By Dr. Belal Alakhras

The Palestine people have endured tremendous suffering over the past 75 years, marked by a poignant history of genocide, dispossession, siege, economic sanctions, and incarceration, among many others.

Despite this, the Palestinians have exhibited remarkable resilience and determination to remain rooted in their homeland, navigating the path for national liberation.

The current genocidal war, started in October 2023, has resulted, as of Nov 21, in over 13,300 killed and 30,000 injured. Yet, the Palestinians resolutely reject fleeing even to neighbouring countries, such as Egypt, let alone distant lands.

Steadfast spirit

Their steadfast spirit is exemplified by figures like Dr. Mohammed AlZaaneen, who, after defending his PhD thesis at Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), returned to Gaza with his family in September this year, only to be killed in an Israeli airstrike along with his wife and four children.

Similarly, Dr. Raed Qaddoura, having earned Master’s and PhD degrees at Universiti Malaya and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, tragically lost his life in an Israeli massacre, along with numerous relatives, including both parents and his two-week-old twin girls.

In fact, the Israeli occupation forces are the ones who have explicitly called for the people of Palestine to leave their land, with, for instance, the Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, calling for the migration of Palestinians from Gaza last week.

Israeli forces even destroyed bakeries, cut water, electricity, and fuel, stormed hospitals to compel people to leave. However, the Palestinians in Gaza not only remained steadfast but also acknowledged that they might become martyrs in their unwavering commitment to their homeland, an outcome dictated by the oppressive situation imposed upon them.

The people remain attached to their towns and cities, with its streets, mosques, churches and universities which the Palestinians built while Israel systematically demolished.

Still, the Muslim Palestinians, with the Palestinian Christians in Gaza stand together, sharing in the suffering from bombardments, as exhibited in the attack on the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church that killed at least 18 Christians in Gaza.

Some have imagined that the people of Palestine may abandon their homeland sooner and migrate to other countries.

Universal compassion

Palestinians are in their home country and have been there for 75 years despite all sorts of sufferings that make life hardly possible. The spirit to fight against occupation and oppression and defend their home needs to evoke empathy rather than judgment.

The Palestinians simply wish to live safely on their ancestral lands, not become refugees clinging to life in foreign lands. Their choice to resist oppression, while preferring death over dispossession, deserves universal compassion.

All people have a right to security and dignity in their homelands. Rather than conflict over the difficult choices confronting the people in Gaza, we may come together in solidarity with all those struggling under occupation and genocide across the world.

The people of Palestine hope for understanding rather than polemic regarding their plight.

-- BERNAMA

Dr. Belal Alakhras, who received his PhD in Political Science from Universiti Malaya, is a political analyst.