Welcome to Palestine

Hundreds of bodies lay sprawled across the burning streets. Blood lines the sidewalks, decorated by the various trinkets that were once a part of someones existence. Body parts are scattered, like litter. As men walk over the bodies, they help the ones that are closer to life. Those who survived the attacks. I never thought men could cry in such agonizing pain, I thought to myself as a man fell to his knees in blood-curdling screams yelling at the sight of the disaster. Could that be his brother he is standing over? Tears swelled in my eyes as I watched the most beautiful baby girl with a mass of blond curls whimpering as she takes her last breath of air on a makeshift hospital bed. Her little hands clung to her purple coat, limp and helpless. Where is her mother? I thought to myself. I couldn't shake the feeling that the sounds of sirens, wailing, and blasts in the background were the last sounds of life to this little girl. Probably sounds filled her life, as well.

This is genocide. Welcome to Palestine.

December 27, 2008 Israel attacks Gaza, Palestine and kills at least 225 men, women and children and injures 750 others. In one day. Bloodiest day since 1967.

Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the operation to "obliterate Hamas will continue as long as it takes". To "obliterate" Hamas, meaning, destroying every dying thread left in the war grounds known as Palestine. Release 30 missiles and wipe out families, homes, schools, hospitals (or at least what is LEFT of these), to find and demolish Hamas.
When will it stop? The people of Palestine have no where to turn to - literally. The wounded could barely get medical attention.
"We lack everything, we lack medical equipment, we lack anesthesia, we lack bandages, we lack fuel for ambulance vehicles, we lack medicine, everything," cries Muawiyah Hassanein head of Gaza's Ambulance and Emergency Department. U.S.-supplied high technology Israeli weaponry versus poorly-funded, underdeveloped Hamas artillery.

The 100 tons of bombs came mid-morning, when all schools and offices were up and running with children and their working families. Not the typical night attacks that Palestine is used to. Strategic move.
This is genocide.

And the global reaction? Condemnation. A word. A slap on the wrist. Their Arab neighbors watched in shock and horror and "condemned" Israel for such a horrific act. Really, to save the 6-six year old dying girl who is being carried miles down because there are no available or working ambulances, she's going to need a little more than your disapproval, fellow Arabs.

Here are a few of these reactions (obtained from The Saudi Gazette):
"President Abbas demands that the Israeli government stop this aggression immediately to spare our people its painful effects.." Aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas
"Egypt condemns the Israeli military attacks.." Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak
"...Whilst we understand the Israeli government's obligation to protect its population we urge maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties. We also call on militants in the Gaza Strip to immediately cease all rocket attacks on Israel" British foreign office
"...The raids against innocent people are unforgivable and unacceptable" Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman
"We are very concerned at the events in Gaza. We call for an immediate ceasefire.." Spokesman for EU foreign policy chief
"The IDF will continue its operations against terror in accordance with constant status assessments by the IDF Chief of General Staff. This operation will be continued, expanded and intensified as much as required" Israeli Defense Force statement


The Arab community is so afraid of their political future and relations with the West, a simple "bad, bad, Israel" will have to suffice. The West, obviously with very strong Israel ties, did not call for an end to the attacks. They did however call for Hamas to stop their attacks. Never once did they mention the hundreds of civilians lining the streets of the slaugther house of Palestine. "Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop...The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza," in a statement made by White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe.



They have absolutely no one. Arab world, gone. Muslim world, no where to be found. The United Nations? Forget about it. The United States? Yea, right.

This is genocide.

It baffles me how a people could be ignored for so long? They are forced to leave a land that has been their home for centuries. They are protecting their religious site, the third Holy site of Islam - Al Aqsa Mosque. It is the responsibility of the Muslim world to help. Where is the action? Words cannot save.

Their lives are destroyed. With no medical care, little food, and no protection, they are forced to escape into bordering countries, primarily Egypt and Jordan. Once there, they are subject to the ill-mannered treatment of unwanted refugees, again finding it difficult to integrate into society and access public services (i.e. hospitals etc). Living in constant fear and struggle.

Sometimes I believe that this is the fate of the Palestinian people. They've been fighting for thousands of years. In 608 B.C. Palestine was attacked by an Egyptian force under the Pharaoh and in 597 B.C. the city was invested and fell victim to a severe famine. Then another wave of struggle was brought on by the rebellion of King Zedekiah.

This is genocide. And right now, God is their only hope.