West needs to stop hypocrisy over Palestine

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Roughly one quarter of the world’s population, or about two billion people, practise the Muslim faith. April 10 ended the holy month of Ramadan when devotees fast from dawn until dusk, as well as participate in prayers, reflection and community events. The terrible situation in the Gaza Strip has meant that the Muslim population there have been fasting for longer than usual, simply because there is no food to eat. This is because of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) blocking shipments of food, water, medications, fuel, and just about every other necessity of life, causing many in Gaza to be on the brink of starvation. According to the BBC, at least 33,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the IDF invaded following the horrendous attack on Israeli civilians by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. At that time, the IDF was quoted as saying there were 30,000 Hamas fighters in Gaza, of whom they recently claimed to have killed 13,000, although only 113 of them are named. About three-quarters of the fatalities, or about 25,000, are Palestinian women and children, and there is no account for how many bodies lie under the rubble, or those suffering injuries. Close to 60 per cent of Gaza’s buildings are destroyed or severely damaged, with the majority of roads and infrastructure destroyed, and 1.7 million Palestinians internally displaced Many attempts at peace talks resulted in one brief ceasefire during which 109 hostages were freed and the bodies of 12 more were recovered, including three who were shot while surrendering to the IDF, who claim that at least 34 of the remaining 129 are deceased.

These are a few of many grim figures accumulated during this current war and it paints a stark picture when all shown together. The Israeli government is determined to keep its promise to put an end to Hamas in Gaza, once and for all. Many countries offered staunch support for Israel six months ago, but are now wavering as the IDF declaration to adhere to international rules of war by not targeting civilians has been totally ignored. The recent killing of foreign-aid workers certainly shone a different light on long-standing IDF claims of efficiency and competency.

With the end of Ramadan comes three days of celebrations known as Eid-ul-Fitr, with special prayers, family and community events, exchanging gifts, buying new clothes, etc. But there will be little joy spread among the Muslims in Gaza, of course. Governments in the US and other western countries which backed Israel to the hilt are now trying to convince its leaders to back off, finally calling for a ceasefire and using much sterner rhetoric, but at the same time they are supplying Israel with bombs, tanks, planes and every other kind of weapon.

Influential Muslim countries in the region should be offering far more to ease suffering, and bring an end to this horrendous situation. When it comes down to brass tacks, the leaders from all sides with a stake in what happens to the Palestinians are looking like a bunch of incompetent hypocrites.

BERNIE SMITH

Parksville, BC

Canada