targeting civilians, hospitals, schools, bakeries, and other civilian structures. Peace is a supreme value, but it must be predicated on justice and not simply a cessation of hostilities based on power arrangements. It should include elements of reconciliation, restitution, the release of captives, and a better future for all. Systems built on supremacy, apartheid, and inequality should be challenged and dismantled. Accountability is necessary for those who violate human rights. Ending the genocide cannot be the only aim of our activism. We must hold the perpetrators of the genocide accountable and bring them to justice. Equality is essential, and equal application of rules and laws and values and judgements is mandatory. No principle is worthwhile unless we are willing to apply it to friends and foes alike. We advocate for human dignity, rights, and freedom on behalf of all. This also includes the right of self determination. Finally, freedom of press to access the occupied territories and the conflict areas is necessary to determine the truth and shine the light of publicity to the behaviour of all parties. We recognize that these are huge asks, but we have a vision that is based on justice, and the values of the kingdom of God, which necessarily conflict with the values of power and Empire. |
