This year sparked questions about events and issues, especially the Israeli occupation of Palestine
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Summary: This year has raised profound questions about the events that unfolded, the issues addressed, and the uncertainties that linger. The events of October 7 highlighted the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, with a tragic loss of Palestinian lives. Israel’s aggressive military actions extend to multiple countries, casting doubts on the U. S. -backed Abraham Accords’ ability to bring justice to Palestinians. Despite the devastation in Gaza, Palestinian resilience against Israeli oppression persists. The Netanyahu administration’s focus on power and regional conflict raises concerns internationally, with some pushback from leaders like French President Macron. Speculation also surrounds Netanyahu’s motivations in influencing U. S. politics.
This year has raised several crucial questions. Why did these events unfold, and how did they transpire? Which issues have been addressed, and which remain unresolved? What are the lingering uncertainties?
The events of October 7 served as a stark reminder to the global community of the ongoing Israeli occupation of Palestine, a severe occupation that violates the basic human rights of Palestinians. In recent years, this situation had faded from global attention, but on that day, the Palestinians paid a heavy price, with over 40,000 people losing their lives, 70% of whom were women and children. This tragedy highlighted the enduring reality that Jerusalem remains under occupation and that an apartheid-like regime exists in Israel, consistently violating international law and norms. Israel has become a state that disregards these laws, posing a threat not only to Palestinians but to regional stability and global peace.
Israel’s military actions are not confined to Palestine; they have extended attacks to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Yemen, demonstrating a pattern of regional aggression. The events following October 7 also revealed that the U.S.-backed Abraham Accords, intended to normalize relations between Israel and regional powers, failed to address the core issue—justice for Palestinians. Peace agreements should have been conditional upon a fair resolution in Palestine, but this was overlooked. Consequently, October 7 shattered these normalization efforts and brought the Palestinian issue back into the global spotlight.
Despite the high cost for Palestinians, including the devastation in Gaza, where entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, Israel has failed to break the Palestinian spirit of resistance. There is no military balance in this conflict; Palestinian groups like Hamas operate with limited resources, while Israel benefits from substantial economic, military, and diplomatic support. Yet, the Palestinian will to resist persists, demonstrating that the struggle is not solely about military power but about an idea. As even some Israeli officials have acknowledged, ideologies cannot be eradicated through force alone.
The Netanyahu administration, however, appears to have a different agenda. Far from seeking peace, it is more focused on maintaining its hold on power and potentially expanding the conflict regionally to force American intervention, particularly in relation to Iran. While this approach has had a severe impact on Israel’s economy and security, it seems Netanyahu’s primary concern is self-preservation, rather than the well-being of Israeli citizens.
Internationally, we are starting to see some pushback. French President Macron has raised concerns following Israeli actions in Lebanon, a country with historic ties to France. Similarly, American media has begun reporting on the Netanyahu administration’s reluctance to negotiate for the release of hostages, raising questions about its true objectives. There is also speculation that Netanyahu’s actions are aligned with efforts to influence U.S. domestic politics, particularly in favor of Donald Trump in the upcoming elections. However, President Biden has limited options to counter these developments, though the critical reporting on Netanyahu is growing.
