Climate Activists at COP28 call for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire

Tanzila Rahman, UAO, Ramuae

Tanzila Rahman and Prof. M Zahidul Haque

ON the very first day of the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, UAE, a global network of climate justice and human rights organization has called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Confirming solidarity with the people of Palestine, the climate activists group wearing shirts that spelled out the word ‘ceasefire’, chanting slogan—“From the river to the sea, Palestine will  be free”.

Over 6000 children (excluding those still missing or buried under the rubble) have so far been killed by the brutal Israeli military attacks. The UNICEF has condemned the “ongoing war on children” following Israel resumed strikes on the Gaza strip after the truce between Israel and Hamas expired on Friday, 24

November 2023.

Israel reportedly using a secretive AI (artificial intelligence) to identify targets

in Gaza and in other parts of Palestine to destroy all the infrastructure including hospitals and to kill innocent children and civilians. In fact, Israel has created a Hell on earth and become a state slaughter.

Equipped with sophisticated bombs for destroying bunkers plus other ammunition supplied by the United States, Israel has renewed terrible attacks on Gaza as the Israel-Hamas truce collapsed.

As a consequence of inhuman strikes in Gaza, Israel has not only created a humanitarian crisis but also an environmental havoc in Gaza, in fact, throughout Palestine. The war is also enhancing climate change impacts—already declining rainfall and agricultural productivity in the strip. The blockade and bombardment has ravaged infrastructure and prevented adaptation process.

Agriculture, the main stay of Palestine’s economy has come to almost a standstill position, jeopardizing its export economy.

The COP28 Coalition, an alliance of various civil society organizations from 75 countries during their press conference inside the UN-controlled Blue Zone of COP28 said—“the struggle of Palestine people is part and parcel of our collective struggle for climate, racial, economic and political justice. We also fight for a world, where everyone has the right to live with dignity and free from oppression.”

Dylan Hamilton from Scotland--policy coordinator for the Alliance of Non-Governmental Radical Youth, said—“Even removing the climate aspect, we have an obligation to stand up against genocide and to call out wrongs tomas dosh see it. You don’t need a connection to Palestine or even to Middle East to know that genocide is wrong, you just need to be human.”

How long Israel would be allowed to continue genocide through their brutal and savage military acts in Gaza and Palestine? Would the World Population raise their voice against Israeli Atrocities and move to action to stop genocide in the Gaza strip and the Palestine?

In this respect, we think the journalists have an effective role to play for creating an international consensus against Israel’s atrocities to stop genocide.

Prof. M Zahidul Haque

Some international and national print and electronic media has been doing remarkable job in this field.

Meanwhile we strongly demand immediate ceasefires in Gaza and initiation of a move by the United Nations and all the countries of the world that supports the genuine cause of the Palestinians towards establishing an independent Palestine State with Gaza and other adjoining areas illegally occupied by Israel. (Tanzila Rahman (BCS-Agri) is Upazila Agriculture Officer, Ramu, Cox’s Bazar and Prof. M Zahidul Haque retired as Professor and was also a former Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka.) - UNB