A University of Wollongong academic says Palestine needs the support of the international community as the worst violence in years continues to rage in Israel, Gaza, and Jerusalem.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Dr Marcelo Svirsky, an expert on the region's politics, said there was a "huge asymmetry" in military power between Israel, which he described as a global superpower, and the oppressed Palestine.
He said the hostilities could not be described as a regular conflict, citing the number of deaths seen in the latest outburst of violence: 192 Palestinians - including 58 children - killed at the time of speaking with the Illawarra Mercury, compared to seven Israeli citizens and one soldier.
Read more: Israel pounds Gaza, rocket attacks ongoing
Hostilities flared after the attempted eviction of Palestinian families from an East Jerusalem neighbourhood - protests against which Dr Svirsky said were "harshly repressed" - and an Israeli police raid on the al-Aqsa Mosque during prayers in Ramadan, which occurred as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced a political challenge.
Dr Svirsky said these events led to the "intervention" of Hamas - the organisation that rules Gaza.
The Israeli government considers Hamas a terrorist group, and retaliated.
As an Israeli Jew, Dr Svirksy said he was "deeply ashamed" of what was occurring in the region.
He said one would expect people who had experienced an atrocity on the scale of the Holocaust to have "drawn better conclusions" as to how to treat others.
"It's deeply shameful," Dr Svirsky said.
In addition, he said, there was "unprecedented" violence being committed by Israeli settlers in Palestinian neighbourhoods in the 'mixed cities'.
In 1948 three-quarters of Palestinians were expelled from their homes, Dr Svirsky said, and Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem had been living under military occupation since 1967.
Dr Svirsky said there had also been a siege on the Gaza Strip since 2007, and Palestinians citizens of Jerusalem were enduring a regime of racial discrimination.
He said these events were the context to what was now occurring in the area.
But Dr Svirsky said a growing number of Jewish people around the world were protesting Israel's actions.
"We just know more, we can't be fooled as in the past with false narratives and discourses," he said.
There was much more information available, he said, and more direct contact with those on the ground.
Dr Svirsky said there had also been a shift in attitude among the wider community.
"More and more people are ready to truly listen to the whole spectrum of facts and evidence," he said.
Dr Svirsky advised those who wished to help to inform themselves, using a wide variety of sources for information.
He also suggested asking Palestinian organisations and communities for advice on how to help, attending protests, and supporting calls for boycotts.
"We must make an effort, because Palestine needs the protection of the international community," Dr Svirsky said.
The Wollongong University Student Association, Wollongong Socialists and Students for Palestine have organised a protest in support of Palestine to take place in Wollongong's CBD this Saturday.
The protest will begin at the Crown Street Mall amphitheatre at 1pm.
We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support.
Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
