The ongoing genocide in Gaza and Palestine is a humanitarian and environmental crisis of the utmost importance, one that could define a generation. Since October 2023, there have been tens of thousands of official deaths and many, many more that are likely not counted or indirectly caused by the war. The Lancet Journal recently stated that “it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza”.
Not only have there been countless deaths but millions have been repeatedly displaced while the entire infrastructure of Gaza has been destroyed. Homes, stores, schools, hospitals, parks, communities, entire families and lineages are all gone. And the environment is suffering as well, with ecocide happening in Gaza and massive amounts of pollution occurring because of the bombs. Olive trees, an iconic and very important tree in Palestine, are being torn down or burned by soldiers and settlers, despite being decades old and loved by the people who’ve cared for them.
And it’s not just humans affected by the war/genocide/ecocide. Pets are being displaced with their families as well and many other domestic animals have been injured or lost their owners. Saeed Al Err, the founder of Sulala Animal Rescue, moved the animals in his care three times in five months and had to tragically leave many behind when initially displaced. Zoos in Gaza are left caring for animals in a literal war zone. Back in February of this year, Dr. Amil Khalil of Four Paws International told NPR that:
The people in Gaza deserve to have wild animals and deserve to have a proper place where they can see the animals, but not really a prison because the majority of the animals were kept in poor condition due to the political situation there and the economic situation. … But if Gaza should in the future get a proper condition, I think 100% everyone will assist the people there to live, to see wildlife, but also under international standards.
Why does this matter to Animals of the Pacific Northwest? This blog has been largely centered on animals and the environment of the Cascadia region in North America, an area that’s thousands and thousands of miles away from Gaza and Palestine. But the truth is that the fundamental values of this blog (Care, Conservation, Coexistence) are arguably rooted in cross-border solidarity. Many of the same systems that cause issues like massive wildfires, homelessness, and climate change here in North America are also behind what’s happening in Palestine. White supremacy and capitalism are two systems that affect people all over the world and as such, it’s also our duty to fight against these systems when and where they are perpetuated.
Additionally, there is a human behind this blog and as that human, I can’t idly sit by and just watch a genocide, ecocide, and unimaginable horrors continue to happen, particularly when these things are happening using my tax money. While I condone Hamas, the collective punishment of Gaza and its civilians by Israel is horrifying. The ICC was right to recently accuse Israel of war crimes.
How To Help
Grassroots organizing has spent months now helping to amplify the voices of those on the ground in Gaza and help crowdfund for evacuation fees, supplies, and/or other expenses. Operation Olive Branch is one of the more high-profile ones, particularly on TikTok. This collective works hard to collect resources, direct aid, and lists of vetted GoFundMe campaigns for those in Gaza. Sulala Animal Rescue is also accepting donations. Additionally, there are international organizations doing important work in Gaza, like UNRWA (the United Nations Relief and Works Agency), Doctors Without Borders, the International Rescue Committee, and Medical Aid For Palestinians.
If you live in the United States, you can also contact your elected representatives and urge them to fight for a ceasefire and immediate end to US aid to Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace has resources on how to contact your representatives about a cease-fire. Additionally, humanitarian aid needs to be immediately allowed into Gaza to allow for those most in need to get the help they need and done in a way where far-right Israeli nationalists can’t destroy the aid.
