My Story by Eller Everett
Why I support Palestine
I am a PhD researcher and sustainability consultant and have been working in social impact and sustainability for the past 11 years. One main reason I am so involved and always talking about Palestine is about integrity. If I talk about human rights, if I claim to care about people and be compassionate, how on earth can I stand by and watch whilst people are being massacred and subjected to insane levels of brutality. Also if I care about the environment and sustainability how can I stay silent as Israel commits, not just crimes against humanity, but ecocide as the bombs, weapons, and chemical warfare that were used on the people in Gaza in just the first two months of the genocide amounted to the more emissions than 20 nations put together.
A second reason is about privilege. I am white, British, from a middle class family. I have had the opportunity to go to university, to travel, to live in other countries. I haven't gone hungry or been scared for my life. I very much recognise my privilege, and that with privilege comes responsibility. A responsibility to use it to amplify the voices of those that suffer oppression and colonialism, and use any power I may have to try and create a world of compassion and justice. And that means using my voice to stand against racism, apartheid, and genocide. Imagine if the Palestinians could just pretend this wasn't happening? Being able to ignore a genocide reflects an immense sense of privilege. How we use that privilege matters a lot.
I am so engaged with Palestine because the current situation demonstrates not just a war on the Palestinians but a war on humanity, society and human rights. Our compassion and humanity is being not only tested, but made a mockery of as we're shown a genocide unfolding everyday but also shocking dehumanisation of the palestinian people as their subjected to deprived acts of cruelty. It is a test to our humanity and when we watch a genocide being live streamed, when we do nothing to stop it, the oppressors, colonialists, and war criminals win.
I am not Palestinian. I don't have family in Palestine. But whilst this may not directly impact my life right now, it impacts all of our futures. By standing up for those that are being oppressed and killed by one of the most powerful militaries in the world, (which are funded by one of the most powerful countries in the world), demonstrates the world that we don't want, and the world that we do and will never stop fighting for. One of peace and justice for all, no matter who they are, what their religion, where they were born or the colour of their skin.
Finally, I am specifically vocal about Palestine due to the incredible hypocrisy that has been shown with regards to supporting Ukranians and Palestinians. If the extent of brutality, deprivation and ethnic cleansing was happening to any white community of people the world would have stopped. The hypocrisy and double standards demonstrates a strong colonialist ideology and shocking racism that underlies the western world. Is it time that the world stops making excuses for Israel and starts to understand and acknowledge the extent of the crimes that they have, and continue to commit on humanity and the planet.
I will not stop and not settle until there is a permanent ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and an end to apartheid, and equality, respect and compassion for all.