Palästina Spricht 🍉

"We suffer from an incurable disease called hope. Hope for liberation and independence. Hope for a normal life in which we will be neither heroes nor victims. These are the words of Mahmoud Darwish, and they speak to the deepest aspirations of our people to live simply and freely on their land, the land of their ancestors. I remember vividly the aftermath of October 7th, 2023, here in the United Nations. I remember the unequivocal condemnations of the attacks carried out by Hamas by the Council members and by many member states, and the immediate calls for the release of all hostages. Israeli hostages. On 11th October, four days later, when Arab ministers met,1100 Palestinians had already been killed. The Arab foreign ministers condemned the killing and targeting of civilians on both sides, rejected acts contrary to international humanitarian law and called for the release of civilians, prisoners and detainees. There was condemnation. There was recognition of suffering. There was empathy for Israeli victims. I also remember what some colleagues, even friends, told me. Israel has to defend itself. Israel will do whatever is necessary. And unfortunately, many innocent Palestinians would have to die, to be killed. I searched my memory. Had anyone ever told us, following a massacre of Palestinians, that we had the right to do whatever is necessary, that Israeli civilian death would be an inevitable and acceptable consequence? Never. Not once before October 7th. Not once since. Not when 10,000 Palestinians were killed. Not when 20,000 were killed. Not when 50,000 were killed. Not when 70,000 Palestinians were killed. If violence is an impasse, as we are often told and we believe it is, how can Israeli militarism and brutal violence be justified while Palestinian pacifism is demanded. One people's right to security would supersede another people's right to life, and the people under occupation would have to subscribe to this supremacist thesis to demonstrate they are willing to make peace."