Eyes on Ukraine While Gaza Suffers

This week, global attention seems to be focused on the conflict in Ukraine, overshadowing the crisis in Gaza as Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet in Alaska for peace talks. Yet, the situation in Gaza cannot be ignored.

The world is eager to see a resolution to the Central European conflict, but amidst this, Gazans are facing starvation and injuries due to Israeli airstrikes. Many appear indifferent to the pain there, reminiscent of the world’s apathy during the Nazi atrocities against Jews in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.

According to the Gaza Health Ministry, since Hamas began its attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023, the death toll for Palestinians has surged. Estimates suggest that over 60,000 have died, with a staggering 80% being civilians. Reports indicate that food supplies are critically low, and starvation is reaching alarming levels. Parents can do nothing but watch their children suffer, a slow, heartbreaking demise. It’s simply unbearable.

Israel insists that its military operations aim to reduce civilian casualties. If this claim holds, it raises concerns about the effectiveness of their strategy. The nation has already targeted Hamas leadership and made numerous casualties among fighters. The ongoing attacks seem akin to using a sledgehammer to swat a mosquito. The situation is so dire that even some conservative voices, like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, have begun to express dissatisfaction with Israeli policies.

Support for Palestinians has deep roots in Ireland, my ancestral homeland, which was the first EU country to back Palestinian statehood. The Irish have a historical connection to suffering from starvation, and they resonate with the plight of those in Gaza.

The Great Famine in the 1840s was a product of deliberate state actions that led to hunger. My ancestors immigrated to America in response to the policies that prioritized British interests over the welfare of the Irish. Despite the abundance of food in Ireland, it was largely exported, leaving the population to starve. The resulting devastation took about a million lives and pushed many others to flee their homeland.

In an even more troubling scenario, Israel appears poised to escalate its attacks in Gaza City, aiming to transform it into a military enclave while displacing its residents. Unlike the Irish diaspora, who found new beginnings, there is little space for Gazans to re-establish their lives. The current political climate in the U.S. further complicates opportunities for Arabs seeking refuge, with anti-immigrant sentiments on the rise, even among nations that historically supported Palestinian rights.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s severe policies only exacerbate the issues, creating an environment of long-term suffering rather than short-term military advantages.

Israel’s actions risk fostering a new generation of violence, spawning animosity that could result in future conflicts. Clearing Gaza to potentially develop luxurious coastal resorts might initially seem advantageous, but these areas will likely become targets for those displaced by current hostilities.

Israel is a small nation that relies on international allies for its survival. However, its approach has alienated Europeans and Americans who once stood by its side.

During Trump’s presidency, he distanced himself from Netanyahu, who downplayed the famine in Gaza. Yet, Trump has not taken concrete steps to address the hunger crisis. As Napoleon once noted, armies march on their stomachs; similarly, those compelled to violence often do so out of desperation.

Trump’s former national security adviser, John Bolton, suggests that the former president may yearn for the Nobel Peace Prize. If he truly desires to leave a positive legacy, he could send assistance to Gaza and pressure Hamas to release Israeli hostages. Such actions might shift the public perception of him considerably.

If Trump really wants to put an end to the senseless loss of civilian lives and alleviate hunger, he must reconsider his stance on Netanyahu. The opportunity for change is now in Trump’s hands.