A Palestinian father, Abdel Aziz Majarmeh, grieves for his 13-year-old son, Islam, who was shot dead by Israeli forces at the entrance to Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. With grief-stricken reflection, he recounts the incident where he stood beside his son, unknowing of the impending tragedy. He had visited the camp, under Israeli control since January, to retrieve family documents from their home. Expressing his sense of powerlessness as a Palestinian and torment as a father, he wonders why Israeli soldiers targeted a child.
Majarmeh claims there is no authority for him to report to, emphasizing the pervasive control of Israeli forces and the limitations of the Palestinian Authority. Despite this desolation, he retains hopeful resistance, beseeching the soldiers with rhetorical questions about the justification for shooting children, offering himself as a target instead.
Simultaneously, European nations like the UK and France are on the brink of recognizing a Palestinian state. This political gesture comes as Israeli control spreads across the West Bank and the ongoing Gaza war intensifies. The Oslo Accords, designed to foster peace and designate areas for eventual Palestinian statehood through negotiations, have been undermined by sustained Israeli control and the proliferation of settlements. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denies the possibility of a Palestinian state, instead vowing to preserve Israeli heritage and security, with plans to expand settlements further.
Their move towards recognition challenges not only Israel’s narrative but also highlights the chasm between Israel and its European allies. The situation on the ground reflects a Wild West-like scenario where Israeli sovereignty is determined by actions rather than laws or international agreements. Despite the bleakness of the situation, Palestinians like Majarmeh hold onto the belief in liberation and the ultimate departure of Israeli forces, seeing international recognition as a vital step towards sovereignty.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ez9qxzl2jo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
