In the past year, Israel’s genocidal violence has taken the lives of nearly 42,000 Palestinians in Gaza, with an estimated real death toll surpassing 180,000. The Israeli occupation forces have also conducted deadly assaults in the West Bank and Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of over 740 and 2,000 people, respectively. Israeli forces have devastated infrastructure, utilities, and residential buildings in Gaza, forcing Palestinians to evacuate and crowding them into a small percentage of the territory.
Despite relentless attacks and dispossession, Palestinians refuse to leave their homeland, citing a deep cultural and historical connection to the land. The olive tree symbolizes this attachment, with Israel targeting Palestinian olive groves in an attempt to erase Palestinian identity. For Palestinians, leaving their land would mean severing a connection that spans generations and represents their history and culture.
In the face of ongoing Israeli aggression, Palestinians demonstrate sumud, or steadfastness, by finding ways to survive and resist. Diaspora Palestinians, like the author, maintain a strong connection to Palestine, witnessing the destruction of their homeland and the resilience of their people. Despite facing dehumanization and despair, Palestinians persevere, determined to preserve their history, culture, and collective soul.
As the world witnesses the ongoing genocide in Palestine, Palestinians hold onto their land and identity as a form of resistance against erasure. The author emphasizes the importance of mobilizing and raising awareness about the Palestinian struggle, asserting that Palestinians will continue to exist and persevere in the face of adversity. The article concludes by underscoring the deep-rooted attachment of Palestinians to their land and the necessity of remaining steadfast in the fight for justice and survival.
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