Today, Netanyahu is addressing the United Nations General Assembly in New York — the same place dozens of protesters for Palestine were arrested earlier this week. Many of us are left wondering: When will we live in a world where the war criminals responsible for genocide are arrested and held accountable instead of those who stand against it?

Terrorizing Lebanon

This week, like many of you, I held my breath as I watched the number of martyrs in Lebanon rise as a result of Israel’s brutal attack. More than 700 Lebanese people — all universes of their own — were wiped out as if they meant nothing. But they mean something to me. In fact, they are everything to me. They are my family. They look like me, and their families share the same stories of oppression at the hands of Israel as mine does.

One of the young girls that was martyred, Fatima Ibrahim Qassem, looked almost exactly like my younger sister. I like to think the people of Lebanon are Palestinian, and vice versa, because we keep each other's spirits alive through our struggle for liberation. I live for them and fight for them as if they are my own family, and I know thousands — if not millions — of people across the globe do the same.

Dahiya Doctrine

Israel’s brutality and escalation in Lebanon follows the “Dahiya Doctrine,” and represents its goal of a broader regional war. During Netanyahu’s speech at the UNGA in September of last year, he presented a map of “Greater Israel” which included the West Bank and Gaza — explicitly declaring his plans to expand the Israeli state at the expense of Palestinians. However, no amount of land theft and murder can satiate a settler colonial state such as Israel. Netanyahu’s map, in the context of a year of genocide in Gaza, coupled with Israel’s bombardment of Lebanon, tells us that Israel will not stop until it has terrorized the entire Middle East.

Israel's Escalation in Palestine

Israel did not slow down its attacks on Palestine as it bombarded Lebanon. In true democratic fashion the Israeli military raided the Al Jazeera office in the occupied West Bank and brought with them a court ruling that shut them down for 45 days, subject to extension. It is undeniable that the Israeli government is targeting Al Jazeera for providing around the clock coverage of Israel’s genocide campaign in Gaza. Israel has targeted and murdered 173 journalists since October 2023, including Al Jazeera staff.

While this news was breaking, ProPublica published findings that the Biden Administration knew that Israel was blocking humanitarian aid into Gaza, and Secretary of State Blinken still went in front of Congress and claimed otherwise. He did this to ensure American weapons would continue going to Israel – following the tradition of warmongers in the United States to constantly lie to the people so they can support wars. We are calling for his resignation, and you can too. 

If you feel like you are going crazy for recognizing the true scale and brutality of Israel's violence and questioning why it's backed by the U.S., know that this is a natural response when living in an imperialist society like the U.S., where war is normalized and incentivized. You’re not crazy; you’re seeing the hypocrisy clearly. Embrace this understanding as a badge of honor, and let it fuel your commitment to justice. Radical love and unwavering support for oppressed people, even in the face of repression, is a form of resistance that can never be squashed.

Rest in Power, Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams

I could not possibly write to you all without mentioning Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams, a man who was executed on September 24 after spending 24 years in Missouri prison, despite evidence of his innocence. Khaliifah was a father and imam, and, like many incarcerated people, he understood the connection between his own oppression and the oppression the people of Gaza face. Scroll down to read a poem Khaliifah wrote for the children of Gaza. 

👉 In case you missed it:

• One year of genocide & resistance: Join actions
• Read Grace's reflections on Khaliifah's execution and the abandonment of true feminist values
• Stop the $20 Billion Weapons Sale to Israel!
• Join Missing Peace Monday Community Call on October 14
• Unmask politicians bought by Zionism
• Sign up to organize and engage locally
• Order our CODEPINK pink keffiyehs from the West Bank

Until Liberation,
Nour and the entire CODEPINK team