The support for Gaza has been heart-warming. The protests around the world have demonstrated our capacity for compassion, but I am disheartened by the dwindling fervor in my timeline and feeds and across the world for the rights of Iraqis and Syrians and Kurds to peace. So far this year, more than 5500 Iraqis have been killed, close to 12,000 have been wounded. There are more the ONE MILLION refugees in Iraq. These lives are not just statistics. Just because it does not fit neatly into a ‘them and us’ narrative it does not mean that the situation is ‘difficult’ and hence we can just ‘leave them to it’. Why aren’t all the people who so passionately defend the rights of Palestinians taking action against the deaths, crucifixions, displacement of those in Syria and Iraq? Is it just because it is not Israeli versus Arab? Jews versus Muslims? It is extremist Sunni versus extremist Shia. It is ISIS versus Kurds and minorities. In short, it is extremists (be they Sunni, Shia or Israeli) versus humanity. When ISIS killed 200 Kurds in one day in Kobane, Syria, it was barely registered as a blip in the media. Christians and other minorities are fleeing because of ISIS. Sunnis are fleeing South Iraq because of extremist Shias. Most are seeking refuge in the three Kurdish provinces, whose government is receiving hundreds of refugees daily. Politics aside, Iraq (and Syria) is facing a humanitarian crisis. Write to your MPs urging them to stop arming extremists and instead send the money to aid agencies. Urge them to come up with a solution (because let’s face it, they will eventually muddle in Iraq’s affairs). March, protest, donate some money to the likes of Christian Aid, International Rescue Committee, or for those interested in helping the refugees that have sought shelter with the KRG, the Barzani Foundation. Iraqis, Syrians and Kurds deserve peace and your support too.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Jul 2014 17:31:37 +0000
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