My Story by Rilda Taneko
Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Babies
My name is Rilda, and I am an Indonesian. I've been living in Lancaster for almost fifteen years, after experiencing living in some other countries: the Netherlands and Malaysia.
As an Indonesian, I have known about Palestine since I was little. Indonesia always has special relationships with Palestine, hence there is Indonesian Hospital in Gaza. The story I heard was that during Indonesia's struggle for independence from the colonizers, Palestine was the first nation which acknowledged Indonesia as an independent country. Indonesia is always on Palestine's side and never acknowledged Israel as a country. As the founding father and first President of Indonesia, Soekarno, had said: 'As long as the freedom of Palestine has yet to be returned to the Palestinians, then it will forever be for Indonesia to stand in defiance against the occupation by Israel.'
However, I didn't know how bad the situation in Palestine has been. I didn't know that Gaza is an apartheid open-air prison, and that the people live in a cage controlled by the colonizer. They have no freedom of movement and are severely oppressed. The truth is I didn't really pay attention to Palestinians' cause and was drowned by many other issues about my own country.
But then, at the beginning of November last year, I was asked by some friends in Indonesia Social Justice Network (ISJN), where I am a member, to draft a press release of points of principles of our organisation about Gaza. I started to learn and dig into more history about Palestine. I came into conclusion that it is a tragedy of humanity that the world let Palestinians suffer for such a long time.
And now that I know more about Palestine, I couldn't stand idle. No one with conscience could keep quiet when there is cruelty and genocide live streamed in front of our eyes.
When Israel switched off electricity in Gaza and then many new-born babies slowly died in hospital, I couldn't sleep for days. I was crying my eyes out. As a mother, as a human being, I felt that I needed to do something, just anything, no matter how small it is, to contribute to Palestine's struggle for freedom. I then tried to reach out to some like-minded people.
I started to listen to speeches by many speakers from Lancaster Palestine's Solidarity Campaign. I joined the Lancaster-PSC banner workshop and got to know so many brave people with a big heart. Lancaster-PSC is like a big family where the members are supporting each other. These are the people who are selfless and believe for a better world for all.
I would like to end my piece with a quote from June Jordan: 'Palestine is a moral litmus test for the world.'
May humanity and justice prevail. Palestine will be free!
Lancaster, 24 July 2024