KARACHI: As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, people around the world are split between the two sides, trying to figure out which side of history is the ‘right one’. In the midst of this confusion, an online teach-in organised by Pakistani author Fatima Bhutto, tried to contextualise the current conflict, especially for a Western audience.

A number of students from around the world, who were eager to understand the situation in Palestine and how it reached such critical mass, attended the two-day teach-in, which concluded on Sunday. The atmosphere in the online gathering also showed how people were beginning to question the things they’ve learned in the name of history.

“The tragedy is not knowing, but [an even] bigger tragedy is having people who’re not even willing to know and correct themselves, which is why we’ve put together this discussion, to learn ‘unbiased history’ and know which side to choose,” Ms Bhutto said in her opening remarks.

“It is sad that people are still debating about how there are ‘two sides’ of a massacre instead of the fact that it happened, and how many times it has been repeated,” Isabella Hammad, a British-Palestinian author said as she shed light on what’s happening in Gaza at the moment.

Pakistani author Fatima Bhutto, panellists from across Middle East highlight failure of UN’s ‘neutral approach’; ask people to question ‘propaganda’ masquerading as reporting

“I think as people who’re deeply connected to academia, we need to realise that no matter where we come from, where our origin is from, whatever history we’ve studied has a tinge of biasedness in it. We have painted villains as heroes, and we have never allowed people to question, which is exactly why a holocaust is unfolding itself right in front of our eyes, which is also telecasted live through a media outlet, yet we’re deciding what side to pick? I don’t think there is anything more unfortunate than that,” she added.

Is UN neutral?

As questions rolled in regarding the United Nations resolution – demanding an immediate ceasefire – and its rejection by the Israeli government, the panellists pointed how the UN has remained silent and has seemed ‘biased’ on this issue for a long time. This is why their current stance doesn’t seem to carry much weight, as they’ve consistently opted to stay ‘neutral’ over the years, panellists said.

“You see, when you keep talking about something but don’t take a concrete action, nobody would take your serious when you call for one. So when you ask why UNGA passed a resolution in the first place when it has to be rejected, you need to know the history of what UN has exactly done for the oppressed that do not belong to a ‘certain’ colour and caste. The answer is unfortunately ‘nothing’. So, when they call for an action, and the oppressor knows they can get away with anything, who’s going to take them serious?’ Omar Barghouti, a Palestinian author said.

Mr Barghouti serves as one of the founding committee members of the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel, and he’s also a co-founder of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. In recognition of his efforts, he was honoured with the Gandhi Peace Award in 2017.

“When one side can use words like ‘dark’ and ‘light’ while talking about children, which by the way, is openly racist, yet no one calls them out, you know it is not a war. When one side has the authority to cut off water, food, internet and bombs them mercilessly, referring them to animals, you know it is not a war and it definitely has no ‘two sides’,” he said.

When asked if he condemns what Hamas did and how he views it, he smiled knowingly as if he expected this question would come up.

“You see, when Hamas attacked Israel, [Israel] responded back by bombing hospitals, churches, and even housing schemes. It has killed thousands of people. Just today I read a statement by Education Ministry of Gaza which said there would be no student graduating this year since all high school seniors have been killed. Are these kids part of a terrorist organisation? No. So, taking revenge of actions of individuals from an entire population, how is that fair?’ he cross questioned.

“Israel can respond to Hamas, but Palestine does not have the same right, so it sits in the corner helplessly watching its people die, while the world goes on about who’s right and who’s wrong,” he concluded.

Journalism or propaganda?

“The biggest media outlets, who preach about the integrity of journalism, conduct workshops over workshops about misinformation and disinformation yet never bothered to double check if there were ‘actual tunnels’ under a hospital before making a report,” Ahmed Eldin, an American-Kuwaiti journalist said, commenting on Western media coverage of the Israeli campaign against Gaza.

“The BBC implied on Twitter and TV that Hamas built tunnels under hospitals, without proof. The next day, we see a hospital going up [in flames] because well, the oppressor has the right, no? The New York Times all of a sudden dedicated an entire page to Gaza day before yesterday. There are multiple events like that where you and I both can see that there is propaganda going on in the name of journalism,” he added.

“I lived in the Gaza strip, and I remember everything about the shortages that the world is witnessing now, so let me be clear on this, this is not the ‘beginning’ of a genocide, this is just intensification of everything that has been going on for years now. You might think this is because of a Hamas attack, because the Western media has convinced you. However that is not the case,” Diana Buttu, a Palestinian-Canadian lawyer said in her closing remarks.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2023