Desecrating Graves: No Peace Even After Death

In the heart of the ongoing Genocide in Gaza, a disturbing chapter unfolds, staining the sacred resting grounds of the deceased. The unsettling truth emerges as sixteen graveyards in Gaza bear the scars of severe desecration, a grim violation perpetrated by the Zionist state. What is even more disconcerting is the deafening silence from the Western world in response to these acts of aggression. 

The desecration of graves is a universally recognised red line, transcending religious boundaries and moral codes. However, as the people of Gaza witness the violation of their sacred resting places, the world remains eerily silent. The Western powers, often vocal proponents of human rights and justice, seem reluctant to condemn the actions of the Zionist state. 

It is crucial to draw attention to the glaring double standards evident in the response to similar incidents within Western borders. A stark example is the arrest in 2023 after sacred stones were senselessly shattered in a Jewish cemetery in Kent, UK. In the United Kingdom, such acts are deemed a crime, and legislation is in place to ensure the sanctity of graves. However, in Palestine, the desecration is not only tolerated but carried out with impunity. 

Regardless of faith or creed, the desecration of graves is a violation that should invoke global condemnation. The silence from Western powers not only contradicts their proclaimed commitment to human rights but also exposes the selective nature of their moral outrage. 

The disturbing trend of grave desecration in Gaza is part of a broader pattern of audacious impunity justified in the name of foreign policy. The ongoing genocide, marked by killings, bombings, and now the desecration of graves, reflects a callous approach that disregards the sanctity of life and death. The alliance between powerful nations seems to shield these actions from the scrutiny they deserve.

History provides us with harrowing tales of the West marking victories by disrespecting the sanctity of sacred resting places. During World War I, after the French forces took control of Damascus, General Henri Gouraud visited the tomb of Salahuddin Ayyubi (Saladin and kicked it, saying, “Awake, Saladin, we have returned! My presence here consecrates the victory of the Cross over the Crescent.” This gesture was seen as a symbolic proclamation of Western triumph over the historical Muslim figure Salahuddin Ayyubi. However, in the contemporary context of Gaza, the imbalance of power is glaring—tanks against timeworn stones, armies against adolescent boys, and the living against the lifeless. The notion of victory is questionable when the powerful exploit their might against the vulnerable. 

The once-great Western civilisation, heralded as a beacon of brilliance, now finds itself stumbling to defend actions that defy basic human values. Gaza has laid bare the true face of this civilisation, prompting a critical examination of its moral mettle. The silence on grave desecration amplifies the hypocrisy and raises questions about the integrity of the values Western nations claim to uphold. 

Gaza stands as a poignant emblem, prompting the international community to acknowledge its complicity in the wake of Genocide and total disregard for the deceased. The Western allies aligned with the Zionist state are increasingly perceived as the “sick men of Europe,” lacking any substantial contribution to the global stage in terms of profound values such as justice, peace, and stability. The geopolitical landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with global sentiment decisively turning against the Zionist state and its allies. It is imperative to pave the way for a state that genuinely reflects the aspirations of the masses rather than serving the interests of a privileged few.