Massacres, Freedom, Bigotry, and Loss

I had just sat down to try and collect my thoughts after a month-long return visit to Palestine when I heard the news of the rescue of four Israeli hostages and the attending Nuseirat massacre.

Of course, one understands the joy in Israel at the rescue of the four hostages. Being civilian noncombatants, they should never have been captured in the first place. From the very beginning, all of us at FOSNA have asserted that the civilian hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally, not traded for anyone or anything, (just as we declared that humanitarian aid should never be blocked or used as a bargaining chip).

But, what really struck me about the incident was how, in Israel, the joyous celebrations made no mention at all of the heavy cost to Palestinians—of 274 dead and over 700 wounded, mostly women and children and certainly noncombatants. Most casualties, apparently, were not even related to the rescue operation itself but were killed and wounded at some distance away as part of a diversionary tactic intended to distract from the actual rescue operation itself. That such callous disregard for Palestinian lives was not even mentioned in the Israeli media, but in fact was even viewed favorably, as an added bonus to the operation, is truly sickening.

Such extreme levels of bigotry, racism, and total dehumanization of Palestinians is also shared by the US media, which only mentioned Palestinian casualties in passing while simultaneously casting doubt on the accuracy of the Palestinian figures as they chose to concentrate instead on the joyous celebration and the end of the ordeal of the Israeli hostages.

The one bright spot in this overall tragic equation was that all four hostages at least appeared physically healthy and properly treated. One even stated that his captors had provided him with a birthday cake on his birthday. (Palestinians cannot avoid being hospitable, even to their captives.) This admission regarding their treatment was in such marked contrast to stated expectations that Israelis seemed to be legitimately disappointed that there had been no rape or sexual abuse. Commentators even grumbled about the possibility of “Stockholm syndrome,” when prisoners come to admire and adopt the point of view of their captors.

This image is also in marked contrast to the treatment of Palestinian hostages and prisoners in Israeli jails. As described in reports by human rights organizations and a recent article in the New York Times, these prisoners suffer from deliberate starvation, beatings, repeated humiliations and sexual abuse, particularly for the boys and men. Images of released Palestinian prisoners reveal clear physical evidence of major weight loss, pale skin, signs of beatings and abuse, and they tell horrific stories of their captivity .

We continue to pray for the release of all prisoners, from both sides, and we hope for the humanitarian treatment of all captives, as well as for the return of the bodies of the fallen ones for a decent burial and proper closure for their families. We hope for the success of efforts to achieve a prisoner exchange deal and a permanent ceasefire, even as we are concerned that the ending of the war in Gaza may open the way to a major war in the North or in the West Bank. We know that there are those who desire neither peace nor quiet but who benefit from continued fighting, destruction, and suffering.

Ultimately, we continue to hope, pray, and work for a just peace, beginning with the end of the siege of Gaza and the occupation of Palestinian territories and resulting in a just peace that enables all to live in peace, security, dignity and equality throughout Palestine/Israel. May peace and justice prevail in all of the Holy Land, from the River to the Sea.

P.S. I just learned of the passing of our dear friend and ally Marc Ellis, a truly prophetic voice and liberation theologian. Marc was a true friend and inspiration to Rev. Naim Ateek and all of us, with his genuine desire for justice and his conviction that liberation for Jews and Palestinians alike is organically linked—that neither of us can have true peace or security without justice for both. May his memory be blessed.

The Fierce Urgency of Now: For Palestine, There Is No Time for Apathy

Thursday, June 20th @ 5:00pm PT / 8:00pm ET

With new insights and key takeaways about this historic crisis, FOSNA Executive Director and international Jonathan Kuttab returns from Palestine with an urgent message and call to action.

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