What it looks like when social cohesion breaks down
Recently there has been a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment amid worries of a new strain of Covid-19 variant from India. Singaporeans have been on edge about this news — from activist Gilbert Goh’s ‘protest’ to targeted harassment in public — not surprisingly, as it affects the health and state of our beloved country.
But aren’t we all just a bunch of hypocrites?
We go up in arms when we see our jobs and livelihoods threatened by foreigners who come to our country only to find a better life for their family. Yet, in our privilege and comfort, we turn a blind eye to the number of deaths and destruction happening on the other side of the world.
Yes, I’m talking about Palestine.
Before you close this page, I want you to understand that what I’m about to write is not about nationality, race or religion. It’s not about Jews versus Muslims. It’s not about Israel versus Palestine.
It’s about human rights and humanity.
What’s happening in Palestine?
This week of violence is the worst between the two sides in decades. It is the culmination of tensions over a court case to remove Palestinian families living in contested East Jerusalem.
As of 17 May, at least 200 people, including 59 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Israeli military launched intense raids a week ago. More than 1,300 Palestinians were also wounded.
The strikes came after Hamas fired rockets towards Israel that killed at least 12 Israelis when Israel failed to respond to a request by Hamas to withdraw its soldiers from Al-Aqsa Mosque and Sheikh Jarrah.
Israeli police had stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque during the holy month of Ramadan with police using water cannon, rubber bullets and tear gas against crowds of Palestinians, some throwing stones.
Why does it affect me?
Under the safety of our roofs, we’ve watched movies such as Hotel Rwanda, The Pianist, and Schindler’s List, films about genocide and apartheid, and questioned how it could have happened.
Today, we see hundreds of Palestinians, including women and children, wounded or killed in their own country while we sit in our renovated HDB homes (equipped with bomb shelters) in silence.
What would you do if foreigners barged into your place of worship and disrupted your prayer?
What would you do if foreigners barged into your home and drove you out?
What would you do if these things happened, yet you had no power against them because they all carried weapons?
What would you do?
As humans on this shared earth, we need to get something clear.
Apartheid is wrong. Stealing property is wrong. Ethnic cleansing is wrong. Separating families is wrong. Killing children or making them orphans is wrong. Violence due to faith, gender, race, social status, age, body shape or skin colour is wrong.
If we can be ‘woke’ about minority rights in Singapore, Pink Dot SG, Black Lives Matter, Time’s Up Movement and migrant workers’ rights, how come we cannot be more vocal about #FreePalestine?
What are we so afraid of? That we may get our facts wrong? Yes, Hamas is also to blame for escalating tensions between the two sides. But you cannot cover up the amount of destruction Israel has inflicted on innocent civilians with its most technologically advanced military weapons.
What can I do to help Palestine?
I do not deny that we have our worries here in Singapore, what with Covid-19 community cases rising and Singaporeans not wearing masks. But compared to Palestinians, we are lucky to have a strong government that often urges Singaporeans to strengthen social cohesion amidst adversity.
In fact, because of how blessed we are, we can actually be greater for humanity and call for the end of Israel’s military occupation in Palestine.
After the Israel army destroyed Gaza tower, which housed independent media The Associated Press (AP) and Al Jazeera offices, our voices on social media are needed now more than ever to report on the gravity of the situation. Videos of deaths and injuries to Israelis, Palestinians or anyone in the world are never easy to swallow. But now is when our likes, shares and reposts can pressure the Israeli government to cease the war and propaganda against Palestinians.
Educating yourself is also important. If you have limited knowledge about the history of Israel and Palestine, I urge you to read it up from various unbiased sources.
You can also donate to these emergency funds below that will go towards medical and other critical needs in Palestine:
- SGQURBAN (Currently closed for implementation)
- dUCk x Viva Palestina Malaysia
- Infak Palestin
Nelson Mandela, an icon of democracy and social justice, said in a 1997 speech on the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People:
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.”
The Israeli Occupation of Palestine started in 1948 and have gone on for over 70 years. It’s a scary picture to imagine if Singapore were still held hostage by the 1942 Japanese Occupation till this very day. How different a country we will be. As Singaporeans, we should count ourselves lucky to be a cosmopolitan city where, before Covid-19, everyone and anyone can enter and leave the land of their own free will without prejudice. Shouldn’t Palestinians also have that basic right?
I wish the Palestinian people peace and resolve. May we find humanity in our hearts and treat people of all colours, races and religions as equals.
#FreePalestine #SaveGaza #SheikhJarrah
