October 7, 2023 – October 7, 2024: A Year of Systematic Destruction, A Lifetime of Resilience
Today, we mark the one-year anniversary of the devastating Israeli military assault on Gaza with both sorrow and outrage. We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people, honoring the memories of the innocent lives lost and reiterating our unwavering condemnation of the ongoing genocide.
Unrelenting Violence
For 76 years, Israel’s occupation has perpetuated systemic violence, displacement, acts of ethnic cleansing and human rights abuses against Palestinians. The past year has witnessed unparalleled destruction and suffering caused by Israel, and supported by a number of countries that have taken the political decision to colonize Palestine. This is not just another conflict—it is a genocide. Gaza is the first genocide of the digital age, unfolding live across screens around the world, and videos detailing horrific scenes and crimes have appeared online, posted by Israeli soldiers who are proud to exhibit their exploits in Gaza. So far, over 42,000 Palestinians have been killed, with thousands more still trapped under the rubbles, 70% of all killed being women and children. More than 100,000 have been injured, many with lifelong disabilities. There is unprecedented destruction of homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, and indiscriminate airstrikes, shelling, sniper attacks, inhumane blockade, exacerbating humanitarian crises.
International Law Violations
The International Court of Justice, ICJ, has reaffirmed its provisional decisions on South Africa’s case that Israel’s actions constitute grave breaches of international law, including:
– War crimes
– Crimes against humanity
– Collective punishment
– Disproportionate use of force
Additionally, prosecutor at the International Criminal Court, ICC, has announced plans to investigate alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israeli officials, and issued arrest warrants. Despite international safeguards and laws, Israel continues to bulldoze through the legal and moral boundaries that should protect innocent lives. Homes, entire neighborhoods, places of worship and historical landmarks have been leveled—not because they harbored combatants, but because of Israel’s impunity and the supports it gets from its backers.
Complicity and Silence
The international community’s inadequate response and failure to hold Israel accountable have emboldened its impunity. The United States and other allies of Israel can no longer shield these atrocities under the guise of “self-defense.” The destruction in Gaza is not defense—it is a deadly war on the Palestinians to colonize them. It is annihilation. And it is genocide. We call on the international community to wake up to the reality that Gaza has become a graveyard of global conscience.
We condemn:
– Governments and institutions prioritizing politics and over human lives
– Mainstream media’s biased reporting and lack of context
– Inaction in the face of humanitarian catastrophes
*Resilience and Resistance
Despite unrelenting suffering, Palestinians persevere, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination. We salute:
– Gaza’s courage and resilience
– Palestinian activists, aid workers, journalists, campaigners and human rights defenders
– Global solidarity movements and advocates for justice
Demands for Justice
We urge:
– Immediate cessation of Israeli aggression
– Unconditional lifting of the Gaza blockade
– End the arms trade and military aids to Israel
– International investigation into war crimes
– Accountability for perpetrators
– Recognition of Palestinian statehood and rights
Collective Responsibility
As global citizens, we bear responsibility for:
– Amplifying Palestinian voices
– Advocating for justice and equality
– Supporting humanitarian efforts
– Boycotting, Divesting from, and Sanctioning (BDS) Israel until it complies with international law
For every demolished home, for every displaced family, for every child who never got to see another sunrise, we demand justice. Those who engaged in slavery and colonization for hundreds of years, based on the notion of racial hierarchy or supremacy, and those acting out the guilt of the horrific crime of the Holocaust, which the Palestinians are not responsible for, cannot determine who lives and who dies in Palestine, who lives in freedom and who is colonized.
Remember, Resist, and Act
As we commemorate this somber anniversary, we pledge to:
– Remember the victims and honor their memories
– Support the legitimate rights of the Palestinians to resist Israeli apartheid and oppression
– Act in solidarity with the Palestinian people
MPAC calls on every individual, every government, and every institution with a conscience to stand up for Gaza. The survivors of this atrocity deserve more than our sympathy—they deserve action. They deserve justice. And most of all, they deserve to live.
Together, we demand justice, equality, and freedom for Palestine.
*Disu Kamor
Executive Chairman
Muslim Public Affairs Centre
www.mpac-ng.org
