Starting with this post, we will be taking a brief intermission on romance as a discussion topic on the blog. There are plenty things to discuss in current times, but it seems nothing would be as worth talking about as much as the current war in the Middle East. In this post, we will be discussing the Israel-Gaza war and the role that countries around the world have played in the current escalation in the region.
It is no secret that this is the result of decades of turmoil–but we won't be discussing the sins of the past that let us here, rather we will be talking about the conflict as it relates to this day and age. For brief context, a week ago from the time I'm writing this, Hamas launched an attack from Gaza to Israel, after some time of relative silence. In retaliation, Israel, along with the full force of its allies is actively attacking back in all ways–leaving destruction in Gaza and causing widespread panic. This is currently where we are. For the past few days, Israel has collectively punished Palestinians by cutting the internet, electricity, and blocking water, food, and aid from entering the strip.
However, again, this is not a blog post about the two contending powers. To start, there is something to be said about the foreign powers' vested interest in the war. The United States has always been an ally of Israel, with the US, along with other countries, providing military aid. With Israel's control over Palestine, none of the aid has seen the foreign power–Palestinians effectively being cut off from the leading global powers. Where does this aid come from, and why does it seem like the countries that have had a less than desirable history in the Middle East continue to promote its discordant relationship?
It really should not come as a shock that the United States, infamous for its war on Iraq has a vested interest in keeping Israel in power–primarily of which seems to come from economic viability, but also as a general point it has always supported the formation of a Jewish state, even if this comes with the occupation of a territory. The US has settled in a territory for less, so this is no surprise coming from the country built on colonialism. A similar principle applies to the United Kingdom, of which is the province that gifted Israelis the land in the first place. It seems here, that we have a deadly case of irony–and one that results in the deaths of thousands of civilians.
Unfortunately, there is no resolution to this situation. Until the world sees the war for what it is instead of listening to a colonial territory justify the forceful removal of a people from their land, the injustice will continue. History has taught us many things, but its biggest lesson is in how it continues to show its face throughout time. This is what happens when we do not learn from the sins of our past, and continue to let injustice occur.
The Israel Palestine conflict is very interesting because of the power dynamics at play. While this is a geographic issue where land is being stripped from an indigenous group of people, it is also important to note that colonialism is never just about land. Your mention of resources was dead on as extracting resources and gaining land that the US can own, through its ally Israel, in the Middle East allows the US to establish dominance throughout the world. While it seems as if we are repeating history, it's unfortunate that we have not learned from our past mistakes. While so many people have spoken up, there is not much regular people can do, so I am worried for the…