A truth bomb in time of war$

 

The Palestinians in Gaza offered an active, robust non-violent campaign.
Did we notice? Did we support them?
Did we march in solidarity?
Did we grieve with them when they lost their children to the resulting violence?

Do we know that most of the drinking water in Gaza is toxic?
That Israel restricts the amount of food that enters Gaza?
That electricity is turned on only hours a day?
That most people cannot leave?
That Israel decides who is sick enough to receive medical care outside Gaza?
That Israeli settlers recently stormed a holy Mosque?

When freedom of movement, access to health care, food, clean drinking water, and theft of land is the constant
when efforts to expose the truth and demand change are met with violence
when children are imprisoned over and over again for being young and able bodied and free thinkers
when your holy shrine, the place you pray in faith for succor and hope, is violated
when you cannot leave the hell imposed upon you,

how can anyone be surprised that some would organize themselves to fight back

I've heard it said: if we cannot control how we live, then we will control how we die....
how desperate must you be to choose the wrath of Israel's (supported by the US's) military might?

it is not ours to sit in judgment of a Palestinian response
we are condemned to live with our own failure to intervene long ago to alleviate the suffering.

Mary Beth Sullivan

Brunswick, Maine