Although a ceasefire has taken place between Israeli and Palestinian forces, the damage has already been done. Over 230 people have been killed, thousands have been injured and over 50,000 Palestinians have been displaced due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

The recent surge of violence resulted after Palestinians were forcefully removed from their Jerusalem homes in a neighborhood known as Sheikh Jarrah. Hundreds of Palestinians are facing eviction in Sheik Jarrah due to the influx of Israeli settlers.

In attempts to protect their homes by praying, Palestinians were attacked by Israel forces at Al-Aqsa Mosque. Over 200 Palestinians were injured due to Israeli forces using tear gas, rubber-coated bullets and stun grenades inside of the Mosque.

The violence didn’t end there.

Israeli forces launched airstrikes and missiles towards residential homes with families trapped inside.
Hamas, a Palestinian militant group also launched airstrikes towards Israelis, resulting in the death of many Israeli civilians.

Information regarding the crisis quickly spread on social media resulting in political leaders such as Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders to call out for peace.

Many were critical of the Biden Administration’s approval of a $735 million weapons sale to Israel.

The United States has been an ally to Israel for a very long time, and the United States has stood in support for Israel numerous times despite trying to negotiate peace between Israel and Palestine. During the Third Arab-Israeli War, the U.S. backed Israel, and they have also given Israel significant economic assistance and military aid.
Social media users, especially on TikTok, have been cracking down on people who support Israel.

One person that came under serious fire was Andrew Yang, who tweeted about his support for Israel and condemned the Palestinian government.

“I’m standing with the people of Israel who are coming under bombardment attacks, and condemn the Hamas terrorists,” Yang tweeted.

“The people of NYC will always stand with our brothers and sisters in Israel who face down terrorism and persevere.”
Reporters asked Yang why he hasn’t addressed the innocent children and civilians that are dying in Palestine and why he hasn’t condemned the Israeli government for the airstrikes they launched on residential homes in Sheikh Jarrah.

To add to the blow, Yang attended an Eid event even though he completely disregarded the deaths of innocents at Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Despite the deaths of many innocent civilians and children in Palestine, many countries have turned the other cheek and have yet to condemn the Israeli government for their terrorist actions.

“This whole thing is really confusing but I do know one thing. More and more Palestinians are becoming refugees and are dying due to this problem,” sophomore Rahiel Berhe said. It is conflicting when you hear and try to understand both sides of the story, but looking at the facts, you’ll be able to see the problem very clearly.”

Regardless of the ceasefire, the situation between Israel and Palestine will not end soon. Palestinians will continue to fight for their righteous land, and Israel will continue to push for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The recent attacks on Palestinians by the Israeli Defense Forces has not deterred countries from supporting Israel. The United Arab Emirates plans to continue its billion-dollar gas deal with Israel.

The actions of these countries shows that the death of innocent people does not matter to them, and it is a sign that the world will ignore yet another genocide.

“It’s so hard to believe that the people of Palestine are suffering and nobody cares to acknowledge it,” junior Firdaws Yahia said. “I will continue to stand with the people of Palestine because they have a right to their land. Yes, people are dying on both ends and it’s terrible, but in this situation Israel is the oppressor and Palestine is the oppressed.”

Israel is a nuclear super power, and Palestine is a country desperate for help. Countries need to stand in support of Palestine in order to end the ethnic cleansing of indigenous peoples that has been going on for decades.