Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

4-minute read
24 December 2024 | 13:53 CAT

Palestinian flags raise a call for justice as global pressure mounts on the international community to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis and genocide against Palestinians under Israeli occupation.

Palestinian Christian leader Amira Hanania painted a grim picture of systematic oppression and land dispossession during a recent interview with Radio Islam International. Hanania, Ambassador and General Manager of the Higher Presidential Committee of Church Affairs in Palestine highlighted the shared plight of Christians and Muslims under Israeli occupation.

“Our struggle transcends religion; it is a shared fight for survival, dignity, and justice,” Hanania said, detailing the severe restrictions placed on movement, worship, and daily life. Palestinian Christians face significant barriers, including being denied access to Jerusalem during holy periods like Easter without a military permit. Families are often torn apart even when permits are granted due to arbitrary limitations.

Hanania described the infamous separation wall as a blatant mechanism of apartheid and land theft. “The wall is not for security; it is a tool to annex land and isolate communities. Christians and Muslims alike have lost ancestral lands to this expansion,” she asserted. Many Palestinian families in Bethlehem, Bejjala, and surrounding villages have been forced to abandon olive farming, a cultural and economic lifeline, as their lands are confiscated and their livelihoods destroyed.

Turning her attention to Gaza, Hanania’s words were stark: “The situation there is nothing short of genocide.” She detailed the catastrophic impact of Israeli airstrikes and blockades, including the systematic targeting of hospitals, schools, and residential areas. “Innocent children are being killed in staggering numbers. Families are wiped out, and entire neighborhoods are turned to rubble,” she said, calling it a deliberate attempt to exterminate the Palestinian people.

Hanania also highlighted the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The blockade has cut off essential supplies, including food, medicine, and clean water, leaving millions on the brink of survival. Hospitals are overwhelmed and lack critical resources to treat the injured. “These are crimes against humanity, yet the world remains silent,” Hanania lamented.

The Holy Christian Council (HCC) has joined in condemning these actions, calling on the European Union (EU) to take immediate and decisive measures against the Israeli government for its violations of international law. The council has demanded that the EU impose sanctions and suspend diplomatic ties until tangible steps are taken to end the atrocities.

In her closing plea, Hanania urged the global community to act decisively. “Do not look away. Come and see the truth for yourselves. Protest, boycott, and hold Israel accountable for its atrocities. Justice must prevail.”

As the Palestinian people endure what many are calling a slow genocide, solidarity and international advocacy remain crucial to ending the ongoing oppression and ensuring their right to freedom and dignity.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round Up with Muallimah Annisa Essack and Palestinian Christian leader Amira Hanania here.