jfid – It has been one year since the genocide in Palestine began on October 7, 2023, yet its impact is still strongly felt worldwide.
This conflict is not just about numbers; however, more than 41,800 Palestinian civilians have been killed, mostly women and children, with tens of thousands more injured.
More fundamentally, it raises questions about how the humanitarian aspect of this tragedy is viewed by the world and how human rights have been suppressed by one of the world’s most powerful military forces.
From the start, this genocide has provoked widespread condemnation from around the world and various international institutions.
The UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, for instance, have issued several resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.
However, these calls appear to be in vain, as Israeli aggression has instead spread to other regions, such as Lebanon and even Iran.
In Indonesia, solidarity with Palestine remains just as strong. The Indonesian government and people have consistently condemned these brutal acts in all international institutions, while also showing support for Palestine in various international forums.
The Indonesian Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, explicitly condemned Israel for its false claims of wanting peace, while airstrikes continued—including unprecedented ones in Beirut.
Root Cause: Colonialism and Human Rights Violations
To understand why the situation continues to escalate, we need to look further back. The conflict between Israel and Palestine has been ongoing for over 76 years, starting with the large-scale displacement of Palestinians from their homeland.
The Gaza Strip has become a symbol of Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation. The genocide that began in October 2023 is merely a continuation of a conflict that has never truly ended.
History Repeats Itself
The Palestinian people have always been oppressed, their rights violated. In the return (migration in 2023), Hamas suddenly attacked Israeli territory.
Although Israel claimed this attack was retaliatory, it was, in reality, too large and brutal to be called merely a defensive action.
On the other hand, Israel has long been a dominant force in the region, partly due to support from several major countries.
However, global support for Israel has generally been diminishing as more people become aware of its human rights violations.
Some countries have called for justice for Palestine while urging that Israel be held accountable for its genocide.
Global Actions and Our Role
The one-year mark of this genocide has also served as a lesson for many countries and international organizations. Support for Palestine is growing stronger not just among Islamic nations but also within different segments of other countries that value justice and human rights.
China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, described the Palestinian issue as a deep wound in the conscience of humanity, a warning to the entire world.
In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, Iceland’s Foreign Minister, Thordis Gylfadottir, declared that ‘no country should be above international law,’ including Israel.
An increasing number of humanitarian organizations based in Europe and Latin America, as well as many country delegations, have called for a boycott of Israeli products and an end to the violence against the Palestinian people.
In Indonesia, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has declared a boycott of Israeli products and those affiliated with them as a form of solidarity.
Bitter Memories
This year has been an extremely difficult time for the Palestinian people, especially in Gaza. Many have lost family members, their homes have been destroyed, and their lives shattered by an ongoing war.
Mothers have lost their children, fathers have seen their homes demolished. The trauma caused by the Israeli military strikes is hard to erase, especially for children who are being raised in a world of war.
More than 1.2 million people have been forced to live in overcrowded tents, without access to clean water or electricity, which they desperately need. This situation has worsened under the Israeli blockade, making it difficult for humanitarian aid to enter.
Gaza, once known for being one of the world’s most densely populated areas, has now turned into a war zone where ordinary citizens are the main victims.
However, the spirit of resistance in Palestine remains very strong. They refuse to give up on their dream of living in their own free land, despite the occupation and violence.
This resilience is beginning to resonate with the world, as all Palestinians, without exception, continue to fight tirelessly for their rights, even in the direst circumstances.
What Should We Do?
As members of a global community that cares about humanity, we can contribute in various ways. One of the simplest ways is to spread awareness about the situation in Palestine.
The media often portrays the conflict in a biased manner, so we must actively seek accurate information and share it with others.
Boycotting Israeli products is another form of solidarity. Although small, it can still have an impact. International movements have increasingly called for decisive action against Israel.
And we must continue to encourage our government to speak out on international platforms and take steps to support Palestine.
One year since the genocide, Palestine remains in darkness. But with growing international solidarity, there is hope that someday they will achieve complete freedom.
Let us remain steadfast in supporting justice and a better future for humanity.
