The War in Gaza is Local
The war in Gaza isn't fought in the streets of American cities. The bombs do not drop daily on our schools, and hospitals, or obliterate our homes and shops. Our neighbors and their children do not die every hour. However, the effect of war is personal and local. How and if our communities and local governments respond matters and possibly more than what distant politicians say. Each of us needs to hear, "I am not alone," and "My neighbors and government care about me."
People in my small city, Beacon, NY, and in others across the country are affected deeply by the death and destruction thousands of miles away.
First, my neighbors–especially Palestinians–have many relatives and friends who have been killed and displaced both recently and over the decades. It is traumatizing. The October 7 Hamas attack inflicted similar pain and sorrow. Attending one funeral a day for the children killed in Palestine would take more than 27 years!
Second, the war has released a terrible wave of antisemitism and Islamophobia. Our neighbors are harassed and intimidated. They need support. That's local.
Third, many of us are searching for support in our anger and outrage that President Biden and Congress continue to provide military aid for Israel's daily murder of tens of thousands of innocent civilians, an overwhelming portion of whom are children. By any measure, this is a violation of international law and deeply immoral. The United States has no leverage over Hamas or its allies, but it can wield financial and diplomatic pressure over Israel. AIPAC is spending millions to influence congressional representatives to support Netanyahu’s war. Localities need to send a different unambiguous message, "Use that leverage now!"
Fourth, our government continues to spend billions on so-called defense while too many Americans remain ill-housed, fed, and clothed. Too many suffer and die for lack of adequate medical care. Our national government seems impervious to American's persistent insecurity while responsive to the demands of a foreign government without any commitment to the democratic rights of its citizens, much less those of Palestinians under occupation.
So, it is entirely in the purview and responsibility of local citizens and our elected government to take a stand for its residents and to influence national policy. This is a moment like others in the annals of terrible crimes to stand for peace, democracy, and human rights. Silence or abstention translate to acceptance.
No lasting peace can be achieved amidst the killing of innocent civilians. That is why localities must make a practical and moral stand. Pass a resolution to demand an immediate permanent ceasefire, an end to US military aid to Israel, and condemnation of antisemitism and Islamophobia.
Arthur taught and led science professional learning and curriculum and assessment development projects for 50 yrs. He writes about education and social justice. He loves spending time with friends and family, hiking, and gardening.
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