A magic pill' made Israeli violence invisible. We need to stop swallowing it

"As I write this, confusion swirls around Donald Trump's plan to end the war and hope is mounting for a hostage and prisoner swap. While an end to the bombing, the freedom of captives on both sides and allowing humanitarian aid into Gaza would bring some relief in an otherwise unbearably bleak landscape, it would be a mistake to view the plan as a historic breakthrough for Palestine."

"Western governments' responses to Israel's actions have ranged from cheerleading and unconditional support in the first year of Israel's attack on Gaza after 7 October 2023, followed by statements of concern and handwringing, to, more recently, occasional expressions of consternation and empty threats that continued Israeli attacks may, at some unspecified time, lead to an arms embargo or a drop in trade relations."

For two years, Israel has systematically destroyed the Gaza Strip, killing tens of thousands of Palestinians and maiming many more. Israel has methodically targeted healthcare, education, water and sewage systems to prevent life from resuming in Gaza. Western governments initially offered unconditional support, later shifted to expressions of concern and occasional empty threats such as possible future arms embargoes or trade reductions. Recent conditional recognitions of a Palestinian state occurred amid ongoing destruction. Donald Trump's plan for ending the war and arranging swaps lacks Palestinian input and would preserve Israel's control over Gaza's future. Palestinians have long been told Israeli security concerns trump their rights.

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