Haaretz: Silence in the Face of the Gaza Nightmare is Surrender

SadaNews - The Haaretz newspaper stated in its editorial today, Friday, that the Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, continues to push Gaza towards total destruction amid an ongoing war on the territory that has caused an unprecedented humanitarian tragedy.

Netanyahu's office announced early today that the security cabinet approved a proposal to take control of the city of Gaza as part of a broader plan to occupy the entire territory.

The newspaper added that Netanyahu's plan - for which he is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of war crimes in Gaza - is based on personal considerations and ideological, messianic, and nationalist foundations.

It emphasized the need for action from the international community and Israeli society, asserting that "silence or surrender in the face of this nightmare should not be tolerated."

Haaretz pointed out that the government's decision would serve as an additional link in a chain of occupation, destruction, starvation, and forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians, and that the Israeli government has turned civilians and Israeli prisoners into collateral damage in its war.

Raising the Voice of Opposition

In light of these circumstances, more than two thousand Israeli artists and cultural figures signed a petition titled "Stop the Terror in Gaza," calling for an end to the war and affirming that harming innocent civilians is a mistake that cannot be ignored, according to the editorial.

According to Haaretz, this initiative was met with a systematic campaign launched by government ministers and far-right activists against those who signed the petition, with some signatories being denied artistic job opportunities on the grounds of incitement against the Israeli army.

Haaretz noted that some signatories withdrew under the pressure of threats, reflecting the strength of official and unofficial censorship in Israel and the deep social division faced by the country.

It warned that the plan led by Netanyahu would not only destroy Gaza but also threaten the moral foundations of Israel and increase the state's international isolation, amidst global condemnations of the war on Gaza.

It emphasized the need to support anti-war movements and campaigns against the crimes committed against civilians, which include academics, NGOs, and even some military personnel, reflecting an important resistance against government violence policies.

The newspaper called on all Israelis to express a clear voice against the continuation of war and destruction, considering silence in this context as surrender to the ongoing catastrophe affecting the region and the Palestinians.

Source: Haaretz