The escalating humanitarian situation in Palestine

I don’t often post articles on here, or social media in general, but somewhat unintentionally I have accumulated several thousand connections on this platform (LinkedIn). 

I would like to raise awareness of the escalating humanitarian situation in Palestine. Ordinary people are being killed and denied their basic human rights by an illegal and brutally oppressive occupying regime. As a result of camera phones and the internet, the world is able to witness this first hand, somewhat diluting the continuous bias in so-called reputable western news agencies.  

As a Muslim, the pain runs deep. The Al-Aqsa mosque is the third holiest site in the world for all two billion Muslims. The fact that people are being indiscriminately attacked whilst simply offering prayers is sickening, as the world watches in silence. Those of all faiths should have the freedom to practice their religion safely and without threat, and it is the duty of all decent people to propagate this. 

I received news today our office in Gaza had been destroyed by an Israeli airstrike. It is in the same building as the Associated Press and Al Jazeera (see the image attached). I am not yet sure if all our employees are safe, but this is yet further indictment of a regime that has no regard for the sovereignty of international institutions. 

I would encourage all of you impacted by this situation to continue to keep making “noise” in a lawful and factual way - no matter how insignificant you may think it might be, and no matter where you are in the world. The weight of public opinion plays an important role in foreign policy - the greater the collective noise, the greater the chances of positively influencing the situation and potentially saving lives. 

I am also hopeful that those affected on the ground are somewhat heartened by messages of solidarity and support from the global community, in what are increasingly desperate and unsettling times. 

Please note that the views expressed in this article represent my personal opinions.