The Charney Resolution Center, expresses its deepest condolences for those who have lost a loved one during this war. We witnessed the aggression carried out by the Russian government that escalated into an invasion. We highlight the fact that it comes at the expense of civilians. Since peace is the principle our center is built upon, we stand in full solidarity with the civilians who have been affected by this war. We believe that the international community should take it upon themselves to proceed and make it a responsibility to ensure peace, but at what cost?
I am currently living in Brussels, in the heart of the European Quarter, with the NATO HQ a few kilometers away, and this all feels too real. I went to a pub last Friday evening, and found people discussing prices of radiation pills. The following Saturday morning, I was sipping on my coffee, enjoying the sun on my balcony, and I saw thousands rallying in the streets in support of Ukraine. These two events caused an influx of feelings and thoughts.
As a Palestinian, who was born and raised in Palestine, it came as second nature to see the similarities in between the two conflicts, and automatically, I experienced a flood of emotions and I found myself standing in full support with the Ukrainian cause, all because I understand. What I do not understand is the amount of support this conflict is getting when compared to other conflicts happening worldwide. US and EU media outlets did not hold back when it came to releasing headlines condemning actions of Russia, they left their vow of objectivity fully behind them. We have heard news anchors call Ukrainian refugees “civilized”, because of their religion and because of, unfortunately, their skin color. We saw European nations who previously held a strong stance against refugees and migrants all of a sudden opening their borders and welcoming Ukrainian refugees with open arms. Between the Belarussian and Polish border, Syrian, Afghani, and Iraqi refugees were violently pushed back and beaten, only a few months prior. A group of refugees from Aleppo who were also victims of Putin’s aggression, froze to death on the border, while Ukrainian refugees on the same border were served hot drinks. Once again, one cannot help but think about the double standard.
The world, and in specific, the West, really needs to open up their hearts and also their eyes. Crises, war crimes, and tragedies have been ongoing for decades, and the support should not be based on race or religion, but rather focused on the fact that we are all human. Everyone has a right to live a dignified life.
Shana Hazboun