“Genocide begins with the silence of the world”

The Israeli state’s massacre of 6,150 children in under two months during its 2023 war on Gaza brings to mind an important message written by Holocaust survivors and their descendants in 2014.

During Israel’s 2014 assault on Gaza, they wrote:

As Jewish survivors and descendents of survivors of the Nazi genocide we unequivocally condemn the massacre of Palestinians in Gaza and the ongoing occupation and colonization of historic Palestine. We further condemn the United States for providing Israel with the funding to carry out the attack, and Western states more generally for using their diplomatic muscle to protect Israel from condemnation. Genocide begins with the silence of the world.

We are alarmed by the extreme, racist dehumanization of Palestinians in Israeli society, which has reached a fever-pitch. In Israel, politicians and pundits in The Times of Israel and The Jerusalem Post have called openly for genocide of Palestinians and right-wing Israelis are adopting Neo-Nazi insignia.

…

We must raise our collective voices and use our collective power to bring about an end to all forms of racism, including the ongoing genocide of Palestinian people. We call for an immediate end to the siege against and blockade of Gaza. We call for the full economic, cultural and academic boycott of Israel. “Never again” must mean NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE!

“Never again” must mean NEVER AGAIN FOR ANYONE!

The letter can also be seen here and here.

For in-depth historical context regarding Israel’s occupation of Palestine, see our explainer.