Last night the United States welcomed its first African American President, Barack Obama. Washington DC had 1.5 million guests come to celebrate this occasion, which many believe to be the beginning of a new America. During the inauguration coverage, journalists stationed in other countries reported on world sentiment about Obama’s Presidency. People around the world were watching the inauguration take place with the same awe, excitement and hope as many Americans.

Flipping through news channels on the day of the inauguration, I watched a US-based journalist turn to a reporter in Gaza and ask him how people were responding to the new American president in Gaza. The reporter said that people weren’t responding; there was no electricity to watch or hear reports and everyone was too consumed by survival to pay attention. He told of hunger, death and a cycle of hopelessness felt by many in Gaza. In spite of the recent ceasefire, life in Gaza remains fragile, desperate and worthy of world attention. While the ceasefire is a step in the right direction, it does not end our moral obligation to stand witness to the continued injustice taking place. Moreover, we must address the root and underlying causes of this continued loss of life, dignity and security.

In the last month, Hamas fired soviet era rockets into Israeli territory. Israel led a ground invasion and air strikes on Gaza. The recent bloodshed in Gaza has taken the lives of an estimated 1500 Palestinian women, children and men, many of whom are civilians, injuring thousands more permanently, and killing 13 Israelis. In trying to target Hamas, an elected political party, many civilians have suffered unjustly; the use of weapons such as white phosphorous bombs in such a densely populated area is unacceptable under any circumstance. Gaza had been under an Israeli imposed economic blockade for over a year. According to the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation (www.endtheoccupation.org), this blockade has restricted access to food, fuel, electricity and other necessities of life for Gaza’s 1.5 Million Palestinian residents. The blockade has led to a 50% rate in malnourishment among the population. Israel is the largest recipient of US military aid. The recent air strikes and ground invasion relied on weapons provided by US taxpayers. These attacks violate both US and international law. A permanent cessation of hostilities, the occupation, and the blockade is needed by all. Palestinians died at a rate of over 100 to 1 in these attacks. The citizens of Israel need to establish peace with their neighbors in order to stop living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty. This cannot be done by killing their neighbors and thus creating more enemies. As peace activists we cannot be silent while so many suffer at the hands of war. It is our mission to promote global peace by influencing U.S. policies. The member organizations of the local PJAW Coalition (www.pjaw.org) are planning a series of local actions to support peace in Gaza. United for Peace & Justice (UFPJ) remind us, “It is time for the U.S. to take its proper role as an honest broker in the conflict and to live up to its promise as a champion of freedom, liberty, justice, and hope.”

-Elea Mihou Executive Director, WNY Peace Center