Not in the name of Gaza

There are many reasons why I condemn the massacre that took place at Bondi Beach.

 As someone who has lived under occupation, oppression, and state violence, I find it natural to condemn attacks on civilians, regardless of their religion, political affiliation, or race.

This attack damages the Palestinian cause, tarnishes the reputation of Muslims, and undermines our contributions to the liberal societies we call home.

I understand the trauma that the genocide in Gaza has inflicted on each of our souls and hearts, but that’s not the way to end the apartheid regime; that’s not the way to end the occupation. Our cause is a noble one, and in order for us to succeed, we must pursue civil avenues: courts, art, political pressure, lobbying, and civil resistance.

The responsibility lies fully with those individuals who committed this barbaric act.

I reject the cheap exploitation of people's tragedies for political points. No one exemplifies this more than Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who wasted no time in attacking the Australian government.

Netanyahu wants Western governments to treat their citizens the way Arab regimes treat theirs. He expects the liberal world to censor and silence its citizens and prevent them from protesting for the sake of Israel.

It must be clear: just as Saudi Arabia doesn’t represent all Muslims, nor does the Vatican/Italy represent all Christians, the apartheid state of Israel doesn’t represent all Jews.

ISIS cowardly attacked civilians who were celebrating a religious holiday, whereas Israeli soldiers are deployed across occupied territories in Gaza, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Southern Lebanon, and southern Syria.

It should be noted that this state, which was not targeted by ISIS, was itself actively providing aid to various military groups in Syria during the civil war..

Lastly, for two years, my Jewish brothers and sisters have stood by our side, putting everything they have at risk and shouting for over two years, “This genocide is not in our name.” I salute them and respond, “Not in my name, and not in the name of Gaza.”