The Price of Silence: The West's Complicity in Israel's Occupation

"Jibril Mohamed Ahmed Discusses the West's Role in Enabling Israel's Occupation and Its Consequences"

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is one of the most enduring and intractable conflicts in the world. The conflict has been ongoing for decades, and the situation on the ground continues to be a source of concern for the international community. Despite this, the West has continued to provide shelter for Israel, which has committed numerous human rights violations against the Palestinian people. This article will explore the West's complicity in Israel's crimes against Palestinians, and its implications for peace and justice in the region.

The West's support for Israel dates back to the early days of the Zionist movement, which sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The British government, which controlled Palestine at the time, issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which declared its support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. This support continued after Israel's establishment in 1948, with the United States becoming one of Israel's strongest allies.

Over the years, Israel has committed numerous human rights violations against the Palestinian people, including the occupation of Palestinian territories, the construction of illegal settlements, the use of excessive force against Palestinian civilians, and the blockade of Gaza. These violations have been widely condemned by the international community, including by numerous human rights organizations.

Despite this, the West has continued to provide support for Israel, including military aid, diplomatic support, and economic cooperation. The United States, in particular, has been a staunch supporter of Israel, providing it with billions of dollars in military aid each year, and using its veto power in the United Nations Security Council to shield Israel from criticism.

This support has enabled Israel to maintain its occupation and commit human rights violations with impunity. The West's complicity in Israel's crimes against Palestinians has undermined the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law that it purports to champion.

One of the most pressing issues is Israel's continued settlement expansion in the West Bank, which is a clear violation of international law. Since 1967, Israel has established over 200 settlements in the West Bank, which are home to over 600,000 Israeli settlers. These settlements are built on land that is recognized as Palestinian under international law, and their expansion has been a major obstacle to peace negotiations.

Furthermore, Israel's apartheid system, which discriminates against Palestinians in various ways, including in access to land, water, and basic services, is a clear violation of international law and human rights. The system is reminiscent of South Africa's apartheid regime, which was widely condemned by the international community.